Short Haul business class is typically on flights <5 hours long on your standard plane like the Boeing 737 or the Airbus 320 and of course any regional aircraft. Typically, if you are American and are flying within North and Central America or if you are European and you fly within the EU or the UK (thanks Boris) you are on a short-haul flight. While the type of aircraft and flight lengths are similar, the short-haul experience in business class is quite different. Let’s examine how they are different before identifying if North American Airlines or European Airlines offer a better short haul business experience. You might be surprised with my conclusion…

Booking

I have been scanning different flights to different locations within North America and the EU and pricing for business class is generally comparable. A business class ticket comes with more checked bags, priority boarding, fast track security etc. However, one noticeable difference are the European airlines offer free lounge access to short-haul business class customers while the North American airlines do not. That is a nice perk, but us luxury travelers on a budget already have lounge access with our credit cards 😊.

The other thing is we found the boarding process on Air France and Swiss Air much more seamless. Business class boards first, very simple. Not the North American Way of people requiring extra time, babies, elite members, military (why not firefighters?), those born in March, etc., before business class.

Winner: European Airlines

Pre-Flight Cocktail

Very simple: North American airlines win as European airlines typically do not offer it.

Seats

This is where the difference is probably the most obvious. European short-haul business class seats are literally economy seats, but the middle seat is left empty. While North American business class seats are dramatically wider, plusher, have more legroom and recline more. The difference is quite striking.

Winner: North American Airlines

Food and Service

The difference is also obvious in this category too, but this time in the European favor. Let’s be honest, the food in business class on United/American/Delta is barely edible and is the equivalent of domestic economy food from the early 90s, when it was available. Occasionally it is decent, but generally terrible while the flight attendants are generally pleasant but are also clearly checking the boxes and after 90 minutes or so tend to sit and generally ignore the passengers.

However European short-haul business class food was quite wonderful. Whether the flight is 2 hours or 45 minutes you get a full meal with endless wine refills. The flight attendants do not stop and even came around with cordials after the meal (on our 45-minute flight).

Winner: European Airlines

Overall

This might come to a shock, but despite the far superior service and food in Europe, I would go the with North American Airlines short-haul business class experience. While a lovely meal is always nice, on a short flight I probably don’t really need to eat on the plane, besides I get my lounge access from my credit card for food 😊. The seats and comfort on a North American business class route is far superior and it is nice to be comfortable. Spending several hundred dollars more for the same economy seat, but better food in Europe just does not make sense, but spending a few hundred more to be much more comfortable with (bland) food on a four hour flight across the USA offers much more value.

What do you all think? Agree?