To book business class at 3 times the price?

I’ve done it twice to the states both times I didn’t pay and I wouldn’t ever pay - just got to accept the flight is exhausting and try and make it as comfortable as possible

I will never fly long haul economy again.

Even premium is better but you said business cheaper.
TBH I probably would.

It depends a little how much money we are talking but I think I'd go against the tide here and do it.

It is more comfortable, you do have more room and there is better service and better food, as well as great entertainment etc.

It can be an enjoyable part of the trip versus something to be endured.
Your holiday starts on take off!

I have flown economy from UK to Aus. It was sooooo uncomfortable (BA). I've always said if I ever went again I'd be going at least business class.

100% worth it for that length of flight. If you are able to do it without you having to compromise on anything else, then go for it. Treat it as part of your holiday and enjoy the flight. Having access to the lounges is also helpful if you have a layover. Shower, food and a comfy seat.

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

I have had years of being in Economy with the children and now being able to afford it is wonderful. What I really like is on boarding and getting settled people in Economy walking by and making sarky comments about idiots paying £££ and its only a flight. I wouldnt go back to their seats and start making silly comments about how come they are in their own seats.

Perhaps a bit of envy?? I know how wonderful Economy is (not!) and whilst I wouldnt use BC for say a Europe flight I would definitely splash out for a longer flight. There are often lots of offers around providing you can be flexible.

100% yes!! It is my dream to turn left on the plane!!

Just priced up LHR to SYD return in a random week in November (cheapest time) on my emirates app. Total cost for a family of 3
Economy £3600
Business £18000

I love business but it's not £14000 worth of love. I've similarly received a large bonus but no way would I be spending some of it that way.

Instead of spending the money on upgrades why not split the flight and had a 1 or 2 night stopover somewhere en route?
That's what I'd do.

I'd definitely do it. You arrive rested and refreshed.

Yes it is worth it if you are traveling long haul in my opinion. You can sleep. It won’t mess up the first few days of your trip as severely.

If you can afford it, travelling comfortably is much nicer.

Yes it certainly does depend on which plane model you go on.

I think most people who pay for business class aren’t thinking I could use the money to buy a sofa etc instead.

Depends on the airline as not all business class seats are equal.

I think emirates business is crap, for example, especially on the A380s, as is BA - even with their new cabin and seat design (though at least that does away with the awkward forward/backward configuration which has you face to face with another passenger at close quarters). All the US airlines have crap business class, too.

Having spent years constantly on long haul flights for work and having sampled many, many business class cabins as a result, I would pay for business on: Qatar, Singapore, Etihad, Oman, Turkish in that order.

I would have said that before going long haul on Singapore and Emirates business class. Economy to Australia sucks.

If it’s BA don’t bother.

Personally I still wouldn't bother, I'd rather spend my thousands on something tangible.

But everyone's different and I think if you can spend thousands of pounds on a plane seat without it impacting your finances, you can probably afford to do both!

It sounds from your posts that you can easily afford to so go for it. It does make a huge difference flying business on long haul.
I have waited a couple of times until check in or baggage drop and upgraded then. This is when you will get the best deal IME. (Last time we saved £600 per person because we waited) however this was only to Dubai so it wouldn’t have bothered us to fly economy if business had have been full. It’s always a risk to wait.

But if you’ve already got the x days in a luxury suite and can afford it then pay it.

it’s absolutely extortionate I don’t disagree but it’s so calm compared to economy.

I wouldn’t but it sounds like you’d enjoy the experience. I would much rather have the money in the bank.

I've flown business, it was great but I wasn't any better rested really. The cutlery and napkins were nice though. The lounge access was good, I had a shower and a change of clothes at the midpoint which helped.

If I had to fly long haul I'd go for emergency exit seats. It's the leg room that's the best bit about business/premium economy. I don't drink either so the champagne in business is lost on me.

We went emirates business class last year, I’d book it. It somehow seemed to make my flying fear less acute. When the cabin crew brought me a cup of tea in a proper mug that may have been the highlight! Well the bar on the plane and the free flowing moet also was amazing

I fly between Uk and NZ several times a year for 10 years. I've flown every cabin too.

I wouldn't use my own money to fly business. I'll happily use airmiles or when work is paying but it's No where near worth the extra thousands per person you'd be paying for an Aus flight compared to what you could do with the money. It's a whole other holiday!

Do you know the you difference in £ yet?

I've flown business too when we got an upgrade and while it was nice, there's no way I'd spend thousands on it - not when it only lasts less than 24 hours and you're asleep for a good chunk of it anyway.

Why? Genuinely curious. I walk past the little enclaves on my way to economy and apart from having the facility to stretch out and lie down, which I’m sure is very nice, and slightly less rubbish food, what else do you get for your thousand* extra pounds?

*or two, three, four, five thousand!

Definitely if you can afford it.

Imagine the options as game show prizes: you can have
Prize 1: 20h in a business class seat
or
Prize 2: 20h in an economy class seat, plus three days in a luxury hotel suite with room service.

It’d be a no-brainer for me!!

I used to think that until I tried business class.