Demonstrating that there are no hard feelings towards a former colony, British Airways has launched an Independence Day business class airfare sale to London.

In keeping with the holiday, they’re offering Club World seats for as low as $1776+ R/T.

These deals are good for travel through December 31st, but you have to book by July 6th to take advantage of the reduced business class airfare.

Prices are subject to availability and they do vary based on departure city. Visit British Airways Offers for more details, and keep reading for a look at the perks that come with a British Airways Club World seat…

Alitalia’s Magnifica Class Summer Airfare Sale will help you fly to Italy in style for less. With a 50-day advance purchase you can enjoy business class comfort and first class service to dream destinations like Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Venice for as low as $3,202 R/T (including taxes and fees).

Once onboard, you’ll lounge in plush Italian-designed seats, enjoy gourmet meals served on fine china, enjoy a variety of entertainment options presented on your personal flat screen, and you’ll have the attention of Alitalia’s multi-lingual flight staff.

This Magnifica Class airfare sale from Alitalia is good for travel October 31, 2008. Keep reading for sample airfares to a destinations throughout Italy…

The hits keep coming for first class and business class travelers. We’ve already seen Virgin Atlantic increase fuel surcharges for its “Upper Class” passengers, and now British Airways is following suit:

“Flyers in first class, Club World and World Traveller Plus will pay up to 24 more per flight than those in economy.” (from BBC News)

The fuel surcharge increase (about $47.27 USD) marks the first time British Airways has initiated class-dependent fee levels. British Airways execs (and many travelers) see the move as “appropriate,” noting that first class and business class travelers already enjoy added space, comfort, and baggage allowances. Of course, there are first class and business class travelers that feel as though those additional perks are covered in the cost of the airline ticket.

So, should first class and business class travelers take on additional charges to help offset rising fuel costs? Let us know what you think.

The business class leisure airfare from Air France is designed to make all of the creature comforts of business class available to vacationers who don’t have the financial support of a corporation behind them.

While Air France’s business class leisure airfares won’t sway most average travelers from leaving those cheap economy airfares behind, they do provide the comfort and elegance of business class for a bit less.

You’ll find business class deals from US cities including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston to European destinations like Paris, Nice, and Barcelona. Current Air France business leisure airfare deals require a 50-day advance purchase and a minimum one-Sunday stay.

Keep reading for sample business class leisure airfares from Air France…

Amidst the rising costs, fuel surcharges, fractured routes, long lines, and general annoyances that seem to accompany air travel these days, the number of passengers willing to purchase first class and business class airfare on commercial airlines is dwindling. Full-fare coach airline tickets are taking a hit, too:

“The Standford Transportation Group, a US based aviation consulting firm, has completed its biennial review of US domestic airline passenger activity and business aircraft activity. The study found that the number of airline passengers purchasing the premium, or first class, discounted first class, business class and full price coach airline tickets on US domestic airlines has fallen from 20% of overall airline travel before 9/11 to less than 10% of overall airline travel today.” (from All Things Aviation)

So, where are the “premium” passengers going? Well, a large number of travelers (90% — according to the study) are using discounted airfare for travel. The report also touches on the shift that many business travelers have made from commercial airlines to alternative business aviation options.

We know that higher prices, the weakened dollar, and the growing fuel issue have soured a number of first class and business class passengers on commercial airlines. Regardless of whether these travelers seek out other means of transport or if their companies resort to booking them in a discounted coach seat as opposed to a first class or business class seat, the airlines will likely continue to see business travel numbers and profit drop.

Rising fuel surcharges aren’t just for domestic flights. International travelers are feeling the brunt from fuel surcharges on flights to Europe, Asia, and all over the globe.

FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney, recently broke down fuel surcharges on a range of international routes, and it can be stunning to see how much your paying for an airline ticket before the actual airfare is even worked into the mix.

With Virgin Atlantic increasing fuel surcharges for “Upper Class” seats, it will be interesting to see if other carriers follow suit, and whether or not these additional fees will send even more business travelers to the back of the plane.

Please read Rick Seaney’s Airline Ticket Fuel Surcharges to London for a an in depth look at rising costs on international flights.

The holidays are still months away, but it’s not too soon to start planning your Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations. Continental Airlines filed BusinessFirst airfares on June 6th that will take to you Europe for less than economy prices. You’ll find business class deals to cities throughout the Continent for select travel dates in November and December.

