BANGKOK, Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Central Pattana plc, Thailand’s leading real estate developer, has achieved a noteworthy sustainability milestone by securing the top position on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices-World Index (DJSI World) for 2023, attaining the highest score, or the Top 1% S&P Global CSA Score in the Real Estate Management & Development category among 299 companies globally in the sector, according to the Sustainability Yearbook 2024.

Listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand with a market cap of 289 billion baht, Central Pattana has been selected for the 6th consecutive years on DJSI World, 10th consecutive year on DJSI Emerging Markets, and the 6th consecutive years on S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. This recognition demonstrates its global leadership in constantly driving sustainable development.

Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat, President & CEO of Central Pattana plc, expressed that securing the top spot among 299 global companies in the sector is a confirmation of the company’s business practices in line with its vision of ‘Imagining better futures for all.’ This achievement underscores the company’s global standing and vision, emphasizing a robust business model known as ‘The Ecosystem for All,’ coupled with its role as a Place Maker for a Sustainable Future.

“We recognize our sustainability milestones as a result of the dedicated efforts of colleagues and collaborative partnerships with tenants, partners, and suppliers. We appreciate the shared endeavors that enhance our ESG performance. Committed to innovation, we look forward to shaping vibrant and sustainable communities through close collaboration with stakeholders. Under our brand purpose ‘Imagining better futures for all’ to build a strong and sustainable ecosystem with a role of the ‘Place Maker’ who creates space of the future and pioneer cities and developments all over the countries with a mission to take care of both the quality of life of the ‘people’, including communities, and the ‘planet’, to become Thailand’s first mixed-use developer to reach a net zero goal by 2050,” Ms. Wallaya said.

DJSI select ‘global, sustainable stocks’ and lists the securities indices of world-leading companies that are outstanding in their business operations and focus mainly on sustainability. The sustainability assessment is conducted and ranked annually by S&P Global based on economic, social and environmental indicators following sustainable business development guidelines.

Institutional investors worldwide recognize and use this information for investment purposes.

Lavish airport lounges are a quintessential part of the business class experience. If you have the privilege of flying in business class, you may also be able to enjoy a business class lounge experience.

And with airlines continuing to invest in business class, you may also experience newly renovated business class lounges with enhanced food and amenities.

In fact, the quality of an airline’s business class lounge has often been considered a reflection of the airline as a whole. And while most airlines maintain their flagship business class lounges at their hub airports, it’s also possible to find incredible business class lounges at outstations far from HQ.

So, in this guide, we’ll show you the best business class lounges in the world — let’s get into it!

What Makes a Great Business Class Airport Lounge?

The purpose of an airport lounge is to provide an exclusive and private space away from the main terminal where passengers can savor a meal, imbibe a cocktail, get some shut-eye, freshen up with a shower, or do work in peace.

Characteristics of a fantastic business class airport lounge can include the following:

• Ample, uncrowded space
• Excellent amenities like shower suites, nap areas, and comfortable seats
• Thoughtful food and beverage selections, including à la carte dining
• Notable facilities like a spa, game room, or cocktail bar
• Intimate ambience

If you can find a business class lounge that checks all of these boxes, you’re in for a treat.

Without further ado, let’s get into the best business class lounges in the world!

The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World

We dug through all of the major business class lounges globally, compared the pros and cons of each, and aggregated them into a decisive list for you.

Many of these options won’t be surprising, but you might find a handful of business class lounges you didn’t expect to find!

1. Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha

Location: Level 3
Opening Hours: 24/7

Our favorite business class lounge in the world is Qatar Airways’ famous Al Mourjan Lounge, an absolute architectural marvel.

In Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), this 2.5-acre lounge is a cavernous space reminiscent of a museum, thanks to its huge ceilings and expansive footprint.

The lounge has plenty of seating, including lounge chairs, private pods, dining tables and chairs, booth seating, and private alcoves with sofas and recliners, and it can accommodate hundreds of travelers.

There are 2 areas for dining — a buffet restaurant with a cocktail bar serving premium beverages and an à la carte section serving light bites and sandwiches.

The buffet restaurant serves a variety of different cuisines and has beautiful, soaring ceilings. The main buffet area includes sushi (except at breakfast), Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine, Western foods like pasta, artisanal desserts, and fantastic refreshments, including Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne!

The lounge has shower suites and quiet rooms suitable for quick naps. Also, Al Mourjan Lounge has a fantastic set of facilities for families, including family rooms with games like foosball and video game consoles, as well as nursing and changing rooms.

There are plenty of power outlets, lighting schemes, magazine racks, a complete business center with 4 desktop workstations, office chairs, cubicles, and a meeting room.

Hot Tip: Want to see more of this resort-like lounge? Read our detailed tour of Al Mourjan Business Lounge at DOH, which includes plenty of photos! You can also see our tips for the best ways to book Qatar Airways QSuites with points and miles.

2. Emirates Business Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Location: Terminal 3, Concourse B (inside security)
Opening Hours: 24/7

Emirates is world-famous for its lavish first and business class seats; similarly, its lounges worldwide are exceptional. They’re even more luxurious at its hub airport in Dubai.

Before you even get to the lounge, Emirates has an exceptional business class ground experience, including a dedicated airport entrance, check-in lines, security checkpoints, and more.

But once you arrive at the lounge, you’ll be blown away by the incredible amenities available. Indeed, its list of amenities is so expansive that it’s difficult to describe everything — but we’ll give it our best shot!

Starting with the seating areas, you’ll find lounge chairs, armchairs, dining chairs, tables, and chaise longues to relax in.

The lounge is above the main concourse, which means open-air spaces, high ceilings, and excellent people-watching.

The massive buffet has a wide variety of hot foods, including an Asian section, a Mediterranean area, a dessert bar, a Moët & Chandon Champagne lounge with small bites like pomegranate macarons, a Costa Coffee bar, and a series of self-serve drinks, ranging from liquor to fine wines to VOSS water and even Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

One of the hallmarks of this lounge is that there are 2 cigar bars.

