Flying Business Class For the First Time: Tips & FAQ

Business class seats give you vastly more space and comfort than coach tickets. From dedicated airport check-in lanes to priority boarding and waiting areas with complimentary food/drinks, flying business class starts with perks even before you board the plane. Inside the cabin, lie-flat seats (pillows and blankets provided) let you stretch out during the flight. You can also expect a hot meal served on actual dishware, unlimited drinks including wine or champagne, and generous baggage allowances, all included in the price of your ticket.

Typical perks of flying business class include: 

• Priority check-in: Skip to the front of the line at airport check-in and security with dedicated fast-track lanes.
• Lounge access: Chill in a quiet room with sofas, complimentary snacks/drinks, charging outlets, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even showers/spas.
• Lie-flat seats: Spacious seating or pods that convert into beds for sleeping (almost 2 m long).
• Delicious food: Eat meals prepared by top chefs with full dinner menus, served on china plates. Drink whatever you like from the drink cart: your ticket includes all food and beverages, so don’t be shy to “fill your boots!”
• Premium amenities: From fancy amenity kits to pillows and blankets (and sometimes pajamas on overnight flights).

Book Your Flight and Seat Wisely 

Not all business class seats are created equal. Before you purchase your ticket, research the plane and seat map. Some cabins have window pods with single occupancy for privacy, while others have seats that face another passenger. As one seat-hacker points out, on certain United flights window seats with odd-numbered rows (“1, 3, 5”) afford more privacy if you don’t mind being by yourself; while people travelling together may prefer booking “middle seats in pairs.” 

Research or ask for advice when choosing your seat: read trip advisor reviews, search online for seat-map tools, or enlist the help of a travel advisor. For example, if you book through TravelBusinessClass.com, we’ll connect you with an agent who “help you pick the right seat by knowing the ins and outs of cabin configurations.”

Arriving at the Airport: Check-In and Lounge 

Once you arrive at the airport, things continue to be smooth sailing. Head to the priority-check-in desks marked SkyPriority or premium class. There, you’ll drop your bags, pass through express security lines (some airports even have passport control priority for business class travelers), and proceed directly to the airline lounge. Lounge areas are airside rooms with couches, charging ports, complimentary snacks/drinks, Wi-Fi and a quiet space to relax before your flight. For long-haul trips, Kansai International Airport Lounge in Japan has showers so passengers can freshen up before their flight. 

Aim to arrive at the airport 2+ hours early and you’ll have plenty of time before your flight and it’s worth taking advantage of the lounge and relaxation before boarding. (Pro-tip: if you are served food/drink by lounge staff at the table, tipping for service is expected in the U.S., so feel free to leave a couple dollars for your dinner or round of drinks.)

Onboard 

Everything you need will be brought to your seat or provided upfront. Pillows and blankets will be automatically placed on your seat along with the amenity kit. These kits often include socks, an eye mask, toothbrush/toothpaste and similar items. Flight attendants are expecting passengers to ask: many will actually be standing by at the gate waiting for passengers to approach so they can hand them the amenity kits. Business class is typically split into these suites or pods. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions: “Grab your pride and ask for a seat tour.” Flight attendants will walk you through how everything works at your seat (e.g. how to lie-flat, use tray tables, find power outlets, etc.). Take advantage of this knowledge and ask early, it’ll prevent you from struggling with controls later when you should be relaxing.

Once you’re settled in, take advantage of the room: most passengers say that being able to stretch your legs is the best part of flying business. If you cannot figure out where the entertainment screen is or how to plug your device in, ask! Want pajamas or lounge-wear on an overnight flight? No problem, just ask. Airlines will provide pajamas on most long-haul flights, but they won’t bring them to you unless you request them (e.g. “Can I get some PJs?”). 

Same thing goes for pretty much anything else: need another pillow, but don’t want wine with dinner? Want to skip your meal and sleep instead? Just press the call button and ask. Flying business is about your experience and being comfortable: if you have reasonable requests, the crew will do their best to accommodate you.

Food, Drinks and Entertainment 

As mentioned above, dining is a huge part of the flying business. You can expect multiple courses including appetizers, an entree, dessert, and a wide drink selection. Airlines love boasting about celebrity chefs and table-side service with real plates. Don’t forget everything is paid for with your ticket upfront, so order that second glass of champagne! 

You don’t need to bring any food yourself, but nibbles are offered by flight attendants roaming the cabin. Some airlines even offer self-serve snack shelves or baskets. As long as you aren’t gluten-free, vegan, or allergic to nuts, you can likely stick with the default option. Most airlines offer at least 1-2 vegetarian meals as part of their normal menu rotation. Special meals are not usually necessary unless you have a true need. Veggie or fish options are usually available as standard menu items. If you do need to pre-order a special meal for medical reasons, you can typically request this online after booking your ticket.

Entertainment is also better than economy: you’ll have your own large screen with television shows, movies, and music. Airlines offer high-speed wi-fi for purchase, USB ports to keep your devices charged, and usually provide noise cancelling headphones. If you have headphones you’re attached to, that’s fine too. Feel free to ask for a new pair of headphones if they aren’t provided at the gate, because once in a while a dirty pair of the headset somehow sneaks onboard (yup, business class isn’t a by-default guarantee of an all-in-all premium experience). Sit back, relax, and make yourself at home. Whether you work or sleep on your flight is up to you.

Etiquette 

Business class is more comfortable than economy, but the same rules apply. “Act like you’ve been there before,” is how cabin crews put it. In other words, don’t be embarrassed to accept free food and drinks. Don’t ask the price of champagne. Keep your belongings in the bin space above your seat, and don’t hang bags in other rows (space is limited even in business class!). Avoid crowding into someone else’s seat/suite if they close the privacy partition. Really the best rule of thumb is just to be respectful: let other passengers lie-flat or sleep if they want, keep noise levels down, and follow crew directions when necessary (e.g. returning to your seat for takeoff). 

Business class doesn’t have a strict dress code, but maintaining a “business casual” mentality helps. Essentially, just dress like you’re clean and put together. Avoid running shirts and sneakers, but jeans and a shirt are perfectly acceptable. Most travelers wear this type of outfit on the flight, then change into the provided pajamas once onboard. Just look tidy and you shouldn’t feel out-of-place in the cabin.

Using a Travel Advisor: TravelBusinessClass.com 

Okay, so that was a lot of information. If this is your first time flying business, consider using a travel advisor. Travel Business Class provides you with a personal travel advisor who can manage these details for you. Our advisors know the tricks and nuances of business class travel: different airlines’ cabin configurations, optimal seats for your preferences, hidden airline fees, and secret airline pricing. They sift through all airlines, unpublished airline fares, and find you both the best route and prices you can’t find online. Instead of spending hours researching routes and seat maps yourself, they do the work and simplify your search. 

Many of our customers save thousands on business class upgrades or get superior seats than booking alone. Let Travel Business Class help you book with confidence, then relax and enjoy your flight.

Conclusion 

Flying business class will change your travel experience. You’ll zip through airport security, relax in the lounge, and board the plane early to enjoy your seat. Just remember to review your airline’s seat map and lounge access before arriving at the airport (or use a professional service like Travel Business Class to do so). 

Once onboard, enjoy the legroom, delicious food, complimentary beverages and “amenity drugs.” Be courteous to the cabin crew and your fellow passengers, and ask for whatever you need to be comfortable. Whether you book independently or ask TravelBusinessClass.com to handle it for you, the most important part is to relax and enjoy your flight.