Flying business class for the first time can be an exhilarating experience. With spacious, lie-flat seating, quality dining, attentive cabin crew service, amenity kits, and so much more, you’ll feel like you’ve entered an exclusive club 30,000 feet in the air.
If you’ve managed to score a special upgrade or chosen to invest in a business class ticket for your next trip, we’ve made a list of 10 tips for your first time flying business class to make sure you properly prepare to make the most of it.
10 Tips for Your First Time Flying Business Class
Here are 10 tips for your first time flying business class:
Dress the Part
While business class dress codes do not require full suits or evening gowns, you’ll feel more comfortable and settled in when dressed properly.
For men:
- Dark jeans or business casual slacks
- Button-down shirt or sweater
- Sport coat or stylish bomber jacket
- Leather shoes
For women:
- Dress in pants or a skirt
- Modest yet stylish top
- Blazer
- Flats or low heels for comfort
Stay away from ripped denim, gym clothes, graphic t-shirts, very short skirts, or flip flops even on a long-haul red eye. After all, etiquette and image matter when socializing with others in this elite cabin.
Arrive Early for the Airport Experience
Give yourself ample time at the airport, aiming to arrive at least 90 minutes early for international flights and 60 minutes early for domestic. This gives you plenty of time to:
Check-in and clear security quicker via business class lines
Visit centurion-level airport lounges for free food and drinks
Get priority boarding so you settle in before economy passengers mob the airplane
Don’t miss experiencing special business class sections of the airport specifically designed to reduce your stress before flying.
Understand the Seat Features
Modern business class seats now come equipped with an array of features to optimize your in-flight comfort and amenities, much like a luxury hotel room condensed into a pod.
Don’t be shy about asking the cabin crew to explain how your actual seat works so you can adjust it and customize your surroundings.
Key features can include:
- Lie-flat vs angled flat vs recliner seat options
- Electronic adjustments for backrest, leg rest, lumbar
- Preset seat positions
- In-seat massage
- Personal storage spaces
- Multiple charging ports
- Video entertainment screens
- In-seat lighting options
- Foldout tray tables
- Side consoles
Learning what’s available allows you to best enjoy the cutting-edge ergonomic seating that makes business class so comfortable for eating, working, relaxing, or sleeping.
Indulge in the Signature Cocktails
Few things epitomize the luxury and exclusivity of flying business class more than having perfectly balanced cocktails specially crafted by mixologists and served to you at 35,000 feet.
Most airlines now have signature drinks created just for consumption inside that business-class cabin in the sky. Make it a goal to order one that catches your eye – this is all part of the epic upgrade experience.
Pair it with complimentary warm mixed nuts, crisps, or top-shelf liquors to fully immerse yourself in the business-class lifestyle.
Use Airport Arrival Services
An underutilized business class perk is access to elite airport arrival services for connecting passengers aiming to make tight transfer windows.
Be on the lookout for special kiosks located just outside business class aircraft doors upon arrival where staff can assist with:
- Flight connections & gate information
- Rebooking if you need to be placed on later flights
- Baggage services like priority tagging or delivery
- Complimentary rides in luxury cars between terminals or to catch up to tight transfers
This allows you to fast-track immigration and customs queues plus skip crowded baggage claims since bags often get automatically delivered to your final destination.
Treat Yourself to Premium Perks
Beyond the seating and service, the business class allows you access to a myriad of premium perks that enhance the journey:
- Premium amenity kits– Offered on most long-haul international routes, these provide comfort essentials like eye masks, lip balm, moisturizer, dental kits, hand cream, socks, and even designer pajamas. You get to take them home too.
- Access to first-class lounges– Even when flying business, you can now pay to enter the even more posh first-class lounges with enhanced menus and spa-like atmospheres.
- Arrive well-rested– Adjust your seat to fully lie flat and drift off to sleep in your cocoon in the sky, waking up fresh at your destination without needing a hotel or losing sightseeing time recovering from jet lag.
Go all in to make flying in the pointy-end of the plane special. After all, when’s the next time you’ll get these elite in-air privileges?
Capture the Moments
Looking back years later, your memories of that first euphoric business class experience might start to fade. Make sure to capture plenty of moments through photos and videos not just to share on social media, but also for you to vividly recollect later on.
Snap selfies in your seat, take pictures of the meals you enjoyed, cocktails you sipped on, amenity kit items you scored, and flight views you took in. Collect memorabilia like branded items from amenity kits or menus signed by the chef.
Years later these will remind you of how you felt when those business class doors first swung open to welcome you into a new tier of air travel.
Mind Your Manners
While business class seems like an excuse to get pampered and party at 35,000 feet, be conscientious of the other passengers around you.
Avoid blasting music, speaking excessively loud on phone calls, or doing other disruptive behaviors since the cabin is still a shared space. Think about how your actions might impact someone working intensely on their laptop in the next lie-flat pod.
Following basic etiquette helps ensure a smooth journey for everyone. After all, you want to leave a good impression for the next time you get to fly business.
Request Special Meals
If you have dietary restrictions for health, religious, or personal reasons, be sure to call the airline after booking, but at least 48 hours before flying to request special meals. Airlines cater to common needs like:
Vegan
Vegetarian
Kosher ✔ Halal ✔ Gluten-free
Low-sodium ✔ Child
Diabetic Fruit trays
Specify precisely what you can and cannot eat to enjoy business-class-quality dining tailored just for you.
Dress Comfortably for Deplaning
That business class ticket may have cost 4x the price of economy, but the flight itself eventually ends. As eager as everyone is to exit upon landing, avoid showing up to immigration and baggage claim dripping in champagne and wearing pajamas.
Bring a change of comfortable travel clothes in your carry-on that you can quickly freshen up into before final descent. This lets you confidently deplane looking presentable to take on your next adventure.
While nothing replicates flying in business class until strapping into that wide leather seat yourself, following these insider tips will properly initiate you into the most coveted area of the plane.
From understanding the seating features to indulging in cocktails plus leveraging airport arrival services, you’ll go from a first-time business class newbie to a luxury travel pro quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Business Class
Still, have some questions about the business class experience as a first-timer. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How early should I arrive at the airport before an international business-class flight?
Aim for 90-120 minutes before departure time for business class. This gives you ample time to speed through check-in and security, plus use the lounge.
Can I use my laptop and Wi-Fi in business class?
Yes, Wi-Fi and power outlets are available so you can work from your seat. But avoid video calls to not disturb nearby passengers.
Do I need to dress formally to fly business class?
There is no formal dress code, but smart casual attire helps you blend in better with the luxury atmosphere.
What amenities are included?
Lie-flat seating upgraded meals with premium alcohol, amenity kits on long hauls, airport transfer services, lounge access, and priority services like boarding and baggage handling.
How do I maximize the lay flat seat/bed feature?
Adjust it to fully lie flat, and ask the crew for mattress pads, pillows, and duvets. Change into the pajamas, wear the eye mask, and drift off to sleep!
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