If you could afford to fly business class on a longhaul holiday .....

[Youdoyoubabe]

.... for yourselves and your older teens. Would you:

All go in business
Just the parents go in business
All go in economy

We are looking at this. DH wants to fly Business as he does for work so has got used to it. I usually fly economy or economy plus on long haul if on my own. I fly business if me and DH travel together though.

I have always booked economy when we travel as a family. This one is for a special birthday trip. I just can't push the button on business class for a family of 5 so have booked us all economy and E+ on way back as it was only 20% more.

The business tickets were 4 x price of the economy tickets.

I just couldn't bring myself to do it. DH has reluctantly agreed as we didn't want to put them in economy on their own while we swanned off to business on our own.

Everyone or no one. And I can never get past the Anthony Hopkins quote when asked why he flies economy, "you get there at the same time".

All or no one

I'd fly economy for any day leg and all business overnight.

We fly all together, sometimes that's business (usually with miles), sometimes that's economy. If one or other of us gets offered an upgrade at the airport it's a call on who needs it most or deserves a treat.

Ok, this bodes well so far. I have gone for economy out (day flight) and economy plus back (night flight).

In theory we could afford it, it just seems such a ridiculous thing to spend money on. Just sittign there.

If it was on miles or points or somethign I would but it is school holidays so can't do that.

Where are you going? If it’s a flight longer than 7 hours then I will always fly business. I recently came back from Kuala Lumpur which is 13+ hours away and I would have hated to done that in economy but I’m flexible as I don’t have children. Good call either way.

The airline makes a difference in my experience. Economy plus can mean quite different things. I agree with pp about economy being ok for day flights but pretty painful overnight.

Yes which airline is it, and how many hours is the flight? Does either leg run overnight?

If business is 4x economy price then I'd never choose to pay business for anyone even though I could afford it. The last transatlantic flight I did was £8,000 for a 9 hour flight in business. If someone offered me 500 an hour for sitting in a slightly uncomfortable chair I'd take it which is in effect what sitting in economy v business is at that price!

Teens in premium economy, if they’re old enough for the airline to accept them on their own booking. Adults in business class. DH and I both grew up doing it that way and harbour no hard feelings against our parents ha! You have a better tolerance for uncomfy when you’re young,

Or if you’re really dead set on all sitting together or they can’t go on their own booking as too young then I’d do premium economy day flight and business for the overnight.

Unless I literally had so much money I couldn't spend it fast enough I'd fly as cheaply as possible and spend the money saved on holiday experiences/ excursions etc.

Apart from the super rich and those who get it paid for by their employer I don't understand paying business/ premium but everyone is different!

And I have experienced it, at my employers expense. It's nice but not £££thousands extra£££ nice

In theory we could afford it, it just seems such a ridiculous thing to spend money on.

This. I’ve never paid for business (flown business for work but never personally) and I suspect never will. If it was say 50% extra I’d consider it. But 4x is such a stupid amount of money.

I would say you all go or none. I'm often in a similar position as my husband travels business or first for work. I can't bring myself to pay business for our family holidays as often the price of the flights is almost like doing the holiday again or going somewhere in Europe for a week and I'd rather that than the luxury of a more comfortable flight. One thing I have learnt over time is that upgrading flights on the day or the day before is much cheaper than booking business/first from the outset. Perhaps try and upgrade instead. X

We could afford business I suppose but it would be a total waste of money when I immediately curl up and fall asleep on every flight anyway. I definitely wouldn't book business for the adults and leave the rest of the family in economy.

I'd never split adults and children, I think that's awful. But if I could afford it - as in, I wouldn't really miss the extra money - then I would fly business class on the overnight bit for sure.

All in business. We never fly long haul in economy.

I love flying business but would never do it with DC - having to be a parent takes all the fun out of it (i.e. sleeping and drinking copious amounts of champagne). Also depends on airline - most are not worth it. Qantas, Emirates and Qatar are the exceptions (especially the A380 with the walk-up bar on Emirates). Always the chance of an upgrade to First too!

Unfortunately I’m over 6ft as is my husband so economy isn’t really a pleasure to fly in for us & flying in premium cabins is really my only treat.

I am flying to the Caribbean over Easter and business class was actually cheaper than premium economy. I always book in sales and plan well ahead (never paid more than £2k for flights including going to Australia) but other than that I do understand where you’re coming from but it’s not always eye watering expensive compared to economy

@Vinvertebrate the OP has older teens so sleeping and necking champagne should be fine, no need for much parenting 😄

Economy day and business or first for night flights

All or none.

I would book premium economy both directions, then upgrade if available.

parents BC , teens E or E+. You all get space and luxury according to seniority

if you can wrangle an upgrade for teens.. then do.

Even if it’s entry into the BC lounge

If someone offered me 500 an hour for sitting in a slightly uncomfortable chair I'd take it which is in effect what sitting in economy v business is at that price!

I feel a bit like that about it. But I am 5 foot nothing and hate flying, so it’s a bit of a no brainer for me.

id totally go business and leave the kids in economy!!

Well, it's the 'just sitting there' that's the pertinent point, I think. In business you get to lie flat on a bed! Doesn't matter on day flights, no, but I think it could make a big difference on night flights to how quickly you get over the jet lag and how rested you feel.
But I am interested that 'DH has reluctantly agreed'. I think he should be a bit more gracious.