Of course, there are shower suites, lots of restrooms, a spa (not free), literature aisles, televisions, fast and free Wi-Fi, and an abundance of power outlets.

The lounge has a huge play area with video game consoles, arcade games, and plenty of activities to keep the children occupied.

You’ll also find a few business centers with cubicles, workspaces, and desktop computers in the same vicinity. There are also more leather armchairs with ottomans and blankets.

Lastly, direct boarding is available for select flights, so you can seamlessly walk directly onto your plane from the business class lounge.

3. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at Istanbul Airport (IST)

Location: International Terminal, up the escalator, opposite gate E1
Opening Hours: 24/7

One of our absolute favorite business class lounges in the entire world is the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST. Eclipsing the old business class lounge at the former Atatürk airport, this new business class lounge is a huge, open-air space across 2 floors.

The Turkish Airlines ascends above the main terminal and showcases functional design elements compared to the ostentatious old lounge. One of the first things you find is a beautiful grand piano, an open stage space with a giant projector screen, and lots of comfortable seating.

Immediately near the entrance, there’s a large niche with plenty of storage lockers, Wi-Fi kiosks to get access codes, a cluster of plush, white leather chairs, a business center with PC and Mac desktop computers, a printer, and shared workspaces. There’s also an area with 12 televisions and more lounge chairs.

Other spaces include wooden dining chairs and tables, sunken armchairs, and an open-air kitchen reminiscent of a log cabin.

You’ll want to make your way to the food and drink area immediately because Turkish Airlines is world-famous for its spectacular food. This lounge has self-serve buffets, live cooking stations, and open kitchens.

Starting in the self-serve area, there’s a gigantic salad spread, soups, Asian entrees, and a drool-inducing showcase of Turkish desserts.

There are also grills where you can order meat and side dishes, a self-serve drink section, staffed coffee and tea stations with Gaggia espresso machines, and much more.

A highlight of this lounge is the beautiful, marble-clad bathrooms and shower rooms with luxury amenities.

Astonishingly, you’ll also find around 15 private suites, each with a twin bed with plush bedding, a wall-mounted TV, a desk, a chair, and individually controlled air conditioning!

This lounge also has lots of daybeds separated by curtains, private conference rooms, a dark room, a golf simulator, a video game room, a playroom for kids, ironing services, a library, and more.

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth review and photos of the amazing Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST!

4. Air Canada Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Location: International Departures, on the upper level next to gate E77
Opening Hours: Daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Air Canada’s flagship ground experience is at the Signature Suite, which only exists at 2 airports, Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR). The Toronto location premiered before the Vancouver one, but this location is still considered to be the better despite being slightly older.

If you’re connecting from a domestic Canadian flight, you’re picked up in a BMW from your arrival gate and whisked to the Signature Suite.

It only gets more fun from there because this lounge is one of the most exclusive lounges in the entire world, starting off with having your luggage stored away by a porter.

Most of the lounge is filled with upscale fine dining chairs, booths, and dining tables. Even though this lounge is on the smaller side, you rarely see it at more than half capacity because of the strict access rules.

There’s a small buffet, but you’ll want to save your stomach for the à la carte service, which offers favorites like beef tenderloin with matchstick potatoes, harissa-marinated lingcod, Moroccan braised lamb shank, and vegetarian dishes.

The Signature Suite’s cocktail bar is equally impressive. It stocks top-shelf drinks like Moët & Chandon rosé, brut Champagnes, and artisanal mixed drinks. Nonalcoholic drinks include freshly crafted Lavazza espresso drinks and tea by Sloan.

Elsewhere in the lounge are a VIP private room and a relaxation area with couches, recliners, square armchairs, and more. There aren’t any family rooms, spas, or nap rooms — the lounge was designed to be more of a fine-dining, privacy-first experience instead of a gigantic space with many amenities.

There are tons of power adapters and USB outlets everywhere. Each of the 6 toilets is spotless and stocked with Molton Brown lotion and hand soap.

The only complaint with this lounge is that there aren’t any plane-spotting views or showers (you have to visit the nearby Maple Leaf Lounge for a shower).

Nonetheless, the Signature Suite offers an impeccable food and beverage experience on par with some first class lounges.

5. Air France Business Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Location: Hall L of Terminal 2E
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The Air France Business Lounge at CDG is impressive, with phenomenal amenities spanning over 34,000 square feet. However, this lounge is only available to those flying outside the Schengen area.

The main relaxation space, by a French interior designer, has a white marble bar as its centerpiece, with blue velvet seats surrounding it. The entire area is capped with a gold-paneled ceiling.

The food and beverage area starts with a 1,700-square-foot bar, Le Balcon, where the head bartender of the Hotel Lancaster in Paris serves cocktails from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The highlight of the food and beverage area is the Gourmet Table, where a chef prepares the day’s dishes fresh. It’s not a full à la carte menu, but the buffet should help satisfy any other cravings you might have.

This lounge also has a 6,000-square-foot wellness area with chaise longues, minisuites with chaise longues set apart from the rest of the lounge with curtains, a detox bar serving Palais des Thés teas and Evian infusions, 2 private saunas, boudoir shower suites, and complimentary, 20-minute facial treatments from the Clarins spa.

The kids room also has video game consoles, among other games. Other amenities include complimentary newspaper racks, free Wi-Fi, and more.

6. Qantas Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Location: Terminal 3, near gates 1 through 11
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Qantas Lounge at LHR is truly a special space. Why? Despite being a business class lounge, it’s an exclusive enclave of luxury, bliss, and privacy.

Upon entering the lounge, you’ll find 2 floors — a downstairs floor with a bar and restaurant and an upstairs floor with the remaining seating areas and amenities.

The lounge is filled with bright, eccentric pieces of furniture, including orange, tufted couches, velvet armchairs with diamond stitching resembling the inside of a supercar, dining tables and chairs, and numerous other semi-private booth seating with tall privacy partitions.

