Airlines globally know that there is a group of high-yield and paying travellers who are ready to cough out top dollar for the privilege of getting somewhere fast and in comfort, and charge accordingly so generally. Therefore, there is no point in even looking for discounts for business or first-class seats on direct flights from A to B.
For example, a direct flight (business class Lagos-London return fare is about $7,370, and discounted seats are simply not available. However, the flip side to this is there is maximum flexibility for last minute changes to one’s itinerary).
If you’re planning a really long trip, consider ‘a round the world ticket.’ They are also available in business- and first-class versions, which are comparatively affordable, being usually priced at roughly twice and thrice the economy version.
And if flying with others, many airlines offer “companion tickets” where, if you buy one-full-price business- or first-class ticket, you get another one cheaply or even for free. However, as the name of the ticket implies, both the paying and the dependent passenger must fly together.
Many frequent flyers consider business/first-class awards and upgrades as the best way to use your miles. Instead of the 4x/11x spreads for cash, you can typically get a business-class award for as little as 1.5x, the miles for an economy - and first-class awards for just 2x (although the ratios vary from programme to programme).
The flip side, though, is lack of availability and total inflexibility. For airlines, getting somebody to burn up 200,000 miles on a first-class seat that would otherwise have gone empty is an excellent trade - but having that award flyer displaces somebody who would willingly have paid $10,000 for the seat, which is a terrible trade. You thus need to make your reservations as early as possible - some start calling as soon as award inventory is released, which may be 6-12 months before the flight.
However, amenities in first and business class vary widely by airline and even plane type, and it’s absolutely imperative to research carefully before choosing.
In the airline industry, the business class was originally intended as an intermediate level of service between economy class and first class, but many airlines now offer business class as the highest level of service. Business class is distinguished from other travel classes by the quality of seating, food, drinks, ground service, and other amenities.
Full-business class is usually denoted by ‘J’ or ‘C,’ with schedule flexibility, but can be many other letters, depending on circumstances.
European carriers generally offer a business class consisting of enhanced economy seating with better service. There may be a curtain to separate business from economy class, based on demand, but the seats are in the same cabin.
The primary differences between first and business class on a plane are seats and service. However, no specific standards exist in the airline industry, and to ensure you get what you pay for, you need to do a little research.
Significant differences exist between first class on a domestic flight versus an international flight. On the ground, most premium services are offered equally to international and domestic premium travellers.
For domestic business or first class, flights are generally, but not always, operated with two-cabin planes with first class and economy. International flights on many airlines are operated with three-cabin planes with first, business and economy cabins. First class on a two-cabin domestic flight is not the equivalent of its identically named counterpart when flying overseas.
In fact, it does not even rival international business class. Occasionally, a three-cabin international plane will be used on a domestic flight, either to position the aircraft for an international flight or to operate a premium route.
However, international first-class cabins generate significant revenue for the airlines and, as a result, receive the most attention in both seats and on-board services. Seats are evolving constantly, with each airline rushing to outdo the others in luxuriousness. Current seats feature a full, lie-flat bed at the touch of a button for comfortable sleeping.
Many airlines provide luxury duvets and pillows to enhance the comfort of their passengers in-flight. Entertainment options include personal audio/video on-demand systems that feature dozens of movies and hundreds of songs with a large, flat-screen monitor at each seat location. Food and beverage service is top-notch with menus designed by celebrity chefs and wine pairings suggested by noted sommeliers.
International business class falls short of first class but still exceeds the offerings of domestic first class.
Competition for passengers and new technology developed for international first class have created a significant improvement in business class, which are still offered for significantly lower fares than first class.
Seats are somewhat less luxurious than first, but many airlines have been upgrading their seats to the lie-flat standards in premium air travel. The difference between airlines rests in whether their lie-flat seats are at a true 180-degree angle or if they are slightly tilted toward the floor.
Personal audio/video systems have also become the norm, with screens slightly smaller than those found in first class. Food and beverage service is still significantly better than in the economy cabin, but might be a bit less high-end than first.
Also, some airlines offer a combination of first and business on international flights and operate a two-cabin plane. This is not to be confused with domestic first class on a two-cabin aircraft. Known as hybrid first/business, it has some elements of both features. The main feature of a hybrid class is its pricing, but it will generally offer more services than the standard business class, at a cost much less than first.
Article accredited to: businessday
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