IF FLYING in business class was on your bucket list, then you might be able to afford it sooner than you think.

A number of airlines are launching ‘business class lite’ fares which make the luxury seats much more affordable – sometimes even thousands of pounds cheaper.

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Business class tickets often cost much more then premium economy, with one of the biggest perks being a lie-flat bed.

Yet a number of carriers have reduced the cost of business fares, by removing some of the extra perks they come with.

According to the Amadeus Travel Trends report 2024, ‘unbundled’ business class fares are set to get even bigger.

Emirates was one of the first airlines to introduce this, back in 2019.

Their ‘cheapest’ business class fares offered the comfy seat but no lounge access and restricted seats.

A business class flight from London to Dubai can be found for £1,576 in the saver Business, but costs just under double for Business Flex Plus.

This was followed by Qatar Airways in 2020, with Business Lite not allowing lounge access or any booking changes.

The luggage allowance remains the same, with the difference in Business Lite and Business Elite thousands cheaper.

We found flights from London to Doha in December that were £1,555 in Business Classic – but costs more than double for Business Elite at £3,307.

And last year, both Air France and KLM launched their Business Light fares when travelling from Europe.

But these have even more restrictions in place.

For example, passengers only get one checked bag weighing 23kg, rather than two.

Business Light passengers also have to pay to select their seat, and cannot access the lounge.

While these business fares can still more expensive than premium economy – between two to four times as much – they may now be worth the price, as it also comes with much better service.

What is it like to fly in the world’s best business class?

The Sun’s Kara Godfrey tried Qatar Airways’ QSuite business class suites, said to be the best in the world.

“The Qsuite felt like a hotel on a plane – having its very own private door you can close.

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“Along with the high walls around you, it felt like you were in a little bedroom, where no one can see inside.

“The cabins run with a 1-2-1 format, so if in the middle you can pull the middle wall down if travelling with a companion, although I opted for a window seat.

“The lie-flat bed was obviously fantastic, with a cosy fleece blanket and pillow, as well as White Company pyjamas.

“And they also have Diptyque toiletries in a fancy beauty bag, which includes a mini perfume, lip balm, body lotion and hand cream.

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“Crew somehow toed the line of being extremely attentive when needed – they helped me both set up my bed and pick a choice from the menu – but also leave you in peace when you want some solitude.

“If you don’t want to eat for another few hours, they let you pick a time for your meal to arrive, and my empty dishes were never on my table for long before they appeared to take them.

“If you want no interaction, there’s even a Do Not Disturb button you can press, although I opted never to press this.

“The Qsuite is found on their new Airbus A350-1000 planes as well as some of their A350-900s, Boeing 777-300ERs and Boeing 777-200LRs.”

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Businessclass.com explains that business seats often have “fully lie-flat beds, restaurant-style multi-course cuisine, sometimes created by celebrity or Michelin-starred chefs, complimentary Champagne, fine wines and excellent service.”

They added: “Many airlines now offer Business Class cabins with suites complete with sliding privacy doors – more akin to First Class experience or seats that convert to double beds or companion suites.”

If you still can’t stretch to business, Lufthansa has revealed plans for “business class style” seats in economy.

Air New Zealand has its Skycouch that let you turn your economy row into a bed, as well as new bunk beds being launched.

We’ve also rounded up some of the lesser-known airlines that let you book lie flat beds in economy.

Here are some of our other business class reviews:

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A MAJOR airport in the UK has revealed its massive investment plans over the next five years – including a £600million terminal extension.

London Stansted Airport has confirmed its plans of the £1.1billion renovation.

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The biggest new development will be extending the main terminal.

Another £500million will be put into improving the current terminal and rest of the airport.

This means a bigger security hall as well as taxiway and gate rooms.

This also means a smoother journey for passengers at check in, security and immigration.

The improvements will expand the terminal by a third, which means more space for both passengers and airlines.

Construction is expected to start by next year.

The project will then take between two and three years to complete.

