Etihad Airways has just announced ‘branded’ fare changes effective from the 4 March 2025. These will include major changes for passengers on Business Class flights travelling with the carrier in particular. This follows a similar move by Qatar Airways, Finnair, British Airways and Lufthansa Group who have restrictive or basic Business Class flights.

Many carriers will use branded fares to differentiate tiers of airfares with varying levels of flexibility for change and refund fees. However, only a few carriers have so far rolled out very restrictive airfares where the lowest-tier Business Class fare may no longer include things like lounge access or free seat selection, nor be eligible for a refund. These changes are part of a growing trend amongst airlines and more common on Business Class flights nowadays. It’s highly likely that Qantas and others will follow suit in time.

What Is a Branded Fare and How Does It Effect Business Class Flights?

Essentially, a branded fare is when an airline chooses to bundle its airfares with options, features, benefits and categorize their product within the same fare class. Each brand exists as a tier in relation to other brands within an airline program. Instead of simply Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class, there are now a range of categories to package and distribute product bundles. It can include things like baggage allowance, seat selection, frequent flyer points and status credits earned, refundability, changes and lounge access.

So within the four normal classes, you may have noticed some Business Class flights have fares called ‘Business Class Classic’, ‘Business Class Elite’ or 'Business Lite’. Sometimes you may be paying only $50-$200 dollars to upgrade from the lowest-tiered Business Class to the tier above. But jumping to the top tier Business Class can sometimes be over $1,000 dollars!

So should travellers on Business Class flights opt for a higher-tier fare or take the base fare and pay for simple extras like seat selection and lounge access?

Learn more by reading below, or talk to an Airfare Specialist who can discuss branded fares and Business Class flights.

What Are the Changes To Etihad Branded Fares On Business Class Flights?

As a major carrier operating from the UAE, Etihad serves an international network of over 120 destinations. With a 1-2-1 spacious cabin layout, a 2-metre flat bed and on-demand meal service, Etihad is a popular carrier for Australians heading to Europe. View our Etihad Airways Business Class deal to Europe, or learn more about the product by reading our review.

Despite reporting record profits, Etihad is moving to this branded fare structure, raising questions about airline pricing strategies.

For Business Class flights, the branded fare changes are for ‘Business Value’ passengers only. These include;

• Business Value fares will be non-refundable
• Business Value fares will transition to chargeable seat selection
• Business Value fares will no longer include complimentary lounge access

Book on or before 03 March 2025 to guarantee current fare levels for Etihad, but note that any changes after this date will take on the new conditions. Please discuss with an Airfare Specialist for more information and to secure your Business Class flights based on current conditions.

What Are the Current Etihad Branded Fare Levels?
On Business Class flights, Etihad Airways recently updated its 'Deluxe Business Class' fares, which took effect on 27 Jan 2025.

The enhancements included features such as free cancellation, booking changes, seat selection, and complimentary access to the Etihad Chauffeur service in the UAE. Furthermore, it provided a 50kg baggage allowance and increased Miles accrual compared to the 'Value' fare.

Additionally, the airline streamlined its Business Class flight fare types to Basic, Value, Comfort, and Deluxe, enabling passengers to tailor ancillaries like extra baggage and increased reward miles.

Current branded fares are as follows:

Business Value

• 35kg checked baggage allowance
• Refund permitted with fee
• Free seat selection
• Priority check-in
• Lounge access

Business Comfort

• 40kg checked baggage allowance
• Refund permitted with fee
• Free seat selection
• Priority check-in
• Lounge access
• Etihad Chauffeur

Business Deluxe

• 50kg checked baggage allowance
• Refund for free
• Change for free
• Free seat selection
• Priority check-in
• Lounge access
• Etihad Chauffeur

For all the latest updates please stay subscribed to our mailing list. Get in touch with an Airfare Specialist for more information about these changes.

What Are the Current Qatar Airways Branded Fare Levels?

Qatar Airways introduced branded fares on Business Class flights in late 2021, with Business Class divided into four categories; Lite, Classic, Comfort and Elite. With fewer changes between Etihad’s Business Class tiers, Qatar Airways still has some significant differences between each tier.

