Business Class Flights Don't Have To Cost Much More Than Coach

After years of traveling in coach, I recently discovered the pleasures of traveling business class flights to Central America. For much of my adult life, and being a family man, I always thought of business class flights or first class flights as being beyond my means. Most seats in the front of the plane usually cost quite a bit more, sometimes double, what a coach seat can sell for. Since I was not travelling constantly and did not have a company to pick up the tab, I never even looked at business class flights as an option.

A few years ago I began a real estate financing business in Costa Rica and one of my partners was a Delta captain so he would provide me with “buddy” passes. These are standby tickets and I would only have to pay for the taxes usually. These were great if you did not mind waiting on standby or if you were traveling off-season. The best perk was being able to automatically upgrade to first class or business class flights if there was availability. I gradually got used to flying in the front of the plane and I was, of course, pleased with the great level of service, food and drinks. The best part of all, for me personally since I am a person of large physical stature, is that the seats are very comfortable and quite large.

Eventually however, the “buddy” passes became harder to get and I was left with the dilemma that I was so accustomed to being pampered but could no longer afford to fly in that manner. I became frustrated when I had to go back to coach. I felt like the workers on the Titanic, having to face the crowded conditions in Steerage Class.

One day though, I discovered that with a little patience and careful planning, you can find online business class flights for considerably lower prices. On Continental.com I was able to pick up several business class flights for only a couple of hundred dollars more than the cost of a coach seat. This was amazing and now I am much more careful when booking flights.

The perks in business class flights are extensive and include unlimited alcoholic beverages and much better food. The attendants will bring you little hot towels to wipe your hands and face before and after meals. Instead of having to watch a TV screen that drops down five rows from your seat, you watch a larger screen installed in the back of the seat in front of you. Headsets are free whereas in coach they charge you two dollars. The leather seats are super comfortable and much larger, and the attendants bring you soft pillows and blankets for longer evening business class flights. All in all, the experience is well worth the extra money, but as I mentioned, you can definitely find some bargains if you shop around online.

Business Class Flights Don't Have To Cost Much More Than Coach