Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Business Class Flights
Flying on business class flights definitely offers ultimate comfort, convenience and high level of privacy. Business class flights are the perfect choice for you to enjoy luxury travel at an affordable price Business class is ideal for you if you are planning to fly on a long-haul flight.
What is business class?
Business class is a travel class that is available on many commercial airlines and rail lines in the sphere of airline services.
Business class offer a really comfortable way to travel and the quality of the services offered on ground and during the flight is high especially on long-haul international flights.
Premium economy flights and business class on some domestic flights offer recliner seats that cannot turn fully flat. These are comfortable too for flights with a short duration but if your flight is going to be more than 3 hours, then you should better choose business class flights with lie-flat seats.
Business class flights offer great variety of amenities and services that make any type of flight an enjoyable experience for passengers.
Business class flights offer way more services and amenities in comparison to regular economy or premium economy class flights. It offers amazing perks to passengers which makes business class flights really worth their price.
What business class flights offer?
On-ground amenities:
Priority check-in
Choosing to fly on business class allows you to board your flight in a quick and smooth way without much waiting in a line. Passengers who choose to fly on international business class flights have the option to go through a priority desk.
They can quickly pass through security, immigration and customs desk in a quick way and be among the first who board the plane and take their seats.
Business class customers can go through check-in faster than regular economy class customers. Many air companies offer their customers express entry cards for international business class flights. These cards grant them access to a business class lounge.
Exclusive lounge access
Business class airport lounges give you the opportunity to spend your time waiting before the flight in a luxurious environment.
Business class flights offer passengers cozy lounges with quiet and private spots where every passenger can have a moment of peace while waiting to catch their flight. You will find cafes, restaurants, kids play zones, workstations and even sleep rooms.
You can either rest or work at a business class lounge area. It’s recommended to arrive early at a business class lounge so that you have plenty of time to get advantage of the amenities it provides. It’s good to check beforehand whether your air company partners with another one to learn which lounge you can use as a business class passenger.
That’s because sometimes airline companies share one and the same waiting lounge for their first and business class flights. Also, sometimes you can’t have an exclusive lounge pass if you are flying on domestic business class flight. You need an elite flyer status to get a lounge access on a domestic business class flight.
Buying a business class boarding pass also offers travelers the option to use many amenities at the waiting lounge and their number depends on the airline company. For example some business class lounges offer passengers the option to get a cosmetic or spa therapy, take a shower or a massage before boarding their flight.
Besides a cozy setting and comfortable furniture business class passengers have access to snacks and drinks bar where they can have a refreshing drink or a filling snack pre-flight.
Quick luggage handling
Business class passengers have the option to get their luggage checked quickly.
In-flight amenities:
Highly comfortable seats
Super comfortable upgraded seats are the hallmark of business class. While the other types of services and perks offered on business class flights vary depending on the air company.
Since airlines are constantly investing in technological improvements of their business class seating, the existing business class seat models improve and new seat designs appear.
Unlike premium economy seats that have an increased recline, business class seats can become fully flat bed which offers every passenger the opportunity to sleep comfortably during their flight. And this is important especially on long haul flights.
Depending on the air carrier business class passengers have the option to request before the take-off extra blankets or pillows, a mattress pad or even a turndown service .
They are spacious and offer high level of privacy as their cabin configuration have dividers between the seats at some airplanes. Some air companies have even added sliding doors to their business class seats for extra privacy.
The industry standard regarding business class seat configuration on international flights is 1-2-1 but you can also find 2-2-2 cabin configuration. It allows each passenger to have a direct access to the aisle which is a convenient solution.
The business class configuration depends on the aircraft and the airline but it offers more privacy than regular economy class in general. This makes business class passengers feel as if at home whenever they are flying on business class.
Because business class cabins offer comfortable and peaceful environment, passengers can work or just rest without any problem. They are adjustable and have different extras that can make any type of flight more pleasant.
Business class seats offer plenty of legroom, wide armrests, headrests and even luggage storage compartments at each seat.
For those passengers who would like to work during their flight, business class flights offer high-speed Wi-fi, extendable trays for laptops, in-seat power outlets for laptops and phones and also USB ports. In the case of low data allowance, business class flights offer passengers the option to buy more MB.
Business class flights also provide customers with the option to ask for additional amenities such as soft blankets and pillows, complimentary cosmetic kits, towels, noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, slippers, pajamas, sleep masks.
Business class amenity kits can include also a hair comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, different skincare products such as moisturizing creams, eye masks and designer toiletries to each passenger. These are really handy in case you forgot to bring some item in your luggage.
Complementary drinks and snacks
There is no doubt that business class flights make you feel special. As a business class passenger you will get drinks on arrival. The flight attendants will serve you a glass of champagne when you board your airplane. You may also receive cheese platters, confectioneries and other treats.
Rich foods and drinks menu
On business class flights you can enjoy a big variety of delicious full-course meals as well as different alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such a spirits and cocktails.
Some business class flights even offer a la carte dining which is a service similar to this offered on first class flights or a food menu prepared by a famous chef.
Business class menus change depending on the season and the route so airlines publish them online so that passengers can decide in advance if they want some special meal requests.
Besides fine dining there are also multiple dessert and snack options. The meals and snacks offered on business class flights are of high quality made of fresh and products.
Some air companies offer you the convenient option to pre-order a main course meal.
In some aircraft models business class passengers can even find bars on board where they can refresh with a drink , get hot and cold snacks and chat with the other passengers.
Entertainment options
It’s impossible to get bored on business class as there are numerous options to spend your time during your flight. Business class seats have large video screens built in them which offers you the opportunity to watch your favourite movies, listen to music, play games.
Free transfer to the airport
Depending on the air carrier business class customers can get their own chauffeured transport to and from the airport. However this business class perk may not be available to passengers who want to use their frequent flyer miles.
You can get an exclusive airport transport if you buy your business class ticket in cash. This definitely gives a sense of exclusivity to every air traveler.
Attentive flight attendant staff
Business class passengers get more attention by the cabin crew members. The reason for this is because on business class flights there are less passengers in the cabin which means a higher crew to passenger ratio that ensures a better in-flight service for each flyer.
The number of business class passengers is usually 28-42 and the crew members 3 -8 depending on the flight.When one flight attendant takes care of a small passenger section of the cabin, they are able to pay individual attention to each traveler.
If you fly on a business class flight a flight attendant can help you adjust your seat, help you bring your carry-on luggage on board or answer you if you have any question or concerns.
Major airlines have a boss of the cabin crew (also called purser) whose job is to give a flight briefing to each business class passenger. So, this is an opportunity for every passenger to ask questions about flight route, connecting flights or express any special food requirements or requests related to their flight experience.
