Video conferencing and economy seating might be on the increase amid the global downturn but that hasn't stopped airlines upping the competition when it comes to business class travel. CEO Middle East takes a closer look at the services on offer.

The boom years ensured that most executives didn't have to think twice about booking all-expenses trips half way across the world to meet with their top clients. Business class flights, five-star hotels and fine dining were all the name of the game.

But this year the global economic downturn and the subsequent decline in ticket sales has impacted the airline industry severely. While British Airways was forced to ditch plans for its first class cabins in four of its new planes and a number of all-business class airlines have folded, global passenger traffic has dropped for the last eight months consecutively.

The champagne might still be on ice for some time yet but it's not all bad news - at least not for business class passengers. Research from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published last month showed that almost all airlines have been forced to slash the prices of their premium seats to keep business travellers in the habit. Revenues from premium travel were declining at a rate of 40 percent in June, the IATA, which represents around 200 carriers, said.

"The issue now is that this stabilisation of passenger numbers is partly being achieved at the expense of much lower yields, as airlines seek to boost cash flow by making more cheaper seats available," it said.

It's a decision that's working. In August, the decline in premium air travel slackened, falling 21.3 percent compared to 23.6 percent in May - the least since March. So now it makes sense to fly business class, how do you choose which airline to fly with? Not since British Airways introduced the world's first fully flatbed in business class in 2000 has the competition been so great.

Today your business class experience starts on the ground with a chauffeur driven car or complimentary first class train ticket before you are whisked through passport control into the airline's lounge.  Long gone are the days when airlines served up a couple of limp lettuce leaves and a few soggy prawns, today passengers can expect silver service while they fly 39,000ft in the sky. While most international airlines employ well-known chefs to help create their menus, Etihad has gone one step further by introducing its own onboard food and beverage manager to ensure the service onboard is just as meticulous as the food's preparation and planning.

Finished your dinner? Plenty of time to watch the latest movie or catch up on some work using your online power supply and sms and email facility. Still can't decide? Here is CEO Middle East's pick of the best of business class.

Etihad

Face the facts

Name: Pearl Business Class

Seats: Full flatbeds on every aircraft in the airline's 29 wide-bodied aircraft, 49-inch seat pitch with generous recline on the A319 and A320s narrow bodied aircraft.

Lounges: Abu Dhabi terminals 1 and 3, Frankfurt and London Heathrow

Best gimmick: Business class seats all have a mood lighting system installed that can be synchronised with the time and duration of your flight, ensuring you arrive refreshed after your journey.

Awards: Recognition includes Skytrax Best Business Class award and Best Business Class Catering award 2009, and American Business Traveller magazine's Best Business Class to the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad's Pearl Business Class experience begins with a complimentary concierge and limousine service for all passengers flying from Abu Dhabi. Those not flying from Abu Dhabi can check-in online before heading into one of the lounges at Frankfurt, Heathrow and Abu Dhabi.

Once onboard, passengers can recline 180 degrees in the fully flat, 6ft 1-inch bed. If that doesn't send you into a gentle slumber, the built-in massage facility might just do the trick. The onboard entertainment system, which includes more than 600 hours of on-demand entertainment, is provided via individual 15-inch screens.

Food remains top priority for the airline, which recently introduced an onboard food and beverage manager whose job is to ensure the food's quality, delivery and presentation. Passengers can also opt to eat on-demand, either from the A la carte fine dining menu or kitchen style snacks.

Additional extras include power access, USB ports and a RCA socket for laptops.

Qatar Airways

Face the facts

Name: Business Class

Seat: 180 degree flatbed on the Boeing 777 flights.

Lounges: Doha

Best gimmick: Onboard yoga guide

Awards: Winner of the World's Leading Business Class at World Travel Awards 2008.

Its economy class seats might be consistently voted the world's best airline seats but that doesn't mean Qatar Airways lets its business class customers down. Built at a cost of $100m the airline's Premium Terminal at Doha airport is one of the region's most luxurious lounges. With exclusive check-in and on-hand spa treatments, sauna and Jacuzzi, you'd be forgiven for not getting on the airplane. The Doha-based airline also allows all of its Trans Atlantic passengers to travel with two pieces of luggage, each up to 32kg.

Once onboard, passengers can relax back and enjoy the 180 degree flatbed seat, which features a footrest with eight in-seat massage settings and in-seat power supply (available on selected flights only).

