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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To book myself a business class flight for my bday?

107 replies

nwone · 08/09/2019 19:55

Turning 40 next year, and flying to Cape Town a few weeks after for one of our holidays.

I really like flying and think this is a good enough excuse to fly (one way!) in business as a treat for my bday.

Would you do it?

OP posts:
MildThing · 09/09/2019 12:43

There is a world of difference between Premium Economy and Business.

Much less difference between Economy and Premium Economy.

The OP is talking about Business.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 09/09/2019 13:01

dinner and drinks for 2 for £500. That's the cost for both of you, and the experience lasts between say 4pm-11am - 19hrs
In my case there is no "both of you" as I am single, and I am not a massive foodie or drinker anyway. So the idea of staying over somewhere just to eat a hugely expensive meal isn't appealing to me as it is to you. My flights are up to 14 hours, so not far off this imaginary hotel stay duration too, not just "a few hours".

It just strikes me as so unequal proportionally to the other things you can do to enjoy your holiday!
But my idea of an enjoyable holiday includes the travelling, because I also really love flying (I know on MN you are supposed to be gripped with terror the whole time, but not me!). So a luxurious, comfortable experience just makes my holiday super-extra fab. If you (generic) don't value that, absolutely fine, you crack on and do whatever you think is fun.

(for example, one thing I am very picky on is flight times and locations - I'm happy to spend more to optimise connections and departure and arrival times/locations)
So you are willing to pay an extra sum for something you value then? That's no different to me paying an extra sum for a premium cabin. It's all just a matter of proportion.

If you (generic) don't want to fly business or first, then don't. Nobody minds. But honestly, please can people stop trying to make out they are somehow better than those who do? Why do you even care?

SmallPinkBear · 09/09/2019 13:02

Yes. Especially on that route as it is a night flight. Book outbound and you will arrive feeling awake enough to enjoy the first full day of your holiday!

sonjadog · 09/09/2019 13:08

I wouldn't. Firstly, if I spent that kind of money on business seats then it would seriously detract from everything else I can do on that holiday and I´d rather spend my limited budget on activities when I get there. Secondly, I am not a happy flier and am slightly frightened of it. Sitting in business makes no difference to that so I won't be relaxing and enjoying it, but just be on edge in a different part of the plane.

woodchuck99 · 09/09/2019 13:22

In my case there is no "both of you" as I am single, and I am not a massive foodie or drinker anyway. So the idea of staying over somewhere just to eat a hugely expensive meal isn't appealing to me as it is to you. My flights are up to 14 hours, so not far off this imaginary hotel stay duration too, not just "a few hours".

It's a luxurious hotel room and food though isn't it and even if you were single it would buy you three day and nights rather than 14 hours. If you are not into the food it seems that there is even less reason to enjoy business vs economy.

If you (generic) don't want to fly business or first, then don't. Nobody minds. But honestly, please can people stop trying to make out they are somehow better than those who do? Why do you even care?

People are not trying to make out they are better than those that do. This thread is surely about whether it is worth the money for someone who presumably not really well off. Why participate in the thread if you are so offended by those that don't think it is worth it. That is what the thread is about!

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 09/09/2019 13:34

Why participate in the thread if you are so offended by those that don't think it is worth it. That is what the thread is about!

I read it as OP really wants to treat herself (i.e. has the funds available), and is asking is it worth it.

I say yes, you say no

But I am not posting comments telling the "no" people I find their answer bizarre etc.

I suggest we leave it there. I shall thoroughly enjoy my travel and I hope you very much enjoy any swish hotels you stay at/fancy meals you eat etc.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 09/09/2019 13:41

By a rough tally, it is about 42 Yes to 12 No.

woodchuck99 · 09/09/2019 13:45

By a rough tally, it is about 42 Yes to 12 No.

Most of the people saying yes already pay so it's a bit self selecting isn't it. A fairer comparison would be to look at those who have flown business class and ask if they would pay out their own pocket although even that would be a bit selective as people who fly business class for work are often on higher salaries.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 09/09/2019 13:49

Fair point - and that would be an interesting survey.

woodchuck99 · 09/09/2019 13:50

I meant flow business class for work (i.e. not paid out of their own money). What proportion of those people would pay out of their own money? I know a lot of people who fly business for work and they wouldn't pay out of their own pocket for a holiday.

thecatsthecats · 09/09/2019 13:59

But my idea of an enjoyable holiday includes the travelling, because I also really love flying (I know on MN you are supposed to be gripped with terror the whole time, but not me!).

Me neither! I have enjoyed most of my flights in economy (funnily enough the only bad experience was when I upgraded my seat, but then Wow Air always were diabolical). I only gave the hotel example as an example - I'm not fussed by 5* hotels, but most people were giving examples about physical comfort and eating well.

I wasn't even arguing against it, really. Just pointing out that the reason this expense is so polarised is that the difference between doing it normally and doing it expensively is vastly more than the usual difference between the basic or luxury spends.

Like a day trip out for example - you can often pick an ok trip for £100, and a premium version of the same for £150.

