Flying Business Class, airlines that offer comfort at a good price
The search engine Holidu has analyzed the price difference between Economy and Business class offered by more than 30 of the world's leading airlines to determine which one offers the best value for money. In their particular ranking, eight of the top ten airlines are Asian or European.
The main conclusions of the study include:
? On average, flying Business Class is 250% more expensive than flying Economy.
? Four of the top ten airlines are Asian and four are European. Only one African (Air Algerie) and one U.S. airline (American Airlines) are in the top ten.
? Oceanic airlines in the study are among those with the largest price discrepancy, with Air New Zealand and Qantas Business Class being 263.55% and 342.34% more expensive than their economy classes, respectively.
? The route with the smallest price gap between Economy and Business tickets is Iberia's flight from Madrid to Athens, with tickets costing ?530 and ?656, respectively.
? The route with the biggest price gap is Etihad Airway's flight from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, with a +1,271% difference between its Economy class price of 56€ and its Business class ticket of 771€.
? Hainan Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air India, KLM, Emirates and Etihad Airways have a greater price difference between the two classes on their short-haul flights than on their long-haul flights.
1. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
The airline with the smallest price difference between Economy and Business class is All Nippon Airways, also known as ANA. Based in Tokyo, it is Japan's largest airline. It flies to some 50 domestic destinations and 32 international destinations in Asia, Europe and North America.
On average, ANA's Business is only 82.22% more expensive than its economy fares, well below the industry average of 250.19%. For example, according to the study, its flight from Tokyo to Seoul costs 963 € in economy class, but only 337 € more in premium. Considering that this includes lounge access, fast lane at the security checkpoint, exclusive seating and more cost-effective services, the value for money is very good.
2. Japan Airlines
It is ANA's main rival flag carrier. Also based in Tokyo, it operates 220 destinations in 35 countries around the world. When it comes to upgrading, Japan Airlines is one of the few carriers where the price difference is less than 100%, specifically 93.71% more expensive on average.
For example, on the route from Tokyo to Hanoi, flying business class only costs 434.33 € more: 1,895 euros compared to 1460 euros in economy class.
3. Asiana Airlines
Completing the top 3 is another Asian airline, one of South Korea's top two airlines, accounting for about 25% of the country's international air market. A member of the Star Alliance group, it is based at Incheon Airport in Seoul and operates 14 domestic routes and 90 international routes.
A flight from Seoul to Delhi with Asiana Airlines in Business Class is only 189.29 euros more expensive than flying Economy, and includes a flat-bed seat, better in-flight meals and other amenities. Overall, flying in Business class with this airline is 119% more expensive than flying in the lower class.
Spain: Air Europa
The Holidu study evaluated two airlines in the Spanish market: Iberia and Air Europa. The former ranked 13th overall. The price difference between its Economy and Business class is 213.89% on average, although more notable on medium-haul flights, with an increase of 312.90%. For its part, Iberia ranks 24th, with an average price difference of 280.41%.
Europe: Austrian Airlines
In Europe, Austrian Airlines has the lowest price difference between its two reference classes. Based in Vienna, it flies to six domestic destinations and more than 120 international destinations in 55 countries. It charges on average 194.82% more for its business class than for economy, placing it in the top spot in this study.
For example, for those flying from Vienna to Larnaca (Cyprus) with the Austrian airline, premium class is 69.66% more expensive than economy, but includes an extra piece of hand luggage and an extra piece of hold baggage, equivalent to about 81 euros. Not to mention free lounge access, exclusive menus and extra frequent flyer points.
USA: American Airlines
American Airlines is the top-ranked U.S. carrier for having the smallest cost difference between its economy and business classes, ranking sixth in the entire study. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, it is one of the top U.S. carriers
According to the study, its Business class is 165.70% more expensive than Economy. For example, medium-range flights from Dallas to Punta Cana can cost around about 376 € in economy class versus 633 € in Business class.
The other extreme: Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the airline with the biggest price premium on its Business class tickets. Based in Abu Dhabi, it is one of the two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates. The quality of its service could explain the high premium class prices, according to the study's authors.
On average, the airline's business class tickets are 592.82% more expensive than Economy class, a difference double that of any of the other airlines in the study. For example, on the Abu Dhabi to Muscat (Oman) route, Economy class costs 65 € and Business class costs 902 €. Etihad Airways goes further than many other airlines when it comes to its premium class offerings, with chocolates from the car to the check-in counter and champagne on boarding.