What’s the difference between business and economy?

When buying a ticket, your eyes dart around from the tariffs: light economy, promo, optimum, budget… aaaah! Each of these tariffs belongs to a class of service. And we know two classes: business and economy. Some airlines also have first class. But it’s not as common.

We, ordinary tourists, often fly economy and are already used to the conditions: the seats are tolerable; food is served if it’s included — sometimes it’s even decent; magazines, fresh press, pillows, blankets (depending on the destination) and so on. You can live and fly, in general. But what is the significant difference between business class and economy? We’ll tell you in this article.

At the airport

The difference between the two flight classes is already felt at the airport. For people with business class tickets, there are separate private lounges with a free selection of food and drinks. It’s quiet there, with TVs, restrooms, and sometimes even showers. They go through check-in and boarding in a separate queue, outside the general one. They are also the first to exit the plane at the arrival point. Sometimes a business ticket even includes airport transfer to or from the airport.

How to get into a business lounge if you have an economy class ticket? You can pay for entry to the business lounge or use the loyalty card offers from your bank. For a certain amount, they provide access to business lounges for several months or for a single visit.

On the plane

According to the economy fare, you are allowed one piece of hand luggage and one piece of checked baggage. There are exceptions and tariff gradations within economy and different airline rules, but generally, this is the standard. In business, you can often take twice as many items per passenger.

There is also a difference in comfort during the flight. The standard seat size in economy is 43–46 cm, the distance between seats is small — 70–90 cm. In business, it’s wider — the seat averages 86 cm, and the distance between rows is up to 200 cm. And the backrest can be reclined in a way that it won’t bother those sitting behind.

There are also differences in food, but they are not significant. Business class passengers are served food first and on nice dishes; sometimes, alcoholic beverages are included in the menu. In economy — plastic and paper cups, and the availability of alcohol depends on the flight and the country where the airline is registered.

How to get a business class seat? If you collect miles and use an airline’s mileage program or your bank’s, you can spend miles to upgrade your ticket. That is, buy an economy class ticket, and then upgrade your class of service to business using miles. The cost varies, inquire with the airline on how to do this. If there are available seats in business, they will gladly help you.

Also, some airlines hold auctions for business class tickets for people who have purchased an economy ticket. The idea is simple: you offer the price you are willing to pay for business, and if your bid wins, you fly business. Yes, you will have to pay the difference, but often it is still cheaper than buying a business class ticket outright.

In tickets

In most cases, business class and economy even have a difference in ticket manipulation. Business passengers can often change their departure date and return their ticket for free, but this depends on the fare rules.

First class and business — are they the same?

Many confuse these concepts, but no, they are different things. First class is usually found on transatlantic flights where the flight time is more than 8 hours.

This is the best an airline can offer a passenger. The seats recline into a full bed with a pillow and blanket, flight attendants already know what you want in advance, there are personal monitors and maximum comfort in the details. And it costs more than business class.

Better than economy, but not business

Some airlines have introduced a Premium Economy fare. It’s like a regular economy class, but with some privileges, although it still doesn’t quite reach business class.

Differences can be in the size of checked baggage, meals, the ability to return a ticket without significant financial loss, priority boarding, and other small details. However, the seats will be the same as in the rest of economy, and you will also wait for your flight in the general lounge. In terms of price, it is also in the middle between business and economy.

In this article, we are not praising business nor disparaging economy. Economy class has become more comfortable than ever. If you are flying without luggage and for short distances as a tourist, there is no point in splurging on business. But if you have a long flight ahead and there’s an opportunity to fly business — don’t miss that moment.