What features should the perfect business class ticket have
Recently on our Facebook group dedicated to Italian frequent flyers came an interesting question followed by an equally interesting [...]
Recently on our Facebook group dedicated to Italian frequent flyers came an interesting question followed by an equally interesting discussion. So I decided to summarize the main features that, in my opinion, the perfect business class seat must have.
In this article:
Over the years on TFC I have Reviewed over 30 different business class chairs and since we opened the YT channel in addition to reading the reviews you can also see the summary in video.
As with a dish in a starred restaurant there are various ingredients that make up the recipe, in the case of this ticket the ingredients are a mix of hardware (plane, seat, lounge) and software (service, amenities, catering), here is my frankestein
Direct access to the corridor
One of the most widely read articles lately on TFC Is the one where we list The worst business classes flying European skies. The common feature of all these seats is the lack, for all passengers, of direct aisle access.
Lufthansa's business class on the 747/800
In 2023, it is simply unacceptable to call business class a chair where you are forced to climb over or being overruled by a neighbor to get out of the seat. There are still many airlines that have business class cabins configured with this type of seat.
Even when you have 6 passengers per row, as in the case of Oman Air and other carriers installing the Apex Suite you can give passengers direct access to the aisle, so be careful and always check the type of seat installed before detaching the ticket.
Seat layout
There are so many seat configurations that can be found in business cabins Of all the world's airlines. The second most important factor I look at when choosing my seat is the configuration of the seats.
A business class seat on Singapore Airlines' A350
Many carriers adopt an alternating configuration, this is to allow the largest number of seats to be installed. The downside of these configurations is that the legs often end up in a very small and uncomfortable cavity for sleeping. For example, the beautiful and very comfortable seat on Singapore Airlines is really bad when it turns into a bed because of the small amount of space you have for your feet when you are lying down.
When, on the other hand, the seats are herringbone all oriented in one direction there is generally more legroom, and this means a significantly more comfortable ride.
Personal space
Some configurations leave very little space to store personal items sometimes there is not even room for a headset or tablet.
It is important for me to be able to keep everything I might need close by during the flight, preferably within capacious and resealable container spaces so that you do not have to chase personal items during takeoff and landing.
The door
This is a feature that until recently was one of the exclusives of first class, then Qatar with its QSuite brought them into business class and since then carriers have been racing to install them. Today they are on British Airways, Delta, Etihad, JetBlue and are coming to Air France, KLM, Iberia, Lufthansa.
The best remains Qatar's, the tallest and most comfortable of the lot. Being able to close the door turns the seat into a small suite, gives more privacy and less noise from the aisle during the flight.
The door is nice and useful, but I put it in last place in this list because I would not want to sacrifice any of the points mentioned above in exchange for the presence of the door.
The aircraft model
Big is good, bigger is better. Of course I loved JetBlue's Mint so much, but do you want to put the A350/1000 or A380? It's not just a matter of size, but also and especially a matter of flight quality.
On an A350 you travel better than on a 777. Less pressurization means that you will arrive at your destination more rested, you will be less thirsty during the flight, and the cabin will be quieter.
In modern airplanes, LED lighting makes it possible to maintain a more relaxing environment and simulate lighting at different stages of the day and night.
These are the physical characteristics of the perfect seat; factors such as price, class and accumulation of points and miles, ground service and lounges make up the rest of the recipe.
Social spaces
I dedicated a article to companies offering the on-board bar, it is a nice feature, but Of all the ones I'm looking for, it's definitely the least fascinating one, unless you are traveling in a group then it makes sense as an ideal location for partying.
Price, flexibility, stop over and aviation alliance
Obviously, price is one of the most important points when choosing an airline ticket, in my case also affects the accumulation of points/status as well as the duration of the flight and any stopover.
Personally To a more expensive direct flight I prefer a cheaper stopover flight, also because 9 times out of 10 this will mean accumulating even more points in the FF program.
The departure time for me always has very little importance, I am much more careful about the time of arrival at the destination. Arriving too late often means having less flexibility in moving to the destination, or wasting a night in the hotel. That's where if I have to spend a few hours in the lounge and have a longer stop over, arriving the next morning, I prefer that to arriving at 11 p.m. at my destination.
The flexibility of the tariff and the Option to cancel the ticket by getting a credit and without penalty is equally important. Last but not least, the lounge(s) I will be able to visit based on the time I have to spend at the airport.
Dine on demand and plate service
Being able to eating when you want and not when the crew decides is THE real business class service. Not all companies allow you to eat when you want, and even fewer companies do true restaurant service, course after course.
I absolutely hate it when in business class you are served with a tray with courses on it. I like it when the table is really set, an entree is served and then, plate after plate, everything else prano or dinner.
Night Kit
The mattress pad to put on the seat is a plus that few companies offer, and those who do have my full appreciation. The pillow is also important for a good night's sleep, and sometimes it is little more than a little plastic bag.
The blanket then plays a key role in being able to experience the trip in the best comfort.
The lounge
No lounge is more beautiful (and inaccessible) than Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse in London. The perfect lounge offers more than a buffet and a few chairs. There are many beautiful lounges around the world And we certainly haven't visited them yet.
On-board service
There are services such as the Singapore's Book the cook which are great for ensuring a premium passenger experience, the same goes for airlines that publish the flight menu in the weeks before departure and/or let the passenger book what they like before boarding.
Amenity kit
You know I collect and vivisect them in every detail. It's a gift that makes flying premium, and I'm very sad when I find out companies that don't give it, give it only partially, or don't change it often.
So here is my perfect card
- The chair is the QSuite of Qatar,
- The program where to credit the flight is. Flying Blue
- The aircraft is an A350/1000
- The lounge is the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
- The night kit is to Oman Air
- La basement is that of Emirates
- The kitchen is Singapore's Book the cook
- The beauty kit is Etihad's Aqua di Parma
I look forward to hearing yours in the comments.