Please visit RickSeaney.com for more details.

Continental Airlines’ BusinessFirst Airfare Sale is still in full swing and you can still find great business class deals to Europe.

There are actually two business class European airfare sales at work here. Continental Airlines is offering different airfares for 14-day advance purchase and 30-day advance purchase. Both business class airfare sales offer deals from New York (EWR) to cities throughout Europe including London, Edinburgh, Geneva, and Paris.

Keep reading for sample business class airfares to Europe…

That’s what they’re saying.

And it may be that the all-business class carrier is back in the skies within a matter of weeks.

Check out this post on RickSeany.com for more details.

Lufthansa is offering business class specials to cities throughout Europe including Glasgow, Amsterdam, Athens, London, and much more.

You can find business class airline tickets from New York to Londo for as low as $1,157+ each-way.

Keep reading for sample business class airfare from Lufthansa…

Rising fuel costs aren’t just affecting US-based carriers. Airlines all over the world are feeling the crunch, leading most major carriers to increase fuel surcharges, tack on fees, and do their best to open up new revenue streams.

In order to combat rising costs, Virgin Atlantic has decided to raise their fuel surcharge for premium economy and “upper class” passengers, meaning if you have more legroom and more luxury, you’re going to pay more for fuel:

“‘With jet fuel prices now at levels that challenge the very nature and structure of the entire airline industry, we have decided to levy fuel charges depending on where you sit in the plane,’ said Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic.” (from Luxury Travel)

Virgin Atlantic’s new fuel surcharge policy will mean premium economy and upper class passengers will see an increase on airline tickets from about $35 USD to $166 USD depending on the length of the flight.

We’ll keep you updated if other airlines begin to follow Virgin Atlantic’s lead on this.

Whether you’re heading over to catch a glimpse of the Olympic Village before the Games begin, or you just want to spend the summer exploring the wonders of Beijing, Continental Airlines can help you fly there in business class luxury for less.

Continental Airlines is Beijing from New York, Cleveland, Boston, and Atlanta.

With a 15-day advance purchase and a minimum stay of eight days, you’ll find business class flights for as low as $1,544+ each-way. Prices are good for travel from June 10th to July 18th.

Keep reading for sample business class airfare to Beijing on Continental Airlines…

Last week, Silverjet suspended share trading on the AIM, and many were concerned that the airline had only a few days left in the air.

Today, those concerns were confirmed. Joe Brancatelli of JoeSentMe reports that Silverjet has stopped flying. The all-business class market has struggled over the last year with rising fuel surcharges, lack of demand, and competition from major carriers. It now looks like Silverjet will follow other all-business class carriers eos and MaxJet into the sunset.

Visit RickSeaney.com for the full story.

Saw a rather astonishing survey the other day.

It seems to indicate that business class travel is not longer of great interest to — business travelers.

At least, Australian business travelers.

See the post on RickSeaney.com for yourself.

Will this mean the demise of business class?

Or just more room in it, for those of us who like our travel with a little style?

We’d love to know what you think!

Silverjet has suspended trading of their share on the AIM. Was it just a matter of time?

In a relatively short period, we’ve seen all-business class carriers MAXJet and eos take their last flights. We also questioned whether Silverjet was doomed even before eos bid farewell to the commercial travel scene. So, it was bound to happen, right? Maybe not.

You may remember that Silverjet recently announced it had received an investment that would keep planes in the air and possibly lead to larger investments in the future. However, as reported by the BBC, “…it has yet to receive the cash and as a result asked the London Stock Exchange to suspend its shares.”

Keep reading to see how the UK-based business class-only carrier will continue flying…

L’Avion, the airline that provides “business class, French style” has a limited time offer for summer flights from New York to Paris. If you want to see Paris in all of its summer glory and you want to fly there in luxury, now is the time to act.

You’ll find business class airline tickets for as low as $1,469+ R/T, and you’ll get to enjoy all of the perks L’Avion has to offer. Keep reading for a glimpse of what “business class, French style” really means…

Joe Brancatelli of Joe Sent Me is getting the word out there on cheap, cheap business class flights to Ireland on Aer Lingus:

“Aer Lingus, the Irish carrier that now flies from six U.S. gateways, has just posted deeply discounted business class fares for summer travel. How deeply discounted? How about as low as $799+ one-way in business class from New York/JFK or Boston/Logan to Dublin.

