Business class tickets typically cost four to ten times as much as economy class, which leads many people to wonder if they are worth the cost -- especially for flights that are only a couple hours long. Business class offers certain amenities that you don’t get to enjoy in economy class, but you should determine for yourself if these amenities are worth the extra money.
What makes business class better?
With a business class ticket, you can enjoy more legroom, a lie-flat seat (on international flights), higher quality meals, and free booze while on the flight. While extra legroom and a fully reclining seat are always great if you plan to sleep on the plane, you should ask yourself, is the food and drink worth the money? You can always bring food of your choice onto the plane to avoid the economy class food, and drinking alcohol may not be a smart idea if you have somewhere to be upon landing.
In addition to receiving better food and drink in the business class section, you can also enjoy more privacy (there are only typically two seats per row), closer access to the lavatory, and better service from the flight attendants. These three amenities will, without a doubt, make your flight more comfortable -- but again, if the flight is less than three hours, you may not have much opportunity to take advantage of these perks anyways.
One other huge perk of buying a business class ticket is that you’re able to go through shorter, faster lines for check-in, security, and boarding. For some people who are in a hurry -- or who hate waiting in line in general -- this alone could be worth the cost. However, if you are traveling at a leisurely pace, these amenities may not be worth an extra $300.
Is it worth the money?
So, is it worth it to buy a business class ticket? It depends on what’s important to you and how long your flight is. Some airlines offer “economy comfort” or “economy plus” seats that are cheaper than business class but offer more legroom if that is the most important amenity to you. Though, if you want to be as well-rested and comfortable as possible when you reach your destination, a business class seat is a much better option for you.
