More Filipinos Are Flying Business Class, Here's Why

Let’s be honest. For most of us, business class used to look like another world. Bigger seats, champagne, fancy food, and that mysterious curtain dividing the rich and the rest of us. But things are changing. More Filipinos are actually flying business class now.

According to travel group Trevolution, business class bookings among Filipino travellers jumped by 79% in 2023. That means more Pinoys are choosing comfort, even if it costs three to six times more than economy. And apparently, this trend isn’t slowing down.

Aileen Clemente of Rajah Travel says this isn’t just about luxury. Filipinos have become smarter about how they travel. Many now use their credit-card points and rewards to score upgrades.

“Filipinos are now more aware of business class travel. They’ve also become savvy with maximising their rewards points,” Clemente said.

And let’s be real, airlines are not helping us resist. She pointed out that the difference between economy and business class is massive now, especially on long-haul flights.

We’re talking massive seats, extra legroom, premium meals, better entertainment, and quiet cabins. Some airlines even go extra. Turkish Airlines, for example, has on-board chefs who serve five-star meals. Their business lounge in Istanbul feels like a hotel, complete with restaurants, sleeping areas, and entertainment zones.

Treveloution says this shift to business class will only grow further as Filipinos spend more confidently and aim for premium experiences. Because at this point, who doesn’t want to fly in comfort, right?

Image credit: Etihad Airways Website

Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself whether paying up (or upgrading via points) makes sense.

Pros:

• Comfort & space (bigger leg rooms and you can recline your chair without disturbing the passenger behind you)

• Gourmet dining & drinks

• Lounge access & priority

• Enhanced entertainment & connectivity (bigger screens, Wi-Fi access, watch movies on flight)

• Flexibility & priority services (easier baggage handling and other check-in perks)

Cons:

• Higher cost

• Less availability on some routes

• Environmental impact (more space per person means higher emissions)

• Inconsistent experience (not all airlines deliver the same level of business class)

For Filipino travellers, the decision might boil down to:

• How long the flight is (more hours = more comfort matters).

• How much extra you’re paying (or can pay via points/upgrades).

• Whether you’ll actually use the perks (lounge, priority, etc) or just sit in the seat.

• How badly you want to arrive refreshed versus just survive the flight.

In short: For long-haul travels (8 + hours) and when you’ve got the points or budget, business class can be so worth it. For shorter flights or when budget is tight, you might be better off saving your money for other travel luxuries.

Also read: 10 Airlines in the Philippines — from Budget to Business Class

Image credit: Philippine Airlines Website

Not exactly, at least not the base fares. A lot of Filipino travellers are simply becoming more promo smart. They are not buying full-price business class tickets. Instead, they are using:

• Credit card points and miles for seat upgrades

• Reward programmes from airlines and banks

• Limited-time promos where the upgrade price is lower

These hacks make flying business class more possible, especially for long flights where comfort truly matters. Even if the seats are not cheaper by default, Filipinos are finding creative ways to enjoy them without spending too much.

Trevolution expects this business class boom in the Philippines to continue, supported by stronger spending power, a stable economy, and more Filipinos wanting to experience premium travel.

Image credit: Emirates Website

Here’s the interesting part. There’s evidence that yes, wealth in the Philippines is growing, which helps explain the business class boom.

A recent report by Henley & Partners says the Philippines now has about 12,800 high-net-worth individuals, a 32 per cent increase over the past decade. These are people with liquid assets of at least US$1 million (about P56.8 million).

Within that, there are also 70 “centimillionaires” (US$100 million + liquid assets) and 12 billionaires, collectively holding over US$19 billion in liquid assets. (Who are these people who suddenly got rich? A bit sus but chile, anyways…)

The growth is driven by local entrepreneurship and developments in the financial & real estate sectors.

Henley’s report described the Philippines as showing “steady domestic wealth growth” and long-term promise.

What this means for business class travel: yes, there are more Filipinos with means, and more who are willing and able to spend on premium travel. And paired with the trend of cheaper or promotional premium seats, this might be the sweet moment for Filipinos to upgrade flights.

Image credit: Philippine Airlines Website

• If you’ve got a long flight ahead and you either plan to use lounge access or want to arrive refreshed, business class is very likely worth checking out.

• If you’re smart about it (use points, look for promos, fly off-peak), you can get business class seats at better value. Indeed, airlines in the Philippines/Asia are offering promotions with discounts of up to 20-30 per cent for business class

• If your flight is short (say less than 5-6 hours), and your budget is limited, you might save money and put it into other parts of your trip (hotel, food, experiences) instead of shelling out for business.

• Because wealth is rising in the Philippines and premium travel is becoming more accessible, now might be a good time to upgrade your travel game.

Filipinos are levelling up their travel goals, and it shows! From credit-card upgrades to full-on luxury bookings, business class isn’t just for the ultra-rich anymore. For many Pinoys, it’s now part of the travel dream checklist. Whether by points, promos, or a well-earned splurge, comfort is now part of the plan.

Featured Image credit: Emirates Website