Travel Lighter, Spend Smarter: The Rise of Business Light Tickets
The good news for business travellers is that pre-pandemic travel levels are expected to return in 2024. To cater to this resurgence, airlines are offering more affordable “Business Light” tickets. These tickets provide access to the same comfortable business class seating as standard fares, but with some key perks scaled back.
To help you choose the best option for your needs, APH has created a comparison guide for seven airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Finnair, and Singapore Airlines. The guide compares baggage allowance, lounge access, refund policies, and priority services like check-in, security, and boarding.
Decoding Business Light: What’s Included?
APH created a helpful guide to compare Business Light options across seven airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Finnair, and Singapore Airlines. The guide analyzes key features like:
Baggage Allowance: airBaltic, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines allow up to two checked bags (32kg-46kg) with Business Light tickets. Finnair and Zipair require travellers to pack light and only allow carry-on luggage.
Lounge Access: This perk is often sacrificed with Business Light fares. Only airBaltic and Singapore Airlines offer complimentary lounge access for these tickets.
Priority Services: Zipair removes priority security and boarding entirely for Business Light passengers. Qatar Airways also excludes priority security with this fare.
Frequent Flyer Benefits: Watch out – Some airlines, like Qatar Airways, reduce mileage earned from 125% (Standard Business) to 75% for Business Light bookings.
Choosing the Right Business Light Ticket
This guide empowers business travellers to choose the most suitable ticket for their needs. Consider factors like:
- Do you need to check luggage?
- Is lounge access important for you?
- How valuable are priority services?
- Are frequent flyer miles a priority?
By comparing these features across airlines, you can find the perfect balance of comfort and affordability for your next business trip.
Airline Ticket Name: Business Light
Check-In Baggage Allowance: Not specified
Cabin Baggage: 1 piece (10kg)
Seat Selection: Complimentary
Seating: Standard throughout business class
Complimentary Lounge Access: No
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: Reduced
Refund: Non-refundable
Changes (Date/Route): For a fee + potential fare difference
Airline Ticket Name: Business
Check-In Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces (32kg each)
Cabin Baggage: 1 piece (10kg)
Seat Selection: Complimentary
Seating: Standard throughout business class
Complimentary Lounge Access: Yes
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: Higher
Refund: Non-refundable
Changes (Date/Route): for a REDUCED FEE + potential fare difference
Airline Ticket Name: Business Special
Check-In Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces (32kg each)
Cabin Baggage: 2 pieces (7kg each)
Seat Selection: Not included – you can select a complimentary seat when check‑in opens 48 hours before you fly
Seating: Lie-flat seat, not full-flat bed
Complimentary Lounge Access: No
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: Miles upgrade offers not applicable
Refund: Before departure: £600. After departure: Not permitted. No-show penalty: Before departure £1,200. After departure: non-refundable.
Changes (Date/Route): £500. No-show penalty: £1,000. Change fees are additional to any difference in fare.
Airline Ticket Name: Business Flex
Check-In Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces (32kg total)
Cabin Baggage: 2 pieces (7kg each)
Seat Selection: Included
Seating: Lie-flat
Complimentary Lounge Access: Yes
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: Miles upgrade offers applicable
Refund: Before departure:GBP 150. After departure:GBP 300. No-show penalty: Before departure: GBP 300. No-show penalty: After departure: GBP 600
Changes (Date/Route): GBP 150. No-show penalty: GBP 300. Change fees are additional to any difference in fare
Airline Ticket Name: Business Light
Check-In Baggage Allowance: Checked luggage not included
Cabin Baggage: 1 small bag and 1 carry-on bag (total 12kg)
Seat Selection: Not Included
Seating: Full Flat
Complimentary Lounge Access: No
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: No
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: 150%
Refund: Non-refundable
Changes (Date/Route): Not permitted
Airline Ticket Name: Business Classic
Check-In Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces (32kg each)
Cabin Baggage: 1 small bag and 1 carry-on bag (Total 12kg)
Seat Selection: Included
Seating: Full Flat
Complimentary Lounge Access: Yes
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes, if available
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: 200%-250%
Refund: Non-refundable
Changes (Date/Route): Permitted
Airline Ticket Name: Business Lite
Check-In Baggage Allowance: No piece limit – 40kg allowance, no more than 32kg per piece
Cabin Baggage: 2 pieces (15kg total)
Seat Selection: Complimentary at online check-in, otherwise pay fee in advance
Seating: Extra legroom as chargeable
Complimentary Lounge Access: No
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: No
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: 75%
Refund: Applicable with payment
Changes (Date/Route): Applicable with payment
Airline Ticket Name: Business Classic
Check-In Baggage Allowance: No piece limit – 40kg allowance, no more than 32kg per piece
Cabin Baggage: 2 pieces (15kg total)
Seat Selection: Complimentary at online check-in, otherwise pay fee in advance
Seating: Extra legroom as chargeable
Complimentary Lounge Access: Yes
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: 125%Refund: Cancellation within 24hrs of booking without fees (applies if booking made by card; if flight departs within 3 days of booking, a fee may apply) Changes (Date/Route): Flexibility to make 1 change (applies to changes to date/destination within same fare class)
Airline Ticket Name: Business Lite
Check-In Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces (32kg each)
Cabin Baggage: 2 pieces (7kg each)
Seat Selection: Complimentary
Seating: Standard throughout business class
Complimentary Lounge Access: Yes
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: 125%
Refund: Non-refundable
Changes (Date/Route): Chargeable
Airline Ticket Name: Business Standard
Check-In Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces (32kg each)
Cabin Baggage: 2 pieces (7kg each)
Seat Selection: Complimentary
Seating: Standard throughout business class
Complimentary Lounge Access: Yes
Priority Check-In: Yes
Priority Security: Yes
Priority Boarding: Yes
Meals: Included
Avios Accumulation/Equivalent: 125%
Refund: Refundable
Changes (Date/Route): Chargeable but lower cost than Business Lite
Airline Ticket Name: Zip Full Flat
Check-In Baggage Allowance: Checked baggage not included
Cabin Baggage: 2 bags (7kg total)
Seat Selection: Not included
Seating: Full Flat
Complimentary Lounge Access: No
Priority Check-In: No
Priority Security: No
Priority Boarding: No
Meals: Not Included
Refund: Refundable
Changes (Date/Route): Not permitted