How rich would you have to be to fly business instead of economy on hols?

[realhousewifeoffitzrovia]

Just checked and a long haul flight from London to NYC in business would be £4300 vs. £550 for economy i.e. it's almost 8 times more to fly business, and that's just for one person.

I can't conceive of ever being rich enough to pay that much - or maybe it's more that I just don't think there is enough value in the (admittedly very increased!) comfort of the business class seat.

I'd rather spend the money on a nice hotel or meals, or travel more often (not very green I know) but curious whether others feel differently.

What about you?

We fly regularly on Business, but we have our own business, which has done very very well in the last few years. We flew upper to Barbados last month and we are taking our adult DSons and partners to the Madives in April in Business, the cost is eye watering but I wouldn't go any other way now. I can't sleep at all in Economy and get terrible back ache . The flight is 10.5 hours and I'm looking forward to drinking champagne and then sleeping in the flatbed . A few years ago we were very poor and I only ever dreamed of these kinds of trips . I am very very grateful to all the hard work my DH has put in to establishing our business and never ever take it for granted .

My XDP used to fly to the US a lot for work, so his company paid for his work flights (obviously) but he then built up air miles/points, used his BA credit card for all purchases, paying it off at the end of each month, building up more points, and would then be eligible for upgrades and companion vouchers so that when we went away he ended up just paying the taxes (still a lot!) and then upgrading from premium economy to business for free, and adding on a partner voucher for my flight for free.

The people I know have:

• done it while going away for work
• used air miles accumulated through lots of travelling with work to fund their private flights
• are worth tens of millions of pounds so it is nothing to them. Although those people often fly by private jet instead.

We usually fly business if it's an option and longer haul
We are t rich but it means I can sleep better so it adds value to my holiday. I'm prepared to pay it.

Anything over 7 hours we always fly business on holidays. It becomes a pleasure, and part of the holiday I look forward to instead of enduring.
You can get bargains if you shop around. We usually use Trailfinders and they are pretty good at getting good deals.
Having said that, I’ve been in some pretty rank business lounges.

Friends I know who aren't wealthy fly business due to size issues (which they freely admit) but they only go on holiday every few years, out of high season etc.

Otherwise they just wouldn't manage flying anywhere.

I've flown business with work and it is luxurious compared with economy but would I pay for it myself, no chance

I could definitely afford business class each time.

But I also would be conscious that every one hour in that seat was costing me £100 etc. (and double that for partner as well)

I'd prefer to use that money for a week of a nicer hotel at the destination.

We flew economy to visit families in NZ. Not even premium economy. We had flew with baby in cot too to NZ. Just can't afford it otherwise. Like you, I'd rather spend more on hotel and meals. I'm happy to feel a bit cramped for 24 hours.

Transatlantic flight isn't that long haul surely!! I googled and it's just 8 hours. I have family in Hong Kong and Auckland, and I can sleep in economy. The flights are 12-13 hours each leg. (Stopover in Hong Kong).

That’s a higher than normal price.

We do it for 9hrs+ if we can, usually using air miles. We have paid once or twice, sometimes just the homeward leg and only on occasions when it’s been reasonably priced e.g. Miami to London for under £1k one way.

I could afford it but could never justify the cost personally.

I always fly business long haul. For a family of 5 it's costs between 12k and 15k usually. It makes the holiday so much better though - I hate flying but mind it less when I can sleep properly

We travel business a lot but only because we don’t pay for it. DH travels a lot for work so he has elite status and and we have an airline credit card so between those things we tend to build up a lot of miles. Also DH is sometimes eligible for free upgrades with a companion. There are times we don’t have enough miles or we can’t use them for a particular flight and in that case we pay for economy but we are upgraded to economy plus as long as seats are available. Flying business is an amazing perk but I’d certainly trade it for having my DH around more.

I'd have to be rich enough not to know how much my ticket cost because an assistant booked it for me.

I'm not a multi millionaire but I don't have to say I would rather spend the money on x because I have the money to also do x, so I don't have an issue spending it

Even if I won millions on the lottery, I think I'd still fly economy with the exception of a long haul 10+ hour flight. But there's only 2 trips I'd take that are that long and due to DC ages they'd be about 5 years apart each time so it'd be a nice treat

I fly business/first long haul but either use points or wait until there is a sale or great deal.

I used to think it was wasted money but the difference is my holiday starts on the way to the airport and I arrive refreshed having slept well.

Not going to be able to afford it when I retire but saving points up so we will be able to fly several times before they run out.

@thecatsthecats

I've flown long distance (13h flight) on a few airlines, and have found that generally those flights are comfortable enough.

I would have to be more than 8x richer to accept a more comfortable chair for a fraction of the trip to be honest.

But then I don't go for frills in travel. Poking fun at my husband because he's flying out on a trip with his parents and they've booked him 22kg luggage and a no doubt disgusting in flight meal for £360. I'm flying separately a few days later and have paid £95 for my return flights, airport parking for a week and a rucksack.

So I'm not the best to ask about spending astronomical amounts on flights. And I'd tell any staff to get to fuck if they wanted business class travel.

And I'd tell any staff to get to fuck if they wanted business class travel.

Aw you sound like a great employer 👏🏼

I’ve come into a bit of money and one of my dreams has always been to fly business class, so I’ll be looking out for a good deal. Sadly not enough money to make it a habit. Space is important to me as although I’m not tall I’m a proper fidget and also sleep very poorly if I can’t lie flat.

I do admit to being a bit smirky when I get on a plane, walk through business and premium economy which are both jammed and then arrive in a half full economy cabin.

@realhousewifeoffitzrovia

Just checked and a long haul flight from London to NYC in business would be £4300 vs. £550 for economy i.e. it's almost 8 times more to fly business, and that's just for one person.

I can't conceive of ever being rich enough to pay that much - or maybe it's more that I just don't think there is enough value in the (admittedly very increased!) comfort of the business class seat.

I'd rather spend the money on a nice hotel or meals, or travel more often (not very green I know) but curious whether others feel differently.

What about you?

Wow, how much is a private plane then

DP and I flew business class when we went to vegas for my 30th. I honestly would never fly long haul in economy again. It does mean alot of saving up for the next big holiday (Japan 2023!)

I used to house share with someone who was in charge of cabin crew rotas. I flew regularly long and short haul, for my job. Company paid economy but due to my connection I was pretty much guaranteed an upgrade to business if flying with housemate's airline. Best ever was being upgraded from the free business seat (as they were full and needed the seat) to first class on a trip to LAX. Was most disappointed there were no celebs on board but absolutely loved experiencing the glimpse into how the other half fly!

Love this!

Oops. Reply fail. Was replying to:

cherryonthecakes Fri 11-Feb-22 15:51:30
I'd have to be rich enough not to know how much my ticket cost because an assistant booked it for me.

That just about sums it up for me!