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.

Haha sorry @supercee look it up and see what you reckon!

I wouldn't say it's "worth it" exactly, but as a once off treat/experience I'd say go for it.

We got bumped to business on a Manchester to JFK flight about a decade ago.

It was fab.

I think, if you've booked a nice hotel and it won't stop you doing what you want in NY then go for it.

Check with the airline if they do cheap upgrades on the day if there are spare seats. Emirates do and it's very affordable in comparison.

Why not, you can't take it worth you x

Yes, its definitely worth it. I flew business to India with Qatar airlines. Worth every penny! Business lounge, no queues, personally escorted through the airport to the plane, all you can eat/drink, quality food and a bed with a door so you have your own cabin in the plane.

Obviously it depends on how much extra it will cost and your financial situation...but if this trip is your treat to yourself for a special birthday and you can manage it I would absolutely go business.

The whole experience from arriving at the airport (or being picked up at your house if it’s an airline that does that) is SO much nicer there is no comparison. It’s MUCH more than just skipping queues. Your flight becomes a fun part of the holiday to look forward to, rather than something to be endured.

Go for it!! But be warned, as a pp said business is addictive!

I think it's worth it. I got engaged in St Lucia and my FIL paid for our flight to be upgraded. I haven't gone back to economy since! That's with BA but I've heard virgin is way better!

Id always fly business if travelling over four hours - less so in Europe where it’s just a curtain divider but definitely where I get a flatbed and uncrowned lavatories.
First is nice, if bumped up, but I’d not pay the first class as I don’t think the difference would make a huge difference to comfort level.

For the price and such a short flight, I'd say no.

BUT I do suggest getting a decent seat then check at the airport if there are upgrades. Some airlines also do auctions a few days before. If you've got loyalty with an airline, go with them as they'll use that to factor in any requests at the airport. 😁 Or use your points for an upgrade.

Have fun!

At least go business on the way back. Evening in the lounge to have champagne and decent ish food and then you can sleep. I feel like day flights are fun but not so worth it. Landing here at 8am having slept is great. I hate overnight flights in economy even if they’re only 6 hours.

I think the excitement of going would maybe override the need for business class on the way there but I'd love a proper bed for on the way back. I'm a terrible sleeper so that's a thought.

Still so undecided! I agree with you all.

Fuck, yes! In pre-covid days we went to the Caribbean for winter sun - 8/10 hour flights. The holiday started in the departure lounge with a lovely breakfast and fizz and the flights (no queues, full length bed, great food, endless drinks, first off the plane) made a huge difference.

Flying beck from toronto once I actually took a day flight. Stayed night at airport hotel, flight was 8am, arrived back around 8pm uk evening, taxi home.

Was great compared to an overnight flight and it's not like I would have done much on that day I arrived back in uk anyway.

New York should have similar day flights as similar flight times.

Agree with the suggestion of economy out to NYC and business class back overnight

I absolutely love BA’s club world.

What I’d recommend is join their frequent flyer club (if not already) and book premium economy seats. They’ll usually give you an offer to upgrade in the weeks coming up to your flight. It’s a bit of a gamble but worst case you still have premium economy (and there are pay lounges) and best case you’ll get a club world (business) seat for much less than the rack rate. I feel like the original price is literally for businesses who don’t really care about the cost of a ticket!

The times I’ve flown club world I’ve felt really looked after - but then I do love my wine and food and definitely made the most of both while onboard . All complementary of course. It’s also lovely to recline back and snuggle under a blanket with a much better tv screen and headphones.

It’s a luxury but it’s well worth it!

Yes! If you can afford it, do it! Life's too short. Use air miles or search for deals on line, you've got time. We flew to NY last year and picked up a great bargain in business which was only £59 more than economy!

Ears are pricking up at al the mentions of decent wine and lots of it. I do love my wine.

@supercee the wine does floweth! Especially if you’re nice and polite and friendly to the cabin crew - you get brilliant service and the wines are of a very good quality (it’s not cheap plonk!)

@ResignYourself

At least go business on the way back. Evening in the lounge to have champagne and decent ish food and then you can sleep. I feel like day flights are fun but not so worth it. Landing here at 8am having slept is great. I hate overnight flights in economy even if they’re only 6 hours.

Totally agree with this, it’s a completely different experience on a night flight-you arrive feeling reasonable vs. completely horrible.🤣 I tend to do Business overnight and Premium economy daytime for trans-Atlantic flights. If you can possibly travel mid-week one-way, you’ll see some better prices.

You can get lounge access with a gold American express (usually free for first year), but I've never managed to actually use the lounge at JFK as it's always full or "not admitting priority pass members" which I'd be a bit annoyed about if I was actually paying for it!

We fly club to Spain every year, the holiday starts once you hit the airport, shorter queue to drop the bags, mental luggage allowance (actually that part of the holiday starts days in advance when DH is denied the ability to bitch and moan about too much stuff )

Fast track security, private lounge, priority boarding, real cutlery, real plates, real napkins, unlimited drinks (within reason) swift off board and the same on the way home, money well spent. IMO

I fly business whenever I can. I am 6 feet tall though and intolerant of other people putting their seats back crushing my legs.
However, I would forgo it for NYC and get a more central hotel. If you can afford both - do it! You've presumably saved money by not travelling in the last year?!?

Interesting, we normally fly Club from Stansted, this year we were not confident and a tad concerned about Stansted not being busy and BA possibly pulling out of the airport, so we decided to go from LHR.

Just for curiosity I googled the STN route to see if there was a price difference and BA are offering nothing, and yet I can't find any relevant news on the web.

Have I missed something ?

Have started another thread about this, as DH thought I was bonkers when I wanted to switch to LHR.

We were upgraded to business to NY on our honeymoon - it was ok , lots of snacks and a better meal but no way I’d pay for it myself

110% worth it.
I love premium travel. It's what I think about at night when I can't sleep, I play over in my mind all the fabulous trips I have taken, round the world several times always in First or Business (and one private jet).

Top tip is to book a package of flight and hotel as this (a) reduces the price; and (b) turns it into a package which gives you added protection if you can't travel due to Covid etc. Flight only booking have much less protection at the moment whereas packages must be refunded.

Happy travels.