Ever flown business class? Is it worth it?

[LowFlyingBacon]

A little bit of background needed here so trying to avoid drip feeding! Sorry it’s much longer than I intended!

I'm due to go on holiday next month. It’s a big birthday holiday so I’m trying to make it a big treat! I’m flying as a single parent with two, primary aged, children. One has complex additional needs, one has mild. Both are good travellers.

I’ve had a text from my airline today to say that my flights have changed. I’ve had a look online and my 1 hour layover at JFK is now a 6 hour one. Because of my kids, this is really bad news. The flight is a night flight so a one hour layover meant we would get off the first flight, toilet, snack and then get ready to board the next. Now we have 6 hours in a busy airport with two tired kids. I’ve contacted the airline (Virgin) and been told that I can’t prebook into a lounge for ‘health and safety’ reasons. And they can’t guarantee entry into the lounge when I get there unless I’m flying upper class. I’ve had a look on the app and there’s an option to bid on an upgrade, and for £400 each, I’ve got a reasonable chance of getting it. If I don’t, then I’m in my original seats and it doesn’t cost anything.

the issue is, I’ve never flown business class before. It’s been a dream but this is the first time I’ve ever actually considered it. Financially I know it’s not worth it for the free lounge food and a lie down bed (we will sleep the entire flight I’m hoping!) but mentally I’m thinking that it might be to avoid the stress at the airport, the shorter queues and embarkation, and the extra treat of a lovely bed for the flight?

for financial information- I am basically a broke lone parent, and this holiday has already cost a fortune. But I do have enough to cover this as holiday spending money. It means we will have less to spend on our (all inclusive) holiday, but won’t bankrupt me. It’s more the idea of spending the equivalent of another holiday on upgrades to flights I’ve already paid for that’s the issue?

So lovely people of mumsnet- is business class worth it?

YABU- save your money, it’s not worth it
YANBU- it’s a big holiday and this will relieve so much stress that it’s worth it

I think it is, mostly for the lounge. We sometimes fly business short haul using Avila because of the lounge access. I would for £1200 if you can afford it.

Depending on who you fly with the upgrade in this way doesn't class you as having an upper class ticket. I flew with air Canada and bid and got the upgrade, I wasn't given access to the lounge for business class air Canada, I had to rely on my dragon pass to get me in.

The lie flat beds make a huge difference, but my son has ASN and business wouldn't work for us due to the distance between the seats

It depends what the economy is like to be honest. Business class is nice but each airlines seats are different. I have always loved business class (emirates) and it is very relaxed , my children also love the beds and extra space (I don’t pay for this by the way that is all down to DH) I would not be able to afford that on my own. I’m not sure how I would feel if I had to pay big bucks for it. It would certainly be memorable for your kids. My kids love it but they are very good travellers and know that they can’t just muck around in business class 😂😂 if you like. I can imagine if people did take their children into business class and they started to act up that may be stressful. Not because it should be but I would feel like people were judging me (rightly or wrongly) because most people flying business are business people and the seats are paid for by their company and there’s not that many kids in form my experience anyway but they would want for nothing x

Yes it can be. But the business class seats mean you can't always be right on hand for your kids as there's more separation between seats. Will your kids be OK with that?

I wouldn't for Virgin because the proximity between the seats could br difficult with kids, age and needs depending.

Virgin is Premium or Upper. Upper has the lie flat beds. I would bid to upgrade for sure if you can afford it.
If that fails can you not book an airport lounge independently via the airport website?

For £400 each, why not?

Could you book a short stay hotel room in the airport terminal?
https://www.hotelsbyday.com/blog/jfk-airport-layover-guide/

Business class can sometimes make the journey nicer. On short haul, some lounges and meals just really aren't worth the extra, (A bread roll at 40,000 feet is still just a bread roll!) but, considering how long you will be now waiting around with young children, it sounds like it might be a good investment, if you can afford it. Unless it might be cheaper to look at a different flight?

£400 for upper on virgin is a great deal but make sure you can access the lounge. Otherwise you could book a lounge separately? Some banks give you access.

Yes flown upper with virgin many times. Some planes are very tired but even so the lie flat beds make all the difference and getting a few hours proper sleep makes the world of difference to me but then again I typically use miles so only pay the taxes for the seats.

Having the lounge at LHR means the holiday starts as soon as you arrive.

However, you have two DCs. Yes there is the odd DC in upper but often two adults with one of them sharing their ‘bay’ with their young child to eat and sleep. It won’t be like premium or economy where you can sit between and handle both as easily.

Get on YouTube and look at video reviews of virgin upper to see the type of configuration of seats. This will give you the best view of whether it will work for you and DCs.

A 1 hour layover is NOT enough. Late departure from here and you really will have problems. There are loads of terminals! I’d also be ok with 6 hours.

upgrade to business for £400 is cheap. If it’s proper business, what’s the layout? Can you be near dc? Are the seats pods? I’d be careful and can you reserve seats? You do need to think of other passengers. Lots of people try and sleep and relax.

You can’t afford it regardless of how in your like it. Save your money .

• how much you’d

Where are you flying from? You might have to do immigration and get your checked baggage etc before putting on your next flight.

You don’t say how old the kids are.

Virgin Upper for 400 is totally worth it.

Are business and upper the same? You’ve referenced both? Plus can you not just book a lounge independently at the layover?

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.

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.

Thanks everyone. I was concerned about taking the kids into business class, but they’ve always behaved well on flights and have travelled long haul many times before. I was trying to avoid being too outing but I’m guessing it’s a pretty unusual situation so kids are 10 and 8 so not too young. Old enough to know how to behave at least.

I’ve looked at the airplane type and googled the seats. It looks pretty dated to be honest, but lots of people were complaining you can see over the top of the dividers, which I thought would be a good thing. As I’ve said, it’s a night flight so I’m expecting them to sleep pretty quickly.

@Bollixtothat im not sure why you’re saying I can’t afford it when I’ve stated I have enough saved to pay for it outright, and it would just reduce the amount of spending money we would have when away?

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.

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.

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

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

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!