On the surface, United Airlines’ “free, unlimited upgrades” program sounds like a great change, especially for the business traveler. However, as Mark Ashley over at Upgrade: Travel Better is quick to point out, the changes to the upgrade program might actually be a “downgrade” when all is said and done:

“What United is doing is eliminating the 500-mile electronic certificates and the regional-upgrades. (International systemwide upgrade certificates for 1K travelers are unchanged. Upgrades booked with miles, which will soon carry a cash copayment, are otherwise unaffected by these changes.) Instead, all travelers with any elite status will be automatically eligible for an upgrade.”

Mark goes on to break down United Airlines’ new upgrade plan to show how Premier members will be affected. Take a look at “United downgrades its upgrades” for an in depth look at the changes to the program, and what those changes mean for frequent flyers.

The Cranky Flier got a chance to explore the glory days of First Class on Pan Am. He’s quick to point out that Pan Am isn’t back and that he’s not talking about first class on a freight train:

“Anthony Toth has recreated the front cabin of a Pan Am 747 in his garage, and I had the chance to go visit.”

Cranky’s photos show an incredibly detailed recreation of the old first class cabin, and they give a hint as to the luxury that travelers used to experience. The project is worth taking a look at for all plane enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a bit of nostalgia now and then. Check out “Your Chance to Fly Pan Am’s First Class” on The Cranky Flier.

This ongoing promotion by British Airways applies to those flying first class, business class or the carrier’s premium economy class.

Just buy a BA ticket on a flight from the U.S. to anywhere British Airways flies - on any of the above-mentioned classes - and pay for it with your British Airways Visa card, and you get a free ticket for a companion.

See all the details here.

Take your time - the “must purchase by” deadline isn’t until March of 2010.

Korean Airlines is doing their best to provide a new level of comfort to their business class and first class travelers.

The new Kosmo Suites and Prestige Sleeper seats are designed to provide more room, more privacy, and little extra luxury to your long-haul flights.

Check out photos of their latest First Class and Prestige Class offerings at Korean Air.

Today only, Emirates is offering an extra $100 off every seat in every class to every destination (100+) from every U.S. departure city that Emirates serves. You can enjoy all of the luxury of Emirates business class, first class, and economy for less if you purchase your airline ticket by 11:59PM (PDT) today (June 4, 2009).

Visit Emirates Offers for more details.

Both Qantas and British Airways say they are cutting back on First Class seating.

You know why - the world economic meltdown.

Read more about it on Rick Seaney’s blog.

And don’t worry - there’s still plenty room in business class - for now, anyway.

There’s still time…

Fly American Airlines to the United Kingdom, in an eligible First or Business Class flight, and earn 50,000 miles - just like that.

And you can earn 25K miles by traveling on certain Economy Class flights.

You have to book - and complete your travel - by June 30.

And you must use the promo code: UK50K

See all the details here.

United Airlines is still running first class specials on flights to destinations across Europe. Enjoy all of the luxury you’ve come to expect from international first class on flights to London, Paris, Rome, and a range of other cities on the Continent. First class airfare starts as low as $3,320+ each-way.

A 14-day advance purchase is required for most flights. However, first class deals to London require a 42-day advance purchase. Visit United Airlines for more details.

Continental Airlines has launched a BusinessFirst class special to Asia from their hub in Newark. These BusinessFirst deals are good for travel between June 3 and August 16, 2009. You’ll find discounted fares to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Flights to Beijing are the cheapest, starting as low as $3,076+ R/T.

Continental’s BusinessFirst class service features gourmet meals, personal entertainment systems, access to Continental’s 26 Presidents Clubs, and more. Check out Continental Airlines’ Press Release for more details on their latest deals to Asia.

Yesterday, we highlighted United Airlines’ domestic first class airfare sale. Today, it’s all about their international business class airfare sale.

You’ll find deals in business class to “Latin and Pacific destinations” including Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Sydney, and more from multiple U.S. departure cities. Business class airfare on some routes starts as low as $326+ each-way.

A 50-day advance purchase and a 7-night minimum stay are required on these deals. Restrictions vary depending on destination, so visit United Airlines for more details.

The push from carriers to get travelers to head overseas continues. We’ve seen a number of Europe airfare sales and specials over the past two months. Along with flight deals, airlines are also throwing in some added perks.

