How many people buy First or Business class tickets out-of-pocket?
Is there any data (reports, statistics, etc.) on the percentage of first and business-class airline tickets that are purchased out-of-pocket by the passenger?
Meaning, NOT received due to a loyalty-program upgrade from Economy, NOR purchased by the passenger's employer/business arrangement/etc.
Articles like these make it clear that for medium- to long-haul flights, First and Business class tickets can routinely cost $10,000 or more. I can't imagine many people actually pay the full sticker price out of their own pockets.
Best Answer
There are many ways to get a business class tickets so statistics will be hard to come buy.
- Buy economy and buy up with cash
- Buy it with miles or points from loyalty or rewards prog
- Upgrade with a mixture of miles and cash
- Upgrade with instruments
- Upgrade with cash through an auction (Swiss, Lufthansa, TAP are doing this now)
You need to specify what exactly you mean by "out of pocket". With option 1,2 & 5, the customer still covers the entire cost of the ticket, just not with a single cash transaction. I've certainly done all of the above at some point.
Even when you buy straight business, you can safe a lot of money buying the right fare class: for example on United a P or Z fare is drastically less expensive than a C or D fare, which is again less than a J fare. $10,000 seems harsh. At the moment you can get transatlantic for less than $3k and Australia (furthest destination) for less than $7k
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Do people actually pay for first class tickets?
People aren't actually paying for first class. Because larger companies have contracts or negotiated fares for first-class employee travel, many people aren't paying for their tickets, whether they're an employee or being sponsored.Who uses first class?
First class on Emirates A380 and Boeing 777 planes, for example, means flying in a fully enclosed suite with a full bed, an onboard shower, and a first-class bar and lounge. Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Air France are all known for their first-class service and amenities.Is it important to travel first class on a business trip?
Less Stress. If long lines for security checks and crowds of passengers waiting to board the flight annoy you, a first class flight will be an enjoyable escape from the stress and inconvenience of air travel. The check in is faster with priority screening at many airports and priority boarding at the gate.Is first class worth it over business class?
The bottom line: If you're looking for the ultimate travel memory and have the cash to splash, first class delivers an outstanding experience. But if you're coming from economy, business class will likely offer enough additional comfort and service to feel like a luxury.How to Beat Airlines at Their Own Game
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