These Business Class Fares Exclude Lounge Access & Other Perks

Lounge access and seat selection is usually a given when flying Business Class. But on airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Finnair, these perks are no longer a standard inclusion on all Business Class tickets.

Airlines say that unbundling Business Class provides a cheaper option to customers who just want a lie-flat bed without the usual bells and whistles. But are the savings worth it?

What you get with basic Business Class tickets

Basic Business Class fares lower the first price shown by online aggregators such as Google Flights.

This way, airlines might tempt you in with lower fares. But then, you may have to pay more for ancillaries like seat selection, lounge access and chauffeur drive services. You also might not be able to change or upgrade these tickets.

Airlines use unbundled Business Class tickets to appeal to different markets, like older travellers who just want a lie-flat bed, or travellers who only travel with hand luggage.

Airlines that have unbundled Business Class

Japanese low-cost carrier ZIPAIR offers the most extreme version of basic Business Class, with only a lie-flat bed included in its “Full Flat” ticket.

Thankfully, most full-service airlines that offer basic Business Class fares still give you the full onboard experience, but without the ticket flexibility and extra perks on the ground.

Full-service airlines that offer basic Business Class fares include Emirates, Air France, KLM, Finnair, Qatar Airways and, since 4 March 2025, Etihad Airways.

Overview of basic Business Class exclusions

This table details what you don’t get with a basic Business Class ticket, compared to a normal Business Class ticket:

Not all of these airlines offer these fares on every route.

How much cheaper are basic Business fares?

Sometimes, the savings between a basic and normal Business Class ticket can be large. For example, you could save USD614 (~AU$985) each way by booking an Emirates Business Class Special fare, rather than a Saver fare, on a return trip from Los Angeles to Dubai.

But with other airlines, such as KLM, the price difference is more reasonable.

Airlines that charge for seat selection in Business Class

British Airways and Iberia don’t sell basic Business Class, but you’ll have to pay to select your seat in advance on some tickets.

Air France/KLM, Qatar Airways and Finnair also charge for seat selection on their second-cheapest Business Class fares.

In addition, Lufthansa and Swiss charge fees for the majority of seats in their new Allegris cabins.

Status can help you get around unbundled Business Class exclusions

If you have status, you’ll still be able to enjoy most of the usual perks of Business Class, including free seat selection, even on a basic ticket. But status still won’t get you extra ticket flexibility.

With the right status, you’ll still enjoy your usual benefits on the following ticket types…

Emirates Business Special

With eligible Emirates or Qantas status you can get lounge access, free seat selection and priority boarding on Emirates Business Special fares. However, you still won’t get chauffeur drive.

Air France/KLM Business Light

SkyTeam Elite Plus members can access lounges and free seat selection when flying on an Air France or KLM Business Light ticket.

Finnair Business Light

Oneworld frequent flyers, such as Qantas Gold and Platinum members, still get priority boarding, free seat selection, a checked bag and lounge access on a Finnair Business Light ticket. However, the baggage allowance is still less than normal Business Class tickets.

Qatar Airways Business Lite

With Oneworld status, you can avoid the seat selection fees in Qatar Airways Business Lite. However, status will not get you into their Premium Lounges, including the Al Mourjan lounges in Doha.

Instead, eligible Oneworld and Velocity frequent flyer members can access the Qatar Airways Gold and Platinum lounges in Doha, or other contract lounges Qatar Airways uses in outstations.

Etihad Airways Business Value

If you have Gold status or above with Etihad Guest, you can get lounge access and free seat selection on a Business Value ticket. However, you won’t get the chauffeur service or complimentary Wi-Fi.

If you don’t already have status, there is currently an Etihad status match available.

Other ways to access airport lounges

If you don’t have status, you can still access lounges prior to your flight by buying a one-off pass or using a membership like Priority Pass.

You can also get into airport lounges with some credit cards.

Wilson McTaggart

Wilson's love of travel started from a young age, but his love for points developed after figuring out ways to travel on a gap year for less - leading naturally towards Australian Frequent Flyer! Wilson's hobbies include skiing, cricket and planning trips, both with and without points.

Wilson posts on the AFF forum as @WilsonM.