To book business class at 3 times the price?

Can you fly out economy and back business to soften the blow of re-entry?

@afterfive

And I’ve never faced another passenger flying business class.

I am talking about the BA cabins (prior to the suite-style updates they're going through).

Google flights will give you the actual type of seats on BA. Lie flat seats mean old style BA whereas the Individual Suite = Club Suites.

There are 6 or 7 Emirates lounges in DXB, not 'the' Emirates lounge, and some are worse than others but of the ones I've been in none were not a patch on Al Mourjan in Doha, for example.

Regarding international crew, I'd say it's not so much airline dependent as route dependent. I've met many Qatar crew who were from the UK, EU countries and Asia as well as Middle East.

having done that same trip multiple times - i agree with you, id you can afford it, i would. I do as i need to sleep - its an insane amount of time to travel. We've done that trip with kids too.

I suspect the 'facing other passengers' comment refer to the old style BA seats but you can put up the screen up. I wont use BA flights anymore that still have these types of seats but the trick IMHO is getting a window seat and then putting the screen up if you really have no choice.

BA Club Suites are much much better but tend to be from Heathrow. I dont believe any Gatwick flights have the Club Suites. As you can probably guess I am very fussy. My seats need to be my choice and I am now BA Silver so can choose my seats free and the other airlines I have used dont seem to charge although it doesnt depend.

I feel like the best bits of business class are the lounge and not having to sit next to people you don’t know. As you are travelling as a group you can sit together and so if it was me I’d pay likely for lounges, fly economy and have another holiday a different time with the bonus.

Depends on the airline. We flew business on Quantas from Singapore to London and it wasn’t worth it though I still wear the PJs. OTOH we got a free upgrade from London to Johannesburg on BA and that was definitely worth it.

We’ve flown business to Sydney on a couple of occasions and luckily, we can afford it (there’s just me & DH), we both sleep well, eat well, get showers in the lounge during a stopover (Changi airport is brilliant). We try to fly on Qatar or Singapore airlines as they are fantastic. I’m not sure either of us would travel all that way in economy now, we’ve become too spoilt! We do have a good look around on skyscanner for good deals and we have done ex-EU for a couple of brilliant deals, but with kids with you, that would be a real faff and probably wouldn’t end up saving you that much. TBH, I’m not sure such great deals exist anymore.

I agree regarding Emirates. Was a bit confused by Ally’s post. And I’ve never faced another passenger flying business class. Our last flight to Dubai I saw noone for 7hrs, not even my own family. 😂

Coming back from Oz on Singapore with a layover at Singapore where the flight was delayed. They got us to the gate to get ready to board and then nothing.... there was a family who were with us on the first flight and they looked ready to call it a day. In the end the women just lay on the floor and her daughter lay on top of her until finally we were called to board.

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Absolutely do it

First or business class is only really worth it on a flight to Aus/NZ from Europe. It’s brutal in economy. I would definitely do it.

The part I dread is the aircon.

Is there premium economy on the route as a middle ground if the price is an issue?

Look at the plane and what the business class offers. Being able to rest properly (flat bed, or semi-flat) is a game changer.

Wouldn't bother on a short flight.

The revenue per square foot is highest in business class, they are getting more from you in comparison to what you get.

Ally. I have used both Emirates A380 and Qatar Q Suites recently. I honestly dont know what you are referring to re the Emirates Lounge at Dubai which has won awards and is very snazzy. I used the Qatar Lounge in Doha recently and it was very good and on par with Emirates Lounge.

Although the Q suites were nice with the doors etc I found the Qatar cabin crew robotic. There was an issue on board with a passenger and they were trying to fix using a manual labelled 'Customer complaints and how to deal with them'.

I actually like Emirates because of all the international cabin crew. My area was managed by a lady from Ireland and my husband had someone from Oz. I found Qatar had mainly people from Phillipennes or Africa. Very pretty and heavily made up as most of the Middle Eastern airlines seem to demand.

I also loved getting onto the Emirates A380 from the lounge at Heathrow. No walking miles to get to the gate with the pushing and shoving that often occurs on boarding.

As someone who flies fairly frequently to NZ on Singapore airlines, and usually economy, business class is soooooo nice and very much worth it!

The added value of buisness class isn't just the hours you spend on the plane it's all the weeks and months leading up to the holiday where you can look forward to the flight as well as the holiday rather than dreading the flight.

I think you are better breaking the flight up with stopovers - a few nights in Dubai on the way over, Singapore on the way back etc

There are so many other experiences you could use the money for though. Such as a stopover in Asia or for future travel.

I’ve done the direct Heathrow to Perth flight on Qantas quite a few times. Economy is fine, as it’s such a long flight the seats are v well designed and there is a small snacks/drinks bar at the back of economy. BUT… if I could afford I’d definitely do business as I think you can get on to Aus time quicker if you get on and can sleep when the Aussies are. (I change watch and phone to Perth time the minute I get on the plane). If I was changing at Singapore/ Dubais not sure I’d bother.

If we could easily afford it we would go business when we visit family in NZ, but we can't so we don't. It is pretty hideous but you just have to hope for empty seats around you. I find some 'non-herbal' nytol helps with getting to sleep with a neck pillow makes it more comfortable. Just have really low expectations, oh and don't go via LAX.

If I were you I would put teen in coach go business with your DH. They're bendy and resilient at that age 😄

Emirates A380 really isnt crap... what was wrong with it?

A few things:

1. On many of the 380s, It's like the BC seats have never been refurbed and now feel tired and poorly cushioned, in my experience, especially noticeable in lie-flat position.
2. The seats are pretty narrow when converted to lie-flat compared to the better class cabins.
3. The service is impersonal - too many BC seats on the double deckers.
4. The cabin layout and seat design is now quite old-fashioned and not a patch on something like Qatar Q-Suites, etc.
5. Not specific to the 380 but the BC lounge(s) in Dubai are very poor compared to other carriers' lounges in their hubs.

The snazzy airlines are often £££ and it is a full time role to get a good price but Trailfinders are a good option to help you find the best price. Qatar, Emirates and then Singapore BC in my view. BA can be OK but only with the Club Suites. Their old style Biz Class seats are not great.

My DB has used Air India who have a terrible reputation but they have flat beds and he just gets on and goes to sleep. He doesnt drink alcohol and food is just to be wolfed down. For him its the flat bed that he pays for.

I have heard good things about Emirates Premimum Economy and I did see the seats when I last flew with them. Of course if they are more expensive then BC then its a no brainer. I really liked the Emirates A380 because of the bar and the fact you are on the first floor of the aircraft as opposed to ground level.

You could call a flight consolidator and see whether they can do better than your prices. Flying one day later or at different times can make a huge difference and be very fussy with your seats. When you are paying a lot you need the right seats.