Travelling first class is a lot like the idea of heading to the traffic department, finding no queue and being helped by a friendly, knowledgeable attendant within the first 5 minutes of arriving - we hear other people have experienced this joyousness before, but it seems slightly unreal and unlikely to happen in real life. However, in the time of COVID-19 and a rapidly changing economy, the option of upgrading to first class is something more companies are considering for their business travellers, and not for the reasons you may think.
Here are four reasons why travelling first class for business is more than just luxurious but also makes a lot of business sense:
Although aeroplanes have air filtration systems in place that helps to keep viruses at bay, the more spacious layout of the first class section makes it that much simpler to practice social distancing. For C-suite travellers who need to remain healthy to keep their businesses and/or departments ticking over, this extra layer of ‘protection’ provides invaluable peace of mind.
The time spent in transit from one business engagement to the next can be a valuable resource for time-starved corporate travellers. Travelling first class gives you access to quiet, roomy airport lounges with excellent WiFi and lots of privacy on board the plane to get some work done en route to your next destination.
Because first class offers exceptional sleeping and refreshment amenities, there is no need for travellers to rest up and ‘recover’ before they make their way to a meeting. As such, itineraries can be kept lean, with same-day meetings that negate the need for an extra night’s stay.
When time is of the essence, perks like priority boarding can mean the world. First-class passengers normally have the benefit of much shorter queues and less cumbersome boarding procedures. This can make all the difference when you’re rushing from the boardroom to the airport.
See - it makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? If you’d like some more information on booking flights and organising business itineraries in this uncertain time, feel free to contact a member of the TravelManor team. In the meantime, keep an eye on the blog in the coming weeks and months for more expert insight into adjusting to the new normal when it comes to South African business travel.
