Trends In Business Class: How Cabins Have Changed Over The Years
Many passengers aspire to experience flying in business class. Comfortable seats with flatbeds and spacious in-flight entertainment are now standard, and carriers actively seek ways to improve and differentiate their products. This guide will explore current trends in business class products and highlight airlines that have introduced new business class cabins in recent years.
Beginning of business class
In the early days, air travel was somewhat luxurious regardless of where you sat. Business class is a relatively recent addition. Initially, economy class separated from first class, and only later did the concept of business class come into existence.
Business class emerged in the late 1970s to meet the rising need for more space and comfort among economy passengers because flights became more common and available to a broader audience. While Qantas of Australia is often credited as the first airline to invent a business class, the true origin of which airline actually invented it is less straightforward.
During that period, airlines worldwide already had products resembling business class, albeit without the official name. In the 1970s, British Airways introduced a comparable product with premium seating zones, and Thai Airways also unveiled a new offering for “business people” in 1977.
Marketed as a superior alternative to economy class but without the high price tag of first class, the business class found a sweet spot between comfort and affordability. This balance persists to this day.
Latest trends in business class
Space, space, and more space
With announcements of new business class products, we learn that business class seats will be more spacious. In fact, it is true that trends have shifted to make business class roomier with extra storage space, movable armrests, and ample legroom. Many airlines now provide all-aisle access in business class with seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. For instance, with its new Allegris business class seat, Lufthansa can now offer a seat with an extra-long, 2.2-meter bed.
More privacy
Increased space brings more privacy, a trend evident in many upcoming business class offerings featuring privacy doors. Although these privacy doors first appeared in 2016, their prevalence emerged notably during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest Cathay Pacific business class suite “Aria” for Boeing 777-300s will include sliding doors, and Japan Airlines’ new Airbus A350 business seats will also feature these privacy doors. These are just a couple of airlines adopting this trend, indicating a growing shift toward this standard in business class.
Better Tech
With the advancement of technology, airlines are striving to incorporate the latest technologies even at an altitude of 40,000 feet. New business class seats now feature large 4K entertainment screens, wireless charging, and the option to connect personal devices to the entertainment system via Bluetooth.
Additionally, Japan Airlines recently introduced a new feature – built-in headrest speakers, meaning passengers won’t need any additional headphones to use the in-flight entertainment system.
