For me it is all about the seat!
Yes the lounge access, the better flight meal, and the extra luggage might mean a lot to you. . . . but as I am 1.8m tall and getting on in years the real benefit is a comfortable flight.
If I am going to be on a plane for 8 or more hours I want to be able tostretch and lie down. (For up to 4 hours I will put up with an economy seat and pocket the savings)
So with an emphasis on the seats it is important to understand not all Business classes are the same.
Here are my thoughts from Worst to Best
N.B. USA Airline’s First Class seems to me to be comparable with the majority of the rest of the World’s Airlines Business Class.
European Business Class
Basically a flight that includes “European Business’ only has standard economy seats.
The ‘Business’ section consists of the first few rows with seat allocation being Aisle and Window in a row of three.
The middle seat of each row is left empty.
I have only flown in ‘European Business’ when its been included in the overall ticket,to get to a destination with no direct long haul flights.
I wouldn’t pay extra for a single flight in ‘European Business’.
Budget Airline Business / Short Haul Domestic Business
There doesn’t seem much difference to me between Budget Airline Business, Domestic Business and Premium Economy Long Haul.
What you get is a wider seat, with more recline, including lower leg support.
To me it is similar to a reclining armchair, that many of have in our homes.
More comfortable than economy but I still nap with these tyoe of seat rather than get a good sleep.
Long Haul Business Class
Lie flat business class seats really make a difference to me.
I find that I will get several hours proper sleep.
One thing to check if you are comparing different airline with lie flat seats is whether each seat has ‘Aisle Access’ as in the photo above.
Climbing over a lie flat seat, or having someone climbing over you, isn’t great if you want a good nights sleep.
