Fly
Choosing among the best airlines to the Middle East starts with the region's own carriers, whose first class and business class suites set the standard for the world. Here is every premium airline worth flying, and every nonstop flight from the United States.
Updated
At a glance
Why the region's airlines
The Gulf carriers changed long-haul travel. Emirates put showers on airplanes, Qatar Airways gave business class a door, and Etihad built a three-room apartment in the sky. Their hubs in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi sit within about eight hours of two-thirds of the world's population, so the best airlines to the Middle East are also some of the best ways to reach Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean.
For Americans, the choice is wide. More than a dozen US cities have nonstop flights to the region, most on the Gulf carriers, with Saudia, Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc, EgyptAir, El Al and Turkish Airlines adding direct links to Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain, Amman, Casablanca, Cairo, Tel Aviv and Istanbul. Arriving rested matters: if you are heading to the finest hotels in Dubai or a desert resort in AlUla, first and business class flights to Dubai, Doha or Riyadh are the right start.
We list airlines that offer a true premium cabin; budget carriers are not included. Middle East airlines come first, then the best options from Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa. For the airport itself, see how to arrive privately with VIP meet-and-assist or by private jet.
The home carriers, each the natural choice for its own country.
The benchmark for long-haul luxury: enclosed first class suites, an onboard shower spa and lounge bar on the A380, and the widest reach into the United States of any carrier in the region. First and business passengers get chauffeur drive at many airports and the vast Emirates lounges at Dubai International.
Official site ↗Best known for Qsuite, a business class seat with sliding doors that can turn four seats into a private room for families or colleagues. Doha's Hamad International is one of the calmest hubs anywhere, with the Al Safwa first lounge and a deep US network.
Official site ↗Home of The Residence, a three-room suite with its own butler on the A380, plus First Apartments with a separate seat and bed. Etihad has grown fast in North America, and US preclearance in Abu Dhabi means you land at home as a domestic arrival.
Official site ↗The Saudi flag carrier links New York and Washington with Jeddah and Riyadh, and Los Angeles with Jeddah in season (check the airline's current schedule), and is the natural choice for travelers heading to Madinah, AlUla or the Red Sea. Its newest widebodies carry business class suites with direct aisle access.
Official site ↗The Kingdom's new national airline took off on 10 June 2026 with a Riyadh–London Heathrow flight on the Boeing 787-9, and has since added Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Madrid and Manchester. It is built around a digital-first experience and is set to become the home airline of King Salman International Airport.
Official site ↗Bahrain's national airline flies Boeing 787s with Falcon Gold business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout. A good-value premium option to Manama and onward across the Gulf, especially around the Grand Prix. Gulf Air flies nonstop between New York JFK and Bahrain, three times a week at last check.
Official site ↗A gracious, quieter airline that reflects Omani hospitality, with business class on its 787 Dreamliners and a polished lounge at Muscat. The easiest way into Muscat, Jebel Akhdar and Salalah.
Official site ↗Kuwait's flag carrier flies Boeing 777-300ERs and A330neos with lie-flat business class and attentive cabin service. The direct choice for Kuwait City; it has flown nonstop from New York JFK, so check its current schedule.
Official site ↗Crown Class on its 787 Dreamliners is the comfortable way to Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Royal Jordanian flies nonstop between Amman and several US cities, including New York, Chicago, Detroit, Washington and, since May 2026, Dallas Fort Worth.
Official site ↗Egypt's flag carrier flies Boeing 787-9s and 777s with lie-flat business class, flies nonstop to Cairo from New York JFK, Newark and Washington Dulles, and in 2026 added Los Angeles and Chicago. Convenient for the Pyramids, Luxor and a Nile cruise.
Official site ↗Morocco's national airline flies 787s to New York, Washington and Miami, and launched Casablanca–Los Angeles in June 2026. At about seven hours from the East Coast, Morocco is the closest part of the region to the United States.
