Nowadays when flights are back to their peak level and more and more people try to make up for all the time they could not travel, it’s reasonable to expect that flight prices will be, well, high. Supply and demand, that’s how the market works, and who are we to disagree?
But it’s equally true that you definitely need to travel, too, and preferably, not for all the money in the world. It’s even more reasonable for long-haul flights to Asia because they are some of the longest and the most expensive flights, on average. Add to the mixture the fact that you need a certain level of comfort on such a long trip, and you get how hard your task of finding a good ticket with a good price may be.
Yet fear not. We have compiled this guide to searching for cheap business class to Asia for travelers like you, with all the tricks and secrets explained. We’ll explore various options for getting a deal, tips on how to maximize what you already have, and discuss many more useful points. So fasten your seatbelt and let’s go.
Benefits of Business Class Travel
Why look for business class, you may wonder, if the economy is much cheaper? Because for a non-stop trip from LA or New York to Hong Kong or Tokyo, you need good food, a sleeping place, and a little bit of privacy. The shortest trips may last from 10 hours and more, and longer ones last up to 14 hours. Trips with stopovers may take a whole two days to complete (a day of travel with a day of waiting in between route legs). Business class offers all these amenities, plus more beneficial add-ons that make a trip tolerable and even enjoyable. So fly business, when possible, and enjoy the following advantages big and small.
Seats and options for comfortable sleeping
Lie-flat beds and sleeping pods are available in business class of almost all companies (with one or two exceptions). Plus, such seats usually have a full or partial spacer that guards you from the interested eyes of your seat neighbor. You get basics like a pillow, blanket, pajamas, or earplugs, depending on the airline, and you are equipped to hit the snooze button till the landing.
Food and cuisines
You get a decent meal or two, depending on the length of the flight. But it’s business, so the service will be better than just a good meal. Airlines usually offer the cuisine of the destination country (so you can start sampling it right away) or traditional international meals (plus menus for people with food restrictions, like allergies, vegan lifestyle, etc.). We recommend that you try local cuisine, because chefs in business class are great, and the food will be sublime. But no matter what you choose, use the option Book the Cook, i.e. you create your own menu and get it served to you like in a restaurant right when you want it.
Level of service
Yes, the attention of stewards will be all yours, they will attend to your needs like you would expect them to. Plus, you get amenity kits, entertainment options, toiletry kits, and whatnot. It is not an economy, here you are the real focus of their attention.
Access to Lounges
Waiting before departure or brushing the feathers before dashing to a conference from the airport is much better in dedicated lounges, and business class lounges do not disappoint. Business class tickets allow you to access the best exclusive lounges including Star Alliance Lounge and Air Canada Signature Suite. They offer nice relaxation areas, dining options, bathing facilities, and many more conveniences. Your wait for your flight will be a pleasurable leisure time.
Difference in departure and arrival processes
You will find all kinds of little conveniences included in your ticket, like priority boarding, separate security lines, fast luggage check-in (and more luggage allowed per passenger), and so on. You’ll appreciate your search for cheap business class to Asia when you flaunt your Preferred Guest status. Everything works faster and better when you fly business.
Are Business Class Tickets To Asia Really That Expensive?
Asia is a very big place, to put it mildly, or a huge region encompassing a variety of countries and localities, to be more accurate. Korea, Japan, Singapore, China, OAE, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia – all are different parts of Asia. So you can imagine how wide price brackets for different regions and different routes are. Just to give you a clue, we’ll list several popular destinations and price ranges to expect for full-cost business tickets.
- A trip from LA to Japan in business class can cost starting with $3,054, that’s the cheapest round trip deal including one or two stops in Hawaii or Calgary (depending on the airline) and mixed cabin (like economy+business for a longer trip leg). The upper bracket can reach up to $10,000 (but the trip will be smooth and flawless).
- Round trip in business class from LA to Incheon Airport (Seoul) will start at $5,000 and go up to $7,000. There will be deals on non-stop and one-stop flights with different levels of amenities included.
- If you plan to go from LA to Manila (Philippines), it will cost you between $4,300 and $5,500 for a two-way business class trip.
