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.

The trouble with upper class is that once you've gone there you dont want to go back.

I agree very much with this. I once picked a job mostly because I knew their travel policy well enough to know I would fly business. Of course with Covid so much has changed but now I'm content to jot travel rather than have to turn right.

Definitely a good idea to check the planes though. It is really disappointing when you are on one with the old configuration.

It is but I'll offer the health warning that be if an airline has a mix of aircraft types and internal fits then the seating configuration and even aircraft type can change at very short notice.

I’d go with the save your money & splash out a bit more in NY option too. It’s more environmentally friendly as well!

I used BA business class regularly pre Covid and always had a flat bed. However on this route PA would suffice but you won’t get the BA lounge at Heathrow. Prices will be all over the place but be aware that BA code share with American so check what you are booking and what airport for NY. They don’t all use JFK.

Now Norwegian has gone its back to pricing reality!

I know it wasn’t exactly out of the blue as Norwegian had been having financial problems for years, shame though!

I got a £120 return fight to NY when they first released their cheap flights. It was like long haul Ryanair but still, couldn't grumble.

It was not a realistic business model though and if it’s too good to be true, it probably won’t last. My DD used them to NY and back and had an awful experience but, thankfully, DH and I didn’t. I was always worried about their imminent collapse!

Generally Business is worth it but some airlines have three classes of cabins and not 4. Air Canada has three and their intermediate one isn’t great. They combine first and business. Always book early because on busy routes the seats go. Be flexible on flying times and dates. We always book flights first to get the bargains. There are some around at the moment 11 months into the future but not sure about the summer. Having said that NY business falls off in the hot humid summer but it’s late to look and book in normal times.

I would never recommend not flying direct. Especially now. Go direct. Delays can be built in if you stop and it’s very time consuming.

Agree about worrying about their potential imminent collapse and very uneven delivery (flying out to NY in 2019, they switched the flight to a partner airline which was bloody awful!). Still, they made flying to NY achievable for some families who might have struggled to go otherwise. While there is a vacuum now, I’m sure in a couple of years there will be new long haul low cost carriers (with equally dodgy long term prospects!).

That was DDs problem. Not their aircraft and no food or hot drinks. Just water. Anyway they are history now on long haul.

With the reduction in air travel I’m not sure relying on fuel efficient aircraft and cheap pricing is a business model anyone can afford. It leads to collapse and I’m not sure anyone will try again, even 5 years down the line. As there is over capacity and airlines scale back then price competition at bargain basement prices won’t be there because it’s not sustainable. Norwegian was debt laden and has been bailed out by the Norwegian government. There must be a lot of nearly new aircraft on the market though!

I would consider it worthwhile if it’s an overnight flight so that you can get some rest.

I once flew to NY on business (relocating and paid by husband’s company) and my entertaining system didn’t work. The flight attendants couldn’t be less bothered and I would have been pretty pissed if I had paid thousands of pounds myself.

I can’t recall what we ate but I think if it had been good I would still remember it.

First out (while I'm awake all the time and can make the most of it!), business back for me - on Avios though, couldn't be affording it for cash.

Makes a huge difference on comfort for me as I'm taller, avoids the whole swollen feet thing (improved but not removed by flight socks for me). All in all just far more enjoyable. Spoil yourself.

Does ruin you for economy though ...

Some of the prices for business are rock bottom at the moment 11 months out. Even for business. I don’t think the meals are great but in BA the champagne always flows and I like getting off the aircraft quickly too. With a lie flat bed you will be awake because you must land with your seat in the upright position - not flat. You are unlikely to be asleep. For longer flights it’s great to sleep flat and I definitely avoid fat ankles! As NY is only 7 hours it’s a marginal benefit but the BA lounge at Heathrow is a decent start to a holiday.

I’m praying our trip away in November comes off. Cancelled in 2020. We’ve just paid for business and it was a bargain - 13 plus hours though! I’m so longing to go!

Hey Happy Birthday! I have been to NY business and Premier economy or world traveller plus - whatever they call it on BA.
As DH is BA staff we didn't pay but I have always thought if it isn't such a long haul flight then business class wouldn't be worth it and use the £ difference for a hotel upgrade / great seats for shows etc!

Just a little update - I have booked upper class going and economy back, Covid permitting. Well I think it's just up from economy (Delta version on return leg) the sales guy was very excited it was coming in as cheaper than bog standard economy but after a couple of wines I'll hopefully sleep on the nighttime flight right back anyway.

Thanks for all your input, I'm very excited!!!

Brilliant! I hope you love it!

I've been following this thread and it's been so exciting to hear about others' experiences. SUPER excited for you, Op - enjoy your travels!!! :-)

Thanks! Doesn't take much at the moment to me excited admittedly but I'm excited!

Have a fab time OP. If you haven't already booked a hotel, may I suggest the Beacon on the UWS? We love the location.

For anyone in the future reading this, Aer Lingus business from Manchester is good, have done it twice now. Got a good deal both times, clearing customs and immigration in Dublin is handy (though maybe less so if numbers remain low in NY?) and we like the service. It does take longer than flying direct, of course, so you'd have to look closely at the prices compared to flying direct. I would cope with economy if it was a choice between that or not going at all but I'm afraid I'm with all those who say once you fly in a premium cabin it's really bloody hard to go back. Europe would be the furthest I would want to do now.

@supercee
Isn't it fun planning ahead? Anticipation is a big part of my travel enjoyment. If you are not travelling until next year, I suggest getting a BA Amex card and collecting Avios. Use it to pay for EVERYTHING & soon you will probably have enough points for a companion voucher which allows you to get seats for two people for the price of one (you have to pay taxes). I make sure I get a voucher every year & then I book flights months ahead. There is a free card & a paid card. You grow Avios faster with the paid card and your voucher is valid for 2 years instead of one. If you book well ahead, reward availability for business seats is good as there are (usually) many flights to NY per day. There's a website I use which for a small fee per month (think it is £3) will alert you to the seats as they become available. It is called rewardflightfinder.com.