15 Things You Should Always Do on a Business Class Flight

Flying business class can be one of the most comfortable ways to travel. When you pay for those perks like wider seats, nicer food, lounge access, and priority boarding/check-in/security/your flight itself can feel like a totally different experience. Unfortunately, plenty of people pay for business class and simply don’t take advantage of everything they’re offered.

After talking with travelers and scouring through forums, we’ve found travelers often skip valuable amenities they paid for, don’t optimize sleep on their flights, or fail to realize small choices they can make to maximize comfort and minimize costs.

Popular ways travelers have shared that they maximize business class? Making sure to use the airline lounge as long as possible, focusing on sleep instead of consuming every meal/entertainment option, and knowing how and when you can ask for upgrades.

Below we cover the 15 things you should always do on a business class flight.

1. Arrive Early Enough To Enjoy the Business Class Lounge

Airport lounges are one of the best perks of flying business class, but not all passengers take the time to enjoy them.

Business lounges typically offer: 

• Complimentary food and drinks 
• Room to relax 
• Quiet areas to work 
• Showers (longer flights)

By arriving early and spending time at the lounge, you can save money on food and start your journey refreshed.

2. Pick Your Seat Wisely 

Seat assignment is another important part of the business class experience few people think about. Depending on the aircraft, you may have more privacy on one side of the cabin vs. the other. Or your storage compartment might be further from your seat. Or you may get aisle access directly vs. being stuck behind someone.

Seats with these advantages: 

• Direct aisle access 
• Away from bathrooms/galleys/etc. 
• Near the front of the plane 

…can make your flight more comfortable and enjoyable. Not to mention, they’ll help you sleep better.

3. Focus on Sleeping on Overnight Flights 

It’s tempting to want to watch every movie, drink every glass of champagne, and eat every meal you’re offered. But many seasoned travelers advise against spending all your time awake trying to entertain yourself. Instead, they focus on getting a few hours of sleep and waking up refreshed.

I know what you’re thinking: everyone says that. While many people advise you to sleep, far fewer people mention that you should actually lay flat to sleep.

Whether you’re taking a red eye across the country or an overnight international flight, use that flat-bed seat!

Sleeping while flying business class is one of the main reasons it’s worth shelling out the extra dough.

4. Avoid Eating too Much Food and Drinking too Much Alcohol

Ok, so we just told you to sleep on your flight. That might be difficult if you stuff yourself with airplane food and wash it down with champagne.

Too much food and alcohol will: 

• Keep you awake 
• Make you feel jet lag more severely 
• Leave you groggy/disoriented when you arrive 

Try to enjoy yourself, but don’t go overboard.

5. Take Advantage of Priority Boarding. Don’t Board Early

Boarding doesn’t take long, and you don’t need to be first on the plane.

Think about it: if you board early, you’ll have to wait around on the plane. Why not use that time to hang out in the lounge?

Use priority boarding to board at a reasonable time, not necessarily as soon as you’re allowed to.

6. Don’t Forget about Extras Provided Onboard 

Flying business class means you’ll likely have access to lots of nice amenities, many of which you didn’t even know were included in your ticket price.

Business class travelers are often pleasantly surprised to find they get:

• Noise cancelling headphones 
• Blankets/Pillows 
• Amenity kits 
• Pajamas (on long-haul flights) 

Don’t sleep on these perks! 

7. Ask for Anything You Need 

Everyone knows the service is different when you fly business class. But that service extends beyond just “better” food and drinks.

If you need something on your flight, be it water, food, blankets, or help relaxing, don’t be afraid to ask. Flight attendants are there to serve you and will do what they can to make your flight enjoyable.

8. Stay Hydrated 

The air at high altitudes is very dry. As a result, you can become dehydrated very easily during flights, even business class ones. Dehydration can make you feel more tired and stressed, and may worsen the effects of jet lag.

Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout your flight to:

• Help avoid or decrease jet lag
• Sleep better 
• Arrive feeling refreshed 

9. Shift Your Schedule to Match Your Arrival 

Speaking of jet lag, one of the easiest ways to avoid it is to try and match your destination schedule while in flight.

It can be tough to sleep if your flight is during the day, but if you’re trying to adjust to a time zone where it’s night when you arrive, sleeping mid-day might be necessary.

Shifting your schedule while in flight can help you adjust to your destination quicker.

10. Wear Comfortable Clothes 

Business class often makes people feel like they have to dress up for their flight. But unless the airline you’re flying explicitly requests it, comfort should be your number one priority.

Traveling in comfortable clothing can help you: 

• Sleep easier 
• Relax 
• Feel better physically when you arrive 

Many travelers note how dressing comfortably can vastly improve your flight experience.

11. Take Advantage of Last Minute Upgrade Deals 

Every now and then you’ll run across upgrade deals that are far cheaper than buying a business class ticket.

These are typically offered by airlines when they need to sell seats last minute. If you have flexibility in your schedule, snagging one of these can save you a lot of money.

12. Know What You’re Really Paying for with Business Class

It’s easy to look at your upgraded seat as the main value you get from paying for business class. But you’re also paying for: 

• Priority security 
• Priority boarding 
• Priority baggage delivery 
• Lounge Access 

… to name a few.

Make sure you take advantage of every benefit you’re paying for.

13. Sleep Instead of Watching too Much TV 

We mentioned this before, but inflight entertainment shouldn’t keep you up at night.

While it can be tempting to try every movie or course possible, many travelers recommend using your flight as a time to sleep (particularly overnight flights).

14. Be Respectful to Everyone On Your Flight 

Certain people expect the world from flight attendants only to see them ignored time and time again.

Flight attendants are more willing to help polite and respectful travelers. If you find yourself losing your business class seat to an upgrade, it’ll be because you were nice.

15. Plan Ahead to Find the Best Business Class Deals

The only way to truly save money on business class flights is to plan ahead and know where to look.

Flight prices vary based on many factors. From days of the week to airports you fly into and out of. If you have flexibility with your travel plans, you’ll be able to find better deals.

How Travel Business Class Helps You Secure the Perfect Business Class Experience

It can be tough to find deals on business class flights. Especially if you’re doing it by yourself. 

With so many websites offering flight deals, it can be difficult to weed out which are legitimate and which offer the best deals. Not to mention, prices can change many times per day and what you might have seen in the past may no longer be valid.

Travel Business Class works with travelers to find the optimal business class flight options based on:

• Routes you want to travel 
• When you want to travel 
• Your budget 
• Seat preference 

This allows you to easily find ideal business class seats without overpaying or spending hours researching.

The Bottom Line

Flying business class has never just been about enjoying a bigger seat.

When you pay extra for business class you’re paying for an experience. One that should have you arriving at your destination feeling refreshed, comfortable, and ready to go.

But that depends on whether or not you know how to use your benefits.

Here are a few things we mentioned you should always do on a business class flight:

• Get plenty of sleep 
• Use the lounge 
• Pick your seat wisely 
• Stay hydrated 
• Don’t forget about your perks 

And make sure you’re booking your flight at the right price. Travel Business Class can help you find the best business class options so you can travel comfortably without paying a premium.