How to behave in business class – and not embarrass yourself

"Don’t be out of place.” Sitting in business class is a social minefield and the rules on how to behave differ all the time. After three decades of frequently travelling in the premium cabin, here is my essential guide to the etiquette of turning left.”

1. Dress down informally – just do not go over the top and adopt a style popularised by reality TV shows like Love Island.

If you wear business class attire these days, you're essentially allowing others to know that you're a first-time premium traveller. Now that airlines offer lie-flat beds and suites with doors, privacy and comfort are top of the agenda. As a result, you can forgo the high-end navy blazer from an upmarket Tokyo designer, the Sea Island cotton crew-neck T-shirt, the light wool trousers, and the loafers. Instead, swap to chinos or smart-looking joggers, a polo shirt, and trainers. But, please, don't arrive in your pyjamas, leggings, sports gear, or shorts and flip-flops bearing designer logos.

2. Remain composed during your in-flight journey

Bring a battered Globetrotter suitcase with two wheels only, only true aficionados will appreciate it. Pack a small souvenir bag, such as a vintage Concorde Globetrotter or a Prada bowling bag. Never wear your high-end airport loyalty card on your luggage tag; it's a social faux pas.

Please make your way to the Express Check-in facility, proceed to the security checkpoints, and then board the aircraft

You've paid for your seat with a fuller wallet. Booking into Group Zero will simply bring added prestige to your holiday plans, because British Airways has now introduced this perk for high-status customers who pay for the luxury seating area, who are indeed viewed as deserving priority over even first-class customers when boarding.

4. Don't forget to make the most of one-of-a-kind lounge experiences

Terminal 3 is the only place in the UK where you can order a martini at 8am without raising any eyebrows. Take advantage of it straight away.

5. Look away now...

If you're boarding before everyone else, be mindful that economy passengers might have to pass by your seat to reach their own seats near the back. This can be especially tricky if you've booked seats for your partner and children in the economy section.

6. Don’t go nuts

In 2014, a pilot was given a prison sentence following his conviction for breaches in aviation safety, abuse of power, and coercion. During his five-month prison stay, he had to do without pre-meal snacks.

7. Social faux pas

Please refrain from taking video calls in the lounge area. Other passengers do not wish to be aware of your personal matters or business discussions.

No Holiday snaps. Nobody wants to catch a glimpse of you posing for that in-flight selfie – especially if you've managed to sneak into business class early, like one influencer did on Emirates last month, who pretended she was enjoying the luxury while really being on her way back to economy.

Leave celebrity acquaintances in peace. I've flown alongside Gwyneth Paltrow (on the Concorde), Raye (on Virgin Atlantic) and, ah, David Hasselhoff (on British Airways). They're filled with embarrassment for flying with the general public rather than opting for private jets, and would prefer not to be reminded of it.

Do keep the fact of "buying" your ticket with mileage strictly confidential..opacity'i.Specify precisely avoid sharing with others the number of miles you've flown on a weekly/monthly/yearly basis, or indeed throughout your entire life.

If your British Airways flight is delayed at Heathrow, be wary of expecting the airline's chief executive, Sean Doyle, to personally meet you on the tarmac to explain the hold-up, as one rather demanding passenger did undiplomatically earlier this year.

8. Clothes malfunctions on the plane

I once saw an Everton footballer remove his T-shirt and undress to his waist on a 14-hour Emirates Airbus A380 flight from Sydney to Dubai.

Only use the hot towel to clean your face and hands.

9. Food and drink

If you wish to be awakened and have a preference for dinner made up of protein combined with complex carbohydrates in order to assist with sleep.

If you're lucky enough to secure the table for four in the bar on the Emirates A380 aircraft, don't monopolise it for the whole flight - roughy an hour should be ample time to take advantage of it.

10. Devices on silent

If you have both email and WhatsApp open, disable notifications and switch off keyboard sounds.

11. Children

Last year, a Twitter user, seated in business class, was asked by a follower about the issue of parents travelling with their children in business class. The user responded, "What are parents flying business class supposed to do with their kids? One might say they should put them in the luggage hold, but that's not a practical solution." Major airlines hesitate to ban children from sitting in the front of the plane, as it may offend their wealthy clients. Nevertheless, they should not bring youngsters into the business section. As a parent with two children, I only made that journey when my children were sufficiently mature to use an in-flight entertainment screen or tablet.

12. What about 'memorabilia' to bring back?

Pyjamas – but only if on a flight with Qantas, Qatar Airways, or Virgin Atlantic, as they are the only airlines worth considering. Take as many Acqua di Parma amenity kits as you can from an Etihad flight. However, refrain from taking life jackets and noise-cancelling headphones.

It's time to go the whole nine yards, is it? Make certain you really go all out and push the performance to its extreme.

Take a colour reference card from Farrow & Ball to demonstrate the precise shade of brown you'd like your coffee to be. Express dissatisfaction with the temperature of the ice cubes, the speed of the flight, your neighbour's appearance, and mention that the blue colour of the sky clashes with your outfit. Demand a full reimbursement for your ticket.

The initial version of this article was released in April 2024 and has since undergone revisions and updates.

Improve your mental agility and lift your mood every day with our wonderful selection of puzzles from The Telegraph. Challenge yourself with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the cunning Killer Sudoku and the traditional Cryptic Crossword.

Share :