With Business Class tickets costing more than double the price of an Economy ticket, you might be wondering whether it’s actually worth flying Business Class.
Flying Business on short-haul flights in Europe usually isn’t much to write home about – you’ll just get a bit of extra space and some free food/drink. Where Business Class really comes into its own though is on long-haul transatlantic routes and flights to Asia or Australia. Then you’re talking free champagne, flat bed seats, fine dining and a whole host of other perks that will have you feeling like you’re a celebrity.
Let’s take a look at what you get when flying Business:
1. Chauffeur-driven cars
Some airlines like Etihad, Virgin Atlantic or Emirates offer chauffeur-driven cars to whisk you from your home to the airport. Riding in a luxury vehicle certainly beats taking the train or worrying about airport parking, so you can sit back, make a few phone calls and let the driver do the navigating. Usually you will also be able to book the service on arrival at your destination too, ensuring you have a stress-free journey from the moment you leave your house.
2. Lounge Access
Possessing a Business Class ticket will gain you entry to the airline’s lounge, where you can sit back, relax and unwind before your flight. The lounges usually feature comfy seating, business centres, showers, complimentary snacks and a full bar, while some even feature a la carte dining, so you can have a full meal before you board the plane (great if you have a night flight and want to maximise your sleep). Of course you may receive lounge access if you have a Priority Pass, a specific credit card or you fly enough to achieve tier status, but flying Business Class will always guarantee you access to you airline’s lounge.
3. Lie-flat Seats
Most international flights these days feature seats that convert into fully flat beds at the touch of a button, enabling you to get a proper sleep at 35,000ft. You can say goodbye to the cramped conditions of Economy and spend the flight sleeping, working or stretching out in your own private space instead. The entertainment systems are also significantly larger, measuring up to 16-inches, and you’ll be given noise cancelling headsets so you can watch a movie without being distracted by cabin noise.
4. Amenity kits
Amenity kits have become collectible items, since many airlines choose to partner with top fashion designers to create limited edition ranges. Inside you can expect to find luxury skincare products from brands like Elemis, Giorgio Armani and Bvlgari. To see what we mean, just take a look at our article on some of the best airline amenity kits in the skies.
5. Fine Dining
Dining in Business Class is like dining in a world-class restaurant, with freshly prepared meals served on bone china and designer tableware. On Singapore Airlines for instance you can use their Book-the-Cook service, which allows you to pre-book dishes such as Lobster Thermidor and lamb shank up to 24 hours before your flight. Turkish Airlines even has its own onboard chef, who comes around the cabin to greet passengers. Before take-off you’ll usually be offered a glass of champagne by cabin crew, and during the journey you’ll be able to order fine wines, spirits and other drinks whenever you like.
How to fly Business Class for less
Specialist sites like SkyClub.com are great if you want to book business class flights for less, since they’re able to provide heavily discounted fares offline. Airlines don’t want the empty seats but they also don’t want to advertise these discounted rates, so they must be sold privately and not online.
Another way to fly Business Class for a fraction of the cost is by collecting air miles. You don’t have to be a frequent flyer to collect air miles, since you can also sign up for credit cards that allow you to collect points every time you spend. Sign up for the British Airways American Express and you’ll get 1 mile per £1 spend, plus bonus points when you first sign up.
Have you flown Business Class? Has it changed your view of flying forever? Let us know below!