Business class is designed to allow you to arrive rested and refreshed from long haul flights. Far above anything else, this is accomplished by having a seat that lays completely flat during the flight, essentially allowing you to sleep in your own bed from thousands of feet in the air. 

Arriving “awake and clear-headed” instead of jetlagged and exhausted is why travelers choose business class over economy. By most accounts, lie-flat seats that allow you to sleep horizontally are more important than whatever extras airlines throw in with their amenity kits.

 

Bedrooms at 30,000 Feet: Sleeper Seats and Privacy Suites 

Like many details of business class, modern layouts began with Delta Airlines. Inspired by the “premium comfort class” in first class, Delta converted its longest-haul planes to feature sleeper seats. These days every major carrier has either pods (as Delta uses) or lie-flat traditional seats that convert to beds. Each seat, often accompanied by privacy dividers and doors, fully reclines so you can sleep flat rather than curled up or semi-upright like economy class.

In business you fly premium to lie down flat and get a full night of sleep.

 

Mattress Matters: Blankets, Pillows and Turn Down Service 

Having a bed onboard means little without quality bedding to keep you comfortable. Airline business class seats are meant to mimic your own bed as closely as possible, which is why pillows and bedding also matter. Multiple travel blogs point out that while airlines spend millions of dollars redesigning cabins with new beds and suites, they sometimes skimp on blankets and pillows. Today most airlines include upgraded bedding as part of their “business class experience.”

However, the little touches still vary widely by airline. Top business classes like United Polaris or Qatar suites offer mattress pads that sit over the seat cushion while you sleep, as well as optional “turn-down service” where flight attendants remake the bed for you. The idea is to imitate hotels where possible. From memory foam mattress pads to high-thread-count pillows and blanket combinations, expect business class bedding kits to be “in a league of its own.”

 

Flying First (or Business) Class Lounges 

Business tickets almost always include lounge access before your flight. Airline lounges typically offer free snacks, drinks, WiFi, and sometimes showers or quiet areas. Having lounge access should theoretically allow you to nap in peace prior to boarding rather than crowds of the gate area, though we’ll discuss below whether lounge access lives up to the promise.

Including access to the airline’s lounge before your flight means you won’t be spending money on food or Wi-Fi while you wait.

Many travelers rave about airline lounges. After all, who doesn’t want free food before a long flight? However, the CEO of one travel website points out that airline lounges aren’t as great as they sound. With many lounges becoming crowded these days, you may still find yourself packed into the lounge with nowhere to sit. The food is “okay”, but nothing to write home about. Some passengers love airport lounges and wouldn’t dream of flying without one. Others use them only when upgrades are available.

 

Pay Extra For Priority Boarding? Food? Entertainment? 

Premium meals, alcohol, and baggage service are another fundamental part of business class. While alcoholic drinks are often complimentary throughout the flight, meals are served akin to a fine dining restaurant with multiple courses on real plates. And yes, most airlines let you order food at any time rather than directing you to the meal times checked with the rest of the cabin. Service is typically higher quality and more attentive than economy class, with many passengers praising the snack offerings and even meal service on overnight flights.

As you might expect, inflight entertainment, food options, and alcohol don’t affect your sleep quality. Rather, these are secondary amenities that make the journey more pleasant. Hotel reviewers often advise guests to judge hotels by their beds first and everything else second. Business class travelers are advised to do the same. Sure, that new pair of pajamas the airline gave you might be cute. But ask any frequent traveler and they’ll tell you that sleeping like a baby is far more important than branded socks.

 

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These: Amenities You Can Live Without 

Pretty little amenity kits and even pajamas are nice, but hardly necessities. Most travelers can pack those same items into a much smaller toiletry bag, if they even want an amenity kit at all. Same goes for pajamas: they’ll provide them on overnight flights, but few people sleep in anything but workout clothes and an undershirt otherwise. Wi-Fi, in business class or otherwise, is limited and almost universally slow these days. Want to binge watch Netflix? You’ll be disappointed. 

Priority boarding and check-in sound nice, but you’re still waiting in line for everyone else to board before you get on the plane. Combined with some nicer meals and boarding perks, these are all fine bonuses that let the airline brandish their logo all over their cute little kits. Want to save money (or miles)? You’ll be fine ditching the kits. Want to know your money is going toward actual comforts? Skip the snacks. 

 

Pick Your Own Seat with BCFlights 

Because nothing else even matters if your seat doesn’t lie flat, let BCFlights help you find your perfect seat. BCFlights search includes up-to-date seating charts and will help you find the newest suites. BCFlights agents are also experts on airline seat products, so if you want BCFlights to find only certain types of suites let us know! Need direct aisle access to your bed? Want a fully enclosed suite with sliding doors? BCFlights advisors can help refine your search to match these needs.

BCFlights searches for the best prices on business-class fares from legacy carriers and budget airlines. Looking for something “off the beaten path”? BCFlights specializes in finding you great deals on business class tickets you might not find elsewhere.

 

Arrival Matters More than Perks 

Flying business class is all about your bed. Footroom, privacy dividers, and even bedding make a huge difference in how comfortable you are throughout your flight. Sure, those slippers and amenity kits might be cute, but will you really care about amenity kits if you haven’t slept on your long-haul flight?

BCFlights is focused on finding you rooms as comfortable as possible, starting with finding your best seat. That may mean fully enclosed suites with direct aisle access, or it may mean finding newer planes with lie-flat beds and high-thread sheets. Travelers using BCFlights notice the difference. 

BCFlights helps travelers find the perfect flight for their needs by searching all airlines for the best fares combined with up-to-date seat maps and unparalleled customer service. Get in touch with us today and get your journey to the next level!