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AIBU?

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Original poster

To book business class at 3 times the price?

167 replies

itshou · 23/05/2024 12:53

We are planning super long haul as a family UK to AUS. Starting to think of the logistics of the flights, is business class really worth it at 3 times the price? Travelling with one teen. It's a frightening amount of money, but the only time we'll do this as going for an event. First world problems I know, but it's such a big trip!

OP posts:
Original poster
itshou · 23/05/2024 13:21

Premium economy is more expensive than business based on what we've found, especially Emirates

OP posts:
ChanWork · 23/05/2024 13:16

Go premium economy, much cheaper and pretty comfortable

scaredysquiggle · 23/05/2024 13:12

I just flew from London to Australia and back again. I was upgraded to business free of charge on the second leg (from premium economy)

Honestly I was no more comfortable. The business seat was quite narrow and you couldn't lie flat very comfortably and still had to wake up and lift up to turnover. I slept in 45 minutes chunks on both flights and was no fresher for my business class experience.

Premium economy is definitely worth it in emirates for super long flights

Original poster
itshou · 23/05/2024 13:11

We can pay cash for the flights from a bonus I got from work, so we won't feel the impact. There isn't anything urgent we need the money for, it would just go into savings. So thought about giving us an experience as a family.

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 23/05/2024 13:07

I wouldn’t. I tried it once for longhaul UK to San Fran and it was really nice but it wasn’t several thousand pounds worth of really nice over and above the usual being slightly grinchy and snarky in an economy seat for a few hours, getting drunk on complementary wine to improve the experience, and then having a nap upon my arrival at my destination. I just ended up thinking “I could have bought another motorbike instead of sleeping on a flat bed plane seat for a bit.”

Meadowfinch · 23/05/2024 13:06

If you didn't, what could you spend the money on otherwise?

Minfilia · 23/05/2024 13:05

It’s worth it if you can comfortably afford it.

We always travel upper if we can get a reasonable deal but otherwise we just get whichever fare is the better price. So once we paid £2k for upper when economy was £1,400 because £600 was worth it and affordable to us - but we’ve also travelled economy for £800 when upper was £5,000 and premium was £1,500.

penguinbiscuits · 23/05/2024 13:05

Absolutely worth it for us and I would not fly economy that far away.
All depends on whether you can afford it, or you have more important expenses to pay?

mynumber · 23/05/2024 13:04

Why don't you buy one business class and two normal then each take turns?!
As a serious answer I wouldn't,
But only you know how much money you have!

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 23/05/2024 13:03

It depends. Who are you flying with?

Tailfeather · 23/05/2024 13:03

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/05/2024 12:59

If you can afford it I would. But if it would be a big stretch then no, it’s not worth financially difficulty.

This!

toastandtwo · 23/05/2024 13:01

Depends how much money you have really. If it’s not at all an issue financially then do it. We’ve done a couple of family holidays in business using air miles and the flight becomes a very exciting part of the holiday (though your DC is a teen so might not get as excited!)

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/05/2024 12:59

If you can afford it I would. But if it would be a big stretch then no, it’s not worth financially difficulty.

TakeOnFlea · 23/05/2024 12:59

Never worth it for me. Imagine what your teenager could do with that money in a few years

Kalevala · 23/05/2024 12:58

No. The flight is just a day. Think of what you could do with that kind of money other than sit on a plane.

NoKnit · 23/05/2024 12:58

I don't think it's worth it. But I've only gone Business for work on short haul trips. Flight to Australia is knackering whatever

NetballHoop · 23/05/2024 12:56

It wouldn't be worth it for me, but only you know if you can afford all that extra money just to sit in a better seat. I'd save it and spend it once there.

Long distance air travel isn't ever going to fun, no matter how much extra you pay.

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