Things Airlines Don't Tell You: How to Distinguish Real from Fake Business Class? What's the difference between real and fake business class? Teach you how to avoid fake business class!

Why is business class called "J"?

Before delving into the truth about business class, let's first understand why it is often shortened to "J". This stems from the cabin class codes used in airline ticketing systems:

Economy - Y
Premium Economy - W
Business - J
First - F

Each cabin class is further subdivided into many sub-classes to indicate ticket usage terms and flexibility. For example, a full-fare business class ticket is "J", but there are also cheaper and less flexible options like "D", "P", and "I" classes. The common practice is to use the full-fare subclass to represent the entire cabin class, hence we use "J" to refer to business class.

What are "True J" and "False J," respectively?

True Business Class

This refers to a seat configuration that can be laid flat at 180 degrees. Taking Cathay Pacific's The First Class as an example, the reverse herringbone seat design is configured with one seat on each side and usually two seats in the middle. The shape of the seat resembles two inverted fishbones, hence its name. Its characteristics include high privacy, a 180-degree flat lay function, and an independent aisle.

Fake business class

Refers to seat configurations that are not a fully flat 180-degree recline. At the same price, these seats lack the ability to lie flat and also lack personal space, which generally results in lower passenger satisfaction.

How to avoid choosing a "fake J"?

Verify aircraft model

To identify a fake business class (J), the simplest and most direct way is to check the aircraft model used on the flight. As of June 2023, all A321 neo aircraft operated by Cathay Pacific only have regional business class. If you are flying on this model, then it is definitely a fake J without a doubt. Conversely, if the flight is operated by an A350-900 or A350-1000, then you are definitely on a long-haul genuine business class. As for the B777-300 and A330-300, they can both be used for both long-haul and short-haul flights. If your flight is using these two aircraft models, you will need to use other methods to further verify.

View seat map

The second practical tip is to check the seat map of the flight. The seating arrangement for regional business class is similar to that of economy class, usually 2-2 or 2-3 per row. Conversely, for long-haul business class seats, whether angled lie-flat or fully lie-flat, due to their larger size, a row can usually only accommodate 1-2 seats. Through the airline's website or SeatMaps.com , you can view the seat map and know whether you are on a regional or long-haul business class flight.

Manage reservations through the website or app.

The third method is to check your reservation through the airline's official website or mobile app. Taking China Airlines as an example, after you successfully purchase or redeem your ticket, you can view your selected seat on the "Manage Booking" page of the official website or in the mobile app. The page will not only display your seat number but also clearly show the type of seat you chose using images for your easy understanding.

Choosing business class is to enjoy a more comfortable flight experience, but the difference between "real" and "fake" business class often confuses travelers. It is suggested that everyone do their homework before purchasing tickets, understand the seat configuration and service content of different airlines and flights, so as to choose the most suitable flight and enjoy a comfortable and pleasant journey! (Image source: @XHS)