There’s nothing quite like the quiet clink of a champagne flute as your boarding stress melts away into the plush embrace of a business-class seat – especially when it’s the result of a lucky upgrade. But for a growing subset of elite travellers, that luxury isn’t a serendipitous perk. It’s a standard. Enter the all-business-class airline – a curious hybrid between the extravagance of a private jet and the structured service of commercial aviation.
These niche carriers aren’t household names, and that’s partly by design. They operate on the outer edge of traditional aviation, offering a product that’s less about mass transport and more about curated comfort. Currently, two airlines are pioneering this model: La Compagnie, a French boutique airline serving the transatlantic market, and Beond, a newer entrant targeting leisure travellers heading to luxury island destinations.
The Business Case for All-Business
All-business-class airlines are not a new concept. The early 2000s saw a few attempts – EOS, Maxjet, and Silverjet among them – all ultimately grounded by the 2008 financial crisis. But with business travel rebounding post-pandemic and leisure travellers increasingly seeking premium experiences, the model is making a cautious comeback.
“All-business-class airlines bridge an interesting gap between traditional first-class travel and private aviation,” Sarah Keates, founder of WOI PR and a specialist in business aviation communications, tells BurdaLuxury. The key difference is consistency and simplicity. “With an all-business-class airline, you remove the unpredictability of mixed cabins,” says Keates. “Every seat offers a similar experience, from service levels to comfort. But ultimately, you’re still flying on a commercial schedule, using standard terminals, alongside 50 or 60 other passengers.”
The appeal is clear: fewer passengers (typically under 80 per flight), lounge-like boarding experiences, lie-flat seats, fine dining, and ticket prices that undercut the cost of a first-class seat on legacy carriers.
“With a fleet of smaller aircraft featuring spacious cabins configured in 19 rows of 2×2 full flat seats for a total of just 76 seats, we’re able to create an intimate and refined atmosphere where personalised, attentive service is the norm,” Christian Vernet, CEO of La Compagnie tells BurdaLuxury. “Unlike larger, traditional airlines that split attention across multiple cabin classes, our focus is entirely on offering a seamless, consistently upscale journey for every passenger. We are also able to provide curated entertainment thanks to the 15.6-inch touchscreen system, as well as in-air activations, and an original food and beverage offering developed with guest chefs through our Chefs&Co programme.”
Advantages include priority access at the airport and expedited boarding to a smooth arrival experience. “Passengers enjoy spacious seats that recline into fully flat beds, a serene cabin environment, and attentive service at every step of the journey,” adds Vernet. “Priority check-in, expedited security, and swift boarding mean less time spent waiting and more time enjoying the journey. Add to that the high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, on-demand entertainment, and gourmet dining experience, and passengers enjoy a travel environment where productivity, relaxation, and well-being coexist seamlessly, at a price point that’s more affordable than legacy airlines.”
In comparison, private jets offer more flexibility. “You’re not buying a seat – you’re buying control,” explains Keates. “Total flexibility over departure times, the ability to land closer to your destination, privacy for your conversations, and even the ability to bring pets or customise the onboard experience down to the smallest detail. That level of personalisation just isn’t possible on any airline, however premium the seat.”
Premium class is a huge part of the aviation market – traffic contributed 20% to airline revenues in Q1 2024, despite representing only 7% of total revenue passenger-kilometres (RPK) – a return to pre-pandemic levels.
In 2024, Beond experienced a record-breaking growth, surpassing 13,000 bookings and expanding its network to include Milan, Munich, Zurich, Dubai, and Riyadh. The airline added a new A321 aircraft, launched strategic global partnerships, and celebrated its first anniversary, all while earning accolades for its premium service and design. With plans to operate four aircraft to 10 destinations by end-2025, Beond is positioning itself as the Maldives’ leading premium-seat airline.
Meanwhile, La Compagnie has operated more than 9,000 flights and welcomed over 480,000 passengers on board since its inaugural flight in 2014.
Who’s Flying?
La Compagnie was launched in 2014 and operates a fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft outfitted with 76 lie-flat business class seats. It connects Newark and Paris Orly year-round, with seasonal flights to Milan and Nice. A roundtrip ticket between New York and Paris typically starts at around US$3,000 – US$4,000, although promotional fares sometimes dip below US$2,200 per World Traveler Club, making it a strong contender for cost-conscious business travellers and honeymooning couples alike.
Beond, on the other hand, leans into the luxury leisure space. Headquartered in the Maldives, the airline operates Airbus A319s with 44 all-business-class seats. Routes currently include flights from Zurich, Munich, and Riyadh to Malé, the capital of Maldives, and Dubai. Prices vary depending on season and route but round-trip fares start from around US$3,000 – positioning it as an aspirational option for honeymooners or affluent sun-seekers.
Like commercial airlines and private jet travel, prices depend on the route and operator. “In many cases, all-business-class airlines can offer competitive pricing against traditional first-class fares, particularly on popular long-haul city pairs,” says Keates. “They often appeal to corporates looking for consistency or to leisure travellers seeking premium comfort without the full cost of private aviation. But unlike first-class on a legacy carrier, where the cabin might only have 6-8 seats to fill, these airlines need to sell 50-60 business-class seats for the route to be commercially viable.”