This lounge has a proper restaurant with à la carte dining, showcasing favorites like salt-and-pepper squid and eggs Benedict. On the same floor, there’s a gin bar mixing some of the most creative cocktails out there.

Upstairs is the hot buffet area with all the classic breakfast goodies, such as sausage, scrambled eggs, and more. There might be dishes such as stew, rice, soup, bread, salad, fresh fruit, cakes, and more during lunch. But you’d do well to stick to the downstairs restaurant.

The circular marble bar is yet another cocktail bar, plus it’s where you can get barista-made espresso and soft drinks.

The shower suites resemble those in a 5-star hotel, complete with a private toilet, floating marble vanities, ASPAR products, a walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head and shower wand, and all the other amenities needed to freshen up.

Other amenities include a kids playroom, a separate quiet room with plush armchairs, great runway views, and more.

7. The Pier, Business Class Lounge, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Location: Terminal 1, sixth level, near gate 65
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The Pier Business Class Lounge is among the many airport lounges Cathay Pacific operates within its Hong Kong hub. This sprawling space is under the main terminal and accessible via an escalator or elevator.

This lounge happens to be the largest airport lounge in HKG and boasts minimalist wooden decor with an abundance of recessed lighting and maximum intimacy.

Split into 2 areas, this lounge has a main area and a wellness area. The main area houses a food hall, a cocktail bar, a noodle bar, a teahouse, shower suites, and a quiet room.

The wellness area consists mostly of The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga, a 700-square-foot space with yoga, seated stretching, meditative audio, and gazing activities. This area offers instructional posters and videos to help you destress and relax. Several yoga mats are laid out in front of the TV. There are 4 pods with noise-canceling headphones and iPads for guided meditation sessions.

Moving deeper into the lounge are the luggage storage and restrooms, as well as the 4 main food areas, of which the Noodle Bar is the flagship. The Noodle Bar has dining booths, tables, and various other seating. It serves favorites like dan dan noodles, wonton noodles in soup, and popular dim sum favorites like steamed chicken bao.

There’s also a teahouse serving JING tea, classic candies, and pastries, as well as self-serve beverages like soda and beer.

The food hall has an international buffet with dishes including dumplings, meatballs, pasta, pizza, pastries, meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, and more. There’s a barista-managed espresso cart here that looks like an old-fashioned rickshaw.

Lastly, the bar is where you can get craft cocktails, bar snacks, soft drinks, juices, bottled water, espresso, and more.

Some of the other amenities here are the 14 shower suites, each stocked with Aēsop amenities, a relaxation room with daybeds, the business center with printers and desktop computers, luggage storage lockers, and clean restrooms.

There’s simply no shortage of amenities here!

Hot Tip: Have you ever had a long layover and needed to kill time in the most luxurious way possible? Our writer did just that, visiting 7 lounges at HKG across a 9-hour layover! 

8. ANA Business Lounge at Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)

Location: Terminal 3, near gate 110
Opening Hours: Daily from 5 a.m. until the last departure

The ANA Business Lounge at HND is one of the newest lounges in Tokyo’s Haneda airport. And while there are 2 ANA international business class lounges, the better one is near gate 110 (the other business lounge is near gate 114).

To access this lounge, follow the ANA Lounge signs, ascend an escalator to the fourth floor, and turn left for the ANA Lounge (right is for the ANA Suite Lounge). It’s important to note that this lounge has been expanded with a new seating capacity of 900 travelers, which quashes any previous concerns about overcrowding!

The ANA Business Lounge at HND is gigantic, elegantly designed, and flanked by a long corridor after the entrance. You’re welcomed by an open, rectangular room with tables, rows of chairs reminiscent of a diner, and a long bar adjacent to the windows with leather armchairs throughout.

The main dining area has a buffet with salad, finger sandwiches, sushi, bread, fruit, pastries, curries, scrambled eggs, dumplings, and a noodle bar. A kitchen and bar serve lots of fresh dishes.

The noodle bar serves variants of soba, udon, and ramen noodles. The drink selection includes a self-serve espresso machine, 2 Asahi beer dispensers, a soda machine, a brewed coffee machine, self-serve liquor and alcohol, and other soft drinks.

There’s another buffet nearby with the same food selection but without a noodle bar.

This lounge has shower suites, and the water pressure, design, and amenities are excellent. You’ll find a luxurious walk-in shower, a private toilet, a full vanity, complimentary amenities, excellent water pressure, Dyson hair dryers, and more. The showers are apparently quite in demand, though, and when you ask to reserve a shower slot, you’ll be handed a buzzer to let you know when it’s your time.

This lounge also has a kids playroom and a smoking room in the rear corner.

9. Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Location: Tom Bradley International Terminal, sixth floor, near the central atrium
Opening Hours: Daily from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX is one of the best lounges at LAX and definitively among the best business class lounges in the world. In fact, this lounge is an excellent reason to head to LAX early.

With over 18,000 square feet of space and a capacity for 400 guests, the Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX offers an expansive area with many relaxing zones.

This lounge also boasts some of the best views of Tom Bradley International Terminal, overlooking the entire atrium from the cantilevered mezzanine terrace.

The food and beverages (including a wine wall) are plentiful but, more importantly, delicious. Common food choices include sandwiches, salads, crudités, bread, chips, crackers, chicken curry, rice pilaf, squash soup, beef stew, sundried tomato macaroni and cheese, fresh juices, fresh fruit, instant noodles and more.

There’s also a DIY noodle station and 2 cocktail bars. If you’re looking for more simple beverages, the main buffet has self-serve Champagne, fresh juice, espresso machines, tea, soda, and filtered water.

In the back of this lounge are 8 shower suites stocked with plenty of amenities and Soaptopia products. The staff will give you a buzzer to let you know when a shower’s free, but you might be able to snag a shower suite immediately if it’s not crowded.

