Business class on a given airline was once presented as a single luxury experience. Now, more carriers are choosing to unbundle the higher fare class to market the ability to lie down at a lower price.
At the start of July, Delta Air Lines introduced a new Basic Business fare class that offers passengers a lie-flat seat and premium dining in its Delta One cabin without traditional business perks such as lounge access, advance seat assignment, and multiplied miles collection.
Under the same Air France-KLM parent company, the French and Dutch flag carriers have offered their “Business Light” fare class since 2023, while German airline giant Lufthansa Group began rolling it out on all its subsidiary airlines in March 2026.
Air Canada launches new Business Class Basic option (here is what it gets you)
The latest carrier to introduce a new Business Class Basic bundle is Canadian flag carrier Air Canada.
Alongside a new Premium Economy Basic also launched by the airline, the “light” version of business class includes a premium cabin seat, food and drinks from the premium cabin menu, and priority boarding and baggage handling. These perks come at the expense of early seat selection and the ability to make changes or cancel the trip without a fee.
Related: Another airline cancels 8 flights to the U.S.
Without the traditional ground perks of business class, the airline is able to price the premium fare classes below the full offering and reach those travelers who are interested above all in the more comfortable seat, but also seek ways to reduce the cost.
The main difference between Air Canada’s new basic versions of premium economy and business is that the latter includes the lie-flat seat on long-haul flights, as well as access to most Maple Leaf lounges outside the Signature Suite in Toronto.
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“New fare options respond to the increasing demand for premium leisure travel”: Air Canada
“These new fare options respond to the increasing demand for premium leisure travel and ensure Air Canada remains aligned with our partners and industry trends,” Air Canada said in a note to its travel advisors, reported Travelweek.
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The new fare options have been made available on select routes within North America and South America, as well as to The Caribbean, as of July 28.
For transatlantic flights headed to Europe or Asia, Air Canada is so far rolling out the new fare classes only on select joint venture routes with United Airlines and Lufthansa. The two codeshare partners preceded Air Canada in rolling out their own version of the trimmed-down business class.
This type of fare class allows airlines to offer a lower-priced product and reach a specific group of travelers. It is often also an opportunity for carriers to quietly raise the price of their top products, marketing them as a more luxurious experience without making any changes to the offering.
At the end of 2024, Air Canada became the subject of much passenger outcry after changing the rules of its most basic economy fare to charge travelers who bring anything larger than a purse or small backpack aboard certain flights.
Related: Air Canada CEO stepping down amid language scandal
