Recession Bargain: Business Class Tickets

Here's a little reverse recession strategy for you: Instead of forgoing flights in 2009, do the opposite -- take a luxury trip to Europe in the comfort of business class.

A first class "mini-cabin" seat is shown aboard an Emirates Airlines A380. Here's a little reverse recession strategy for you: instead of foregoing flights in 2009, do the opposite -- take a luxury trip to Europe in the comfort of business class.

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No, I haven't lost my mind. Here's why: Business class tickets to London can be had for about $800 one way. Right now. For those of you who went this summer -- in coach -- remember what you paid?

Actually, business class has been becoming something of a bargain for a while now -- a relative bargain, anyway, and I know what I'm talking about. After all, I'm writing this column as I'm about to head for home from London with my family on Continental's BusinessFirst service. I bought our tickets in June of this year online, with no help from a travel agent, and paid $1,360 (plus tax) per ticket, roundtrip.

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For more travel news and insights visit Rick's blog at: http://rickseaney.com

And of course, this was months before the economy entered full meltdown-mode and before many Fortune 500 companies began sending out the dreaded air travel memo. Didn't get it? You will. It goes something like this:

"Suck it up and pack your own snack because from now on you're all flying Coach, and that goes for European flights, too. And if anyone ever figures out how to use that darned video-conferencing gizmo, we'll forget about flying altogether …"