Most businesses the world over are having to tighten their belts to weather the current weak global economy. Thus the question arises - is flying business class still a justifiable expense with tangible business benefits or is it simply a tax-deductable luxury?

This guide offers advice from leading travel company SkyClub to answer this question and tell you how to secure the best business class deals possible.

Are Business Class Flights Worth the Cost?

More than ever before, business owners have to justify every penny they spend - many are considering whether to downgrade employee flight travel to economy class, since the perception is that business class flights are an unnecessary and overly pricey luxury

There are real benefits in flying business class however, and if you go about it savvily, there are some great deals to be had.

The true value of flying business class, especially on long-haul flights, lies in productivity €" when employees are heading off to an important meeting, you want them to hit the ground running from the time they step off the plane and make the best impact. This will not be possible if they've spent hours cramped up in economy class so have not managed to get any rest.

In addition to being able to get a proper night's sleep in a reclining bed, there are all kinds of additional in-flight benefits of travelling business class that enhance work productivity, such as being able to have strategic meetings via the personal satellite telephone without children screaming and kicking the seat.

For this reason, there is a saying in the travel industry: €Don't be pennywise and pound-foolish€. This means that while it might seem cheaper to fly economy, by the time you factor in the productivity losses such as inability to work on the flight, inability to sleep and a longer recovery time, the extra fee of a business class flight is negligible as it can make all the difference in employees being on top form to win that big deal.

Business class flights also do away with those endless queues for check-in and customs. Most airlines usually guarantee a fast track through all that with exclusive check-in facilities for business flyers, not to mention access to well-equipped lounges with the peaceful environment, Wi-Fi, printing facilities and sustenance on hand to ensure employees can effectively get an hour or two's work done before they even board the plane.

Some airlines also offer a chauffeur-driven car between home and airport so you don't have to worry about the taxi arriving on time when you have all sorts of other important matters to think about.

Savvy Tips to Secure the Best Business Class Deals

Beating Baggage Fees

Many airlines, especially those advertising the lowest fares, tend to charge travellers with additional hidden fees such as exorbitant prices for additional luggage. This cost can be prevented by making some simple adjustments to company policies €" employees will understand that not being permitted to bring extra luggage on a regular basis is a fair trade-off if it means avoiding travelling in the cramped economy class.

To avoid hidden surprises at the check-in counter, also consider these tips:

· Always be sure to read the fine print so that you're fully aware of the excess baggage fee, since charges differ with each airline.

· If flying with a low cost airline that only allows carry on, check to see if you can buy extra luggage with your online booking, as these fees will be significantly higher if you pay on the day of your travel.

· Consider joining an Airline Rewards Club that will offer member benefits such as additional weight allowances.

· If your company travels frequently with a particular airline, investigate the possibility of negotiating excess baggage discounts or waivers.

· When travelling with colleagues, check-in as a group as this will enable all passengers to share the total free baggage allowance.

· Research freight options as they may be a cheaper alternative to airline baggage rates if travelling with equipment or heavy items.

General Tips

· If you fly often, be sure to join a frequent flyer program with the airline you regularly use €" this will allow you to accumulate frequent flyer miles which add up nicely to pay for the extra cost of flying business class.

· Book your tickets through a trusted travel agent as they will constantly check if there are any special promotions for business class deals which could save you a packet.

· Try to book well in advance and be flexible with your travelling dates, since this will make it easier to get discounted business class tickets. The price of air flight travel fluctuates depending on demand and supply €" for example, Tuesday and Wednesdays are excellent days for securing your ticket as many travellers prefer to fly on weekends, so midweek traffic will be relatively light.

Conclusion

No matter how bad the economy is, there will always be a demand for business class flights because the extra cost is outweighed by the productivity that is gained. People who travel internationally for business in particular have additional service and communications requirements than leisure travellers because they are time-poor and need to perform at their best when they reach their destination. By following the above tips, you're sure to find business class deals that won't put a strain on the company budget.