The majority of us dream about traveling in business class from the minute we purchase our tickets until we disembark from the economy cabin, sore and fatigued. Of course, benefits like lounge access and extra legroom are alluring, but the ordinary traveler typically finds it difficult to justify the expense of an upgrade. Fortunately, it’s not always necessary. You should also keep an eye out for cheap business class fares, known as Z-class fares, as well as premium seat deals from a number of airlines. Put these airlines at the top of your must-fly list if you want to travel in style on your next vacation.
1. Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines serves 302 destinations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas and travels to 120 countries, more than any other airline. Dream vacation spots like Budapest or Bangkok are much simpler to reach, and flying there in business class is much more likely. Itineraries for round-trip travel have been purchased for as little as $1500, which is a great deal given that first-class tickets on foreign flights may easily cost three times that much. Keep an eye out for incredible bargains because Turkish Airlines undoubtedly goes wherever you’re going next.
2. Hawaiian Airlines
If you play your cards properly, you could fly in the Extra Comfort cabin (a cross between economy and business) from Los Angeles to Kauai for about $500 or from New York City to Tokyo for about $1500. Naturally, off-season is when you’ll save the most money, but Hawaiian Airlines is still affordable in the summer and around the holidays when everyone takes vacation to get tan. If you want to visit Hawaii, Asia, or the South Pacific soon, think about using the carrier.
3. Jetstar Airways
Although traveling in business class on a low-cost carrier seems counterintuitive, it’s definitely your best option if low costs are your top concern. Low-cost airline Jetstar Airways is a division of Qantas Airlines. It travels on certain international routes connecting North America, Asia, and Oceania while providing first-class seats. You will undoubtedly receive the budget-business treatment, which excludes entirely flat chairs, but you will still sleep far longer than you would in an economy cabin.
4. British Airways
A cost-effective approach to channel your favorite Downton Abbey aristocrat is to treat yourself to business class on British Airways. The airline is a good option for transatlantic travel and makes it surprisingly possible to fly in Club World (business class) from US hubs to European destinations for less than $2000. Additionally, AARP members get access to savings of up to $200, which may increase to $400 during particular campaigns.
5. Icelandair
The breakfast buffet in the Saga Class Lounge at Keflavik International Airport is nearly enough to make it worthwhile to travel business class to Reykjavik. Especially if you’re flying overseas, small details like chilled Champagne and heated towels make all the difference when you upgrade on Icelandair. You could just find a deal you can’t pass up as the airline serves the majority of major European cities and has made a significant effort to promote itself to North American tourists in recent years.
6. JetBlue
JetBlue is like the Wild Turkey bourbon of airlines in that it offers smoother, more inexpensive travel than so-called top-shelf competitors without compromising on quality. High-end travelers on a tight budget can choose to fly premium (sometimes known as business class rather than economy plus) with JetBlue Mint, which has previously offered coast-to-coast offers for less than $500. Additionally, keep an eye out for seasonal flights from Boston or New York City to the Caribbean.
7. Aer Lingus
To obtain great prices on Aer Lingus’ business class flights, you don’t need to be lucky in Ireland. The airline is a no-brainer for travel to Ireland, but it’s also excellent for travel between the US or Canada and continental Europe. Although Aer Lingus frequently outperforms its rivals on transatlantic routes, business-class seats aren’t always inexpensive. This makes it a terrific airline for getting you across the water.
8. Norwegian Air
In its advertising, Norwegian Air touts itself as the greatest low-cost carrier in the world for international travel. That’s a hefty assertion, but the carrier can support it with a long list of accolades. Budget travelers wishing for a bit more comfort on a three-figure flight can choose Norwegian Air. You can get benefits like armrests you don’t have to fight your neighbor for and legroom that really lives up to its name for a little bit more than you would pay for economy, albeit that is still less than you would spend on other airlines.
9. Avianca
Latin American countries love Avianca. There is no avoiding it when looking for flights to Bogotá or Buenos Aires, which is fortunate because it frequently has excellent deals on both business and economy tickets. When I recently received an upgrade on an Avianca trip from Montevideo to Lima, the plush cabin and deluxe food package almost made me forget about my subsequent flights. Even while you might not have the same success as I did, the service is still excellent and you might be able to get a comparable offer in advance.