Current branded fares are as follows:

Business Lite

• 40kg checked baggage allowance
• Refund applicable with payment
• Complimentary seat selection at online check-in [paid seat selection in advance]
• 75% of Avios Miles accumulated
• Complimentary lounge access not included
• Changes to date/route applicable with Payment

Business Classic

• 40kg checked baggage allowance
• Refund applicable with payment
• Complimentary seat selection at online check-in [paid seat selection in advance]
• 125% of Avios Miles accumulated
• Lounge access included
• One complimentary change to date/route

Business Comfort

• 40kg checked baggage allowance
• Refund applicable with payment
• Complimentary seat selection
• 175% of Avios Miles accumulated
• Lounge access included
• Two complimentary changes to date/route

Business Elite

• 40kg checked baggage allowance
• Refund applicable
• Complimentary seat selection
• 200% of Avios Miles accumulated
• Lounge access included
• Complimentary changes to date/route

For all the latest updates please stay subscribed to our mailing list. Get in touch with an Airfare Specialist for more information about Qatar Airways branded fares.

What Are the Current Finnair Branded Fare Levels?

As one of our top selling airlines, Finnair is a leading member of the oneworld alliance with a range of price tiers. Finnair Business Class is based on three tiers- Lite, Classic and Flex. It’s important to note that Lite fares are carry-on only, and are not sold in Australia, but are from Asia and Europe. View our Finnair Business Class deal to Europe here.

Finnair’s cheapest prices are based on their non-refundable ‘Business Class’ fare levels which have recently been introduced by the airline.

Current branded fares are as follows:

Business Lite (Not bookable in Australia)

• 12kg carry on only
• No refunds, ticket changes or name changes
• Seat selection can be purchased (usually $150-$200)
• No priority check-in, priority security or boarding
• Lounge access can be purchased
• WI-Fi onboard can be purchased

Business Classic

• 12kg carry on and 23kg checked bag
• No refunds
• Available ticket changes
• Name changes for a fee
• Seats selection can be purchased (usually $150-$200)
• Priority check-in, priority security and boarding
• Complimentary lounge access
• WI-Fi onboard 1 hour long-haul

Business Flex

• 12kg carry on and 23kg checked bag
• Refunds available
• Available ticket changes
• Name changes for a fee
• Complimentary seats selection
• Priority check-in, priority security and boarding
• Complimentary lounge access
• Wi-Fi onboard 1 hour long-haul

For all the latest updates please stay subscribed to our mailing list. Get in touch with an Airfare Specialist for more information about Finnair branded fares.

What Are the Current British Airways Branded Fare Levels?

British Airways introduced branded fares in early 2021. British Airways doesn't always list every fare category in the same way on all routes or during certain booking periods, which can sometimes make the exact breakdown less clear.

Essentially, British Airways Business Class (known as Club World) is divided into five categories; Business Promo, Business Standard, Business Semi-Flex, Business Flex and Business Fully-Flex.

Current branded fares are as follows:

Business Promo

• 32kg checked baggage allowance
• Non-refundable
• Complimentary seat selection 24 hours before departure [payable in advance]
• Lounge access
• Ticket changes allowed from GBP 300

Business Standard

• 32kg checked baggage allowance
• Non-refundable
• Complimentary seat selection 48 hours before departure [payable in advance]
• Lounge access
• Ticket changes allowed from free

Business Semi Flex

• 32kg checked baggage allowance
• Ticket refund from GBP 300
• Complimentary seat selection
• Lounge access
• Ticket changes allowed from GBP 300

Business Flex

• 32kg checked baggage allowance
• Fully refundable
• Complimentary seat selection
• Lounge access
• Ticket changes allowed for free but low fees and fare differences may apply

Business Fully Flex

• 32kg checked baggage allowance
• Fully refundable
• Complimentary seat selection
• Lounge access
• Ticket changes allowed for free

For all the latest updates please stay subscribed to our mailing list. Get in touch with an Airfare Specialist for more information about British Airways branded fares.

How Airfare Specialists Can Help And Book Business Class Flights

So, why do you need an Airfare Consultant?
Booking online? You might get caught out. With different tiers, alliance restrictions, and hidden costs, expert advice is now more valuable than ever.

Some airlines such as Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and Finnair are fairly transparent with the different ticket types in each travel class. Although, with small nuances that aren’t as easy to understand, travellers on Business Class flights would find having an Airfare Specialist really valuable. Carriers such as British Airways are a bit more ambiguous with highlighting the full list of branded fares and their benefits/restrictions.

We expect there to be a large push in this direction of branded fares within the industry. Customers taking Business Class flights have no choice but to pay more within their chosen travel class. It can be overwhelming trying to weigh up the options for whether the money is worth the extra benefits. It’s also important to note that airlines are seeing an increase of revenue thanks to branded fares. So, it won’t be a surprise when we see several more airlines start to jump on the bandwagon.

Discuss with one of our experienced Airfare Specialists who are experts when it comes to branded fares, Business Class flights, airline alliances, seat maps, frequent flyer programs and choosing the right deal based on your needs.