The crown jewel of this lounge is the open-air patio and terrace, with comfortable lounge chairs, gaslit fireplaces, a self-serve cocktail bar, and incredible views of the runway.

Other amenities include a quiet room, a TV room, and a library room.

10. Oman Air Business Class Lounge at Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Oman

Location: Terminal 1 (inside security), above Muscat Duty Free
Opening Hours: 24/7

Oman Air’s flagship business class lounge houses both the first class and business class lounge, but the first class section is separate from the business class section. Slightly bigger than the first class section, the business class section also has a cocktail bar, where all alcohol is served.

This lounge primarily consists of armchair seats, high-top counter seats, and dining tables and chairs.

There are 2 dining areas, each with a self-serve buffet, an open-air kitchen, and a selection of hot foods. However, the most impressive treat is the mountain of dates. You’ll also find a cheese selection, cold cuts, cookies, pastries, bread, cereal, and more.

Sorry, business class passengers, à la carte dining is for first class passengers only.

The lounge has 2 types of Nespresso machines, self-serve juice, water, soft drinks, and more.

A couple of the major highlights are the Chedi spa and the shower suites, designed to resemble something inside a 5-star spa hotel instead of an airport lounge.

There are a few chaise longues in the relaxation area, each surrounded by curtains. There are also 4 proper nap rooms with fully flat divans and tables.

Plus, there are 2 private movie rooms with velvet chairs and ottomans facing a wall-mounted television. To keep the children busy, check out the kids play area or reserve a private family room.

To round out the amenities, there’s a smoking lounge, prayer rooms, nursing rooms, luggage storage rooms, and a business center.

Hot Tip: Our detailed review of the Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge in MCT examines the seating, dining, and relaxation options.

11. The Wing, Business Class Lounge, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Location: Terminal 1, sixth level, near gates 1 through 4
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. until the last departure

The Wing, Business Class Lounge, is one of the major business class lounges operated by Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong International Airport.

Whereas The Pier is near gate 65 at one end of the terminal, The Wing is on the other side, near gates 1 through 4.

And while you might think that The Pier and The Wing are similar, they represent totally different vibes and ambiance.

The Pier is designed to be intimate, quiet, and minimalist, while The Wing is open-air and designed to be spacious and showy.

The Wing showcases marble throughout the lounge, and the seating options are eye-catching, ranging from bright brown lounge chairs to quirky seat designs.

There are 4 dining options here:

The most trafficked area here is the Noodle Bar, and it’s easy to see why, thanks to the open-air kitchen whipping up dim sum and fresh bowls of noodles. The Noodle Bar also has multiple hot buffet dishes, including fried noodles and spiced chicken.

The Long Bar is a ridiculously long cocktail bar serving various mixed beverages, snacks, pastries, and canapés.

The Main Lobby has self-serve espresso machines, freshly squeezed fruit juice, other soft drinks, salad, fruit, finger sandwiches, Western hot foods like pasta and meatballs, and more.

The Coffee Loft serves finger foods and, more importantly, freshly brewed coffee and espressos from a barista.

As far as other amenities go, though The Wing doesn’t have shower cabanas like The Wing, First Class Lounge does, it does have a whopping 23 private shower suites. Each shower suite has a walk-in shower, Jurlique products, a backlit vanity, a private toilet, and other shower amenities.

You’ll also find a huge literature rack with various newspapers and magazines. There’s also a tech zone along the far side of the lounge featuring complete workstations with printers.

Hot Tip: If you’d like a lounge with even more luxury offerings, check out the best first class lounges in the world.

12. United Polaris Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Location: International Terminal G, third level, near gate G1
Opening Hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The United Polaris Lounge at SFO is arguably the best Polaris Lounge of all the locations. And while the United Polaris seat is exceptional, the United Polaris Lounge puts many first class lounges to shame. That’s how good these lounges are.

In particular, the United Polaris Lounge at SFO measures over 28,000 square feet, taking the title of the largest Polaris Lounge in the world. If you’re flying in business or first class on a long-haul Star Alliance flight, you’ll probably want to stake out a spot here.

The United Polaris Lounge at SFO has 2 floors, with the upper floor considerably larger than the lower floor.

On the lower floor is a single seating area with armchairs, semi-private cubicles, and 8 shower suites. Every shower suite has a private toilet, a walk-in rainfall shower with fantastic water pressure, Saks Fifth Avenue towels, and Sunday Riley bath amenities. There’s also a marble vanity, a backlit mirror, and a marble bench.

There are also 5 rest areas with chaise longues, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket, and water bottles.

That rounds out the amenities on the lower floor — the upper floor is where everything else is. First, the planespotting would make even the pickiest aviation geeks proud.

Then, you’ll see a much larger space with dining chairs, booth seating, dining tables, semi-private cubicles, and more.

But the highlight here is the dining room serving restaurant-quality à la carte items, ranging from appetizers to main courses like burgers, Chinese congee, and chicken katsu. And there’s an enormous cocktail menu. Oh, and a barista will make custom espresso drinks for you.

There’s also a buffet of sushi, salad, fresh fruit, some hot items, and hors d’oeuvres like mahi-mahi.

The Wi-Fi is blazingly fast, and there are power outlets everywhere.

13. HNA Club at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Location: Terminal 2, International (inside security), near gate 12
Opening Hours: Daily from first departure to last departure

The brand-new HNA (short for Hainan Airlines) Club measures nearly 8,000 square feet, can hold up to 148 guests, and has a vast range of facilities.

Immediately after checking into the lounge, you can use the convenient storage room. Then, proceed down the main hall to get to the main section of the lounge.

The first person you’ll see on the right after entering the main lounge area is a lounge attendant at the cocktail bar, serving cocktails, Champagne, liquor, juice, wine, and other beverages.

Immediately next to this area are the salad bar and snack bar. But the place your stomach will be most excited about is behind the bar at the sit-down hot food area, which serves Chinese dishes that’ll make you salivate. These include wok-fried chicken, braised pork ribs, shrimp, and stewed duck, all served buffet-style.

