Ever flown business class? Is it worth it?

JFK is going through extensive renovations right now and the roads around it are a disaster zone. On top of that, Uber is only available in certain areas so you have to take a train to get to them. By the time you got to the hotel, it could be almost time to turn around and go back again.

Yes check the T&Cs as I have never bid on VA as always just got upper but have bid on other airlines and always make sure I get the lounge 😁.

As for seats on VA again go to the seat map to understand the configuration. Most cases being directly opposite can sometimes feel closer than next to each other in VA upper but plane configurations vary so drill down into the details. On my last VA upper flight someone (adults) did ask to swop as I think they had won their bid and was seated complete opposite side to their partner and as most people are happy in their individual pods swooping seats wasn’t such a hardship unlike economy.

I lived in the ME and when my grandmother died my husband who flew extensively for business had lots of thousands of air miles that could be used for my trip. It’s was an Emirates flight and was totally stunning, I even had a driver from the airline collect and pick me up. Do it if you can, it’s sooooo worth it. Enjoy 💐

I've flown business class once. Probably the best seven hours of my life!

Where are you flying to after JFK? You may well have to get your bags, go through immigration etc etc. 1 Hr would never have been long enough and it could take ages to get through everything anyway so you may not have that long to hang around. I would just prebook another type of lounge.

It’s worth every last penny long haul. Anything under 4 hours and I wouldn’t bother.

If its more for the lounge access, it might be worth looking at your bank. Some banks if you upgrade to their premium banks they include things and some include lounge access and travel insurance. Might be worth upgrading your bank account instead which would be cheaper and give you those extras, especially if you travel often.

I was going to say a 1 hour layover isn’t enough. What about delays. It would feel too rushed. This way you can take your time getting off the plane, and getting food and toilet breaks and so on.

Check what you get in terms of lounge access. In my experience, you get lounge access according to the flight you are about to board, meaning that flying business to New York wouldn't get you lounge access for your 6 hours in the airport, unless you are upgrading both legs of the journey (in which case that's a very reasonable price to pay). Also lounge access is usually limited to 3 hours I think.

As an alternative upgrade, consider getting a hotel room at JFK. In any case as an international arrival you have to exit the airport then re-enter. So you could get a room and spend around 3 hours there and rest between your flights.

Is business worth it for your flight? I'd say only if it's at a time when you really intend to spend the flight sleeping. Otherwise it's nice but I'm not sure it's £1200 nice...

I would absolutely, BC is worth every penny long haul. Consider it part of your holiday.

Yes, it's amazing but it will ruin you for economy travel in the future! The experience is so different- it makes flying long haul a pleasure rather than a trial. £400 is an absolute bargain

Sometimes if you upgrade you don't get lounge access though. You can always pay separately for a lounge.

Given your DCs ages then yes I would take a punt and bid. They and you will love being able to turn the seat into a bed and have food served on a big table with proper plate/cutlery etc.

Just flown business class to the US. Work paid for the economy and I upgraded it. I usually go premium economy but the business class wasn’t that much different at that point. Best thing I ever did. Made use of the lounges at both airports which was lovely but we had a 4 hour delay once boarded so I had plenty of space, extra drinks etc. so 15 hours in the seat, that would have been awful in economy. first time I’ve ever slept on a plane too.

since I booked it, the cost jumped by 5k which is outrageous so normally 7k. I could never justify that and wouldn’t be worth it either. So, if you can get a deal, absolutely. Full price, nope

We use priority pass through Amex and we've never been turned away because the lounge is full

happened to me 3 times just the past year or so, all in the US. One lounge (Philadelphia I think it was) said they have 3 hour wait. Everybody and their dog has some kind of a lounge pass/credit card/whatever access there.

Not convinced that a £400 bid would be successful OP? On my VA flight last year, we bid double that with no success. Always worth a go though.

Worth every penny.
ill only do long haul BC and last year we did Greek islands BC out of Heathrow with BA. Utterly worth not being in the main concourse with my AuADHD daughter with the smells, lights , people , kids, lack of seats etc.
if I can’t go BC I’m not going frankly.

For you? 100% with SEN kids.

We flew business class with our children when they were little and also paid for a concierge. They bypassed all the queues, helped with the bags, skipped all the lines for immigration and made it completely stress free!

@LowFlyingBaconThat's probably not pods then. Seat guru is good for choosing seats and looking at layout.

Oh X posted. At 8 and 10 I’d hands down do it.

If you want to try for the upgrade, go for it. But you absolutely can book into a lounge in advance if you want to. Just google the ones at the right terminal and look up how to book.

An alternative is priority pass which gives access to a lot of lounges - there is an annual fee but it's very reasonable (compared to business class flights) and you get free acess. For a small fee you can pre book.
We use priority pass through Amex and we've never been turned away because the lounge is full and I never bother to pre book but there is always a small risk. There's usually more than one lounge though.

How old are your kids? Business/upper class is v v difficult with children aged 2-4 as the seats are primarily designed for privacy so you’d need to be able trust them to sit in the seat and stay put for take off and landing, and not be upset that they can’t see you. Then if they need reassurance for sleep, help with their food, choosing what to watch etc. then you’re going to be up and down like a yoyo. Then there’s the added stressor that if you’re asleep they could get up and wander around the plane by themselves and you’d be totally unaware. Unless your kids are a lap infant and/or 5+ I wouldn’t bother. Book an airport hotel to chill in which will only cost a few hundred $s.

Virgin have economy, premium and upper. Typically I find virgin upper tends to equate to some other airlines business classes which have lie flat beds and individual ‘pods’ with aisle access.

Yes, and first class when working.

They give you space and comfort. Cut the chance of deep vein thrombosis. Help you sleep. Reduce the effects of jet lag. Allow you to work on the plane and when you arrive.

If it's someone else's money, then yes, worth it. Do I have an extra £3,000 to spend on a flight to Montreal? No, so the question doesn't really arise.