Let's face it; leisure vacations abroad are fun and business travel is a necessity, but flying coach across the Atlantic can be a painful experience - a real test to one's patience and durability. Not everyone can afford, or wants to pay, premium prices for business class seats. Several small airline companies promise the luxury of business class air travel with the cheap (or cheaper, at least; these are transatlantic flights here) price of discount airplane tickets. Cheap luxury travel? These all-business class airlines may be making the concept a reality. This article examines four airlines which offer all-business flights between two of the most popular travel markets, London and New York City. All but one offer expedited check-in, higher quality airline food, a personal entertainment system, and, of course, a more comfortable ride across the Atlantic.
- Eos Airlines has truly fully reclining seats, which is a must for those long flights. With a maximum of 48 seats, there is a lot of room, relatively speaking, for privacy and comfort. Eos operates out of London and New York: The London airport is Stansted, the New York airport is JFK. JFK has more transatlantic flights than do Newark or La Guardia, and can easily handle another low-cost carrier. The Eos airport lounge is quite nice, as to be expected from an all-business class airline. The Eos points program helps bring the ticket costs down significantly. Ticket prices are lower than comparable business-class tickets on American, Delta, United, and the other big boys of the airline industry.
- MAXjet Airways is another all-business class transatlantic airline which flies out of the London Stansed Airport. MAXjet has four weekly flights between London and Dulles (Washington DC) International Airport, JFK, Las Vegas, and LAX. Relatively discounted prices for business class seats seem, compared to the big boys of air travel, like cheap tickets for business class travel. The seats don't recline as fully as do those on other all-business class planes, but any seat on MAXjet is still much more comfortable than coach seats elsewhere. It is also the best deal; MAXjet has the most affordably priced business class tickets of any of these carriers. The downside? MAXjet is the one discount business class airline that doesn't offer its own curb-side check-in or other expedited check-in, so travelers need to arrive at the airport early. Update: MAXjet has declared bankruptcy.
- Virgin Atlantic Airways may be the popular favorite among frequent business class travelers. True, there are eight or so seats in the front that are designated first class seats, but the rest is pure business class. Fully reclining seats, attentive service, superior entertainment sources while in the air, and a higher quality of food are par for the course with business class seats. Virgin Atlantic also has consistently lower fares; there is a luxury in not having to scour the internet for cheap tickets. As with other all business class airlines, Virgin Atlantic offers state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment. Virgin has the best track record, and is considered the best of airlines in this class.
- Silverjet has "angled" fully reclining seats, which is not the same thing as seats that recline to a full 180 degrees. While the angle is by no means steep, it's enough to leave passengers slouching or sliding down. Silverjet doesn't fly out of Heathrow. British travelers have to get to the less- convenient Luton airport to fly Silverjet. In the US, Silverjet flies out of Newark, which is basically as convenient to NYC as is JFK. The Silverjet airport lounge in Newark isn't up to the standard of American Airlines' Admiral's Club airport lounges, but this is a smaller airline, and relatively new. Seats are initially anything but a bargain, but discounts are readily available with a little online research. The Silverjet website frequently offers discounts and deals on tickets.
All-business class airlines that offer cheap seats or discount prices for air travel, are growing in popularity. More contenders may enter the field - British Airways is considering doing so with smaller aircraft . This illustrates the importance in travelers minds of expedited check-in, and putting the luxury back into air travel.
Related, on Suite 101:
American Airlines Admirals Club
JetBlue Airways - Pros and Cons
Airline Travel Satisfaction is Low
Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