In addition, there’s a self-service kiosk where you can order freshly made dishes such as traditional beef noodle soup, tomato egg noodles, and beef burgers.

Be sure to check out the Hai tea area, where you can participate in a traditional tea ceremony.

Once you’ve gotten a bite to eat, you can find a comfortable, relaxing arrangement, whether the wave chairs (similar to chaise longues) offering tarmac views or one of 3 private day rooms with massage chairs.

Other amenities include a Nespresso coffee bar, a business center with 3 workstations, desktop computers, semi-private cubicles, private shower suites with luxury bath products, and video rooms.

14. SWISS Business Lounge at Zurich International Airport (ZRH)

Location: Terminal E, third floor, near gate E36
Opening Hours: Daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The SWISS Business Lounge at ZRH is affectionately considered one of the best business class lounges in Europe, thanks to its intimate size, amenities, and more.

Zurich Airport isn’t a bustling space, so having this lounge available can add a little excitement to your journey. This approximately 13,000-square-foot lounge has a capacity for 200 guests.

Upon entry, the first thing you see is a huge bookcase filled with stacks of newspapers and magazines. As you move along, you’ll notice the sleek, wooden design elements, the clean, geometric architecture, and the natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The lounge contains a varied selection of food and beverages at a buffet, including salads, fruits, fresh fruit, and bread. There’s also an open-air kitchen paired with a made-to-order menu of pasta, braised meats, and soups. For drinks, you can help yourself to bottles of top-shelf liquor, sample different bottles of wine, or use the coffee island.

There are immaculate shower suites with private toilets, a vanity, various toiletries, and a backlit mirror.

This lounge has several relaxation pods with chaise lounges where you can catch a quick nap. The highlight is the long outdoor balcony/terrace overlooking the runway. Be sure to ask for a pair of Leica binoculars to aid your plane spotting!

Other solid amenities include a business center, a work area with cubicles, and convenient access to departure gates.

Hot Tip: If you are flying SWISS first class, Lufthansa first class, or are a HON Circle member, you can access the SWISS Air First Class Lounge, also in Terminal E at Zurich Airport.

15. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Location: Terminal 3, Upper Class Wing
Opening Hours: Daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or last departure

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR is a sleek escape from the chaos of Heathrow Airport. Once you get in, you’re greeted by plenty of natural light, high ceilings, and impressive facilities.

First, the Upper Class Wing has a dedicated security checkpoint. After that, you walk through the duty-free shops before entering the H Pier lounge.

A magazine and newspaper selection are at the entrance, followed by the main lounge. The cocktail bar is the most impressive element in this lounge, and it’s often staffed with 4 or 5 bartenders at a time.

The seating types are varied and unique, ranging from circular bubble seats to couches and high-top chairs at the bar counter.

The Brasserie has a buffet with fresh bread, pastries, cereal, cold cuts, and more. However, the best part is the à la carte menu, which serves classic English breakfasts, eggs Benedict, fried squid, baked chicken wings, and so on. You can also order mixed cocktails here.

The spa offers both complimentary and paid treatments. Complimentary spa treatments include beard trims, 15-minute Express Radiant You facials, ladies’ fringe trims or creative dry styles, head massages, and more. The spa also houses a hot tub, shower suites with private toilets, great amenities, and a backlit mirror and vanity.

This lounge has The Playground, a kids playroom; The Cinema, where you have relaxed lounge seats and divans facing a huge TV; The Den, which has a business center; The Sky Lounge, a loft with natural light and seating options; The Garden, an outdoor terrace with seating and tarmac views; and a game area with a billiards table and arcade games.

16. Qantas International Business Lounge at Brisbane International Airport (BNE) in Australia

Location: Levels 3 and 4 (inside security), near gate 80
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.

The Qantas International Business Lounge at BNE is the best Qantas business class lounge in Australia. While you might think Sydney or Melbourne would have a flagship lounge, the lounges there are dated and old compared to the comparatively fresh Brisbane lounge.

Initially built in 2016, this lounge was expanded again in 2019 and is now spread over 3 stories. The attractive, Queensland-inspired space is filled with natural light and boasts a buffet, full bar, and beautiful seating on the first floor. On this floor, baristas curate custom coffee drinks.

The second floor has most of the facilities, with another barista coffee station, a cocktail bar, a full buffet, and shower suites. The shower suites are adorned with luxury ASPAR amenities, a walk-in rainfall shower, a private toilet, and a full vanity.

But the third floor is absolutely a must because, until 11 a.m. daily, you can enjoy freshly prepared breakfast medleys at the Brisbane Breakfast Hatch, including eggs Benedict or a healthy breakfast bowl.

This lounge also has power outlets and USB charging ports. Lastly, the Wi-Fi is very fast, with an average download and upload speed of around 100 Mbps.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to business class lounges, you have a lot of choices around the world. So, if you’re planning on booking business class travel, why not enjoy an exceptional lounge experience to go with it?

Most of the world’s best business class lounges are operated by famous brands in commercial aviation, such as Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and ANA. However, you might be surprised to learn that airlines like Hainan Airlines and United Airlines also have some of the world’s best business class lounges!

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As non fungible tokens become more widely accepted, many prospective business investors are unsure whether they represent a benefit or a bubble. Real-world examples of this new technology are crucial to evaluating its worth, sustainability, and future, given the seemingly limitless possibilities of NFTs.

The use of NFTs, or digital tokens representing real-world and virtual assets, is theoretically unlimited. NFTs offer a new way to monetize intellectual property, digitize assets, and confirm the validity of physical assets online—all while still going through growing pains as a technology and a financial instrument. They are used more frequently to confirm the authenticity of different rare, priceless, and collectible artifacts.

Both buyers and sellers should approach cautiously as the market changes. NFTs have not yet seen the widespread application, but supporters of the technology claim that the groundwork is being set for such purposes.