- Need to visit India? Be ready to spend between $4,395 and $6,700, with longer or shorter stopovers (up to a day of waiting between flights). There is an option for the Business Fully Flex class, but it will cost a whopping $17,764 (yes, the exorbitant price, we bring it here just FYI).
- Considering a trip to Hong Kong? The average bracket will be between $4,188 and $6,500, for a round business trip with one stop and non-stop correspondingly. The trip to the same destination but taken from JFK (New York), will cost between $5,746 and $11,187. You can already see the difference due to the change of the departure point, plus the trip may include one, two, or no stopovers.
- Imagine a trip to Shanghai from the same JFK. The prices for a round business trip oscillate between $5,367 and $14,895.
There are just a few popular destinations, but they exemplify the price range to expect. The rates may go up or down seasonally, but it depends on your destination.
As you see, prices for business class can make your wallet hurt, that’s why looking for cheap business class to Asia and hunting for bargains is a very smart decision. Snatching a round trip for around $1,200 or so will be a very good deal, so keep this benchmark in mind. You can find such a deal with a bit of preliminary preparation.
Factors Affecting Business Class Flights to Asia Prices
Let’s look at factors that can seriously impact the business class cost. Pricing policies of different airlines are only one of these factors.
Departure location
The overview of prices hints at how the departure point can impact the final bill. For example, LA belongs to the West Coast, and New York to the East Coast, and this geographical feature seriously impacts the prices (because the shortest routes to Asia usually start at the West Coast and cross the Pacific Ocean directly). Trips from the East Coast take more complex and scattered routes because of a variety of reasons.
That’s why we second the tips from experienced travelers and encourage you to explore various departure options. Maybe the price of domestic flights will seriously bring down the total for the business class ticket to Asia.
The time when you expect to make a trip
Seasons of the year also have a say in pricing. The low season that brings a reduction in prices is August. The high season has its peak in December (holidays on the beach, anyone?) and brings price increases with it.
How far in advance to buy a ticket? That’s a tricky question. Usually, the earlier you book, the lower the price. So booking a month or two in advance is a good idea. That’s if you plan to buy business class tickets right from the start.
If you plan to buy economy and then upgrade, well, then the rule is the same. Buy earlier to save some money, but then you have to be alert in a few days’ run-up towards the departure day to be able to spot and snatch the desired upgrade.
If you plan a leisure trip, popular vacation destinations will cost more on weekends. For business trips, workdays are the most expensive to buy tickets to bustling business centers (imagine flocks of tradespeople flying to conferences, for deal-making, for settling working matters, – you got it).
Exact flight routes
Some destinations are by default more expensive than others. Tokyo is probably the most expensive for a direct flight, so many travelers and travel experts suggest flying to other destinations like South Korea or Hong Kong and catching a short flight from there.
The principle is that big bustling cities that are both business and cultural magnets will cost more than smaller or less busy locations. So always consider a stopover, it brings down the price, sometimes drastically.
Airlines
The point that first comes to mind is about airlines, and for a good reason. It’s up to an airline what premium to charge for its business class, what amenities to provide, and what deals to offer. The price difference across airlines can be significant because of the brand name and additional perks included. American Airlines, Japanese Airlines, and Emirates are considered the epitome of great service and luxury, so their pricing will be in the top tier.
Air Canada, Asiana, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Delta are next in line, with top-class service and more or less palatable pricing.
Air India and small local airlines offer a more modest level of comfort for a long-haul flight but their prices may be closer to your idea of cheap business class to Asia.
Booking details
When you book matters, as we said. Plus, if you have loyalty perks or personal offers, they may reduce the ticket price as well. So before you book, consider if you should do it now and if you have accounted for possible bonuses. Sometimes discounts offered by some big airlines can tip the balance in favor of flying with them, not with initially cheaper options.
One-way or two-way trip
Yes, always pay attention to this point. You may find such a lucrative offer that you won’t notice that it’s a one-way trip cost. Surely, a one-way ticket will cost less than a round trip. So do not forget to apply this filter before you click the search button.
