So which airlines would you call their business class, not..

Well, sounds like Air Transat has a 'club' offering which is akin to PE in normal airlines, so not really business class.

I've heard of others which are cheap. I'm assuming the ammenities required while flying long haul would be:

1) Lie flat seat
2) Alcohol if you want it within reason
3) Good food on china
4) Reasonable IFE included (not a dealbreaker, but existance and not paid for)
5) Lounge at each end.

I'd guess Kuwait airlines fails on the alcohol (used to see pretty cheap BC to NY), Air China seemed to be the far cheapest option to Oz, were they a real airline.

I'd not put Thompsons or Thomas Cook in there, they don't claim its business class, just a premium cabin...

I don't know about other airlines, but to be fair, I'm pretty sure the Air Transat Club cabin isn't marketed as business class so it wouldn't be a good comparison. It's just a premium cabin above Y.

[preiffer]

Actually, Air China don't do that badly in comparison to many Asian carriers...