Business Class Flights
Business class fares on 20 routes from US airports: what each route costs in its cheapest month, how far ahead to book and which airlines sell business. Round-trip prices, including taxes and fees.
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Business class at a glance
Averages for the cheapest month on each route, round trip, including taxes and fees.
- $1,173lowest US route: Chicago–Los Angeles, November
- $728lowest abroad: Miami–Bogota, April
- 20 weekstypical best time to book ahead
- Marchcheapest month on 4 of 20 routes
US airlines that sell business class
See routes, hubs and typical fares for each airline.
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
Alaska Airlines
JetBlue
Hawaiian AirlinesWhen business class is cheapest
March is the cheapest month on 4 of the 20 routes, but every route has its own pattern. Across the routes with booking data, the cheapest fares came 3 to 26 weeks before departure; 20 weeks is the middle of that range.
| Route | Cheapest month | Avg that month | Priciest month | Book ahead | Cheapest day to leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK – LAXNew York to Los Angeles | January | $2,042 | October, $3,797 | 18 weeks | Wednesday |
| JFK – SFONew York to San Francisco | December | $1,982 | November, $3,967 | – | Friday |
| EWR – LAXNewark to Los Angeles | March | $2,312 | December, $3,812 | 24 weeks | Tuesday |
| EWR – SFONewark to San Francisco | March | $2,987 | October, $5,806 | 17 weeks | Wednesday |
| BOS – LAXBoston to Los Angeles | August | $1,731 | October, $2,242 | 25 weeks | Monday |
| BOS – SFOBoston to San Francisco | July | $1,797 | May, $2,337 | 24 weeks | Wednesday |
| MIA – LAXMiami to Los Angeles | February | $1,647 | May, $3,116 | – | Wednesday |
| ORD – LAXChicago to Los Angeles | November | $1,173 | December, $1,642 | – | Friday |
| LAX – HNLLos Angeles to Honolulu | October | $1,454 | December, $1,994 | 22 weeks | Saturday |
| SFO – HNLSan Francisco to Honolulu | October | $1,354 | February, $2,952 | 21 weeks | Wednesday |
| JFK – LHRNew York to London | January | $3,743 | June, $5,374 | 18 weeks | Sunday |
| JFK – CDGNew York to Paris | March | $2,498 | October, $4,677 | 7 weeks | Tuesday |
| JFK – FCONew York to Rome | October | $1,510 | February, $4,022 | 9 weeks | Thursday |
| MIA – MADMiami to Madrid | February | $3,180 | October, $4,186 | 26 weeks | Tuesday |
| LAX – HNDLos Angeles to Tokyo | August | $3,439 | November, $5,814 | 3 weeks | – |
| LAX – ICNLos Angeles to Seoul | February | $4,461 | October, $5,857 | 11 weeks | Thursday |
| LAX – SYDLos Angeles to Sydney | July | $5,611 | August, $6,519 | 25 weeks | Saturday |
| JFK – DXBNew York to Dubai | April | $2,989 | July, $6,011 | 24 weeks | Wednesday |
| EWR – DELNewark to Delhi | March | $3,522 | April, $6,957 | 19 weeks | Wednesday |
| MIA – BOGMiami to Bogota | April | $728 | August, $1,383 | – | Thursday |
Avg that month: average round-trip business class fare in the route's cheapest month, from fares over the past 12 months, including all taxes and fees. These are not live quotes; your travel expert will price your exact dates.
The cheapest fares came between 3 and 26 weeks before departure on these routes. Business seats at low prices are limited on each flight, and they go first.
October is one of the two most expensive months on 10 of these routes. Moving your trip a month can save hundreds of dollars.
On 5 of these routes, including Newark–San Francisco, Chicago–Los Angeles, New York–London, connecting business fares are usually cheaper than nonstop ones. A daytime connection can cost much less than the nonstop.
Benefits of flying business class
What the higher fare buys you, from the airport to the arrival hall. Exact perks vary by airline and fare, so check yours.
A flat bed on long flights
On long international flights most major airlines fit seats that turn into a bed. Sleeping overnight means you arrive ready for the day instead of losing it.