Or a hotel might be vastly better for £50 extra/night. Or a meal much nicer for £20 extra.

The differences are usually in the 10-50% range. Whereas for business flights it's easily 100%+ extra, if not 3-5 times the cost.

It's not about whether or not you enjoy it, it's the weight of difference compared to other upgrades.

Divebar · 09/09/2019 14:19

I’ve only flown business class once on the way back from the US and that was due to a friends friend working on that flight. The look on everyone’s face as she came to get me from my economy seat was priceless. Would I pay myself to do that? No, as lovely as it was I wouldn’t pay hundreds of pounds more. I would rather use the money I would spend on upgrading on a weekend away somewhere in Europe. As it happens I just flew back from the US and there was a very whiney baby in Business so there’s absolutely no guarantee of an oasis of calm either.

CherryPavlova · 09/09/2019 18:23

I pay for my own flights. I still fly business as it’s not much more than premium economy and BA are not exactly up there with the best airlines any more.

As an aside I’d be wary of booking economy one way and business the other - tends to work out much more expensive than business both ways.

hittheroadjack1 · 09/09/2019 23:22

Do it and have an amazing time

SuperSara · 10/09/2019 00:09

@Shmithecat2

Club is Business....

Only on BA... which is utter, utter dogshit.

BadLad · 10/09/2019 02:19

I'm not saying it's not allowed or that people can't prefer it. It just strikes me as so unequal proportionally to the other things you can do to enjoy your holiday!

For me, the "proportionally" works the other way.

I already stay in extremely nice hotels. Sometimes they are the nicest hotels I can find in the area. Other times there are nicer hotels, or nicer rooms within the same hotel, but where I stay is already very luxurious. So paying more for the hotel wouldn't improve the trip as much as changing my seat on the plane from cramped and uncomfortable to comfortable and enjoyable, and the airport experience from streesful to smooth. Proportionally, the improvement is more with business class.

burnoutbabe · 10/09/2019 02:26

I can easily afford it. But they extra £1000 per person would cover a week in a much nicer hotel, club level for example. So I stick with economy and use the money for other perks that last a lot longer.

1300cakes · 10/09/2019 02:44

Do it! I did it once, as a one off treat for myself. It was great.

Find out if your airline allows you to buy an upgrade at the airport on the day. Sometimes they do and it's a lot cheaper than buying it upfront, though obviously it's subject to availability and you might not get it.

Blingysolightly · 10/09/2019 06:46

BA Club isn’t as good as used to be and it’s definitely not as good as others (eg Virgin, Singapore, Cathay, Emirates) but I wouldn’t describe it as dogshit.Grin That name should be especially reserved for United Airlines and American Airlines. I pretty much would do anything to avoid those two!!

Shmithecat2 · 10/09/2019 06:52

@SuperSara the food could be better, but other than that I have no complaints, I've always been treated beautifully by BA Business, especially when travelling with my son.

BossAssBitch · 10/09/2019 07:15

Go for it. But if only flying one way, if you have an overnight flight, book buz class for that leg. And there is buz class and buz class. ANA buz class is far superior to BA buz class for example.

Business class is great (in general) but not always worth it (I wouldn’t bother for a day flight to NYC for example (I go premium economy) although I would fly buz on the return leg). Also remember if you fly buz / return economy, it might make coming home even more grim after experiencing the comfort of buz class!

Whatsitlike · 10/09/2019 07:28

I fly business and pay for it myself, my choice my money.

If you can and want to OP why not its up to you, but be selective on who you choose, all business class are not equal!

woodchuck99 · 10/09/2019 08:11

BA Club isn’t as good as used to be and it’s definitely not as good as others (eg Virgin, Singapore, Cathay, Emirates) but I wouldn’t describe it as dogshit.grin That name should be especially reserved for United Airlines and American Airlines. I pretty much would do anything to avoid those two!!

I don't think that BA business class has ever been good. About 30 years ago I flew first class in one direction and business on the way back and there was no comparison. In business it was just a wider seat really which is not much use if you are slim anyway. It seemed a total waste of money.

LaurieMarlow · 10/09/2019 08:22

I’ve flown business (and first) a lot for work.

And while I always hugely enjoyed it, I’d never spend my own money on it. It’s all over in 12 hours and it’s a huge amount of money to spend for that duration. I’d prefer to spend the money on upgrading accommodation / food while there.

I’m comfortably off, but not to the extent that s couple of grand is nothing to me. I’d need to be a lot richer to pay for it myself.

Having said that, if you want the experience to give it a go then it’s your money and you should spend it as you like.

JingsMahBucket · 10/09/2019 09:08

@CherryPavlova interesting about not booking them as separate classes. Does this still apply when booking economy for the whole flight then adding on a business class upgrade to just one leg closer to the flight day?

Also, do you normally find the inexpensive business class deals directly from the airline/on their site or through sites like Kayak, Expedia, etc. or even through one of the flying blogs? I’ve been trying to bag myself a nice business class flight for years but I don’t think I’m looking in the right places or putting in as much effort as I should to monitor timed sales, etc. :)