When Is Business Class Worth It? A Guide for Travel Managers

Business class travel is not just about luxury ‚— it can be a strategic investment for company representatives. Deciding when to indulge in business class flights instead of economy can be tricky — it requires weighing the cost with the benefits of employee comfort and productivity. Here’s a practical guide to help travel managers assess when to say yes to business class travel.

The Pros and Cons of Business Class Travel 

When allowing employees to book business class travel, consider the following: 

Cost Implications

The most obvious con of allowing business class travel is its cost. Business class flights are often two to three times the price of economy. For organizations with frequent travelers, these costs add up quickly.

However, employee productivity and comfort benefits can offset the higher prices. Business class amenities, such as lie-flat seats, higher-quality meals, and priority boarding, enable employees to work or rest more effectively during flights. Particularly for long-haul flights, the ability to arrive refreshed and ready for meetings could be worth the investment.

Cost pros: Improved employee productivity, potentially more effective business outcomes.

Cost cons: Significantly higher travel costs may strain budgets, particularly for smaller businesses.

Read more: How to Find Discount Business Class Travel Deals

Employee Well-Being and Satisfaction

Business class travel is a valuable perk for many employees, especially those frequently on the road. It adds comfort to the travel experience and boosts morale and loyalty.

Offering business class as an option can also make a company more attractive to top talent and serve as a retention tool in competitive industries. This can lead to reduced turnover and a more engaged workforce.

Well-being pros: Enhanced employee satisfaction, improved retention, and appeal to prospective talent.

Well-being cons: Might create inequities among employees, particularly if policies vary by role or level.

Productivity: Arriving Ready to Work

Business class travel is designed with the working traveler in mind. With quieter cabins, lie-flat seats, and more space, the business class section presents an environment conducive to working. Employees are also more likely to arrive at their destinations rested and prepared for meetings, which can be crucial for high-stakes engagements.

Comfortable travel experiences can contribute to higher engagement and better performance. For long-haul flights especially, companies may find the investment worthwhile.

Productivity pros: Employees arrive more prepared and engaged for important meetings or events.

Productivity cons: Productivity gains may not be as impactful on shorter flights, where the cost difference is still substantial.

Industry Standards: Aligning Policies with Competitors

Many companies adopt corporate travel policies that mirror industry standards to remain competitive. For example, it’s standard practice to allow business class travel on flights exceeding a specific duration, such as four to five hours, or for senior roles. 

Adopting a policy that aligns with industry standards can keep travel policies competitive and help businesses retain talent while avoiding policy dissatisfaction.

Industry standards pros: Provides alignment with competitors and prevents talent loss to companies with more flexible policies.

Industry standards cons: Following industry trends might increase costs without straightforward returns in productivity or morale.

Download: Free Corporate Travel Policy Template. 

Finding a Balanced Approach

For many companies, a flexible approach to business class travel works best, which means having a policy that allows it under specific conditions rather than a blanket policy. Here are some scenarios where upgrading might be a smart move:

• Long-haul flights: Consider allowing business class to help employees arrive rested on flights longer than six hours.
• Critical meetings: If a trip involves high-stakes engagements, investing in business class could boost performance.
• Senior execs or frequent travelers: Senior executives or employees with frequent travel schedules may benefit from increased comfort, which can help them maintain energy levels and reduce burnout.

By implementing flexible policies that permit business class only under specific circumstances, companies can offer employees a better travel experience without costs spinning out of control.

Read more: 10 Essential Steps for Creating a Travel Policy

When to Say Yes to Business Class

While business class travel is costly, it can be a strategic investment in specific scenarios. For travel managers, the goal is to create a flexible policy that considers trip length, employee role, and the business needs of each trip. 

Ready to access a multi-source inventory travel solution with exclusive business class rates? Discover how to up the ante with Navan; book a demo.