Business class air travel costs around three times the price of economy. So what do you get for the extra money? Travel Editor Edward Stephens found out.

We had been travelling for some time. Night had fallen as mile after mile passed by and my back was getting a little stiff.

A quick touch of the appropriate button on the electronic seat control, however, activated the back massage facility and the problem was gently eased away.

But while features like this are not unusual in some luxury cars, non of them could make the journey fly by as quickly as the transport I was using.

This was one of the latest Airbus 340-600 jets owned by Iberia, the Spanish airline which has recently joined forces with British Airways.

It might be stating the obvious but the massage seats are not available in the economy section of the aircraft. Up front in Iberia’s long-haul business class-plus cabin, however, they are just one of the many comforts to take away the stress of air travel.

The airline no longer offers a first class section so its business class has been upgraded to compensate.

It’s often said you get what you pay for and nowhere is that more true than “up front” with Iberia. We didn’t even board the aircraft by the same door as passengers travelling in the economy section. It was definitely a case of them and us.

Once inside the hallowed zone the first thing that struck me was the vast expanse of space between the rows of seats. A rough calculation told me that there was around 5ft between the base of my seat and that of the one in front.

Even before the seatbelt sign was illuminated I had a glass of champagne in my hand and had been presented with a menu for dinner – and a wine list. Why, oh why can’t all flights be like this?