10 hacks for business class travel from the USA: how to save without sacrificing comfort

Do you frequently travel in business class from the USA? Or maybe you're planning your first business class flight but don't know where to start?

You’ve come to the right place at Fly Business.
In this article, we’ll go over some hacks to help you save on business class tickets and choose the most comfortable options for long-haul flights from the USA to Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, Asia, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent.
Here, you’ll discover all the secrets that other companies specializing in business and first-class airfare keep hidden.

Here are a few useful business class travel hacks that will help you save on tickets and select the most comfortable options for long-haul flights.

1. Look for hidden offers and corporate rates

How do you find them? It’s simple.

Some airlines offer hidden discounts and corporate rates that are not available in public booking systems.

Services like Fly Business or Business Skies have access to these offers. This is a great way to save money and find tickets at prices that don’t typically appear on popular aggregators.
Fly Business specializes in providing business and first-class tickets for businesses and individual clients worldwide. We work with over 70 airlines, offering access to hidden deals and corporate discounts. Fly Business helps you quickly find and book business class tickets with the best perks, such as fully flat seats and premium service, all while ensuring affordable prices.

2. Watch for sales and special offers

Airlines sometimes have promotions and sales on business class. Sign up for newsletters from airlines and services that specialize in selling business tickets. This will help you stay informed about great deals.
For example, Fly Business sends a monthly newsletter to its clients, including a discount coupon for purchasing business class tickets.

Many airlines have seasonal sales or offer discounts during special events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or national holidays. These are excellent times to buy tickets at reduced prices.
Sales and special promotions usually happen during the off-peak season. But we’ll discuss that later.

3. Flexibility with dates is key to saving

Ticket prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week and the time of year. Try to choose dates when demand for flights is lower — this could be mid-week or during off-peak times. Flexibility with your travel dates can save you a lot of money.
For saving on business class tickets, it's best to choose specific days of the week. Typically, cheaper prices can be found:

• On Tuesday and Wednesday – these are the most popular days for finding cheaper tickets. Tickets often become more affordable since there are fewer business travelers and tourists.
• Thursday – can also be a good day, especially later in the evening when airlines sometimes adjust prices to fill empty seats.
• Late Monday evening or early Monday morning – prices might be slightly lower because there’s less buyer activity at those times.

Avoid buying tickets on weekends, especially Friday and Saturday, when demand and prices tend to be higher.

4. Use loyalty programs and miles

If you travel frequently, make sure to join airline loyalty programs. Some programs allow you to upgrade to business class using miles. There are also partnerships between airlines and credit cards that offer additional bonuses on purchases.
Almost every major airline has its own loyalty program. For example:

• SkyMiles with Delta
• Miles & More with Lufthansa
• Executive Club with British Airways
• AAdvantage with American Airlines

Fly Business can help you find airlines with loyalty programs and promotions to earn miles.

Airline Alliances: Airlines often belong to alliances where you can earn and use miles with partners:

• Star Alliance (e.g., Lufthansa, United, Turkish Airlines)
• SkyTeam (e.g., Air France, KLM, Delta)
• Oneworld (e.g., British Airways, American Airlines, Qatar Airways)

There are also specialized websites, such as The Points Guy, that help track your miles and loyalty program benefits.

5. Analyze the seat layouts on planes

Not all planes offer equally comfortable seats in business class. For example, some planes have fully flat seats in business class, while others offer less comfortable options. Use sites like SeatGuru to check the seat map before buying your ticket to choose the most comfortable aircraft.

6. Choose airlines with high ratings and quality service

Airline ratings can vary significantly, especially in business class. Focus on premium airlines with top reviews for business class service, such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and ANA. These airlines offer high-quality service, meals, entertainment, and comfortable seats for long-haul flights.

Here are some popular sites to check airline ratings:

1. Skytrax
   Skytrax is one of the best-known sources for airline and airport ratings. Skytrax publishes a ranking of the best airlines in the world, based on passenger surveys and analysis of various service aspects like seat comfort, food, and onboard services. They also give airlines a star rating from 1 to 5, making it easy to assess quality.
2. TripAdvisor
   TripAdvisor offers real passenger reviews of airlines, along with ratings based on personal experience. The platform allows you to filter reviews by destination, class of service, and other parameters. It’s a good source for assessing airlines based on comfort and service levels, from the perspective of actual travelers.
3. FlightStats
   FlightStats specializes in tracking airline punctuality. The site provides information about flight timeliness and airline efficiency. This is useful for those who want to know how reliable an airline is when it comes to sticking to the schedule.

7. Buy tickets with layovers

Direct flights can sometimes be more expensive. Layover flights are often cheaper, and if you don’t mind a stop, this can be a great way to save money. Some airports offer comfortable lounges that make layovers more pleasant.

8. Pay attention to aircraft types

Different aircraft models offer varying levels of comfort in business class. For example, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 aircraft provide superior comfort with modern seats, more legroom, and fresher cabin air. If your flight offers a choice of planes, choose those that provide the most comfort.

9. Use travel insurance

Some premium credit cards and loyalty programs offer free travel insurance, which can cover unforeseen flight expenses (like cancellations or delays). This is extra protection that can help you avoid unnecessary costs.

10. Seasonality

Off-peak seasons: Ticket prices are usually lower during off-peak times, such as late January to early March and September to November. There are fewer tourists, and airlines often reduce prices to fill planes.
Peak seasons: During holidays (New Year’s, summer vacations, school breaks), prices tend to be higher. It’s better to plan trips ahead of time or choose periods just before or after the peak season.

These tips will help make your business class flights more affordable and comfortable.