Despite their ups and downs, the main barrier to the adoption of NFTs is usability, not technology, according to Evin McMullen, co-founder of Serto, a Consensys firm. She stated that to make it more useful, straightforward, and pleasurable for both business users and private customers, we must improve the user experience.

Nonfungible Tokens (NFTs): What are they?

NFTs are special kinds of cryptographic assets that are built on blockchain technology. Because of their singularity, NFTs are nonfungible, which means they cannot be utilized interchangeably with one another. On the other hand, fungible assets, such as a dollar bill, a piece of gold, or a bitcoin, can all be swapped for comparable goods. The foundation upon which NFTs are built is decentralized finance (DeFi), in which assets and market participants behave decentralized and interpersonally. DeFi does away with the need for middlemen. 

Making a physical asset into a digital asset streamlines procedures and makes it simpler to verify the difference and scarcity of information on digital networks. Exclusiveness is a major feature of NFTs; they can limit people’s access to certain assets.

The appeal of NFTs rests in their use of unique identification, the tamper-resistant blockchain of smart contracts, and the digital representation of tangible goods. Blockchain safeguards NFT ownership, granting the owner sole authority to carry out transactions and transfer the token. The tokens can’t be deleted, copied, or destroyed because of blockchain technology. Blockchain also eliminates third-party authentication and allows NFTs to be traced back to their actual owners. Without the owner’s consent, not even the NFT’s issuer can copy or transfer it.

NFT examples in the business world

In the arts and entertainment spheres, NFTs have drawn a lot of interest and come to pass. Beyond these early applications, however, many real-world business use cases, including licensing and certifications, real estate, supply chain management, and logistics, are still in the early stages.

Identification, accreditation, and proof of ownership

Although personal identity management is one area where NFTs can excel, this application is still in its infancy. Because NFTs contain code with a specific set of information, they can be used to tokenize documents like diplomas, academic certificates, licenses, and other credentials, as well as medical records, birth certificates, and death certificates. The identification or certification can be promptly issued over the blockchain as an NFT that can be traced to the owner. Therefore, employing NFTs to digitally capture and maintain medical histories, personal profiles, educational backgrounds, and address details can help customers have more control over their data while also preventing identity theft. 

A similar idea might be used for passports or driver’s licenses in the future. Although NFTs may help to prevent the falsification of licenses, passports, and visas, specifics of the technology — which may be utilizing a mobile app — have not yet been worked out.

The creation of vaccine passports using NFTs is a similar application. The Republic of San Marino announced the introduction of NFT COVID-19 vaccination passports. The tokens will lessen document fraud by assisting with document authentication.

Domain name registration

The basic domain name service (DNS), under the administration of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), has no regulation. Owners can manage their domains using private keys in a blockchain domain system. This presents issues with security and censorship. These worries are lessened because blockchain domain names are permanently stored in a public registry and cannot be changed or deleted by a third party.

Blockchain domain NFTs allow for simple trading and programmable domain names. Crypto addresses comparable to an Instagram or Twitter handle are provided through Decentralized substitutes to the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and Unstoppable Domains conventional DNS, although each name must be distinct. Users of Instagram and Twitter cannot sell their identities, but they may purchase and sell crypto-addresses on ENS and Unstoppable Domains. Prices for the more well-known names are greater.

Actual estate

Applications for virtual real estate are growing in popularity in games like Decentraland. Both in the virtual and physical worlds, NFTs can be used to market digital real estate. A virtual environment is created and bought by participants. Using NFT, it is possible to determine who made and owned the items.

The digital “Mars House,” which depicts a residence encased in glass and encircled by neon lights, is another illustration of virtual real estate. Despite costing $500K, the “house” cannot be entered by the owner because it is virtual reality. A Twitter account that sells virtual properties is another example of virtual real estate, as are real estate transactions in online role-playing games like Superworld. 

NFT marketplaces allow for the exchange of virtual real estate through quicker and more transparent transactions than actual real estate transactions. Instead of using a traditional deed or title, ownership of virtual real estate is registered on a decentralized ledger through an NFT. Digital items belong to their holders forever.

While there are several instances of virtual real estate sales, NFT applications for actual real estate are still in their infancy. Future title checks and ownership history verification could be swiftly accomplished by utilizing NFTs and blockchain in the real world. However, security issues are raised by this kind of application. NFTs can still be compromised, even though blockchain makes them more secure. There are still other problems to solve. For instance, access to a blockchain asset could be lost if its private key is lost.

Also Read: Critical Distinctions Between Dynamic And Static NFTs

Art, high-end products, sports, and other collectibles

The primary industries where NFT applications have flourished are collectibles, art, gaming, and virtual worlds. Early applications include the virtual game Cryptokitties and the 2424 pixel art images known as Cryptopunks, which are created algorithmically. Other illustrations include:

• Digital artist Beeple’s NFT collage sold in March 2021 for $69 million.
• A digital replica of a New York Times column that raised $560,000 in cryptocurrencies at a charity auction
• To enable the purchase of song shares, Ditto Music has placed NFTs on its blockchain platform Bluebox.

Digital sports collectibles include “Moments,” a product offered on the NBA Top Shot platform. Moments might be a video of the player performing a move or the NBA’s Top Shot, a trading card system based on blockchain that provides game highlights. Additionally being tokenized are sports tickets and other memorabilia.

Most of the value of crypto-art and other entertainment applications comes from being able to digitally verify their ownership and validity. NFTs can offer verification in industries where fraud and counterfeiting are rampant, such as those that deal in fine art, high-end brands, or other valuables. NFTs cannot be changed or reproduced, which is useful in combating plagiarism and creative theft and assisting artists in making money from their work. Additionally, NFTs give digital art the uniqueness and scarcity of tangible art. They can be traced back to the creator or merchant who created them. They also make it possible for anybody to view the artwork’s selling price and the number of sales.

The media and film industries, which are still developing markets for NFTs, likewise prioritize preventing fraud and plagiarism. To stop files from being copied or shared without the owners’ consent, files can be appended to the blockchain as an NFT.