Ken O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer of MAG – which owns London Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands Airports, said: “By investing more than £1 billion in Stansted over the next 5 years, we will be able to connect people and businesses in London and the east of England to even more global destinations, while welcoming millions more visitors to the UK.”

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, added: “This announcement is a clear signal that Britain is open for business.”

London Stansted recorded a record number of passengers this year.

The London airport welcomed 29.3million passengers in the year to September 2024.

Gareth Powell, Stansted’s managing director, said: “We aim to add even more choice of airlines to continue growing our extensive route network.

“We are already welcoming a record number of passengers, with people drawn to the fact we give them a great choice of destinations, at excellent value and with fantastic access into central London and the whole of the East of England.

“We are unique among major airports in operating a single terminal, which means we can give people a simple, efficient and seamless experience.”

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The airport recently welcomed a number of new airlines and flight routes.

British Airways returned to London Stansted this year with routes to Ibiza, Florence and Nice.

Royal Jordanian Airlines launched flights to Amman back in March while Sun Express has launched flights to Izmir.

New routes include Jet2 flights to Tivat in Montenegro, and Ryanair to Sarajevo.

And Emirates opened a £4million new lounge at London Stansted last month.

London City Airport opened its £12million expansion this year, which includes a new departure lounge and shops.

The airport is to welcome 2.5million more passengers due to the expansion.

What about the world’s biggest airport?

Earlier this year, plans behind the world’s biggest airport were revealed – with flights set to take off by 2030.

King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will have a massive six runways and is expected to see 120million passengers each year.

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The huge new travel hub will be spread across 57 square kilometres (22 square miles), with 12 square kilometres dedicated to recreational facilities and a retail space.

Manchester Airport is also working on its £1.3billion transformation with larger terminals and new restaurants.

Meanwhile, this new £4.7bn airport will be the biggest in its continent when it’s built.

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REMEMBER, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot – so the saying goes.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 saw Guy Fawkes and a group of English Catholics fail in their attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I.

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With the conspirators discovered, people lit bonfires around London to celebrate the King’s survival. We’ve been lighting bonfires – and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes – ever since.

And while Halloween may have eclipsed our traditional Bonfire Night celebrations, there is still plenty of fun for all ages across the country.

Here Lisa Minot explores the best of the firework displays and bonfires throughout the UK.

Gisburne Park, Lancashire

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BILLED as the largest bonfire in the north of England, the bonanza at Ribblesdale Park on the Gisburne estate promises all the family favourites on Saturday, November 2.

As well as a firework display, there’s a sparkler area, fire dancers, food and drink, a bubble machine and glitter station, followed by an after party with a DJ and dancing.

The bonfire is lit at 6.30pm and fireworks start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £16.96 for adults, £11 for kids aged three to 12. Under-3s are free. See gisburneparkestate. co.uk/bonfire.

STAY: The Stirk House Hotel has rooms on November 2 from £160 a night. See stirkhouse.co.uk.

Alexandra Palace, London

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ONE of the capital’s oldest and biggest Bonfire Night celebrations, there’s even more to enjoy this year over the weekend of November 1 and 2.

As well as the pyrotechnic displays and bonfire, The Cuban Brothers will be playing on Friday, and Artful Dodger on Saturday.

There’s also ice skating, a fun fair, bonfire and beer festival – as well as a new drone show for 2024.

Gates open at 6pm on Friday and 4pm on Saturday, with fireworks at 9pm and 8pm respectively.

Entry is £18 for adults, £12 for children aged 11-15 and £6.50 for under-11s. See fireworks.london.

STAY: Travelodge London Wood Green has rooms available over the weekend for £114, based on up to four sharing. See travelodge.co.uk.

The Hoe, Plymouth

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ONE of the most popular events in Devon, Bonfire Night at The Hoe on Plymouth’s waterfront will return for 2024 with a vast bonfire, fireworks, above, and plenty of family-friendly fun on November 5.

