Business Class flights - worth it?

[supercee]

Specifically to New York (possibly from Manchester).

I have a big birthday next year and have already booked the hotel (free cancellation in case this shit show doesn't let up). Due to my single/child-free/pretty-disappointing-friends status, I tend to travel alone quite a bit and always choose the cheaper end option, so have splashed a bit more on the hotel.

Which has led to think F it, I'll splash out on the flights too. I've never been whisked away on holiday or treated to anything special in my life so I'll just continue to treat myself! I'm only 5'3 so economy has never been much of a problem but I upgraded to the bubble area the last time I flew to NYC and even that felt more special, despite still being economy.

So, is it worth it, especially for a solo traveller? I'm guessing you get access to a lounge and all that jazz.

To New York, no, I don't think its worth it. Its a pretty short flight, and the price difference is so big I'd rather spend the ££££ on other things

I never have, if it was £200 I probably would (generally paying £600 for flights) but more that that and I think how much extra nice hotel I could get for the money (and 2 of us) or even better room in my hotel.

So I did club class in hotel last holiday and loved the free breakfast and afternoon snacks (even though objectively I could have just paid $50 and covered breakfast buffet and bag of sweets)

Agree with PP. For the shorter end of long haul I wouldn't bother if you were paying full price. If you get a real bargain then yes why not.

Are you on JFC? Sometimes you get really good prices on business for long haul, went to India last year for £800 business which was astonishing good value. You have to be quick though.

Who with and how much more does it cost?

These are the things to weigh up and then you’ll know if it’s worth it.

Good for you for treating yourself, @supercee . Your trip sounds fantastic.

Regarding the flights - as PPs have said, it's such a huge price difference between economy and business that the risk of it being disappointing - not worth it is massive.

If you were going 10 hours plus, I'd say go for it, but as you're short and comfortable in normal seats, maybe go for a premium- located premium economy and buy lounge access separately?

I'd go Premium Economy. You get the comfy seat but not the posh food.

Not last year... 2019. 2020 was so awful I've wiped it from memory

Oh and we always buy lounge passes anyway where we can. £30 or so per person and I am happy as other half then happy to get to airport nice and early. Don't usually bother fir way back as happy to just sit quietly in airport with a book and an knackered anyway.

I would say it is worth it btw, even to NY. I’ve flown solo on Virgin and BA to NY. Both times was just lovely, makes you feel like you’re on holiday already.

Please go to see ‘Sleep No More’ while you’re there. Everyone experiences that alone

Not if you're taking a day flight (which you will be on the way out presumably). Go premium economy and spend the £1500 you've "saved" on restaurants, tickets, experiences when you're there.

I fly business for work and last time went Virgin upper class travelling to New York. It was lovely! But when doing personal travel I would spend more £££ on lovely hotel and fly economy especially for that length of flight unless there was a bargain upgrade.

Definitely not

I wouldnt bother with an upgrade to NYC as its not that long a flight and scheduled economy is pretty doable. Save the extra money for some NYC treats,,have a great trip :)

So, is it worth it, especially for a solo traveller? I'm guessing you get access to a lounge and all that jazz.

It's nice. I once got upgraded by BA, Manc to NYC. But that's during the day; where business class is really worth it it is coming home overnight. And then I'd go Virgin.

The nice things about Business Class are
you jump queues - well, there are no queues really
the BA Lounge (but I have access via my bank)
No queues
No queues

But coming home, Virgin Upper Class - flat beds, & lovely service, partly because IIRC, Virgin don't have a First Class (although 1st class on Qantas is wonderful!).

In the days when the pricing schemes allowed, I'd always fly Economy Plus/Premium Economy to NYC, and Upper class home. A bit cheaper than business each way.

Premium Economy is great for day flights, btw. It really is so much nicer & calmer & quieter than cattle class.

If you were going 10 hours plus, I'd say go for it

Indeed - if I have to go to Australia, I always fork out for Business Class.

The flatbed to stretch out is a game changer for me. Not because I am tall, but because sitting with my legs up or lying flat to sleep transforms the experience for me.

I'd rather not travel than have to sit up all day / night. Enjoy.

I travelled out to LA last year. Upgraded to are linguistic business class, they have a system where you can bid for a seat.

