Each graduating business class, from 2008 until now, has been greeted by a dismal economic outlook.
However what those in First and Business Class are still some of the best around.
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Midweek flights typically have lower demand for business class, and so more opportunity for auctions.
WSJ: El Al, Virgin Atlantic Are Airlines That Auction Upgrades to Business Class
We've reeled off some of business class' features and other enhancements in the gallery above.
The group said the rise was driven by continued growth in first and business class travel.
Its boosters claim it has brought high growth and unlimited opportunities to the Chinese business class.
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BlackJet books business class planes from carriers such as JetSelect and sells the seats individually.
Poole, who mostly works in business class, says she buys a new pair every three months.
And starting this spring, its introductory business class will address the social impact of commerce.
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And while Etihad was nominated for the best business class, that title ultimately went to someone else.
Austrian Airlines has won the Skytrax award for Best Business Class Catering for the last two years.
So the recent trade mission to Asia by Cheryl Gillan's successor, David Jones, involved several business class flights.
This year, Tufts University has 31 students in its master's in international business class its first year offering the program.
With the plane comes Lufthansa's new business class, which will be retrofitted on the rest of the airline's fleet.
Chef Neil Perry, hired by Qantas in 2003, initiated a move to healthy eating in first and business class.
Another benefit of business class is the airport lounges, something I wrote about very recently in this column.
Its A380 business class (from New York and L.A.) is especially comfortable, with lie-flat beds and a stand-up bar.
Economic liberalisation has earned praise from, and profits for, Egypt's rising business class.
In 2010, it introduced a whole new travel class, called standard premier, which is priced between standard and business class.
If you are ever lucky enough to fly business class, these are the airlines you want to fly it on.
The sandwiches, destined for business class on US-bound flights departing July 15, were provided by in-flight catering company Gate Gourmet.
Hashim also stood out as a pribumi, an indigenous Indonesian, in contrast to the ethnic-Chinese business class that thrived under Suharto.
C. from L.A. again in business class and arriving covered in bites his doctor diagnosed as bed bug bites.
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"Business class customers are looking for innovative, consumer-like form factors for their business PCs, " said Bob O'Donnell, program vice president, Clients and Displays, IDC.
The airplane is a specially configured narrow body Boeing 757 ( click here for seat map) with a large business class section.
Despite the desirability of lie-flat beds, entertainment and fancy-meal service in business class, there are lots of empty seats to auction off.
WSJ: El Al, Virgin Atlantic Are Airlines That Auction Upgrades to Business Class
Flying economy or maybe even business class is good enough for us, thanks, but first class definitely does get you major privileges.
Its consultants still travel three or four days a week, and can upgrade to business class for flights longer than four hours.
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Sometimes, just two horses travel together, a sort of equine business class.
For every boss luxuriating in a corporate jet, there are plenty of foot-soldiers, such as Ms Knapp, slumming it in business class.
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