The scenic spot is supposedly where, in 1588, Sir Francis Drake first heard about the invading Spanish Armada and, as the story goes, continued his game of bowls.

The fairground opens at 4pm and there’s food from 5pm. The bonfire is lit at 7pm with fireworks from 7.30pm. See visitplymouth.co.uk.

STAY: The imposing Victorian gem, the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, is close to The Hoe and has rooms from £67.50 the week of November 3. See thedukeofcornwall.co.uk.

Mayfield Park, Manchester

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MAYFIELD Park, with food and entertainment venue Freight Island, has all the fireworks fun over the weekend of November 1-3.

There are fireworks each night as well as music, entertainment and free sparklers for kids.

Fuel up with mulled wine, hot chocolate or candy floss in the park or enjoy street food favourites, including pizza, burgers and ribs at Freight Island.

Gates open at 5.30pm each evening with two firework displays on Saturday. Tickets are £10 for adults and £6 for children. Under-3s are free. See escapetofreightisland.com.

STAY: Rooms at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly are from £144 over the weekend with family rooms for four from £186.

See marriott.com.

Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh

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THE Fawkes Festival, held at Scotland’s largest indoor and outdoor venue, the Royal Highland Centre, provides a unique Guy Fawkes Night experience on Sunday November 3.

It has choreographed fireworks and live entertainment including the sensational street theatre troupe Spark!

Visitors can dance the night away with the world-famous Scottish bagpipe band, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and enjoy fairground rides, a variety of food stalls and, of course, a roaring bonfire.

Tickets are £18 for adults and £14 for children. Under-3s go free. See royalhighlandcentre.co.uk.

STAY: Hotel Indigo Edinburgh has rooms from £132 a night. See ihg.com/hotelindigo.

SOME seriously creepy characters have found their way into Chessington World of Adventures this month.

As part of Chessington’s Howl’o’ween extravaganza, a bunch of Vile Villagers have taken over the Wild Woods, lurking behind trees and ready to pounce on visitors.

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My brother and I were visiting the theme park in Kingston upon Thames, South West London, with my son Leo, eight, and his six-year-old cousin Buddy, who fancied themselves as teenage ghostbusters.

But little Buddy went running for his daddy’s hand when the ghouling got too tough.

The attraction’s young actors put in Oscar-worthy performances and their make-up, prosthetics and props made for a genuinely unnerving experience.

It’s a live, immersive experience, next to the famous Vampire ride, and horribly blood-soaked.

A wonderful thing about most Merlin attractions – but especially Chessington, perhaps because of the zoo’s many and wonderful animals – is how enthusiastic and knowledgeable the staff are.

Silent disco

It was too dark to see most of the name badges but every time we got lost, or needed to know a ride’s height restriction or a toilet location, we were saved by a member of the faultless team.

If your little trolls and ogres are not ready for the PG-12 frights, there are plenty of other options to entertain younger and softer souls.

Banyan: The Final Flame is an hypnotic fire-and-special effects show taking place at Adventure Point.

It was an action-packed afternoon and us fat dads needed a rest, but instead we were dragged away to more rides.

All the rides, like Mandrill Mayhem and Kobra, feel extra-thrilling after dark and the summit of Croc Drop gives a super-spooky view of nighttime London before sending you hurtling back to earth.

Our little terrors claimed to be too big and cool for the Wilf and Violet show on the Mini Stage and the appearances of Cocomelon’s JJ and Cody. But everyone else seemed to be loving the action.

The Pumpkin Patch is a brilliant spot for family photos – no matter what your age or fear factor.

And another success of our visit was the silent disco, which got our football-mad rough-housers dancing and singing like an Abba tribute act.

Our boys have not been old enough to do an after-dark theme park before but now inform us that they ONLY go on rides at midnight.

Mummify yourself in warm clothes and check out the timings of all of the shows so you can catch every scene. Then, strap yourself in as it’s guaranteed to be a spooktacular night.