So Who Exactly is Paying for Those Posh Business Class Seats?

Oct. 7, 2009 — -- Don't you hate this? I ran into a fellow who couldn't stop bragging about all the business class travel he's been doing lately, droning on and on about how the luxury of those big wide seats, the superb meals, and, well, it got tiresome real fast.

But I admit I was curious and wondered why his business was doing so well when so many of us are at the mercy of our bean counters -- the "fly economy only" guys?

His response was: Who said anything about business? "I'm talking about my vacation flights. I upgrade with my miles." When it comes to business travel -- and he works for a big multi-national corporation -- "I sit in steerage like everyone else."

I should have guessed.

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During the past year, true business class travel had a stake called "the recession" jammed through its heart. Never mind that business class prices have dropped 25 percent to 50 percent in the past year. The financial meltdown pretty much killed the concept. Or did it?

At least one airline is betting a bundle that it can resuscitate business class. Oh, to sit on those lustrous leather seats again with the company paying. But will that really happen? The odds seem to be against it.

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It wasn't always like that, of course. Just three or four years ago, business class travel had totally gotten its groove on. And why not? Luxury was in and if you had the money you could fly the way royalty only dreamed about.

Remember the Airbus A380 configuration with separate cabins and your own shower? Other airlines offered flat-bed seats, celebrity chefs and your very own butler. Okay, I made that last part up, but you see what I mean.