Getting your money’s worth in business class

Typical business class airfares may seem shockingly expensive to travellers used to hitting the skies on cheap economy fares.

But when companies want highly skilled and compensated employees travelling across oceans or continents to arrive well rested and ready to work, they don’t mind paying those stifling $5,000 to $10,000 round trip fares.

The problem is that the quality of the business class seat you get for that fat fare varies widely among airlines, but the price does not. Most airlines charge the same business class fare no matter what type of seat you get.

Currently, there are three types of business class seats. True lie-flat, slanted or angled lie-flat and recliners.

The very best type of seat is the true lie-flat seat. This latest generation seat folds down into a 180-degree surface that is parallel with the floor of the plane — just like your bed is parallel to the floor of you bedroom. Most business travellers who’ve enjoyed a true lie-flat sleeper seat find it difficult to accept anything less on subsequent flights.

Second best is what’s known as “slanted” or “angled” lie-flat. This is a seat that reclines into a 180-degree flat surface, but is tilted at a slight angle to the aircraft floor, so your feet fly at a lower altitude than your head, a position many business travellers find slippery and uncomfortable.

Third is the least desirable old-school “recliner” or “cradle” type business class seat that allows you to recline and prop up your legs on a footrest, but that’s about all. It’s easy to doze in a recliner, but nearly impossible to get really good sleep because you can’t turn onto your side or stomach.

Most major international airlines now realize that to compete for the coveted business traveller, they must offer the new generation, true lie-flat seat. But while many have grand plans to eventually offer true lie-flat seats across their fleets, the reality is that most aren’t there yet.