The logistics and supply chain

NFTs’ primary role in the supply chain is to authenticate goods, guarantee their quality, and confirm their provenance. Although still in their infancy, NFTs on the blockchain is suited for logistics applications due to their immutability and transparency, which maintain the authenticity and dependability of supply chain data. Knowing where the items have been and how long is essential in food and other perishable industries.

NFTs prevent counterfeiting, assist in tracking items across the supply chain flow, and guarantee originality. Luxury fashion firms’ supply chains would be affected by this. NFTs can also provide details about each material and component in a specific product for industries like the auto industry. Cost management might benefit from this. The use of recyclable and sustainable materials would be tracked by industries using NFTs.

 

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the largest stock exchange in the world, with an equity market capitalization of over 25 trillion U.S. dollars as of December 2023. The following three exchanges were the NASDAQ, the Euronext, and the Shanghai Stock Exchange. 

What is a stock exchange?

A stock exchange is a marketplace where stockbrokers, traders, buyers, and sellers can trade in equities products. The largest exchanges have thousands of listed companies. These companies sell shares of their business, giving the general public the opportunity to invest in them. The oldest stock exchange worldwide is the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, founded in the late sixteenth century. 

Other functions of a stock exchange

Since these are publicly traded companies, every firm listed on a stock exchange has had an initial public offering (IPO). The largest IPOs can raise billions of dollars in equity for the firm involved. Related to stock exchanges are derivatives exchanges, where stock options, futures contracts, and other derivatives can be traded.

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Wharton has regained its position as the world’s leading provider of MBAs in 2024, according to the latest FT ranking of the top 100 global business schools.

The US business school, part of the University of Pennsylvania, topped the assessment, which takes into account measures including value for money, alumni study aims achieved, gender and international diversity, the quality of academic research and school environmental policies, as well as salary and increases in pay. Schools’ participation is voluntary.

Wharton was followed by Insead in France, in second place, then Columbia in New York, SDA Bocconi in Milan and Iese in Barcelona.

MBA alumni are finding times tougher after graduation. In line with recent job cutbacks, including in banking and technology at a time of broader uncertainty in the global economy, graduate employment within three months of MBA completion across the ranked schools dipped to an average of 89 per cent, compared with 93 per cent the previous year.

The ranking also follows a year in which demand for business degrees has stagnated. The latest survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council in 2023 shows a drop of 5 per cent in applications for MBAs and a shift away from the full-time, in-person course and towards more flexible, part-time and online alternatives.

The Wharton School, led by Dean Erika James, is ranked top in the research category, measured by recent faculty publications in leading academic and practitioner journals, followed by the University of Chicago: Booth, Harvard Business School and Columbia Business School.

Wharton’s alumni reported the third-highest average weighted salaries at $245,772, adjusted for those working in different sectors and for international purchasing power parity, three years after completing their courses. Stanford alumni had the highest weighted income, at $250,650, with Harvard graduates just behind at $246,509, while those from Columbia averaged $232,760.

Just four of the top 20 business schools ranked by highest weighted alumni salaries were from outside the US, led by Insead, south of Paris. The others were Milan’s SDA Bocconi, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

Stanford, in California, was ranked top for alumni assessments of aims achieved on their MBA, followed by Dartmouth College: Tuck in New Hampshire and the University of Virginia: Darden.

The University of Georgia: Terry is top for “value for money”, calculated by dividing the average alumni salary three years after completion by the MBA’s total cost, including tuition, forgone salary, opportunity cost and other expenses.

Four US schools were rated highest by former students for the quality of their alumni networks: Stanford first, followed by Dartmouth, Cornell in New York state and the University of Notre Dame: Mendoza in Indiana.

Georgia Institute of Technology: Scheller was judged top by former students for its career services, followed by UCLA Anderson School of Management, Shanghai’s Fudan University School of Management and then Peking University: Guanghua.

The highest salary increases — from when alumni began their MBA to three years after completing it — were reported at the Indian School of Business and two Chinese business schools: Fudan, followed by Shanghai University of Finance and Economics: College of Business.

MBA classes remain predominantly male, with an average of 41 per cent female students

The Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad is top for career progress — measured as an increase in responsibility in alumni’s role in employment and size of organisation — followed by Stanford and then Fudan.

SDA Bocconi School of Management is placed top for a public audit of carbon emissions in its operations and net zero emissions targets, followed by the University of Virginia: Darden, IE Business School in Madrid, Duke University: Fuqua in North Carolina, Esade Business School in Barcelona, and Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

MBA classes remain predominantly male, with an average of 41 per cent women across the 100 schools. Only Wharton, France’s ESCP and Audencia reported top-scoring parity between male and female MBA students, while 10 schools had more women than men.

The greatest diversity of employment by sector among students before starting their MBAs was at ESCP Business School in France, followed by Esade, Warwick Business School in the UK and then Brigham Young University: Marriott in Utah.

The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta is ranked top for the extent to which the most recent completing class carried out exchanges and internships of at least a month abroad, followed by HEC Paris, ESCP and then the Lisbon MBA Católica | Nova.

For insights into the ranking and business study, sign up for Spotlight on the MBA, a free online event on Wednesday February 21. The webinar is presented in partnership with leading business schools and will feature academics, admissions experts and FT journalists. businesseducation.live.ft.com

The stock price doesn’t always indicate a company’s quality. However, looking at the highest stock prices ever can be worthwhile both for investors and for those interested in the history of the stock market. From chocolate candy makers to mining companies, the list of stocks that have command reached such heights is a diverse list. Here are 10 of the highest stock prices in history.

Stock Price vs. Market Capitalization

Before we look at the highest stock prices, let’s touch on the difference between stock prices and market capitalization. While it’s tempting to equate a soaring stock price with a thriving business, the reality is not as straightforward. A company may simply not have a lot of shares outstanding, meaning the overall value of the company isn’t as high as you might think.

