Apropos of a discussion at work on business
travel, I was minded, towards the end of a long-haul flight into LHR terminal 4, to catalogue what
business class is about, what it is for. These are some thoughts, MY ideas on what I think
is most important in business class.
A William Gibson character, probably played by Keanu Reeves in the film version of one of his short stories, once said that when he opens his mouth on a business journey, he expects drinks to arrive, wheels to turn, meals to be brought, rooms to be made ready.
Fundamentally then, it is all about making things easy and reducing stress:
1) Swift and easy boarding and access to priority/shorter
queues - less stress
2) later check-in possible - three hours is just
not necessary in business
3) Swift disembarkation and quicker access to
immigration at LHR/home bound
4) Access to the aisle without inconveniencing
fellow passengers
5) Legroom, elbow room and general seat comfort
6) Luggage allowance - relaxed about large(r)
carry-ons (where possible I’m a hand luggage only man: see 1, 2, 3)
7) Personal service to dozens in business c.f.
hundreds in economy
8) Lounge access home-bound
9) At-seat mains power
10) Food and wine served in proper crockery, glasses and
metal cutlery
11) Nicer food and wine than in economy
12) Noise cancelling headphones provided gratis
13) Greater selection of films (or is it the same as in
economy these days?)
14) More on-board lavatories per passenger
15) Lounge access out-bound
In my last job (all flying in economy) I had a saying
that there were five things that mattered when flying:
1) Leg room
2) Leg room
3) Leg room
4) Leg room
5) Personal
service.
Enough32 is 194cm tall and believes strongly in customer service.