American Airlines is offering 50,000 bonus miles on eligible business class and first class flights from the U.S. to the United Kingdom (you can earn 25,000 bonus miles on select flights in economy). Here’s what you need to do in order to pick up these extra miles:

• Book a qualifying ticket between March 19 and June 30, 2009 (booking classes F, J, A, D, I, R, Y, B or H)
• Register prior to travel at www.aa.com/offers using promotion code UK50K
• Complete travel by June 30, 2009

Visit American Airlines for more details.

Travel to your next vacation in the luxury of first class. Northwest Airlines is helping frequent fliers make the trip to the front of the plane when they purchase select airfare/hotel vacation packages.

Enjoy the beach resort life in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, or the Caribbean. You can also plan vacations to destinations throughout the Lower 48, Alaska, and Canada. Upgrade to first class for as little as 5,000 miles (mile requirements vary depending on destination).

Visit NWA WorldVacations for complete details and mileage breakdowns.

Sometimes you deserve a bit of luxury. Sometimes you need a bit of space. Unfortunately, the cramped quarters of economy class on international flights doesn’t really allow for much of either. In fact, sometimes it can even get downright uncomfortable…on so many levels.

Check out Virgin Atlantic’s latest commercial for a glimpse at the benefits of Virgin “Upper Class” and the awkwardness of the alternative:

Whether you’re interested in heading off to Europe now or taking that dream vacation this summer, Continental Airlines can get you there in the luxury of BusinessFirst class for less.

The carrier’s current business class/first class Europe airfare sale features deals to destinations including Paris, London, and Rome. You’ll find two sets of sale airfares from Newark, Houston, and Cleveland. The lowest airfares are good for travel between June 28 and Sept. 4, but you can still find deals on flights from February 2 to April 17.

Summer flights require a 60-day advance purchase, and February to April flights require a 14-day advance purchase. Visit Continental Airlines Offers for more details and a complete list of destinations.

Use FareCompare Maps to find the lowest filed airfares to Europe from your hometown.

American Airlines has extended their “free” companion ticket offer. If you are enrolled (or enroll now) in American Airlines’ awards program and you fly roundtrip to the UK in first class or business class (select economy flights available, too), you have the opportunity to pick up a “free” companion ticket for future travel to the UK or the Caribbean:

“On your next trip you can choose to return to the UK or perhaps opt for warmer weather with a trip to the Caribbean. American, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, offers up to 18 daily flights to London Heathrow and Manchester from various U.S. locations.”

The carrier is extending this offer as a “thank you to our customers and as a reminder that American offers an attractive schedule whether flying for business or pleasure.”

If you’re a business traveler looking to turn those cross-country flights into a leisure vacation with a loved one down-the-line, this offer can help you save.

Check out the American Airlines press release for complete details and the true definition of “free,” and use the promo code UKCMP when booking.

2008 is rapidly coming to a close, but you can still find business class and first class airfare deals for the remainder of the year, and you can start planning that luxury vacation for 2009.

You have to act fast to take advantage of many of the deals out there, so here’s a quick reference for a few of the best business class and first class airfare sales that are still going strong:

• United Airlines Business Class to Asia (travel through January 2, 2009; no adv purchase)
• Lufthansa Business Class Holiday Airfare Sale (ends December 26, 2008)
• Korean Air Prestige Class: LA to Tokyo (travel through August 31, 2009)
• United Sydney and Melbourne Business Class Special (50 day advance purchase)

Visit our travel deals blog for the best coach and economy airfare specials.

The clock is running on the latest special from Air Canada, but you still have time to save 10% on executive class airline tickets to a range of Canadian destinations from Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco. Book by “December 17, 2008 at midnight from the city of departure,” and use the promo code WJXE6T21. This deal is good for travel between April 1 to June 30, 2009.

Air Canada executive class offers added room, comfort, personal entertainment, wine selection, gourmet meals, and more. However, if the added comfort isn’t your top priority, you’ll also find deals in Air Canada’s Tango Plus and Latitude classes.

Visit Air Canada Speical Offers for more details.

American Airlines has gone back-to-back-to-back. For the third straight year, Global Traveler Magazine has named the Ft. Worth-based carrier “Best Airline for Domestic First Class.”

