The pros and cons of business class travel

Travelling can feel like a breeze or a chore, depending on how comfortable your flight experience is. The travel class you choose for your flight could affect your overall trip.  

Business class air travel brings various benefits, such as wide seats and enhanced amenities, making it an appealing option for many travellers, particularly business people who want to land feeling refreshed and ready to go. 

But with those plush seats and VIP perks come higher costs and even a few limitations. Let’s break down the advantages of flying business class and the potential drawbacks you should consider before booking your flight.

What is business class travel?

Business class travel sits between first class and economy, blending luxury and affordability for long- and short-haul flights. With spacious seating, more attentive service, priority boarding, and gourmet meals, it’s an attractive choice for those who desire extra comfort, whether the trip is for work or leisure.

The advantages of business class travel

Business class travel offers various advantages, making it a desirable option for many travellers. In this section, we will review the various benefits to help you consider whether business class travel is the best option for you. 

1. Comfort and space

The most obvious appeal of business class is the comfort of the seats. Business class seats offer more legroom, and many long-haul flights provide lie-flat seats. These spacious, often fully reclining seats make it easier to rest during long flights, allowing passengers to arrive at their destination well-rested.

This increased comfort is essential for business travellers heading straight from the airport to a meeting. Furthermore, a relaxing flight can improve employee satisfaction and prevent burnout for employees who travel frequently for work.  

2. Gourmet dining and a curated drink list

Gone are the days of boxed meals and limited beverage options. Business class travel includes gourmet meals, often crafted by well-known chefs, served on high-quality crockery, complete with a glass of high-end champagne or wine. 

Some airlines offer a multi-course menu tailored to regional tastes. These airlines often cater to dietary preferences or restrictions such as vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, and more. 

If you appreciate a quality in-flight dining experience, choosing business class could be the right decision for you.

3. Airport lounge access

The perks of the business class begin long before boarding the plane. Your ticket includes access to business lounges in airports worldwide, offering a calm and private space with Wi-Fi, charging stations, showers, and often a buffet. 

Lounges are particularly helpful if you have a layover. They allow you to relax and catch up on emails without the noise and bustle of a busy terminal. Since you’ll also enjoy priority boarding, you can be among the first to settle in and get comfortable once your plane is ready.

4. Enhanced in-flight entertainment and connectivity

Business class generally offers larger screens, noise-cancelling headphones, and various entertainment options. With many airlines, flying business class will give you access to an extensive selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games on demand.

Wi-Fi is also included or offered at a discount for business class travellers on many routes, so you can keep working or stay connected while you’re on the way to your destination. This feature can make a big difference for business travellers looking to be productive between gates.

5. Flexibility and priority services

Business class ticket holders typically enjoy the flexibility to change their flight times without any extra fees. This flexibility can be essential when dealing with shifting schedules. 

With Navan, changing flight times is more streamlined than ever. The platform’s flight exchange experience lets you change your flight time independently with a few clicks or by contacting a Navan agent at any time of the day.

Priority services extend to check-in, security, and baggage handling, allowing you to skip the queues and save time. The time saved is invaluable for business travellers, who can use it for work or rest. 

The disadvantages of business class travel

Although business class travel has several advantages, it also has disadvantages. To help you make a well-informed decision when booking your next flight, this section will review the drawbacks of flying business class. 

1. Higher costs

The most apparent drawback of business class is the cost, which can sometimes be double or triple that of economy tickets. This expense can be hard to justify, especially for short-haul flights where comfort needs may be less pressing. 

While some companies offer business class for long-haul trips, budget-conscious organisations may encourage employees to fly in economy or premium economy instead.

Since Navan allows companies to set clearly defined travel policies on the platform, employees can see clearly whether a business class booking is available during each flight search. This makes maintaining compliance with the company’s travel policy easy, and employees can book their flights with confidence. 

2. Limited availability on specific routes

Airlines don’t typically offer business class on all routes, particularly domestic and shorter international flights with lower demand. This can be disappointing if you’re keen on luxury and comfort but find it unavailable or highly limited. 

High competition during peak travel times can also make securing a business-class seat more challenging, particularly on popular routes. To overcome these limitations, flying on off-peak days such as Wednesdays and Thursdays and booking as far in advance as possible is recommended to enjoy greater availability and lower costs. 

3. Environmental impact

Travelling business class creates higher CO2 emissions due to the greater space occupied by each seat and the additional amenities. However, environmentally conscious actions taken by passengers, such as investing in sustainable aviation fuel and other green initiatives, allow for reducing and compensating for the higher emissions, making a positive impact.

Travellers looking to reduce their carbon footprint can use online tools. When travellers book their air travels through Navan, they benefit from various sustainability tools, such as emission calculators, sustainable aviation fuel investments, and compensation programmes for unavoidable emissions so that they can track and manage their carbon footprint. Using these tools, travellers can get the complete environmental picture when choosing whether to fly business or economy. 

4. Inconsistent quality across airlines

Airlines are not required to uphold a unified standard for the business class. While some airlines are known for their luxury features, some may fall short of road warriors’ expectations, offering slightly larger seats and nothing more. 

Frequent business class travellers often find themselves surprised by the lack of standardisation, which can be frustrating when paying premium prices. Therefore, before purchasing a business class ticket, it’s worth looking into the details of what each airline’s business class experience includes. 

Business class vs. other travel classes: which is best for you?

Choosing between travel classes can feel like its own journey, as each option has unique perks and drawbacks. To make an informed choice, let’s dive into what each class — from economy to first class — has to offer, helping you weigh the comfort, cost, and value that suit your travel needs best.

Business class vs. economy class

For those simply seeking affordability, economy class is the go-to option. It’s a practical choice for shorter flights or travellers who can’t justify the business class price tag. Economy class offers straightforward seating without frills and is the most popular option worldwide.

Business class vs. premium economy class

If business class seems out of reach, premium economy offers a decent compromise. With slightly wider seats and better meal options, it’s an upgrade from standard economy, though it usually lacks the privacy, reclining seats, and gourmet meals of business class. It’s a popular option for travellers looking for a bit more comfort without going all the way to business-class pricing.

Business class vs. first class

If money’s no object, first class is as good as it gets, with private suites, impeccable service, and fine dining. Some airlines even provide first-class shower facilities for long-haul flights. However, with fewer airlines offering first class, many frequent travellers find business class the most comfortable choice.

Who should consider business class?

Business class is ideal for frequent business travellers on long-haul flights and those who can afford a bit of luxury. It’s also suited to those who need to land ready to go, benefitting from the restful and efficient experience it offers. Travellers who value convenience and service over cost will appreciate this option’s many benefits.

However, if budget is a priority, especially for short flights, or if the extra space and amenities aren’t essential, economy or premium economy may be a better choice. In addition to cost considerations, environmental concerns can also tip the scale for those focused on sustainability, encouraging a conscious decision to forgo flying business class.

Ready to book your next business class trip? With Navan, you’ll enjoy reduced travel costs and a smoother booking experience. Start booking today.