German MPs return to business class after voicing complaints about economy class

Life as a German parliamentarian may involve endless debates over pensions, local fairs, and formal dinners with struggling industries, but lawmakers now have a perk to enjoy: the return of business class flights after raising concerns about economy seating.

The Bundestag has repealed a 2024 rule that effectively prohibited MPs from taking short-haul business flights at public expense. Less than two years after its introduction, a revised travel policy now allows more comfortable travel following protests from older members of parliament.

Under the previous guidelines, MPs were required to fly economy on trips under four hours, such as the route from Berlin to London. However, in September, the Council of Eldersan assembly of the parliament's most senior membersquietly amended the rules. The updated policy permits business class seating on flights lasting longer than two hours.

Short domestic flights remain restricted, so MPs cannot claim business class fares for journeys within Germany, where major cities are typically less than an hour apart. International travel, however, can now be booked in business class, meaning trips to destinations like Rome, Athens, or Tel Aviv could result in higher expenses for taxpayers.

To illustrate the cost difference, a Lufthansa economy ticket from Berlin to Rome is priced at 177 (154), while a business class fare is 495 (430). Bundestag officials defended the change, noting that MPs may need to review sensitive documents during travel, and business class provides the necessary privacy.

For instance, a parliamentarian flying to Israel on official duties would not want colleagues in economy inadvertently seeing confidential material regarding regional security issues.

The updated German policy is notably more generous than the UKs rules, where MPs on select committees can only book business class for daytime flights exceeding five hours.

Author: Logan Reeves