Bloody loved it, the lounge, the flat bed, the wine, the food, the space. On my own was extra lovely.

I’d do it for New York on my own.

Thanks all. Pretty unanimous then, save my ££ for when I'm actually there. Makes sense.

I've been lucky in that the last couple of times I've been to NYC I've managed to get bargain flights so the jump to Business would be pretty significant I think. I'm no longer a paying member of JFC but still get the email I think. May re-subscribe.

Leaning now to seeing what the Premium Economy prices are like and paying for lounge access separately. I've just switched to a Virgin credit card so maybe there's perks to be had via that.

Hmmm just the sound of that makes me weary @AgnesNaismith

I saw that you could bid for an upgrade on Virgin but unfortunately I booked via a third party so couldn't, so paid to sit in the bubble area instead whilst I looked at Premium getting served their drinks in proper glasses on trays .

I flew business class to New York and would do so again. No it's not the longest flight but I definitely noticed the difference on how I felt on arrival at both ends, having flown to and from NY in economy twice before. We had turbulence for most of the flight coming back and I also found that turbulence is much easier to cope with when you're able to lie flat (they do let you stay reclined as long as it's not severe enough for the pilot to ask the crew to take their seats in my experience), so that's another factor for me as I hate turbulence.

I did hunt around for a good deal, however - the prices being quoted by Virgin were ridiculous and I got a ticket with United for less than half the prices they were charging because I was flexible on my travel dates. You also have the added bonus of not inconveniencing anyone by reclining your seat which I didn't really think about before but now I've experienced this perk I don't want to go back to fighting with the person in front of or behind me. If it's something you've always wanted to do I say do it - it's never going to come out as value for money but then that's not really the point, is it?

I disagree- it's definitely worth it (and so are yiu )

I dislike premium economy- full of entitled people

Either save money and stick to economy or go for business- you can get some great deals

For NYC I’d spend the money on better accommodation as decent hotels are expensive

I flew Manchester to New York business class (albeit using air miles) and if I could afford to do it again I would!

The lounge was lovely beforehand. There was a spa where you can book a massage. The meal and wine were delicious on the flight and the staff on board were very attentive. I was able to get a proper sleep on both legs of the journey, so felt rested when we arrived. I also booked a shower for the lounge on the way back. No jet lag and felt fresh. I loved it!

Yes @Ansjovis, was also thinking for the experience in itself. At the moment I can't really see myself doing business class any other time, unless I get a lottery win or Mr Rich Right makes a long overdue appearance! (I kid). Or I wait another 10 years to celebrate another big birthday, should I still be here. Lockdown has changed my thinking in a lot of ways.

That's usually my thinking @BlueCowWonders, all or nothing!

Flights should be getting released next month so I'll have to look for deals from then. Manchester isn't my local airport but I think they use another airline to fly from mine so wasn't sure if the experience would be as good.

I suppose I'm in the minority here but for me personally business or upper class on anything over 5 hours (Eg anything further than Greece/EU) is a must for me.

I actually did my first upper class flight with Virgin on a return leg from NYC (They randomly offered us a good deal when we went to the check in counter) probably about 4 years ago and ever since then I've never been able to look back.

It's just a completely superior (albeit luxury and not necessary) way of travelling. For me I get excited about a trip right from the airport so being able to have lounge access is great. Then being able to fly in your own cabin and either sleep flat or just relax without feeling cramped just a far better experience than being wedged between 2 or 3 people...especially since you're travelling solo so it's not even as though you're sitting with friends to make economy more enjoyable. Then being able to get off first and get your baggage first etc. These are all just additional benefits that make the flying experience much more stress free and enjoyable.

Then there's the food and drink 👀. The difference, at least with the airlines I've flown business and upper with which are Virgin, BA, Cathay P & Emirates, is night and day!

What I will say though is that it is very easy for it to become your norm after you start doing it which proves expensive! You will forever scorn having to fly economy (at least that's been my experience) because you know what it's like on the other side of the curtain lol so it does become a habit you need to manage.

For what it's worth I personally never pay cash for business. I tend to buy a direct economy ticket which is flexible for upgrade and then upgrade with miles which I accrue through American Express. In my opinion it's a far better use of cash since I get my miles from everyday spending and purchases and I still only fork out the cost of an economy ticket