The saying, “timing is everything" is rooted in ancient wisdom and can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman philosophies. During these times thinkers like Aristotle and Cicero spoke about the importance of timing in rhetoric, decision-making, and actions. Today, nothing could be more true, knowing the best time to buy your First and Business Class tickets is paramount.
With the rising demand for premium cabin seats post-COVID. Booking flights at the right time can make the difference between securing a great deal or paying top dollar. The reality is that airfares have increased since pre-COVID times, especially for top-tier airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates. Often, Business Class fares to Europe on these airlines can exceed $10,000, with First Class fares reaching upwards of $18,000.
With the rising demand for premium cabin seats post-COVID. Booking flights at the right time can make the difference between securing a great deal or paying top dollar. The reality is that airfares have increased since pre-COVID times, especially for top-tier airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates, where Business Class fares to Europe can easily exceed $10,000, and First Class fares can reach upwards of $18,000.
Rising Ticket Costs on Popular Routes
Since the onset of the pandemic, airfares have significantly increased, particularly in premium cabins. Flights are in high demand, with travellers keen to return to long-haul destinations. Most of our clients now book their First and Business Class airfares 12 months in advance to lock in better rates. While fares are higher across the board, there are still opportunities to find bargains if you know when to book. Waiting for last-minute deals might sound tempting, but the reality is that the longer you wait, the fewer opportunities remain. Premium seats get snapped up quickly, especially for popular routes and travel dates, so early planning is essential.
Booking Early—The Sure Fire Way To Getting The Best Deals
When it comes to securing the best deals regardless of cabin class, booking early and understanding booking class is the best strategy. Most airlines only release two types of First Class fares: discounted fares (often labelled as ‘A class’) and full fares or rack rate (labelled ‘F class’). You can typically book First Class seats up to 11 months in advance, and A class fares are available as soon as seats are released. Once these discounted seats sell out, you’re left with the higher-priced F class fares. Buying First and Business Class airfares early, particularly if you have fixed travel dates or plan to travel during peak seasons such as Christmas, New Year, or the European summer.
That said, there are exceptions, such as Qantas First Class, which runs sales every 2-3 months, offering discounts to North America and Europe. These are the best times to buy Qantas First Class fares, especially if you can be flexible with your travel dates.
When to Buy Business Class Airfares
Flights to Europe
Booking early-bird specials remains the best strategy. Airlines like Singapore Airlines, which typically releases its early-bird fares in late August or September, set the tone for other carriers to follow suit. During these early-bird offers, fares can drop to as low as $7,500 to $8,500, compared to the usual $9,000+ price tag for Business Class. For travellers with less flexible dates, locking in these early deals is key, as peak season seats are often booked up quickly, leaving fewer discounted options later.
Flights to North America
Major direct carriers like Qantas, American Airlines, United, and Air Canada all offer regular sales for both First and Business Class, typically every 3-4months. These sales can significantly reduce fares, with Business Class seats dropping from $10,000 to around $7,000 during these sales periods. If you’re looking for a more affordable option and don’t mind one-stop flights, secondary carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Korean Airlines often offer fares in the $8,000 range.
While these carriers require an extra stop, sometimes involving an overnight layover, they offer excellent service and are worth considering for travellers looking for more economical premium travel options. It’s also important to note that Singapore Airlines’ early-bird sales are highly regarded for providing the best value for Business Class, and booking early during these sales ensures access to the lower-priced fare classes.
Flights to South America
Latam and Qantas dominate this route, with Latam frequently offering better deals throughout the year. Latam’s Business Class fares are often lower than Qantas’ prices, except when Qantas is on-sale and since they partner with Qantas, you can fly on a Qantas aircraft even under a Latam flight number. For peak travel periods, especially around Christmas and New Year, it’s crucial to book as early as 11 months in advance when seats are first released, as discounted fares quickly sell out.
Additionally, booking with Latam offers smoother transitions between Santiago and other South American destinations, with checked luggage forwarded directly to your final destination. This avoids potential complications such as needing a visa for re-entry to check your baggage again, which can incur extra costs.
Flights to Africa
For direct flights to Africa, Qantas and South African Airways are your primary choices. South African Airways only offers Business Class, while Qantas provides First Class to Johannesburg. Booking during sales is crucial to securing lower fares. Indirect routes, such as flying Singapore Airlines to Johannesburg or Cape Town, can also provide competitive Business Class fares.
Flights to Asia
Asian destinations, particularly Japan, are becoming increasingly popular, and fares to Japan are less prone to fluctuations. It is advisable to book as soon as lower booking fare classes become available, particularly for high-demand travel seasons like December, January, and cherry blossom season in the spring. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are the dominant carriers for Japan, offering excellent service and relatively stable pricing. Korean Airlines and Singapore Airlines also offer indirect routes to Japan with excellent Business Class options, often at competitive prices.
For other parts of Asia, such as South Korea, China, and Southeast Asia, carriers like Korean Airlines and Cathay Pacific provide great alternatives to major direct airlines. For these secondary carriers, it’s wise to book as early as possible, as their discounted seats can sell out quickly.
Wrapping up
With airfares continuing to rise post-COVID, securing the right fare at the right time can amount to significant savings while alleviating stress during the booking process. The best strategy—plan to buy first and business-class airfares as early as possible, ideally 12 months in advance.
Once these early-bird offers expire, the lower-priced booking classes for peak season travel are sold out. Although airlines may release specials later on, they won’t apply to peak season flights, so it’s always a good idea to buy first and business-class tickets during these early sales if your travel dates fall in peak periods.
Firstclass.com.au can also handle hotel, cruise, and tour bookings, ensuring a seamless travel experience from start to finish. By choosing the right travel agent you’ll benefit from expert guidance and fare monitoring to help you secure the best deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, no. Business Class fares tend to increase closer to the departure date as discounted fare classes sell out. Airlines release lower-priced seats early on, and by waiting, you risk paying significantly more. Booking early during sales or promotions is the best strategy to secure affordable Business Class fares.
For the best prices on premium cabins like Business Class, it’s recommended to book at least 11 to 12 months in advance. Airlines often release discounted fare classes early, and booking during sales—especially early-bird specials—ensures access to lower-priced tickets before they sell out.
To reduce your Business Class flight cost, book during early-bird sales, which often offer the best deals. Being flexible with travel dates and using secondary carriers that offer one-stop routes can also lead to lower fares. Working with a travel agent to monitor deals is another way to find affordable premium fares.
For Business Class flights, it’s best to book 9-12 months in advance, especially for peak travel periods. This ensures access to discounted fare classes before they sell out. Airlines like Singapore Airlines often release early-bird specials once a year, making it the best time to secure lower Business Class fares.