So, How is it Different?
Unlike private jets, which offer complete flexibility and exclusivity at high costs (up to $US10,000 – US$15,000 per flight hour), all-business-class airlines still operate on fixed schedules and commercial routes. The luxury comes not from total privacy, but from space, service, and serenity.
Compared to traditional commercial airlines, the experience feels deliberately intimate. There are no economy seats, no chaotic boarding processes, and often no middle seats. Meals are served on porcelain, not plastic, and crew-to-passenger ratios are significantly lower, meaning faster service and more attention.
In short, you’re buying into the aesthetic of a private flight without the price tag, albeit with less flexibility. What’s more, the routes are limited when it comes to all-business-class airlines. “Route viability is everything,” explains Keates. “The model works best on routes with sustained demand for high-yield travellers. But demand isn’t static, especially post-pandemic. Travellers now want choice, flexibility, and seamless travel. The aviation sector – whether airlines or private operators – has had to evolve to meet those expectations.”
What to Know Before You Book
If you’re considering flying with an all-business-class airline, there are a few things to keep in mind. Book early – capacity is limited, and promotional fares sell out quickly. Check the luggage allowance; while generous compared to economy carriers, it may still fall short of what you’d expect from first class. And finally, manage your expectations: there are no private suites or showers à la Emirates, but the trade-off is a seat that lies flat, a cabin that feels like a boutique hotel, and a price that may be cheaper depending on the season.
Both airlines offer online booking portals – La Compagnie and Beond – and accept major credit cards. However, points programmes are in their infancy.
The Appeal of Private Jets
Some high-flying travellers still prefer to take a private jet, even though the fare is significantly higher. “Private jets offer a fundamentally different experience – beyond just inflight service,” Jolie Howard, CEO of private jet company, L’Voyage, tells BurdaLuxury. “It’s the whole journey. No check-in queues, no waiting for boarding, and the ability to arrive just minutes before your flight. You travel on your schedule, not the airline’s. For busy executives or UHNW travellers, that time saved is often worth more than the flight cost itself.”
“Semi-private options – where travellers book a seat on a private jet – are also gaining popularity, but true private aviation allows you to design your itinerary, choose your airport, and personalise every element of the trip,” says Howard.
Asia continues to thrive when it coms to private jet travel. “We’re increasingly seeing clients combine private jet travel for part of their journey – especially to places like Jakarta or Shanghai – before switching to commercial for the longer legs,” says Howard. “It’s about maximising both comfort and cost-effectiveness.” Across Asia, L’Voyage sees strong demand for routes into Indonesia, China, Thailand, and the Philippines. “Globally, the Middle East, Europe, and North America remain consistently popular – particularly for clients seeking to integrate aviation into multi-stop itineraries,” shares Howard.
Hong Kong is transforming travel with JetLink, a service by Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (HKBAC) that seamlessly connects passengers between Cathay’s First and Business class services and private jet travel.
“We’re seeing increasing numbers of travellers using our JetLink service, which connects private jet arrivals directly into commercial flights, and vice versa,” a spokesperson for HKBAC explains to BurdaLuxury. “It allows for a seamless transition between private and commercial travel – offering the best of both worlds.”
The journey is the most important aspect – especially when it comes to business travel. “For many travellers today, it’s no longer a question of ‘private vs. airline,’ it’s about designing the most efficient journey,” adds the spokesperson. “Business aviation offers unparalleled convenience, while all-business-class airlines offer consistency on key routes. JetLink helps bridge the gap, ensuring smooth onward connections with one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs.”
The Challenges of Staying Aloft for All-Business-Class Airlines
Despite their appeal, the all-business-class model isn’t without turbulence. With slim margins and a niche audience, profitability is a constant challenge. Rising fuel costs, airport slot limitations, and economic downturns can spell disaster quickly – something the early-2000s pioneers learned the hard way.
Still, with airlines betting big on experiential travel and premium service, Beond and La Compagnie are hoping to prove that the sky’s the limit – at least for those who can afford to dream a little higher.
“The nature of operating an all-business-class airline means that consistently maintaining high service standards is essential,” says La Compagnie’s Vernet. “While operating a smaller feet means that unexpected technical issues can have a more immediate operational impact, our agility and close-knit team structure also allow us to respond quickly and maintain the seamless, high-touch service that defines the La Compagnie travel experience.”
BurdaLuxury’s Lens
In today’s expereince-driven travel landscape, the rise of all-business-class airlines reflects a broader shift in consumer mindset – one where luxury is less about excess and more about intentionality. For discerning travellers, time, privacy, and personalisation are becoming the ultimate currencies, and carriers like Beond and La Compagnie are leaning into that ethos.
But while these airlines offer a compelling alternative to traditional first-class cabins, their long-term success hinges on more than just plush seats and gourmet meals. It’s about cultivating brand loyalty in a niche market, navigating global uncertainties with agility, and continuously delivering a sense of exclusivity that feels worth the premium. In this rarefied airspace, survival isn’t about scale – it’s about staying sharply attuned to the evolving expectations of the well-heeled few.
