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!

The extra physical space gained from upgrading is worth it to me. I have long legs and even a short flight causes pain.

I am not a great fan of BA but they have a lot of good slots and we are going Economy in Sept to Italy with grown up son. BA Silver status allows me to choose seats, use the lounge with son being the guest, seperate check in and enhanced luggage allowance

How much are we talking?

What I think really really helps is being able to sleep upright. I can’t and have never been able to do it. If you can sleep upright for a good few hours, have something to eat and then doze off every so often it will help massively.

Even BC I struggle even on the flat beds because you need to have your seat belt on. But for me being in BC gives me choices and lovely food and wine.

West is easier in my experience.

I like a 6am UK arrival as I arrive buzzing and won't crash until afternoon.

Amx - it depends where you are going, time of the year etc. I have paid double Economy fare when there have been offers on and when Economy has been pricey and BA do have a sale twice a year which is worth a look. I don’t rate the Qatar sale. It’s always £££

I've never flown long haul before but we're going business class for our honeymoon. It cost an extra £1900 for the pair of us all round.

It’s extremely worth it..I can’t stress this enough 😂 I fly back to Australia every year and would never begrudge a single £1 extra I pay for business..do it, you won’t regret it!

If you can easily afford it then do it. It makes a real difference to be able to have a sleep and travel in comfort.

Who are you flying with Meggie?

I fly between the UK and Australia fairly regularly.

For me, the difference between Economy / Premium Economy and Business Class is huge, largely because of the fully-reclining chair.

I do not find it easy to sleep sitting up, which is only made worse, nowadays, by having chronic muscular aches and pains which can make sitting for long periods very painful. If I'm Business I can sleep really well.

This has another benefit: especially if you choose your flights to land at the right time (the evening at your destination), you can travel in both directions with less and indeed often no jetlag. This requires other strategies (in terms of timing of meals, when to drink alcohol, taking melatonin) but it makes a huge difference too.

Finally, if you just like the fun of Business Class - the meals, the service, hanging out at the Emirates' Bar – then that's another reason to book it. If this is a holiday of a lifetime why not start it on the plane?

My other advice is to try to fly on the A380. A warning if you choose Qantas - they have revamped most of their aircraft, but I think they may have at least one that still has the old skool pod seats that were cutting edge in 2004.

Another option to break up the 20-24 hour flight is by travelling part way (say to Singapore), taking a few days to recover from the first leg and get used to the new timezone, before travelling on. The cost of hotels will likely be much cheaper for a family then travelling in Business.

I am so glad you are heading to Australia, you will love it!

I never really get these threads, which appear regularly.

If you are on £250k+ a year, your mortgage is nearly paid off and you have several hundred thousand in savings, it is well worth it.

If your bonus will just pay it and you have limited savings, it is far better to keep the £20k odd for something more important.

Clearly for some it is loose change, for others it is life changing money. Where you sit on that spectrum will decide whether it is worth it for you.

Clearly for some it is loose change, for others it is life changing money. Where you sit on that spectrum will decide whether it is worth it for you.

I doubt I'd pay it if I won a million. I'd want a house and to help family out first. 20 million, yes.

No, we have worked hard to be able to afford nice things for ourselves AND our children. It is hard enough for young people to get on the housing ladder at the moment. Our kids are not spoilt and we certainly don’t feel we have missed out. We may take more business class flights in the future.

My husband flew BA business class to Texas last year and said it was a very different experience to travelling economy.

I'd do it, just to avoid having kids kicking the back of my seat, or to have some inconsiderate oik reclining their seat into me.

Different airline and destination but I did find Delta comfort worth the little extra. I don't think I could justify the extra on business unless well off enough that it's your normal as I'd want to extra money for my holiday.

That's fine but doesn't mean others shouldn't take biz flights rather than give away house deposits. If I was to give my kids a a house deposit each that's £120k
between the 3 of them. Hell of a lot of biz class flights to get that. I'm aware it's hard to get on the housing ladder. But then again everyone is not obsessed with with doing so. Certainly not my 20 year old DS

PS my household income is under 20k so don't need to be mega rich

Exactly

I wouldn't. For the sake of argument let's say economy is 500 quid and Business is 1500 quid. 8 hour long flight

Thats a saving of 1000 quid....or 1000 divided by 8 is you effectively being paud £125 per hour to fly economy

Obviously you'd need to work out the costs for your flights as above is just an example

I'd be wondering what else I could do w that money!

Return business class to Oz is (and this varies wildly according to demand and airline) £6k and economy £1500 (ditto) x4 for the family and we usually just think we’ll spend it on top notch accommodation and a fab rental car when we’re there. But when I’m sat in economy (having flown the same flight in business) it’s SO PAINFUL even though rationally I know I’ve made the right decision.

Well, I'd say it's worth it.
I book a Business Class when flying to visit relatives, short haul.
It's an absolute bother of a duty visit, so I prefer
to make it at least comfortable.
I don't even drink. 😐
First world problems, eh? 😁

8 hours is a damn sight more capable than 18 though. I did Auckland to Doha the Doha to Amsterdam . 18 hours on first leg then 6 on 2nd. No way in hell would I want to be sat in economy for that trip.

Would you consider premium economy?

What carrier were you with. I've never had a business class seat that was narrow and didn't lie flat

Do you mean PE with one carrier costs more than B with a different carrier?