Business class is often seen as a more luxurious form of air travel. However, let us not forget that business class is supposed to be, and generally is designed to, cater specifically for the business traveller. To experience fine dining and the high life, a richer traveller can always opt for the more opulent first-class ticket. However, with first-class tickets costing more than 5 times the price of a standard economy ticket, opting for the most expensive option would make a significant dent in any business traveller’s finances. Nevertheless, even business class costs more than 2 to 3 times the price of a standard economy ticket, so going for either class is very costly.
With this in mind, what facilities should business class have to justify its name as well as its price tag? Business class travellers often need specific services that are not required by other travellers. They may prioritise convenience, such as being able to continue office work whilst on a long-distance flight with the necessary privacy that this entails. In addition, to save time, they may fly at night and go straight into a meeting abroad after they land.
Current Offerings
As a result of the increased convenience that business travel often necessitates, the increased cost is arguably justifiable. To this end, what facilities are on offer to cater specifically to the needs of the business traveller?
Many of the facilities that would benefit the business traveller are already provided. To save time, faster check-in, extra baggage allowances and priority boarding are generally standard offerings with a business-class ticket. However, Singapore Airlines does not offer faster check-in for anyone other than first-class passengers so it appears that there are exceptions to the rule.
For added comfort and convenience, airlines often give business-class passengers access to exclusive airport lounges which provide free, unlimited buffet food. These lounges also have comfortable seating arrangements allowing business-class travellers to work peacefully in the lounge using their free Wi-Fi services.
Once on board, airlines generally offer more comfortable seats in business class which can convert into beds, allowing business travellers to get a restful sleep on board and go straight into a meeting after they land. British Airways and Singapore Airlines also offer on-board Wi-Fi. In the case of Singapore Airlines, this is offered free for business travellers as well as those in first class. For British Airways customers, however, onboard Wi-Fi is only offered free of charge to first-class customers. For business class travellers there is an additional fee ranging from £4.99 to £21.99 depending on the flight.
First Class Offers More
It appears that flying first class offers more facilities that would specifically interest the business traveller. In addition to faster check-in, which generally comes as standard for first-class passengers, the onboard experience is more private for first-class passengers when compared to those travelling in business class. First class ticket holders have a more private seating arrangement on board the flight which may also be more appropriate for business customers. In addition, free Wi-Fi is not always offered for business customers by all flight operators. It does seem therefore that there is room for improvement.
Everyone knows however that when there is a price premium there is only so much that can be provided, even to a business traveller paying 2 to 3 times more than the price of a standard economy ticket. Nevertheless, at the very least, business travellers should be offered facilities such as free Wi-Fi on board flights which would be particularly relevant for business travel as this would provide more opportunity for the continuation of office work during the flight.
Having more private seating for business travellers may be problematic as this would likely take up more space. Perhaps more research should be done into how to maximise the privacy of business travellers so that they can do more work on board and therefore gain more value for money from business class. As we know, the Covid pandemic has made it harder for airlines to concentrate on such specific improvements.
We will have to wait to see how this progresses.