Space and privacy
Wider seats, more room for your legs and bag, and on many newer aircraft a seat with direct aisle access, so you never climb over anyone.
Lounge access
Most business fares include the airline lounge before departure and on connections: quiet seating, food, drinks, Wi-Fi and often showers.
Priority at the airport
Separate check-in, priority boarding and, at many airports, a faster security lane. Your bags are usually among the first off the plane.
More checked baggage
Business fares usually include more checked bags, with higher weight limits, than economy fares on the same flight.
Better food and service
Meals served at your seat on real tableware, a wider drinks list and more cabin crew for fewer passengers.
Premium economy, business or first?
What you get depends on the flight more than the cabin name. Ask which seat your flight has before you pay.
Premium economy
A wider recliner with more legroom in a separate cabin. It does not lie flat. A good middle ground on daytime flights.
Business class
On long international flights, a seat that turns into a flat bed on most major airlines, with lounge access and priority check-in. Many newer cabins give every seat direct aisle access.
Within the US, flat beds are found mainly on some coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights. Elsewhere the front cabin is usually a large recliner.
First class
On US flights, first class is usually the front cabin: a large recliner, not a bed. On international flights only a small number of airlines still sell a first class above business.
On three of the 20 routes, first class has averaged less than business. The biggest gap is Boston–Los Angeles: $1,710 for first against $2,051 for business, round trip. Always compare both.
Before you pay for business class
Six checks our fare experts make on every business class booking.
- The seat, not just the cabin name
Is it a flat bed? Does every seat reach the aisle? The same airline can fly different seats on the same route.
- The fare rules
Change and cancellation terms differ widely between business fares, even on the same flight.
- What the fare includes
Some lower business fares leave out lounge access, seat choice or free changes. Check what yours includes.
- One-stop options
A connection through a partner airline's hub is often cheaper than the nonstop, and on long trips a break can help.
- Miles you earn
Discounted business fares can earn fewer miles. If miles matter to you, ask before booking.
- The total price
Get the full price, including all taxes and fees, before you pay. We confirm it in writing.
Want a business class price for your dates?
A fare expert compares airlines, connections and fare rules, then gives you the total price before you pay.
Business class flights: common questions
How much does a business class ticket cost from the US?
On the 20 routes on this page, the cheapest month's average round trip ranges from $1,173 (Chicago–Los Angeles, November) to $5,611 (Los Angeles–Sydney, July), including taxes and fees. Within the US the highest is Newark–San Francisco at $2,987; abroad the lowest is Miami–Bogota at $728.
What is the cheapest month to fly business class?
It depends on the route. March is the cheapest month on 4 of the 20 routes here, more than any other month. October is among the two most expensive months on 10 routes. The table on this page shows the cheapest month for each route.
How far in advance should I book business class?
On the 16 routes with booking data, the lowest prices came when booking 3 to 26 weeks before departure, with a middle value of 20 weeks. Booking in the last week or two is usually the most expensive.
What is the cheapest day of the week to fly business class?
Wednesday is the cheapest day to depart on 7 of the 19 routes with day-of-week data, followed by Tuesday on 3. It changes by route, so check the table for yours.
Which airlines sell business class on the most routes from the US?
On the routes on this page: Delta Air Lines (17), American Airlines (16), Alaska Airlines (10). Foreign airlines often have the lowest average fare abroad, usually with a connection in their home hub.
Is first class ever cheaper than business class?
Sometimes, mostly within the US. On 3 of the 20 routes here, including Boston–Los Angeles, Chicago–Los Angeles, Los Angeles–Honolulu, the average first class round trip has been lower than business. On Boston–Los Angeles it was $1,710 for first against $2,051 for business.
Is JustFlightsFares an airline?
No. JustFlightsFares is an independent US travel agency. Our fare experts compare business class fares across airlines and confirm the total price, including all taxes and fees, before you pay.
About this page. JustFlightsFares is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with the airlines named here. Airline names appear only to identify them. Fares change constantly, and we confirm the total price, including all taxes and fees, before you pay.
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