As we’ve seen perks disappear for business and leisure travelers sitting at the front of the plane, American Airlines has vowed to offer a travel experience that separates them from the rest:

“We know that each day, we have to compete for and win the loyalty of our business travelers. We strive to differentiate ourselves from competitors by investing in products, service and network enhancements that make the travel experience convenient, reliable and productive…” (Kurt Stache, Vice President and General Sales Manager at American Airlines - from MarketWatch)

It’s clear that Global Traveler readers are fans of American, but what do you think? Does American’s first class service deserve the win again?

Pretty smart idea, this, and a jaunty tip of the hat to UpgradeTravelBetter for letting us know about it.

Instead of only allowing you to upgrade your seat when you book it, or when you arrive at the check-in counter, AirTran will now let you upgrade once you’re on the plane.

Perfect for those last minute procrastinators - or for those of us who thought the coach seats couldn’t be that small.

See more details here.

Tired of seats without massage capability? In need of some understated mood lighting? Want more entertainment options when reclining in first class? Virgin America is here for you.

Virgin America currently has first class deals to their destinations out West including Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. While some of the flights aren’t that long, you’ll still have time to enjoy a bit of the luxury that Virgin America’s award-winning first class service has become known for.

Visit Virgin America Flight Deals for more details and sample first class airfares.

Continental Airlines is offering low airfare to destinations throughout Asia in economy class. Along with these recent deals, the carrier is also offering special BusinessFirst airfares to Tokyo.

You’ll find BusinessFirst flights between Newark and Tokyo for $3,781+ R/T. Once onboard the Boeing 777, you’ll enjoy entertainment in your armrest with a console that features multi-language video and audio channels (select flights will have video on demand options). Continental BusinessFirst seats also offer up to 6 1/2 feet of sleeping space, privacy hoods, laptop plug-ins and more.

Visit Continental Airlines Offers for more details, and search FareCompare’s “getaway” maps to find the lowest filed airfares to Asia from your home airport.

It’s only been a year, but Virgin America has definitely made its mark among business and luxury travelers. With its first class massage seats, extra moody mood-lighting, a range of touch-screen entertainment options, passenger-to-passenger communication capabilities, and little perks like easily accessible outlets for laptops, Virgin America has tried to separate itself from other domestic carriers. According to at least one survey, their efforts have paid off.

In a recent Conde Nast Traveler survey, Virgin America was named best domestic “Business/First Class” carrier. According to the survey of 26,500 travelers, the competition wasn’t even close:

“Virgin America had an overall score of 65.3. The carrier’s nearest competitor (No. 2 in the rankings) had an overall score of 41.1.” (from Marketwatch)

While Virgin America’s route system is still relatively limited, the carrier has managed to make an impact in the industry and achieve at least some of its goals in its first year. We’ll wait to see what their second year brings:

“Virgin America was launched with the goal of reinventing domestic flying by creating an upscale, innovative and customer-focused experience,’ said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. Business travelers should expect the very best in design, technology, entertainment and comfort in a U.S. airline — just as they do in their hotel choices. We couldn’t be more proud to earn this ranking in our first year, especially from the selective travelers who fly the most and who rightly expect more.’” (from Business Travel Frequent Flyer Guru)

The folks over at Sky Talk noticed an unusual trend, courtesy of stats from the International Air Transport Association (IATA):

It seems that an increasing number of the so-called premium travelers - first class fliers and business class travelers - are missing in action.

You can read more about it on RickSeaney.com. And while you’re there, take a look at this - American’s Admirals Club membership fees are rising.

Virgin Atlantic is still offering discounted first class airfare to London from departure cities in the U.S. including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

You’ll find flights in Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class cabin for as low as $1,179+ each-way for select travel dates in October, November, and December. A 42-day advance purchase and a Saturday night stay are required to take advantage of these deals.

Keep reading for sample first class airfare from Virgin Atlantic…

Continental Airlines has “low” airfare on select flights from Newark to destinations in Asia including Hong Kong, Beijing, and Tokyo.

While onboard, you’ll enjoy all of the luxury and comfort of Continental’s BusinessFirst. You can recline, stretch out, watch on-demand movies and TV shows, enjoy fine cuisine, and the added room that you need on longhaul flights.

BusinessFirst airfares to Asia (even if they have been lowered) aren’t for everybody. These flights will still run you over $3,000+ R/T. However, the carrier is also offering low economy airfare to Asia, so visit Continental Airlines Offers to find a flight to Asia that works for you.