Business Class Travel
With your tour guide,
Anne P. Mitchell
| Summary: Business class travel is an intermediate class on airlines and trains, providing many comforts of first class. It is gaining in popularity among travelers, and many airlines are competing to provide the best business class travel experience for their customers. |
Business class travel is an intermediate class on airlines and trains, providing many comforts of first class. It is gaining in popularity among travelers, and many airlines are competing to provide the best business class travel experience for their customers.
Most major airlines provide a business class section, as do the trains that operate between big cities. Generally speaking, business class offers many perks, such as increased space between seats, more comfortable seating, better meal service, hookups for laptop computers and other electronic devices, a private lavatory, complimentary bar service, private lounges in airports, and more.
As you would expect, business class travel comes at a much higher price than economy class travel, but is less expensive than first class travel. Also called executive class, business class travel was first introduced to the airlines by Qantas in 1979. The idea was to make regular customers out of business travelers, who fly frequently. Other airlines quickly followed suit, and business class caught on like wildfire. Since the actual airplanes aren’t adjustable to contain a third class of service, many airlines dropped first class completely in favor of the new business class.
On short domestic flights, business class is not usually offered. On long haul international flights, however, the advantages of business class become quite apparent. The seats can be converted to comfortably sleep on, by either adjusting the back to lie at a low angle, or sometimes by adjusting the entire seat to create a flat cot-like surface. Seats are also father apart, so there is more leg room and space to get up and stretch your legs.
Food and drink service is also much better in business class. The meals themselves are of a higher quality than those in economy class, and beverages are generally provided free of charge. Specialty meals for those with restricted diets are also available, but these should be requested when booking your flights.
Business class travelers also have an advantage at the airport. There are dedicated check-in counters for business class, as well as private lounges for these travelers to wait in before boarding. Business class passengers are boarded right after first class, cutting down on the time spent waiting to board the plane.
To try business class travel, check with your travel agent or the airline directly and book your flights. You’ll be impressed with the increased space, more comfortable seating, and attentive service you’ll receive.
