The Benefits of Business Class - Part 3

Welcome to Part 3 of our blog series - The Benefits of Business Class - where we explore the advantages of spending a little extra money to elevate your travel experience to a whole new level.

Does this sound familiar? You arrive at the airport to queues at check-in, chaos at security, busy departure areas where you buy overpriced snacks, sitting in uncomfortable chairs, staring at the flight board and joining the queue to visit the bathroom… we’ve all been there! Having access to a Business Class lounge can remove stress & expense, all the while being an oasis away from the crowds.

That’s right, lounge access is another one of the perks of flying Business Class. Almost all of these premium tickets come with this benefit. Generally speaking, they are managed by the airline you’re flying with but can sometimes use a partner airline or a private company. Lounges can vary massively between airlines and airports in their style, layout and size but all offer a welcoming haven to spend your time pre-flight. 

A lounge offers many advantages including food and drink, comfy chairs and sofas, newspapers and magazines and even free spa treatments, day-beds and showers. Some even offer direct-boarding from the lounge, separate check-in areas, laundry pressing and more.

Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport is regarded by many travellers as one of the best lounges in the world. It truly is a cavernous space within the airport, featuring beautiful high ceilings and an almost hotel-like quality in its ambience, architecture & decoration. This lounge provides the best amenities you could imagine; an extensive buffet and multiple dining options, private shower facilities and daybeds, business centres and even a state of the art games room, all intertwined with stunningly designed seating areas. 

Closer to home, the British Airways Business Class Lounge at Heathrow T5 - the ‘Galleries Lounge' - stands out above many others. The area itself is very spacious, boasting lots of natural light with huge windows overlooking the runway (ideal for the plane spotters amongst us). With an abundance of hot & cold food on display, a coffee station, wine bar & spirits bar to choose from and champagne on request, you may struggle to save room in your stomach for the flight! British Airways also offer Elemis Spa treatments for their premium guests; anything from massages to facials. Business Class passengers enjoy a complimentary 15-minute treatment, so why not have a revitalising facial before your flight? 

Another benefit (which may be less apparent) is simply the ability to speak to staff members from your airline before departure. Sometimes you need last-minute help in regards to your travel plans; to confirm a gate number, check a seat assignment or even arrange a special event onboard such as an anniversary surprise. Lounges also provide the perfect setting to relax between flights if you’re a connecting passenger, and can even be used upon arrival at many locations. An Arrivals lounge is often accessible with a Business Class ticket and can provide a much-needed boost of caffeine or a refreshing shower before a meeting in the city, for example. 

An amazing lounge can make you want to arrive at the airport extra early so you can soak up all the benefits. For many travellers, a lounge visit is a staple part of their travel ritual. Some of the best lounges in the world are accessed using a Business Class ticket and are often an experience in themselves. The United Airlines Polaris Lounges, The Pier (Hong Kong) & Turkish Airlines Lounge (Istanbul) are just a few of the best-rated and most-awarded out there, just waiting for you to enter.

Treat yourself with Business Class on your next trip and witness it all for yourself!

(Contributed by Alex Dickinson)