Business class passengers can also enjoy a six-course meal, which includes foie gras, caviar and smoked salmon. The airline also prides itself on its vintage wine selection - many of which are exclusive to Qatar Airways - which helped secure the "Cellars in The Sky" awards in 2006 and 2007. If your six-course meal finishes before you land, there is always the onboard entertainment system, Oryx, which features an on-demand entertainment system with a range of international movies and music.

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Virgin

Face the facts

Name: Upper Class

Seat: 6ft 6-inch flatbeds or 6ft 8 inches on the upper deck.

Lounges: London Heathrow and Gatwick, JFK, Newark, Washington, San Francisco, Washington, Johannesburg, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Best gimmick: A dedicated snooze zone where lights are dimmed and service is kept to a minimum, allowing passengers to catch up on their sleep.

Awards: Winner of the Business Traveller Awards Best Business Class 2007 and Airline of the Year - Business at the Travel Trade Gazette Awards 2007.

The king of PR has done it again; this time installing a bar for all of its Upper Class passengers, proving its business class passengers want to do more than just sleep.

For passengers flying from London, Gatwick or Johannesburg the Virgin Upper Class experience starts with a chauffeur driven car directly to the Drive Thru Check-In, which bypasses the terminal so you can head straight for the clubhouse. Those that don't opt for the chauffeur service can trade in their car for a first class Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express train ticket, skipping the traffic and reducing their carbon footprint at the same time.

There's no need to worry if your train is running a little late because Virgin business class passengers can reduce their check-in to just 40 minutes with a private security channel leading directly to the boarding gate.

Once onboard, passengers can enjoy some of the longest flatbeds in the sky at the switch of a button. Those wishing to entertain guests onboard can fold down the ottoman, which acts as an additional seat within the cubicle.

Televisions measure 10.4 inches with a wide variety of entertainment. The airline's Freedom menu also allows passengers to eat whatever they like at any time during the flight.

British Airways

Face the facts

Name: Club World

Seat: 6 ft 6-inch full flatbeds on all new Club World cubicles.

Lounges: Galleries Club lounges at Heathrow terminal 5A and 5B and over 70 dedicated lounges across the world.

Best gimmick: Complimentary spa treatment on arrival while the valet service presses your business suit before you head to your morning meeting.

Awards: Grand Prix Prize for seat design

Check-in online and drop your bags off at the Fast Bag Drop desks when you arrive, before being sped through fast track security and into one of the airline's lounges.

As the first airline to offer flatbed seats for its first class passengers in 1996 and for Club World passengers in 2000, it is unsurprising that the London-based airline is currently upgrading its entire fleet to include Club World cubicles. While all 747 aircraft are embodied, BA aims to have Club World cabins on all of its 777's by the end of this month.

Onboard, seats have four preset positions allowing passengers to eat, sleep and relax. Additional extras also include a touch button privacy screen and a personal locker to store your laptop and shoes. All cabins are also fitted with 10.4 inch personal flat screen televisions, noise cancelling headphones and entertainment options. In-flight dining comes courtesy of the airline's taste panel, which include Michel Roux and food critic for the Financial Times, Nicholas Lander.

BA's Club World experience doesn't end when you step off the plane. In addition to a complimentary spa treatment, passengers can also enjoy a shower on arrival at lounges in London Heathrow Terminal 5, London Gatwick and Johannesburg.

Emirates Airline

Face the facts

Name: Business Class

Seats: 6ft 6-inch full flatbeds on the A380 and new generation lie-flat seats on B777s and A330s.

Lounges: Dubai Terminals 1 and 3 and at 20 other destinations across the world including Bangkok, Paris, Sydney and Zurich.

Best gimmick: Free mobile phone for 21 days at London Gatwick

Awards: Won a host of awards including Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2008 for Best Business Class and the Reader's Choice for Best Business Class in the Middle East 2007.

Despite being relatively young, Emirates has managed to rapidly expand its network of lounges across the world and has spent more than $65m on 23 lounges, serving 5,600 passengers at any one time. Since April this year it has opened additional lounges in Dusseldorf, Mumbai, Johannesburg and Beijing and plans to open another three in Manchester, Birmingham and Hamburg in the next 12 months. Each lounge features a business centre with individual workstations and complimentary broadband and Wi-Fi access as well as full food and beverage menu.

Once onboard, passengers can make use of the Ice entertainment system, which features 700 audio channels, 100 television channels and 190 movies. Ice also has sms and email facilities, seat to seat calling and in-seat laptop power. Emirates in-flight dining service include a six-course meal, which comes complete with a selection of wines and champagne.

Other services include free domestic flights to UK airport of departure, free first class transfer on Heathrow Express and fast track immigration on arrival and departure from Dubai.

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