Market capitalization, which is calculated by multiplying the stock price by the total number of outstanding shares, provides a better measure of a company’s total value in the eyes of investors. Therefore, as you see the stock prices below, keep in mind that the value of the entity is not driven just by its stock price but by the number of shares it has also issued.

1. Berkshire Hathaway ($600,531)

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is the holding company of billionaire investor Warren Buffett. Berkshire Hathaway A shares (BRK.A) traded at $600,531 per share at the close on Feb. 7, 2024.

Notable companies under the Berkshire umbrella include GEICO Auto Insurance and Helzberg Diamonds. Berkshire is also a major shareholder of Apple (AAPL), Bank of America (BAC), and Coca-Cola (KO).

For individuals interested in investing in Berkshire, the company’s B shares (BRK.B) are much more affordable, coming in at $399.15 per share as of Feb. 7, 2024.

2. Lindt & Sprüngli (CHF 123,433)

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG (LISN) is a Swiss chocolatier established in the 1800s. Most famous for its Lindt Gold Bunny, truffles, and smooth chocolate-filled chocolates, it has expanded well beyond its European borders.

Its brands include well-known Russell Stover, Lindt, and Ghirardelli. The company employs over 14,000 employees and had sales of more than CHF 5.2 billion for 2023.

On Dec. 30, 2021, the company’s stock closed at an all-time high of CHF 123,433 (about $143,736 in U.S. dollars as of Feb. 1, 2024). On Feb. 9 2024, the stock closed at CHF 110,200.

3. NVR ($7,498.20)

NVR Inc. (NVR) is a homebuilder operating under the names of Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes. It builds, markets, and sells homes, as well as offers mortgage financing and title insurance, in the U.S.

NVR hit an all-time high of $7,498.20 on Feb. 9, 2024. The pandemic crisis just a few years before was taking a toll on the company, reducing its share price by almost 50% in March 2020. However, it recovered most of those losses within a few months.

4. Seaboard ($4,650.00)

Seaboard Corporation (SEB) is a multinational corporation focusing on agriculture and transportation. The company’s primary focus is pork production and ocean transport.

Seaboard Foods, one of the company’s major businesses, is one of the largest grain and other agricultural product producers in the U.S. The marine division provides shipping services to the Caribbean and Central and South America. Seaboard has milling facilities and sells grain products worldwide. The company is best known by consumers for its significant stake in Butterball Turkey.

On April 18, 2019, the company’s stock price closed at a record high of $4,650.00 per share, worth about $5,581.61 in February 2024, adjusted for inflation. As of Feb. 9, 2024, the company trades at $3,566.02.

5. Amazon ($3,515.29)

Amazon (AMZN) was already hitting its stride before the COVID pandemic hit. Its stock had an initial pullback during the 2020 bear market. However, it soon became clear that Amazon would benefit from the crisis as consumers shifted their shopping online. It reached a closing high of $3,515.29 in Nov. 2021, worth about $3,879 in February 2024. The company split its stock in 2022 and as of Feb. 9, 2024, trades at $174.45.

6. Booking Holdings ($3,844.43)

Booking Holdings (BKNG) owns the travel reservation sites Booking.com and Priceline, two of the biggest players in the online travel industry. Additionally, it also owns OpenTable, the restaurant reservation company. The company hit an all-time high close of $3,844.43 on Feb. 8, 2024.

7. Alphabet ($2,976.21)

Technology giant Alphabet (GOOGL), best known for its Google search engine, reached a closing high of $2,960 on Nov. 14, 2021, about $3,284 in February 2024, adjusted for inflation. The company’s shares have since split, and the stock closed at $123.47 on Feb. 1, 2024.

Google produces revenue through advertising, publishing tools, and the Android operating system. Driving revenue growth is the continued adoption of advertising, which accounts for 80% of Google’s revenue (notably its AdSense and AdWords platforms). Google is part of the global super apps and FAMGA club. Google has products and services in education, GPS navigation, global business mapping, web conferencing, cloud storage, email communication, and even autonomous transportation, along with many other products and services.

8. AutoZone ($2,849.99)

AutoZone (AZO) sells aftermarket auto parts, such as brakes, batteries, engine oil, headlights, drivetrains, and much more. The company’s share price has been steadily increasing since 2021, hitting a closing high of $2,849.99 on Feb. 7, 2024.

9. Texas Pacific Land Corporation ($2,715.06)

Texas Pacific Land Corporation (TPL) is one of the largest landowners in the state of Texas. It has two main business segments, Land and Resource Management and Water Services and Operations. Started in 1871 with a federal charter and a mandate to build a railroad from Texas to California, the company now earns most of its income through oil and gas royalties, land leases, and investments.

The company closed at an all-time high of $2,715.06 on Nov. 7, 2022, worth about $2,984 in February 2024, adjusted for inflation. It has since fallen from that high, closing at $1,466.11 on Feb. 9, 2024.

10. Chipotle Mexican Grill ($2,442.02)

Chipotle (CMG) is known for its fast-casual Mexican restaurants worldwide, serving a variety of burritos, tacos, and other food. The company’s stock has been steadily increasing, closing at a high of $2,719..67 on Feb. 7, 2024.

The Bottom Line

The record-breaking prices of the top 10 stocks of all time underscore not only the remarkable growth of these companies but also signal broader economic trends. Such valuations reflect robust business models and market power, but often also the happenstance that some companies allowed their shares to rise very high before splitting their stocks. For investors, these historic prices highlight the importance of long-term value creation, market timing, and the potential rewards of investing in companies with solid fundamentals and visionary leadership. However, some are cautionary, having dropped from their highs, pointing to the need for diversification and thorough research when investing.

Owning shares in the top 10 highest-priced stocks comes with a notable drawback: less flexibility in trading. The steep price tags on these shares can limit trading opportunities, though, with most brokers allowing sales of fractional shares, such worries are not as necessary as in the past.

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