Business class in air travel is now 30 years old, although there is still some dispute today as to which airline was the first to come up with the concept.
Designed to offer a cost-effective alternative to first class, and a more comfortable alternative to economy, Qantas says business class was its brainchild, with advertising beginning in 1979. However, British Caledonian insists its ‘executive class’ was the first form of business class, introduced in 1978.
Corporate travel agency, BCD Travel Australia, says business class remains a popular choice for its corporate travel clients, who value a balance between affordable air travel and a comfortable corporate travelling environment.
Companies often book business class to enable their employees to comfortably work on their laptops or read business documents while travelling between destinations.