How to Make the Most of Flying Business Class

Here are six tips for making the most of flying business class, plus how to fly for free.

Delta One suite.

With plush seats, elevated dining, and an easier airport experience, flying business class is a treat for any traveler. And although each airline's business-class product differs, you can expect luxury, comfort, and premium amenities — at a much higher price than economy. We're here to help you make the most of flying business class with tips from my personal experience and aviation expertise.

Relax with added flexibility.

If you need to change your flight before departure, odds are you have increased flexibility than if you booked a basic economy ticket. Whether your ticket is refundable will depend on your airline and fare type, but you may be able to change your flight more easily if needed. You can also enjoy simple perks like selecting your seat in advance.

Check your bags for free.

Don't worry about the pricey baggage fees adding up if you're traveling with a couple of checked bags. There’s a good chance you’ll have an increased luggage allowance, so you can pack more than you typically would for your trip if you'd like. Policy details vary from one airline to the next, but on most major U.S. carriers, business-class passengers can check two bags for free.

Take advantage of priority check-in and security.

Priority check in for flight.

Tempura/Getty Images

Your journey starts when you arrive at the airport. And depending on the airport, you’ll go to a dedicated business-class lane, or you’ll go to an entirely different check-in counter — either way, you’ll avoid waiting in lines and can check your bag immediately. Sometimes, you’ll also go through a business-only security lane that is faster than general security. I got to experience this most recently on a flight from Madrid to the Maldives on Qatar Airways. The business-class security line felt more like TSA PreCheck in the U.S.; there were no lines, you don’t need to remove anything from your bag, and you’re off to the lounge within 30 seconds.

Enjoy lounge access.

Delta One Lounge in Boston airport.

Courtesy of Delta

Once you’ve gone through security and immigration, you can head to the lounge. Again, this will vary depending on your airline, but you might be able to access a dedicated business-class lounge or a general airline lounge, where you can indulge in complimentary food and beverages in a more relaxed environment. Some lounges even have spas, business centers, sleeping rooms, or showers. Some airlines may restrict access to business- or first-class travelers traveling internationally, so do your research before you book if lounge access is important to you.

Be the first to board.

When flying in business class, you’ll be one of the first people on the plane. Sometimes, you’ll use a different jet bridge than economy passengers, making it even easier to get to your seat. If there’s one word to define a business-class experience, it’s efficiency — you'll be one of the first to board and first to get off the plane.

Indulge in an elevated in-flight experience.

In flight meal in business class on Emirates flight.

Courtesy of Emirates

The real fun of flying business class is found on board the plane. Avoid getting too full at the lounge because the in-flight food and beverages are a notch above your basic airplane food. And check your airline account before your flight, because you can often request meals in advance. On my Qatar Airways flight, I had lobster thermidor, which was only available to passengers who pre-booked. You’re also typically greeted with a welcome beverage of your choosing, which can include Champagne, various other alcoholic beverages, or non-alcoholic drinks.

Whether you want to work, sleep, or watch as many movies as possible, you’ll typically have a spacious and comfortable seat that may even lie flat. On long-haul international flights, the blankets and pillows are typically of much higher quality than the ones given in economy, and you may receive an amenity kit or even pajamas to wear.

Difference Between First Class and Business Class

When selecting a plane ticket, you have an overwhelming amount of options. Depending on the route, you might have basic economy, economy, premium economy, business, and first class available, plus even more fare options, such as refundable or nonrefundable, within each ticket class. Business class and first class are often used interchangeably, but the two have some distinct differences. Be sure to read the details before you book so you know exactly what to expect when you get on board.

How to Fly Business Class for Free

Using points and miles makes business-class tickets much more accessible to even budget travelers. The quickest way to rack up credit card points that you can turn into a fancy airline seat is by taking advantage of a new customer welcome offer. If you sign up for a new credit card and meet the spending requirement, you could earn enough points to score a great deal on a ticket. Whether you transfer the points to a partner airline or book through your new card’s travel portal will depend on how savvy you are with your miles.

Don’t want to commit to a travel credit card? There’s a chance you could be automatically upgraded if you have elite status with the airline you’re flying. However, you’ll likely need a very high tier of elite status to receive a complimentary upgrade to business class on a long-haul flight, and to reach such a high tier, you’ll already be spending some serious money on flights throughout the year.

You could also ask at the check-in counter if any business-class seats are available. If there are, the agent will tell you how much upgrading costs. If it’s an exceptionally long flight and the upgrade only costs a few hundred dollars, it could be worth the additional fee for the comfort.