What is Business Class Flight?
Business class is a class of seating on an airplane that is more expensive than the economy but less expensive than first class.
Generally, business class is indented for corporate travelers. The difference between first class and economy usually lies in service, seats, and food.
Business Class Flight Prices In South Africa
Non-stop bubbly, gourmet food, and the ability to actually sleep on a plane – Business Class is the dream for many avid travelers.
Unfortunately, the ticket price will leave you rethinking your grandiose plans unless you work for a company willing to foot the bill.
But it doesn’t need to stay indefinitely on your bucket list – sales, shorter flights, and snooping around the internet might just snag you that coveted Business Class ticket – and maybe still have some leftovers to spend in the destination.
To help you look for the best deals, we had a look at the price of a Business Class ticket with airlines that fly direct to their hubs from Johannesburg. The dates used were April 2020, flying on a Tuesday (normally the cheapest time to fly) and returning a week later.
Judged by the average price and the average flying time, we worked out the average value of the ticket price per hour and ranked our airlines accordingly. The cheapest was the African carrier Ethiopian Airlines, followed by Rwandair and Air Mauritius.
The most expensive Kenya Airways, followed by South African Airways judged on a flight to Ghana’s Accra.
While prices will fluctuate depending on date and demand, this is a good starting point when searching for the cheapest Business Class tickets from South Africa, as well as how much you might have to save up to fly high in style.
Prices were checked on Skyscanner and the airline’s website on 9 October 2019.
Ethiopian Airlines
Destination: Addis Ababa
Price: R13 700
Hours one-way: 5.5 hours
Price per hour: R2 490
Rwandair
Destination: Kigali
Price: R10 600
Hours one-way: 4 hours
Price per hour: R2 650
Air Mauritius
Destination: Mauritius
Price: R13 400
Hours one-way: 4.5 hours
Price per hour: R2 980
Etihad Airways
Destination: Abu Dhabi
Price: R27 000
Hours one-way: 8 hours
Price per hour: R3 375
Lufthansa
Destination: Frankfurt
Price: R40 200
Hours one-way: 10.5 hours
Price per hour: R3 830
Air Seychelles
Destination: Mahé
Price: R20 000
Hours one-way: 5 hours
Price per hour: R4 000
KLM
Destination: Amsterdam
Price: R47 500
Hours one-way: 11 hours
Price per hour: R4 320
Turkish Airlines
Destination: Istanbul
Price: R43 500
Hours one-way: 10 hours
Price per hour: R4 350
British Airways
Destination: London
Price: R48 000
Hours one-way: 11 hours
Price per hour: R4 360
Qatar Airways
Destination: Doha
Price: R41 723
Hours one-way: 9 hours
Price per hour: R4 640
Is business class costly or first class?
In general, first-class costs about twice as much as business class. But that can vary significantly by route and airline.
Why is it called business class?
On board the plane there was a free stand-up bar, a special menu, and free use of office equipment including calculators and dictating machines. They called the new class ‘Business Class’, the first airline to use the term, but it was still an economy class service. Pan Am launched ‘Clipper Class’ in 1978.
Does the business class have beds?
Generally, the business class offers lie-flat beds, more space, and better food than the premium economy. The biggest difference between business class and first class is the level of attentiveness, privacy, food, and comfort.