Business Class 10hr Flight

[tonystarksrighthand]

I know this can't really be answered. But is it worth it? Business Class flight for 10hrs. I suppose I'm asking for others experiences.

Thank you

I’ve been very lucky to fly business/first 4 times this and I honestly couldn’t go back.

If your finances allow it then I definitely would. I love arriving at my destination not feeling shattered!

For a 10-hour flight it’s the only way I will travel. Not getting on a plane for 10 hours unless it’s at least biz class. We can afford it but if I had to I would cut back on something else to afford it.

Onxe you’ve done biz class, it’ll be very difficult to go back to economy.

For £25-35 quid you can enjoy a lounge regardless, we often use them.

If someone else pays. then happily fly business - and have done regularly in the past but if I'm paying I'd rather have a longer holiday or better accommodation. We use the lounges loads, especially if having to be at the airport early .

If you can afford the great holiday and the business class, do it. It’s not either/or for everyone!! It’s so much nicer in every regard. Being flexible on dates can make some flights reasonable. We use companion vouchers when we get them and Avios. Have a great flight @tonystarksrighthand

@somewhereovertherain same here, i always get lounges now - i like to be at the airport EARLY, boyfriend does not - so compromise is the lounge so we are not hanging around for ages. He enjoys the free drinks more than me, i like the free snacks.

I love the lounges at the airport! We now get to the airport early to enjoy them (and not so bothered anymore about flight delays!)

Good for you OP! I love Business Class. Access to comfortable lounges, no ignorant twats reclining into your space as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off, plenty of room onboard, vastly superior food, as many drinks as you like, arrive at your destination rested and ready to start your holiday.
For info, we're not hugely wealthy. We normally enquire about upgrades very close to the date of travel, on a couple of occasions at the departure gate. There is a risk of no BC seats being available or the upgrade still being too expensive, but the latter has only happened once in about twelve or so trips.
Enjoy your holiday and take full advantage of the benefits!

Not sure who you're flying with, but if you book premium economy seats, some airlines send you a special offer to upgrade to business closer to your travel date (esp. if it's not peak season). It's significantly discounted.

I've taken advantage of this a few times on transatlantic overnight flights as I have to drive several hours when I arrive, so the sleep makes a big difference. I've also got lower back pain nowadays so that's another excuse. 😂

Nothing in this world could make me fly BA. I'm definitely not paying 1000s to fly with them...however, if you pay for lounge access can you really get all the free alcohol?
So the poster who guzzled £400 worth of champagne could have done so the £30?

@TediousTim . From my experience, you get what you pay for so the pay-for-use lounges don't compare well to the Business class ones (never flown First). I used a pay-per-use lounge in Heathrow earlier this year and you received two vouchers for cheaper drinks (house wines, etc.) and had to pay for more expensive drinks. The buffet food was OK, but not particularly nice and limited options.

Business lounges have menus and waiter service, as well as buffets. And plenty of decent drinks on tap. The arrivals lounge makes a big difference to me after a night flight, more than the departure ones. I usually hang out there for an hour, have a good breakfast, lots of excellent coffee and sometimes a shower, before making a long drive. It's not worth paying 1000s for, of course, but if you can get a good deal, they make travelling a better experience.

4 hours or thereabouts is my economy flght limit. Ten hours I want a single aisle access flatbed. No climbing over others and far enough away to enable a degree of privacy.

@Cameleongirl
i like BA business. We’ve just come back on a 9 hour flight in one of their new business pods. Huge tv screen, great privacy and really comfortable. I agree the BA lounges are better now COVID restrictions are lifted. Waiter service is a bit over-stated but it’s definitely better than paid for ones. However the comfort of the flight is enhanced immeasurably especially upstairs on the A380. Getting out first is also useful! Not last of 400 plus people. First class lounge is lovely by the way. Very relaxing.