Your membership in loyalty programs or similar individual advantages
Many airlines have rolled out bonus programs and loyalty memberships to attract customers and make them stay. When you book such an expensive and long-haul trip, always check what your membership offers and how you can use the bonuses to get a flight bargain.
Know Your Carrier: Researching and Comparing Airlines
What airlines are primary carriers on the routes to Asia? We’ll run through the most popular and advantageous companies that offer the best flying experience (mind that more luxury means higher price if you look at full-cost seats).
- American Airlines: probably the most known and glamorous carrier, so to speak. It offers lie-flat seats on all business-class trips, great food, amenity kits, premium lounges access, and more. With AA, you can fly to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Tokyo.
- ANA: the Japanese carrier performs flights to all major American airports. The configuration of business seats can be different on different planes. The newest service, the Room, includes the full lie-flat seat, plus a closing door, so you fly into your tiny room with a bed. Other configurations include lie-flat seats without doors or spacers, and some flights offer reclining seats only. Otherwise, the experience is great, meals are designed by famous Japanese chefs, and destination and departure experiences are just fine.
- Cathay Pacific: this Hong Kong-based company flies to many American airports and you can book a flight with it not only to Hong Kong but to many Asian destinations. Seats are very spacious, arranged in a reverse-herringbone pattern, and feature an almost complete 75-inch recline (mind it, it’s not a full recline). The cuisine is excellent, amenities are provided, and service is sublime.
- EVA: the Taiwan-based company offers some of the roomiest seats and the best business class experience with its Royal Laurel business-class cabins. It flies to many North American airports, so you can choose a convenient departure point for your Asian trip. Amenities, pajamas, entertainment, cuisine – everything is top-class, plus Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame Champagne is a traditional takeoff drink.
- China Airlines: this company is based in Taiwan and offers departures from LA, San Francisco, and Vancouver. The cabin features a reverse-herringbone seat plan and an elegant Asian glamor design. The food is excellent, and there is a separate bar ‘Sky Lounge’ with drinks and snacks.
- Japan Airlines (JAL): the Japanese company offers its signature ‘Sky Suite’ seats that fully recline into beds. Only flights from Tokyo -Vancouver and Tokyo – San Diego offer partially reclining seats. There are dividers that provide a degree of privacy to every seat and window seats look almost like separate rooms, albeit small. The cuisine is top-class, with menus from Japanese chefs. Basic amenity kits and bedding are provided.
- Hainan Airlines: the Chinese airline does not offer brand-new seating or private pods, its seat plan is quite standard. There are a variety of routes you can choose from to make a trip from the US to China and back. Cuisine and amenities are often described as average, but they readily allow you to redeem miles and get a business class without breaking the bank.
- Singapore Airlines: this company offers some of the best seating in business class across all airlines. They are roomy, and partially secluded, with entertainment screens and all. You can book non-stop or stop-over flights to and from the USA. No amenity kits are offered, but the food is fine and you can use the ‘Book the Cook’ option and explore the menu of 60 dishes.
Hawaii Airlines and Alaska Airlines may offer a modest amount of amenities and seats with partial recline, which is somewhat below expectations for business class. Yet considering that trips from these destinations will be shorter and cheaper, give them a thought, too.
We briefly describe the sort of services offered by these companies for you to understand what impacts their pricing. Airlines that are posh and offer more will charge higher fees or require more miles for redeeming per trip. Correspondingly, companies with fewer perks will offer a cheap business class to Asia more readily, at least in theory.
Think Creatively: Flexibility and Alternative Routes
It may sound counterintuitive, because why look for different and longer routes if you can take the shortest one? Because longer routes may be cheaper, business class or economy! The flights that look like the shortest and the most convenient ones are always the most expensive because of their popularity.
Businesspeople who need to be somewhere fast and at the exact point of time are ready to pay. If you don’t have such strict time constraints, you can opt for alternative, longer routes with a stopover and gain several advantages at once.
First, you save money. Stopover routes with longer waits between flights are cheaper, and often that’s how you win the cheapest business flights to Asia. These stops are good in that they allow you to exercise your feet a bit, or even have a decent sleep, if time permits. If the stop lasts for around a day, it’s a great opportunity to venture out into your intermittent destination and explore. Additional touristic adventure, so to speak.