Official site ↗Flies to more countries than any other airline, from one of the world's largest hubs. Its business class is known for generous dining, and the Istanbul lounge is a destination in itself. Nonstops from many US cities make Istanbul an easy gateway to the whole region.
Official site ↗Israel's national airline flies Boeing 787s with lie-flat business class, and is the only nonstop between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. Its winter network lists New York, Newark, Boston and Miami, with San Francisco returning on 25 October 2026.
Official site ↗MEA's Cedar Class on its Airbus A330s and A321neos is known for warm Lebanese hospitality and excellent food. The airline of choice for Beirut.
Official site ↗Four products stand above the rest. Emirates first class on the A380 brings a private suite, a shower spa and an onboard lounge. Qatar Airways Qsuite is the best business class for couples and families, with seats that join into a double bed or a private room for four. Etihad's The Residence, on the A380, is a true apartment with a living room, bedroom and shower, looked after by a butler. And Riyadh Air, the newest airline in the region, is building its brand around design, technology and Saudi hospitality as it grows toward a network of more than 100 destinations by 2030.
Riyadh Air will also anchor King Salman International Airport and the Riyadh Air story, one of the largest airport projects in the world.
One stop through London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Rome or Madrid opens up the whole region.
Club Suite with a closing door on its widebodies, and First on selected routes. London is an easy one-stop from almost every US city to Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Amman, Cairo and beyond.
Official site ↗Upper Class suites, a stylish onboard social space on newer aircraft and the Heathrow Clubhouse. Virgin flies London–Riyadh and pairs well with Delta flights from the US.
Official site ↗The new Allegris cabins bring business suites with doors and a much-improved first class, connecting through Germany to the Gulf, Cairo, Amman and Tel Aviv.
Official site ↗Swiss First and business are a calm, precise way to travel, with a Zurich connection to Dubai, Cairo and Tel Aviv. Swiss chocolates and wines are part of the charm.
Official site ↗Known for its onboard Viennese café and flying chefs in business class. Vienna is a pleasant transfer point to Amman, Tel Aviv, the Gulf and beyond.
Official site ↗La Première is one of the most elegant first class experiences in the air, and the latest business seats have sliding doors. Strong links from Paris to Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon and the Gulf.
Official site ↗World Business Class through Amsterdam Schiphol connects to Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, Cairo and Tel Aviv, with the famous Delft houses for business travelers.
Official site ↗Italy's flag carrier offers a stylish business class through Rome Fiumicino, a handy link to Cairo, Tel Aviv, Riyadh and the Gulf.
Official site ↗Iberia's newer A350s carry business seats with closing doors, connecting Madrid to Morocco, Egypt, Tel Aviv and the Gulf. Madrid is also a natural link to Riyadh Air's new service.
Official site ↗US carriers' Middle East flying changes often; the region's own airlines carry most nonstop traffic today.
Polaris business class with the Polaris lounges at major hubs. United flies to Tel Aviv from Newark, Chicago O'Hare (from October 24, 2026) and Washington Dulles (from October 25, 2026), with San Francisco planned from March 28, 2027; Newark–Marrakech returns for the winter season from October 24, 2026. Its Newark–Dubai flight is not currently scheduled, so check before planning.
Official site ↗The new Flagship Suite brings doors to business class. American does not currently fly nonstop to the region, but it connects well with oneworld partners Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian.
Official site ↗Delta One suites with doors and Delta One lounges. Delta flies New York JFK–Tel Aviv; Atlanta–Marrakech returns for the winter from 25 October 2026, and its Atlanta–Riyadh route is now planned for March 2027.
Official site ↗Signature Class with a dedicated check-in and chauffeur at Toronto and Vancouver. Air Canada partners with several carriers in the region, a useful option from the northern US.
Official site ↗Air India's new A350s and refitted widebodies carry modern business suites, with a dense network to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah and Muscat.
Official site ↗China's flag carrier links Beijing with Dubai and Riyadh, with lie-flat business class on its widebodies.
Official site ↗Shanghai's home airline connects to Dubai and Cairo with business class on its A350s and 777s.
