Can you "bump me up"? How much to upgrade? Is there room up front?

Despite the growth of no-frill discount airlines, business class travel is gaining in popularity on air carriers around the world. It seems everyone who flies often wants to experience life on the "other side of the curtain". Unfortunately, for most fliers, they only glimpse they get of this part of the cabin is when walking through it on the way back to their cramped economy seat!

So, exactly what is a business class seat, and why is it so sought after?

Business class is the part of the passenger cabin the airline has devoted to business type passengers. What sets this part of the aircraft apart from the economy cabin (coach) is more legroom, wider seats that recline further, personal entertainment (in flight channels of movie and TV), free drinks, gourmet meals, and more attentive service.

Some airlines have even eliminated first class in favor of a larger and more deluxe business cabin. Airlines including Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and British Airways are even introducing sleeper-style seats for long, overnight routes.

Is business class airfare worth it? For shorter flights, probably not, unless you can upgrade for just a few dollars more. But for red-eye and international flights, it can make quite a difference.

Check with the airlines flying the route you want to take. If they have both first and business, find out the difference in price and features. Sometimes you'll be surprised!