Agree the new BA CW suites are actually really good. I didn’t think A380s had it though and that they were last on the list for upgrade? That said, I used to fly a transatlantic A380 route a lot and CW was never full so I’d always book premium economy and buy a massively discounted upgrade at the airport! If you’re actually booking business straight up I’d definitely look for the new CW suites though, and avoid the A380s (unless I’m wrong about them
being upgraded… ).

@FlounderingFruitcake
You are correct. It was a Boeing 787 (so says my boarding pass!) However upstairs on the airbus business is good as it’s a small cabin and the loos are huge! The pods were a step up on the Boeing.

Depends.

Yes it's much much nicer. You can sleep, more space, better food.

But the cost difference can be large so it depends how much the extra cash is to you. I've only ever done it when I'm upgraded for free which, of course, is worth it

@TizerorFizz Well, you can place a food order and they bring it to you….perhaps not waiter service exactly, but I appreciate it🙂.

If you need to hit the ground running when you land, I do think buying a last-minute upgrade is worth it (I’d never pay 1000’s for it though). I mainly fly BA as they serve my local airport ( in US) and others don’t so it’s purely convenience. I’ve heard Cathay Pacific are amazing for Asian routes.

@Cameleongirl
Ha!!! Yes that’s right! It’s perfectly ok though.

We are going to Argentina soon and BA now fly via Brazil. Business when we looked 11 months ago was 3 times the pre COVID prive for the dates we need (with some flexibility) on the way out. Other weeks were reasonable. As a result we are trying klm. I’m hoping it’s ok but it’s T3 so we will see!

Upgrading at the airport is risky if you have a boat to catch at the other end!

@TizerorFizz I’m just slightly envious, I’ve always wanted to visit Argentina.

@TizerorFizz how do you find the old BA business? We're booking BA business to Mexico soon and we don't know whether it will be new or old style

Best bet is to look at the seat maps @prinnycessa - if it’s all forward facing in a 1-2-1 configuration it’ll be the new suites. Seat guru website is good for this.

If it’s Cancun from Gatwick you’re looking at though then that’ll likely be the old ying-yang style where you have to climb over feet to escape from the window. Not the worst thing if you have kids though as they can’t escape! The double bed style seat in the middle is also weird AF if you’re next to a stranger but fine if you’re with a partner!

Thanks @FlounderingFruitcake - it's Mexico City from Heathrow so fingers crossed for the new configuration!

@prinnycessa
You might get an idea of plane by looking at flight ref no. I’ve mostly had the old style. With a family, take the 4 in the middle. Depending on configuration! Always avoid any seats near the Loos. In business and in PE behind. Try and get halfway between! DH and I often took middle 2 on old configuration. You get out round the back of other seats. Otherwise take aisle and window. If you get pod ones, windows are nice.

@Cameleongirl
Second time to Argentina. This time going on to the Antarctic via Falklands and South Georgia.I like it very much. Fantastic variety and lots to see and do. Plus steaks! (If you like them of course).

I've just done my first business class flight long haul and my first Premium long haul too. I've done lots and lots of long haul in economy.

I don't think it's worth the extra for business class if I'm paying, to be honest, especially if you're booking at full price. (e.g. paying £4k for a 10 hr flight, rather than the £1.5k that you can sometimes get them at).

The food was nice in business, and it was nice to be able to lie flat to sleep but was it £3.5k worth of nice? Not at all. I tried very hard to drink my way through the extra money, but it was a struggle. The flat bed wasn't that comfortable - I slept but not much.

I was, however, very impressed with premium. Significantly comfier seats and much better food (v standard economy). For a day flight, I wouldn't waste my money on business, but would definitely pay to fly premium.

Don't forget, you can buy reasonable lounge access for <£50.

For me it’s not just slightly more comfortable. It’s the difference between getting off the plane in real pain or getting off the plane feeling ok. I won’t bother booking a trip that is 10 hours long if I can’t afford a business class ticket. It’s just not worth it to arrive barely able to move.

@TizerorFizz perfect, thanks! Noted. Have you flown business on other airlines? If so, which do you prefer?