To book business class at 3 times the price?

[itshou]

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!

It depends if you can afford it i guess. I upgraded to premium economy recently and it was worth every penny! I couldn't justify the cost of business class upgrade because it was the same price as my hotels for the whole holiday! If you can afford it though definitely would for such a long flight

I flew business to New Zealand via Singapore and it was so nice, you get fed, you get lie down and sleep. Etc it’s defo worth the money.

I would then but you might save money by booking economy then upgrading rather than booking business straight off. Depends if you're willing to take the risk

I would book business but look at each airline, the stopover and the aircraft, they vary with different airlines. I am flying uk to Australia on Emirates a380 plane which is much better than their 777 planes with a 3hr dubai stopover

Premium economy is worth it as long as the difference is affordable. The seats recline better and much more spacious, like the business class of years ago before the booths

Absolutely. We do go long haul Biz Class whenever we afford it (and look out for offers - BA have a sale twice a year and its well worth a look).

It makes such a difference and in fact going to Oz is definitely worth it and I always feel like a film star the lounges, the getting on first, the first glass of champagne, the getting off first, the seperate check in, the lounges when you are waiting for your second flight. Its truly fab. You wont stop talking about it for years to come. Have been on Qatar Q Suites and Singapore Airlines and a few years ago on Emirates A380. If you are going on Emirates please do ensure that you book the A380. They have a bar at the back. Its fab!

I did Business class out and economy return alone once. I was dreading the return, but it was fine it helped that I got an aisle seat and was next to an Australian sheep farmer who had loads of interesting anecdotes. And you could walk about, so not stuck in the rather cramped seats all the time.

It sounds like a long time, but it actually goes quite quick, flown it with a child several times. I'd be saving my money for better experiences than sitting in a different section of the same plane!

I fly business class on long haul flights because it is more pleasant and I can easily afford it. I wouldn't if it were a tighter financial stretch. The main benefit for me is that it is easier to sleep on the flat beds/ seats in bc. I hate flying so the more I can miss, through sleep, the better!

Absolutely worth it for me. You will have lounge access, priority boarding , nice food and will be able to sleep and stretch out.

100% worth it for me. Treat the holiday as starting the moment you leave the house - easier check in, glass of champagne at the airport, attentive service on the plane, great food, comfort - I could go on

Worth contacting some travel agents that specialise in business flights - this can bring the price down as they play around with different connections.

Go for it as it sounds like a trip of a lifetime.

I recently flew first class from Chicago to London. Worth every penny - slept for about 5 hours, hit the ground running. Only problem is the horrifying prospect of going back to coach class 😂

Personally I wouldn't bother and I've flown to Australia probably well over 30 times.

Yes, it's a long flight but it's only a day and then it's over. I'd rather spend the money on other experiences while on holiday, not on something that lasts less than 24h and that you're likely to sleep through anyway.

I wish I hadn’t started flying business for long haul as it’s so hard to go back to Premium economy or economy.
I think it would be a lovely experience for your family. I very recently flew to New York business class with my young adult DC and they absolutely loved it. It was a fabulous experience to share.

I think it depends on how uncomfortable you find economy. To me, business would not be worth it because I'm small and sleep well in economy. DH is twice the size, so definitely worth it for him.

Think what that money could buy you on the ground! It could probably buy you a wonderful hotel suite and room service for several days!

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!!

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.

Definitely if you can afford it.

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!

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.

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?

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'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.

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