Flying coach has never been the most pleasant of experiences. Truly, the way to fly is first or business class, but most people have trouble affording the upgrade in seats. However, even with the increased cost, the difference in your experience between economy class and business class might just be worth finding room in your budget.
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If you are planning a trip, stacking up your travel funds and looking to make your flight a little less hectic, consider upgrading your tickets to a business class cabin. GOBankingRates spoke with travel experts about why business class cabins might be worth the cost.
When you upgrade to business class, especially for long-haul flights, you can arrive in-destination well rested and help diminish jet lag. Bloomberg recently reported that several airlines have already started to book a new type of business class cabin that might appeal to travelers of all budgets.
These newly-debuted business class cabins pull out all the stops to ensure you get a good rest.
“With lie-flat seats, you can much more easily fall asleep in-flight,” said Brittany Pigorini of Unfolded Travels. “Especially when traveling overnight and arriving [at a] destination in the morning, it’s ideal for adjusting with the time difference.
“You have slept overnight, so you can then enjoy the full day ahead,” Pigorini explained. “Adjusting to the destination’s time difference earlier allows you to enjoy much more of your entire stay.”
Amanda Syrowatka, the director of Viceroy Bali, agreed. “I think the comfort and space in business class make a huge difference. … I always feel more relaxed and well-rested when I fly business class. The seats are larger, often fully reclining into beds, so I can sleep comfortably on long flights. This means I arrive at my destination feeling refreshed and ready to go, which is especially important for business travelers or anyone with a packed itinerary.”
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“Everybody knows that business passengers get better and more food than economy passengers,” said Aviv Barkai, the founder of Smarter Voyage. “But what makes it such a great advantage is that they don’t have to buy the extremely overpriced food at the airport’s food court, because they know they’ll have eatable food on the plane.”
There is a reason business class has “business” in the title, and it’s because lots of travelers continue to do work even while in the air. With an en suite of tools and resources to plug in and get the job done, business class cabins help travelers make money while they take to the skies.
Pigorini explained that business class cabins provide “much more privacy and space to passengers, so you can work during your time on the flight with far fewer distractions.”
“The seats are often equipped with work desks and overhead lamps,” Pigorini said. “You’ll also typically get free Wi-Fi in business class, so you can easily stay connected with your colleagues as needed.”
Business passengers get a lot more comfort and convenience than just more legroom, according to Barkai.
“They get pillows, headsets for your music and movies, blankets that actually cover the whole body, entertainment units for each passenger and more,” Barkai said. “Not bringing your plane accessories will save you a lot of space and will get you farther away from the airlines’ luggage weight limitations.”
“When you buy a business class ticket, you get lounge access, which takes your flying experience to the next league,” explained Barkai. “Combining this with priority check-in, faster boarding and extra luggage you’re allowed to take, means your packing is easier and you can get to the airport closer to departure time.”
All the perks of business class don’t make it more affordable, but savvy travelers can find ways to save on tickets and still get that upgrade.
“Keep an eye out for special promotions or deals that airlines offer for business class,” said Stephanie Webb, a travel expert and a travel guide at Tripshepherd. “Sometimes, you can find excellent discounts or last-minute upgrade opportunities at check-in. Signing up for airline newsletters and frequent flyer programs can also alert you to these offers.”
For short flights, the benefits of business class might not justify the cost, Webb pointed out.
“However, for long-haul flights, the extra comfort and amenities can significantly enhance your travel experience,” Webb said. “If you’re traveling overnight, being able to sleep comfortably can make a huge difference.”
“Think about what your time and comfort are worth to you,” Webb said. “If arriving well-rested and stress-free means you can hit the ground running at your destination, the investment in business class can pay off in terms of productivity and overall enjoyment of your trip.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Things You Should Know Before Spending Big on a Business Class Ticket
2024-07-25T17:21:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd