Flying business class does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Though most premium seats cost several thousand dollars, certain routes retain relatively affordable business-class fares due to airline competition, travel demand, and regional pricing. Whether you’re seekers of absolute luxury on a shoestring or merely simple upgrades that won’t break the bank, here are the most affordable business-class routes you should know:.
Looking for affordable cheap business class flights? Learn which business class routes are the cheapest, plus how to book luxury travel for less.
- New York (JFK) to Lisbon (LIS) – TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal operates some of the cheapest business-class transatlantic tickets out there. Very frequently, in fact, it runs specials where flying business class from New York to Lisbon will be cheaper than flying just about anywhere else in Europe.
Average Business Class Fare: $1,200 – $1,800 round-trip.
Airline Amenities: Lie-flat seats, Portuguese fine dining, and excellent wine selection.
Best Time to Book: Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) for the lowest fares.
Tip: TAP often has discounted one-way business class fares, allowing travelers to mix and match with other budget-friendly carriers.
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (HND/NRT) – ZIPAIR Tokyo
ZIPAIR Tokyo is Japan Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary flying between the U.S. and Japan at budget business-class prices. It is no flagship business class product, but it is a lie-flat seat at a fraction of the cost.
Average Business Class Fare: $900 – $1,500 one-way.
Airline Perks: Lie-flat seats, affordable add-ons for meals and baggage.
Best Time to Book: Off-peak seasons (late winter and early fall).
Tip: ZIPAIR charges extra both for meals or a checked luggage – budget extras appropriately.
- Bangkok – Hong Kong Thai Airways & Cathay Pacific
One of the most underappreciated ways to travel business class short-haul inexpensively is on extremely aggressive routes around Asia. Bangkok to Hong Kong perhaps offers one of the most value-for-money business class routes anywhere in the world; a plethora of deals come out for both Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Average Business Class Fare: $400-$800 round-trip.
Amenities: Lounge access, gourmet meals, and priority boarding.
Best Time to Book: Book at any time of the year, though mid-week flights are cheaper.
Travel Tip: Open-jaw tickets, in combination with some other budget airlines, are always best in terms of getting the price as low as possible.
- Dubai (DXB) to Cairo (CAI) – Emirates
Emirates is a premium carrier. But its business-class rates for short regional flights are more often than not exceedingly cheap compared with the long ones. This is the same case with its Dubai to Cairo route, with travelers getting some premium comfort and not breaking one’s bank at the same time.
Average Business Class Fare: $700 – $1,200 round-trip.
Amenities: Chauffeur service, fully reclining seats on select aircraft, and premium dining.
Best Time to Book: Mid-week departures and off-peak travel months.
TIP: Do be sure to check Emirates “Saver” business class fares; those often cost hundreds less than flexible fares.
- Miami (MIA) to Bogotá (BOG) – Avianca & American Airlines
Flights from the United States to South America are expensive, but the route from MIA to BOG is an outlier. Avianca and American Airlines have quite competitive prices in business class rather frequently, making this a great option to fly luxuriously yet affordably.
Average Business Class Fare: $600 – $1,100 round-trip.
Airline Perks: Lie-flat seats on some aircraft, gourmet meals, and premium lounges.
Best Time to Book: The best fares can typically be found during non-holiday seasons.
Tip: Avianca occasionally offers special deals where business-class upgrades are included at very low additional cost.
- London (LHR) to New York (JFK) – Norwegian Air (Previously Operated by Norse Atlantic)
Norwegian Air Flies Under the Radar Although transatlantic flights have always been prohibitively expensive, Norwegian Air mixes things up with ultra-accessible premium prices under its rebranded business class, Norse Atlantic. Not quite as fancy as traditional business. But an affordable alternative for fliers who need a little bit more comfort on their journey.
Average Business Class Fare: $800 – $1,500 one-way.
Airline Amenities: Reclining premium seats, priority boarding, and a quieter cabin experience.
Best Time to Book: Flash sales and off-peak seasons are the cheapest time to fly.
Tip: Do keep checking the website of Norse Atlantic for business-class sales that can come in last-minute.
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Taipei (TPE) – Malaysia Airlines & EVA Air
Flying business class around Southeast Asia can be ridiculously cheap. It is also one of the best routes from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei. Both Malaysia Airlines and EVA Air fly productively comfortable lie-flat seats for short-haul prices.
Average Business Class Fare: $500 – $900 round-trip.
Airline Amenities: Flatbeds on certain planes, special food, airport lounges.
When to Search for Tickets: When demand is appreciably a lot lower and flying out at midweek during any off-season is usually pretty safe.
“EVA Air typically opens business class purchases on economy tickets, as an online check-in option.”
Best Time To Buy Business Class Flights –
Price alerts are also set & can be tracked overtime on Google flights & Skyscanner.
Utilize Airline Miles & Points: It is common for airlines to open business-class seats to miles at lower prices.
Look for Business Class Sales: Most airlines have seasonal sales where their premium fares are low.
Be Flexible with Dates: The fares are way cheaper flying mid-week and when flying in off-peak months.
Book One-Way Tickets: There are a great number of times one finds that two one-way tickets booked separately are cheaper than a roundtrip fare.
Final Thoughts
Flying business class does not have to be expensive if you know where to look. Concentrate on competitively priced routes, look out for promotions, and try some smart booking strategies that will have you flying in style without paying full fare. Surprisingly affordable business-class routes to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East offer amazing value.
Ready to elevate your next flight? Browse deals now and find premium travel for less.