If you explore different departure points for your planned trip, you’ll also be surprised how scattered the prices for business class may be. The reason is that distances to Asian destinations are different when you start your trip from the West or East Coast, or go to Canada to fly from there. So look at the most lucrative deals and decide what options are feasible for you. Something will definitely meet your demands of price and convenience.
Trading Miles For Miles: Maximizing Loyalty Programs and Miles
Using your accumulated award mileage for paying for a business class is still one of the best strategies to pursue. You don’t pay in cash and use the award points instead. So first, always, always use the chance to get those miles as awards. Second, if you are offered a membership – for free or for a symbolic fee – accept it and use it to your benefit. A bit further we will explore in detail where and how to get those precious miles and points. And now, let’s look at how many miles you should accumulate for a trip to Asia with one of the leading airlines.
- American Airlines: 60,000 miles to Japan or Korea (one way), 70,000 to other Asian destinations and India.
- ANA (Japan): US to Japan 75,000 miles (one way).
- United: the US to Japan – 80,000 miles one-way.
- Cathay Pacific: around 70,000 miles one way, or 120,000 miles for a round trip.
- China Airlines: 85,000 miles one way.
- EVA: rates depend. If you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards from United to EVA, the rate is 80,000 miles for the one-way US to Taipei trip. If you decide to transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Air Canada, it will be 75,000 miles each way, and for ANA flights, it will be 95,000 miles for a round-trip.
- Hainan Airlines: its US partner is Alaska Airlines, and its business class will cost 50,000 miles per one-way trip from North America to Asia. Yes, the service is modest, but the redeeming rate is great.
- JAL: the company is a member of the Oneworld program. Required mileage is 60,000 miles per trip from the US to Japan or 70,000 miles to other destinations in Asia. Sometimes you can find deals for 60,000 – 65,000 miles.
- Korean Air: the service is great, but cases when they agree to redeem mileage are rare today. If you manage to score a deal, it will be around 125,000 miles for a round-trip.
- Singapore Airlines: the company gives preference to members of its program KrisFlyer. When you find a ticket for redeeming, the rate will be 88,000 miles and 92,000 miles for a one-way trip, depending on the departure point.
10 Booking Strategies and Tips to find cheap business class flights to Asia
Let’s sum up the most efficient ways to score a deal on a cheap business class to Asia and get the most out of your flight.
- Absolutely accumulate points and miles from loyalty programs and use them. Today, there’s a booming industry of awarding points and offering membership perks to lure customers, and points are exchangeable or let’s say convertible, that is, you can redeem points awarded by one airline by buying a seat from another one.
- This tip goes right next to the first one: get a credit card offered by an airline of your choice. This card usually comes with an ample amount of points, so you can save them and use them for booking a business class (the additional fees will be practically nonexistent compared to the full trip price). You will use the card as a regular credit card and your next flight will most probably bring more bonus points to this card. That’s how they work, so don’t miss this opportunity.
- Follow the bulletin of the company that issued the card, because sometimes they run cool marketing campaigns of selling points at discounted rates. So you can buy points for cheap and later redeem the total number for a business class trip. These were tips related more to banking than to flight hunting, now let’s move towards actual booking and flight planning.
- Look through various airlines that offer trips to desired destinations in Asia and compare prices. Yes, it’s boring but it’s worth it in the long run. The 14-hour trip needs to be as comfortable as possible, so do your best now to enjoy yourself when on the plane.
- Consider your scheduled dates and the possible window of departure. Maybe the cost of your planned trip is expensive on a certain date, as it falls on some holiday or is scheduled during the high season. If you can shift the dates a bit, you may score a deal because the demand will go down and companies will have to sell seats somehow, even with a discount.
- Consider your departure point. Flying to Hong Kong or Tokyo from the USA may cost a bit more than taking the same route from Canada or Mexico, for example. Even a business flight from Mexico City to Japan can cost less than the same route taken from Toronto. Check what other airports have the flight you need and compare prices across them. There may be nice surprises, trust us, and the cost of flight between departure points will be much lower than the bargain you get.
