Would you pay £160 for an upgrade to premium economy?

[lewdlouise]

It’s a day flight, 10 hours. Two of us. So total cost is £320. One way upgrade.

British Airways. Would you?

Lucky you having the money for it not to be a consideration. For some people it's an expense that needs justifying

Why can't you upgrade to business? Economy to PE isn't a massive jump worth £320 for one-way.

Why can't you upgrade to business? Economy to PE isn't a massive jump worth £320 for one-way.

I would, but having said that recently we’d booked BA economy out and PE back, turned down the outward upgrade (it was £260 each for 4 of us though) and got bumped up anyway.

No Premium Economy is rammed with infants and children. It's the least relaxing cabin on a plane. Economy every time(or business)

Absolutely. Worth every penny IME!

When BA were flying the 747s I was in First a few times to the West Coast of the US. I went for a wander. PE was behind the First cabin. It looked, smelled and sounded like WW3. Harassed looking parents, fractious children, not a seat free as they like to fill the cabin with paid upgrades. The occasional couple or single traveller looking harrowed among the melee.

Economy was a veritable bastion of peace and quiet. Most people had a row of three to themselves.

Done PE upgrade once on a different airline and ended up in a similar noisy cramped cabin. Paid upgrade meant we got the worst seats and had to have what we were given food wise.

Kicked myself for that. £600 wasted.

Is that a serious question? You can’t think of a reason why the price of a business class upgrade might not be an option?

I just looked at what a BA flight from London to Miami would cost (may not be where OP is going but is about 10 hrs). Economy standard is £590 return for my imaginary dates and business is £3880 for the same flights. It’s a different world price wise, a £160 PE upgrade is a bargain by comparison. You can’t think that everyone has a spare £6.5k for business.

Yep

No, not for only 10 hours. For 12+8 hours for that price I would think about it, then probably still not do it. I assume the flights have already cost a lot?

Most people, if they have the money at all.

We paid for main cabin extra with American Airlines flying to NYC, and it was worth every penny - seats were so much better, smaller cabin, great service. Came back with BA and it was horrific - full of screaming kids, and little different to economy other than food/drink got served first.

No, I don’t think I would unless it was a night flight.

I did this on a BA flight of same length, definitely worth it. I’ve travelled the route several times before in economy and dreaded it every time. Made the flight much more comfortable for me

Absolutely. The extra legroom is worth the upgrade fee.

Yes

I would for a 1 hour flight, but I have very long legs.

That's an awful lot of money. I would say no as I'm always so excited/grateful to be going on holiday that the inconvenience of being cramped wouldn't bother me. I'm going to South East Asian soon with my daughter and we are both so looking forward to the Emirates flight. After loads of Ryanair short haul, this one will be a breeze 🥰

No….not for a 10 hour daytime flight.
I flew to Australia last year ( 14 hour flight then 5 hour flight) economy out and premium economy back ( Singapore airlines) ….honestly couldn’t see any difference in seats or service…. We had the option to upgrade the 14 hour flight out for 60 quid…..we didn’t bother …..£160 for a 10 hour flight? ….absolutely no way

Yes

I wouldn’t fly long haul if I had to fly in economy. We just factor that in to whether we book a holiday or not. I’m not tall, but economy is miserable for any longer than 4 / 5 hours

Thats not much more than reserve some seats on BA. I 100 percent would for a 10 hour flight.

I've flown business, premium economy and economy with BA.

I'm not sure your info on economy seat armrests is correct. I've flown BA to Australia and back in the last month in economy and my armrests only went up halfway. I'd hoped my child could stretch out a bit and sleep but it was quite difficult.

Yes. Hope the offer is still there as last time we dithered we missed it and it had gone back up. Premium in BA is nice and the food much better