What is the difference between first and business class flights?

The main difference between the classes most people focus on is the price. Business class airfares are more expensive than economy tickets. Yet, as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” When paying for business seats, you’re not just paying the airline to get you from A to B. You’re paying for the experience you enjoy while getting from A to B. You’re paying to have all of your needs met. Traveling can be a stressful experience for some. Traveling with a higher class allows you to minimize this stress. Who wouldn’t want that?

That being said, there are different tiers of luxury. There are slight variations between business and first class, but they are not as stark as the differences between business and economy class. The rule of thumb goes: the more money you spend, the more luxury you will enjoy. Everyone gets to enjoy the tier that is right for them.

What are the benefits of flying business class?

Firstly, before you even get to your gate, most airlines offer dedicated check-ins for business class passengers. Some offer valet parking with curbside bag services, to make arriving and departing from the airport a seamless experience. Other airlines offer expedited security options for flyers, even if they do not have TSA pre-check. This will save you time, and let’s be honest, frustration. No one enjoys waiting in those long security lines. Elite airlines provide personal assistants to help them navigate complicates airports. Personal assistants don’t travel on the plane with you, but they’ll connect you to a specific flight attendant who has been prepped of your wants and needs and will cater to you while in flight.

Select airlines welcome business class passengers to their airport lounges as a more esteemed alternative to waiting in the gate. Many of these lounges come equipped with comfortable couches and/or reclining chairs, open bars and buffets, as well as electrical outlets and Wi-Fi. The most premium lounges have spas, showers, and/or private rooms for passengers who are weary from extensive travel. These lounges are much more comfortable than finding a cramped spot on the floor to squat until your plane boards.

In terms of boarding, business passengers enjoy being welcomed onto the plane before economy passengers (after elderly passengers, military members, and travelers with disabilities, of course). This allows you extended time to situate your bag in the overhead cabin (which often has more volume than economy cabins) and get comfortable in your seat. Many flight attendants will offer you a beverage before the economy passengers are allowed to board.

While flying, business class allows you to enjoy the luxuries of top tier travel. Lay back in seats that recline more than economy seats, some reclining to a full 180 degrees. These seats are often thicker, more comfortable leather seats than those farther back on the plane. Seats are also wider and offer more legroom than their economy counterparts. There are fewer seats in the business cabin, allowing more space between each passenger. Each seat is angled to maximize privacy, with some planes even equipped with privacy doors. All airlines provide amenity packages with gifts like slippers, pajamas, blankets, pillows, ear plugs, headphones, and more. Not to mention the food and drink options are much more than a step above economy options. Business class in-flight menus offer a la carte dining, full gourmet meals, snacks, and appetizers often served on fine China or crystal. Drink menus typically have a selection of champagnes, wines, liquors, and cocktails – and of course, the usual assortment of juices sodas.

What are the top airlines to fly business class?

While everyone’s experiences and expectations are subjective, there are certain airlines that are universally agreed to be the best.

Here is an exhaustive list of top airlines we can secure discounted business class tickets from, in no particular order:

• British Airways
• Emirates
• Cathay Pacific
• Virgin Atlantic
• Etihad Airways
• Delta Air Lines
• Singapore Airlines
• All Nippon Airways
• Eva Air
• Qatar Airways

How do we find good deals on business class tickets?

We work directly with airlines to secure tickets for our clients. Airlines sell tickets directly to passengers, but not all tickets get sold initially. Airlines offer these unoccupied tickets to airline consolidators at a discounted price and the consolidators, in turn, sell them on behalf of themselves and the airline. Once a relationship is established, consolidators commit to filling seats for an airline and are able to negotiate special deals because of this commitment. This symbiotic relationship between airline and consolidator is what leads business class travelers to reap the benefits of good deals.

Is it safe to buy business tickets from flight consolidators?

It is as safe to purchase flights from consolidators than it is to purchase them yourself online, if not more so. Consolidators provide personalized travel agents to help you organize your flight from start to finish. These agents know everything there is to know about travel and they often think of things travelers do not, such as arranging travel from the airport to your hotel after a midnight-flight. They will often know about discounted business class flights before you do. These agents provide constant support and are completely transparent about all flight details. They keep you in the loop, but they also manage the difficult details so you don’t have to.
The symbiotic relationship between airlines and consolidators proves its legitimacy. Airlines wouldn’t continue to reach out to consolidators if they didn’t follow through on their commitment to secure many flights. Similarly, consolidators would not continue to reach out to airlines if they didn’t have many interested parties, hopefully, like you.