Business class (also known as club class or executive class) is a high travel class available on some commercial airlines and raillines. The level of accommodation in business class is higher than economy class but lower than first class. Business class passengers have a lavatory reserved for their exclusive use. Recently on airplanes, first class and economy class passengers were barred from visiting the business class cabin due to newly enforced security regulations. Business class quality, service, and comfort is continually on the rise at many airlines.
First time business class appeared was on Australian airline Qantas in 1979. On November 1, 1981, SAS introduced EuroClass with a separate cabin, dedicated check-in counters and lounges for full-fare passengers. Simultaneously, first class disappeared from their European fleet.
First time business class appeared was on Australian airline Qantas in 1979. On November 1, 1981, SAS introduced EuroClass with a separate cabin, dedicated check-in counters and lounges for full-fare passengers. Simultaneously, first class disappeared from their European fleet.
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Last Updated: Sep 2009
Last Updated: Sep 2009
What is Business Class Travel?
There is a substantial difference between long haul and short/medium haul business class. Short/Medium haul business class seats in many parts of the world are not much different from economy class seats and on some airlines may be exactly the same seats with just a curtain to separate business class from economy class. Alternatively, airlines (such as Lufthansa) use convertible seats that seat three people across in economy or adjust with a lever to become two seats with a half seat length between them for business class use. Some airlines (such as British Airways) still offer different seats in short/medium haul business class to economy class and these are wider and have more leg room. On airlines offering one kind of seat with a moveable curtain there is often more leg room to the seats towards the front of the plane, economy class passengers sitting in those seats will get to enjoy the extra legroom for free although the change in seat pitch is not marked on aircraft seat plans.
Business class has started to disappear from many short/medium haul routes, to be replaced with full fare economy and discount economy (KLM and SAS). On these routes, the seats are the same for all passengers, only the flexibility of the ticket and the food and beverage service differs. On shorter routes (typically less than one hour) many airlines have removed business class entirely (e.g. BMI on many routes) and offer only one class of service.
Business class has started to disappear from many short/medium haul routes, to be replaced with full fare economy and discount economy (KLM and SAS). On these routes, the seats are the same for all passengers, only the flexibility of the ticket and the food and beverage service differs. On shorter routes (typically less than one hour) many airlines have removed business class entirely (e.g. BMI on many routes) and offer only one class of service.