The summer fares are in three groups: 45-day advance purchase if bought by May 31; 45-day advance on or after June 1, and 14-day advance.”

Keep reading for details on how to book these cheap business class flights…

Delta has a sweet perk for travelers from Los Angeles: if you fly Business Class to London Heathrow on Delta’s code-share partner Air France, you get free chauffeur service to and from the London airport.

It’s only good through May 30, but you can still get this service even if you’ve already purchased your tickets. Here’s what you do:

• Book your chauffeur and flight reservations simultaneously by contacting Delta Reservations at 1-800-221-1212
• Coordinate chauffeur service with your existing Business Class flight reservation by dialing the Delta Chauffeur Service Desk at 1-800-268-0555

Unfortunately, the chauffeur service is not available on the Los Angeles end of the trip.

Trans-Pacific luxury air travel has just gone all-business class:

“Singapore Air is converting its ultra-long flights between the USA and Asia to all-business-class service, a first for the trans-Pacific market and yet another entry into the luxury airline market.” (from USA Today)

Singapore Air’s all-business class offering is the first of its kind. While carriers like Silverjet and the now defunct MaxJet provided all-business class flights between the US and Europe, there has never been anything comparable from commercial carriers for travel between the US and Asia.

Keep reading to see what you can expect to pay for a business-class jaunt across the Pacific once Singapore Air has converted to this new model…

Icelandair is currently offering cheap flights to Reykjavik from New York, Boston, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Orlando. Icelandair has also changed their airfare structure in the hope that it will make it easier for you to upgrade to their Saga business class.

You can now upgrade by flight segment, so if you’re OK “roughing” on your way to Iceland in economy, you can still enjoy the luxury of business class on your way home, or vise versa.

Keep reading for a list of deals from Iceland Air and a breakdown of upgrade costs…

In a relatively short time, we have seen all-business class carriers Maxjet and eos fly off into the sunset if you will. This has raised questions about UK-based all-business class carrier Silverjet’s chances for survival. In an market where fuel costs are beating down even the largest most established carriers, can a niche provider such as Silverjet really succeed?

Even before the demise of Maxjet and eos, Silverjet was feeling heat from larger providers like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. The economic downturn in the States and its perceived effect on business class travel has also led insiders to question Sliverjet’s chances for survival, as the airline only serves London, New York, and Dubai…

Delta Airlines’ Business Elite airfare sale is still going. You can enjoy all of the luxury, space, and comfort of business class while jetting off to destinations throughout Europe.

The key to this airfare sale is advance purchase. The biggest savings on business class airline tickets are reserved for those who buy 50 days in advance. If you wait until 30 day out, you can end up spending over $1000 more each way.

Keep reading for sample Business Elite airfares from Delta Air Lines…

The latest British Airways business class airfare sale offers deals to London from departure cities throughout the US. The reduced rates are good for One World class travel from June 1st to August 31st.

Keep reading for sample One World business class airfares available on British Airways…

This weekend, Joe Brancatelli of Joe Sent Me reported that eos had filed for bankruptcy and was set to take its last flight. The demise of eos, a NY-based all-business class carrier, comes on the heels of the December shut-down of MaxJet, another American all-business class airline.

So, what does this mean for all-business class carriers? UK-based Silverjet is still active, French-based L’Avion still provides “low-fare” all-business class service to Paris, and British Airways is set to launch Open Skies, it’s “premium” transatlantic airline. However, we have already seen that pressure from airlines like BA and Virgin Atlantic has raised questions about Silverjet’s ability to compete, and as the US economy struggles and fuel prices continue to rise, there is a question as to whether business class travel will be one of the first things to go for Americans heading overseas…

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been taking a look at international business class cabins on a range of U.S. and EU-based carriers. As more routes open up to airlines on both sides of the Pond, we’re seeing business class redesigns and added amenities almost across the board.

Today, we’re focusing on Continental Airlines and their Boeing 757 international business class offerings. You can enjoy a bit of luxury on the 757 on flights to Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Birmingham, and more.

Keep reading for a glimpse of the perks you’ll find on Continental Airlines international business class…