Economy fares are 35% cheaper now than they were 25 years ago, according to a study by Kelkoo.

The average price of an average economy flight ticket has fallen from £524 in 1985 to just £338 today.But at the same time, the price comparison website found that business class fares have risen by 120% and first class tickets have risen by 54%.

The study shows the change in first, business class and lowest economy air fares between 1985 and 2010 for the 30 most popular long haul routes from the UK served throughout the entire period. All historic flight prices were converted into today’s prices taking into account annual inflation.

In business class, the most significant uplift was found in routes to South Africa, equating to a 7% annual increase above inflation. A business class flight to South Africa today is 394% or £2,498 more expensive than in 1985, where a passenger would have paid just £634 in today’s money.

Kelkoo Travel MD Chris Nixon said: “The comparative rise in the cost of business and first class travel could be seen to support airlines’ ability to reduce their economy ticket prices. It’s one of the reasons we don’t see many long haul budget carriers as revenue from first and business class seats is needed in order to offer passengers a good deal on economy tickets.

“However, with the airline industry at the mercy of soaring fuel costs and the economic implications of natural disasters such as the recent volcanic eruptions, air fares are always going to be subject to price fluctuations that are not always favourable to passengers’ pockets.”