What’s the Difference between Premium Economy and Business Class?

What’s the Difference between Premium Economy and Business Class? Written by Barnaby Taylor. Published on 17th July, 2019. Category: Travel Guides

When planning a business trip or holiday abroad, airlines now offer you even more choice over the type of travel experience you get, if you’re prepared to pay extra.

Whatever the cost of your seat on a plane, passengers all arrive at the destination at the same time of course. However, sometimes paying more makes the time onboard feel like it goes quickly, and the journey is far more bearable.

The subtle and not so subtle differences

British Airways Club Suite

The branding used to name each category of air travel can be a little confusing. However, it is generally structured around an Economy air ticket, then scaling upwards to being thoroughly pampered in First Class.

One of the most commonly asked questions is what are the differences between Business Class and Economy Premium tickets, which tend to sit in the middle of the sliding scale. There’s a lingering misconception that they mean the same thing, or that “business class” is literally only for work-related journeys. Neither of these is true.

Business class is open to anyone. How it differs from Premium Economy varies between different airlines. Checking ticket marketing information and T&Cs can help you to differentiate.

You’ll see that it’s not all about the actual seat on the plane! It’s the little touches that can make paying the higher price worthwhile, such as access to airport lounges, faster progress through security, car parking reductions and swifter check-ins.

As a company, we often deal with British Airways. They certainly make it worthwhile to pay more for each class of ticket. So, to answer the question of whether to choose Business Class V Premium Economy, here’s how it works with British Airways.

Premium Economy; what’s included?

British Airways World Traveller Plus

BA call this “World Traveller Plus”, and it’s geared towards expanding the level of cabin comfort passengers enjoy when compared to standard seats. You get wider seats, more legroom, power sockets and cute amenity kits on the aircraft, all within designated areas with highly attentive crew. The food and complimentary bar services also differentiate Premium Economy from its cheaper alternative, as well as your noise-cancelling headphones for your personal entertainment system.

Premium Economy also includes extras before the flight, such as priority boarding and a higher baggage allowance.

Business Class: what’s included?

British Airways Club Suite Seat

So far so good, but how is Business Class better?

British Airways refers to this as “Club World”. It’s fitting, as this can appear “a world apart” from even Premium Economy travel!

With this category of ticket, you’re seated in your own haven of comfort and flexibility; a versatile seat that can double as a bed, armchair or upmarket office chair.

Instead of the standard blanket and functional pillow, you receive bedding and amenities provided by luxury brand The White Company. Instead of food trays, business class travellers enjoy fine dining in restaurant style settings.

Much of this is encapsulated in the new British Airways Club Suite areas, which are gradually being fitted within its fleet (available initially for flights to Toronto and Dubai, October 2019 onwards).

These suites are set to be incredible, featuring privacy doors, larger 79” fully flat beds, abundant storage space and fingertip access to some great technology and high calibre entertainment.

As well as delicious food and discrete hosting on the plane, Business Class with British Airways also buys access to exclusive airport lounges, some of which have spas. This makes your trip far more enjoyable from start to finish.

You also get a larger baggage allowance, and your luggage can even be collected from some London locations to make life easier!

Choosing your travel goals

British Airways Club Suite

For many people, flying as cheaply as possible is the clincher when booking air travel. For others, comfort and arriving feeling relaxed is a much higher priority, and they’re happy to pay for additional privileges.

For details of airline tickets to match your budget and travel experience goals, please get in touch with Just Fly Business on 020 8417 1366.