- Ask for an upgrade at the airport or sign up for last-minute offers as companies sometimes send personal emails offering upgrade deals or discounted business class seats (they need to fill the seats just like low-costs, believe it or not). Or else, they may send an invitation to bid on an upgrade to business class from your economy, and if you offer the bid somewhat higher than the necessary minimum, you can score a deal as well. But to be able to do any of it, you need to take a risk and book an economy trip to Asia first.
- Direct flights vs stopover flights. Surely, non-stop flights are convenient and take less time, yet that’s the reason they are pricier. If you can tolerate making a stop and get on another plane later, you can save money on a business trip. The quality of the trip won’t suffer, because business class is business class, after all, plus you can use this time to venture outside and explore the whereabouts of a new destination.
- Hop destinations: fly to a nearby Asian destination that costs less and commute to your final destination (by plane or even by train or car). Yes, in several cases it is an option, because flights between neighboring countries are much cheaper, and some destinations in transatlantic flights cost less because of their lower popularity. It may sound too difficult, but while searching for deals just include stopover trips as well. You’ll be surprised but it may be the cheapest way to fly business class to Asia and the logistics won’t be as complex as you expect.
- Use only reliable tools for searching business class deals. Yes, not all flight search engines are made equal. Some just offer an assortment of random tickets while others may list truly affordable business class trips, where you can find something suitable, whether with a stopover or from a different destination (but still convenient for you). If you need names, CheapFirstClass.com is just this reliable search engine that is easy to use. Start your search there and find a real deal real fast!
Additional Useful Tips for Cheap Business Class Travel to Asia
– As said, Asia is a very big place, to put it mildly. Every country has its own national or local airlines that may offer local deals not advertised globally. When you plan a trip, look at the website of local airlines – you may find offers of stopover trips or local trips that make flight-hopping easy and cheap.
– Weathered travelers point out that fees in airports and local policies can make some destinations cost much more than others. Japan is often cited as one of the most expensive destinations, so the tips are to fly to Seoul or Hong Kong, make a stopover, and travel to Japan from there. Another option is to hunt for bargains and last-minute offers if you can move your schedule.
– Don’t decline the option to receive emails and personalized options from airlines. You can easily unsubscribe at any moment, but sometimes you can find great discount business class tickets to Asia or miles/points sales (yep, they sell miles at a discount, too).
– If you hesitate about the airline card, it’s a sign for you. Just get it. It’s a normal payment card that you can use routinely, or close once you’ve used your bonus miles or points. Just please do not let an overdraft accumulate there if you plan to get rid of it.
– Consider what service and amenities are necessary and what you can drop for good. On such a long flight, a good seat with a lie-flat option and good food is a must, the rest like touchscreen menus or something like that is optional.
CheapFirstClass.com — Best & Cheap business class deals to Asia
Now that we’ve led you through popular airlines, their features, and what to expect from your business class, you can start your search. If you don’t know what flight booking service to use, we recommend CheapFirstClass.com as a starter. This search engine is powerful, efficient, and easy to use. You don’t have to fumble in a complicated interface or look for necessary settings – everything is at your fingertips. Just type your desired destination and see all the bargains lined up. You just have to decide what suits you most and book it.
And yes, this service not merely dumps all possible options together but offers you really cheap ones – or prompts how to score a deal. Many travelers have already tested the tool and given it a seal of approval. So go to CheapFirstClass.com and find the next trip of your dreams.
Summary
We did our best to fit all key information into this article, so keep it at hand when you set out to look for the best business class flight deals to Asia. With some patience and a bit of luck, you’ll find a perfect trip to some dreamy or bustling Asian location. Asia is always worth visiting (and revisiting), no matter the season.
So if you want to travel there with the comfort of business class but not for all the money in the world, use CheapFirstClass.com as your go-to booking assistant. It will bring you the desired offers in no time at all, so you’ll just have to check your schedule and book the trip.
Getting the cheapest business class to Asia has never been easier!
