5 Ways to Fly Business Class to Asia on Points

Flying between the U.S. and Asia can be a commitment. Depending on your route, you’re talking about some of the longest flights in the world. A lie-flat business class seat makes all the difference in whether you arrive at your destination refreshed.

Here are five of my favorite business class seats from the U.S. to Asia. I’ll explain why each cabin stands out and exactly how to book it with points or miles. As with any award booking, the biggest hurdle is usually finding availability. But if you’re flexible on dates and don’t mind a connection or a positioning flight, these are well worth the search.

1. Starlux business class

Cushion, Home Decor, Electrical Device — (Photo by Chris Dong)

Use Alaska Atmos Rewards points

Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines is a relatively new arrival, making its debut in 2020. However, it’s become a major player in recent years, offering a standout business class experience with sleek, tech-forward suites and polished onboard service. In fact, the airline’s flagship Airbus A350-900 — flying to Taipei from Los Angeles and Ontario in California, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle — is one of my favorite ways to fly — period.

Although Starlux isn’t part of a traditional global airline alliance, it is a partner of Alaska Airlines. To book with points, use Alaska Atmos Rewards, which prices Starlux business from 75,000 points one-way. Pricing is dynamic, meaning award rates can increase from there based on availability. Atmos has limited transfer options, but it’s a part of the Bilt Rewards program.

2. Cathay Pacific business class

Aircraft, Transportation, Vehicle — (Photo by Chris Dong)

Use Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong’s flag carrier, a Oneworld alliance member that flies from Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago and Seattle. The airline’s new Aria Suite on the Boeing 777, a private business class pod with a residential feel, is rolling out on routes between the U.S. and Hong Kong, a hub that connects onward to dozens of cities in the Asia Pacific region. (Be sure to order the in-flight burger and wonton noodle soup.)

Cathay business class can be booked a few ways. The most reliable is through its own Cathay Asia Miles, which uses a distance-based chart and prices business class from 91,000 miles one-way from the West Coast. American AAdvantage (from 70,000 miles) and Alaska Atmos Rewards (from 85,000 points) can be cheaper, but partner availability has been tough to find.

To top up Asia Miles, you can transfer from:

Cathay Pacific offers a business class flight for 91,000 Asia Miles.

You can book business class on Cathay Pacific for 70,000 AAdvantage miles through American Airlines.

Alaska Airlines Atmos program has business class seats starting at 85,000 points.

3. Japan Airlines business class

Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware — (Photo by Chris Dong)

Use American AAdvantage miles or Alaska Atmos Rewards

Japan Airlines (JAL) has long been well-regarded for its thoughtful hospitality and stellar onboard dining experience. Now, a new product has just helped the carrier take a major leap forward. Its new, 54-seat business class on the Airbus A350-1000 features fully enclosed suites with wireless charging, a personal closet, and a staggered 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access. You’ll find it on select flights from New York, Dallas and Los Angeles to Tokyo, part of a U.S. network feeding both Haneda and Narita.

As a Oneworld member, JAL can be booked with miles from two U.S. airline programs. American AAdvantage prices business class from just 60,000 miles one-way from the U.S. to Japan — one of the best values in the sky — while Alaska Atmos Rewards starts at 75,000. Award space is not the easiest to find, but having flexibility on dates and a U.S. gateway city can help.

Cushion, Home Decor, Aircraft — (Photo by Chris Dong)

Use Virgin Atlantic Virgin points

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is another Japanese carrier and offers an elevated experience between the U.S. and Tokyo. The headliner, at least for business class, is the airline’s seat called “The Room.” Sixty-four of these pods are offered on some Boeing 777-300ERs, with a wide comfy seat featuring a sliding door for full privacy.

ANA belongs to the Star Alliance, but the savviest way to book is through Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Virgin points price ANA business from 52,500 points one-way from western U.S. cities (60,000 from the East Coast), and they transfer in from American Express, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt.

Text, Business Card, Paper — (Photo by Chris Dong)

Taiwan’s EVA Air has a devoted following among frequent flyers, and its Royal Laurel business class is another excellent business class. While the Boeing 787s have the most modern seat, all EVA planes equipped for long-haul flying from the U.S. feature lie-flat beds, fine dining, amenity kits and pajamas.

EVA flies to Taipei from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Dallas-Ft. Worth and Houston, with easy connections across Southeast Asia. The detail many travelers remember, though, is the food: EVA has offerings from famous dumpling house Din Tai Fung on select flights.

As a Star Alliance member, EVA is best booked with Air Canada Aeroplan, which uses a distance-based chart and prices business from roughly 85,000 points one-way on the West Coast. Aeroplan points transfer in from American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Bilt.