Even at this less expensive end of the business, flying privately is not cheap.
British companies, including the telecommunications company Vodafone and Aveva, a software giant, have taken steps to cut business flying.
Mr. Johnson, who was never part of the family business, flew up his home in Palm Beach, Fla., for the ceremony.
Ryan established a flight school and a business flying sightseers around San Diego and then, having formed Ryan Airlines, flew passengers between San Diego and Los Angeles (1925 27).
"Airlines are interested in focusing on their core business — flying airplanes and people — and want to have others handle cargo for them," Ms. Baer said.
Through the 1950s, Piper and Cessna marketed high-wing monoplanes with two to four seats, suitable for short-range personal business flying.
"We may be seeing a sea change in business attitudes, especially business flying," said Howard Wheeldon, a senior strategist at BGC Partners, a brokerage firm in London.
Nancy Sargent, who has been a flight attendant for Delta Airlines for 34 years, said: "When I started in the business, flying was glamorous.
Aer Lingus defended its move at the time because, according to the airline, the George Best had a "strong history of business flying".
Instead, companies like British Airways are making limited offers that allow a business flyer paying full fare to travel with a companion for free.