Official site ↗Guangzhou-based, with flights to Dubai, Riyadh and other Gulf cities and lie-flat business class.
Official site ↗The new Aria Suite brings doors to business class, and Cathay's first class and Hong Kong lounges are among the best in Asia. Cathay flies Hong Kong–Dubai and Riyadh.
Official site ↗Suites on the A380 and some of the finest business class service in the world. Singapore Airlines flies to Dubai and other cities in the region.
Official site ↗JAL's A350-1000 first and business suites are superb; JAL reaches the Gulf through its oneworld partner Qatar Airways and others.
Official site ↗ANA's The Room business and The Suite first class are among the most spacious in the sky. ANA connects to the region through Star Alliance partners.
Official site ↗Prestige suites with doors on newer aircraft, and a wide Asian network that pairs well with onward travel to the Gulf.
Official site ↗Royal Silk business class and Thai hospitality, with flights from Bangkok to Dubai and other cities in the region.
Official site ↗Business Suites on the A350, and flights to Jeddah, Doha and Dubai that are popular with pilgrims and travelers alike.
Official site ↗Qantas reaches the region through its long partnership with Emirates, so Australian travelers can book one ticket via Dubai with Qantas points and status.
Official site ↗Africa's largest airline, with Cloud Nine business class on its 787s and A350s and frequent flights to the Gulf, Cairo and Tel Aviv.
Official site ↗Business class on the 787 Dreamliner, linking Nairobi with Dubai and the wider region; a natural pairing with an East African safari.
Official site ↗The national airline of South Africa, with business class on its widebodies and links to the Gulf through its partners.
Official site ↗Nonstop flights
| US city | Nonstop to | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| New York JFK | Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain, Tel Aviv, Amman, Cairo, Casablanca, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Saudia, Gulf Air, Delta, El Al, Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines |
| Newark | Tel Aviv, Cairo, Marrakech (winter), Istanbul | United, El Al, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines |
| Washington Dulles | Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Amman, Cairo, Casablanca, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Saudia, Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines |
| Boston | Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv (winter), Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, El Al, Turkish Airlines |
| Philadelphia | Doha | Qatar Airways |
| Charlotte | Abu Dhabi | Etihad |
| Atlanta | Doha, Abu Dhabi, Marrakech (winter), Istanbul | Qatar Airways, Etihad, Delta, Turkish Airlines (Delta to Tel Aviv planned after 18 Dec 2026; Delta to Riyadh planned for March 2027) |
| Miami | Dubai, Doha, Tel Aviv (winter), Casablanca, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, El Al, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines |
| Orlando | Dubai | Emirates |
| Chicago O'Hare | Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines |
| Detroit | Amman, Istanbul | Royal Jordanian, Turkish Airlines |
| Dallas/Fort Worth | Dubai, Doha, Amman, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Turkish Airlines |
| Houston | Dubai, Doha, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines |
| Denver | Istanbul | Turkish Airlines |
| Los Angeles | Dubai, Doha, Jeddah (seasonal), Tel Aviv, Cairo, Casablanca, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, El Al, EgyptAir, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines |
| San Francisco | Dubai, Doha, Tel Aviv (from 25 Oct 2026), Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, El Al, Turkish Airlines |
| Seattle | Dubai, Doha, Istanbul | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines |
Emirates first class on the A380 and Etihad's The Residence are the most famous. For business class, Qatar Airways Qsuite is widely considered the best.
Yes. Emirates flies nonstop to Dubai from eleven US cities: New York JFK, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Its winter timetable can change, so check the airline's current schedule.
At Abu Dhabi's airport you clear US immigration and customs before you board, so you arrive in the US as a domestic passenger. Check with Etihad which flights it covers.
Not yet. Riyadh Air began flying on 10 June 2026 with London, then Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Madrid and Manchester. Watch its website for new routes.
Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here
Across the Middle East, the finest resorts and the finest homes now sit side by side, and many international buyers own before they ever visit.
Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate
Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.