Would you pay £500 each to upgrade on an eight-hour flight?

[smoshna]

We're coming back from the US soon, around an 8 hour flight. It's a day flight that lands about 10pm US time in the UK.

An upgrade to business class from economy is around £500 each. Would you bother? We're not rich, earning about £10k a month.

Absolutely, that’s a great upgrade price.

Yes - that's a steal! But I'm used to turning left with work so find economy tough going

@smoshna yes, but only to business class. First class is absolutely worse than business. Wealthy people's children throwing fruit over the divider was awful. Don't get that in business.

A lot of the BA transatlantic routes have the Club Suite now. Doesn’t really matter if it’s an older plane if it’s been upgraded to Club Suite.

Christ I didn't even upgrade travelling on a return trip to Australia in the summer
Would rather have the money to enjoy whilst there

No, but I am a complete cheapskate when it comes to flying - 8 hours of discomfort is manageable for me, though probably when I'm in my 80s I will think differently,

You know your own preferences best. For me, I would not. You won't be getting extra sleep, as it's a day flight. And if I were to upgrade, I'd find each thing that wasn't perfect much more frustrating, whereas if I've bought the basic option, I'm happy as long as I arrive safely.

But if you are prone to back problems/joint problems... well I'd pay 500 for a back problem to go away, so might as well pay 500 to avoid getting it in the first place.

Depends on your health and overall finances.

I don't think I would - 8 hours daytime is quite manageable at economy at the planes used for transatlantic and I wouldn't enjoy the lounge for long enough to match the cost.

Depends on the airline, they say anything under £100 per hour of travel is a good price. You should also get access to the airlines lounge or another airport lounge if they don’t have one. Check if there is one from your departure airport. I’d go for it but my partner, well that’s another story.

I’d rather use the money to splurge on something on the trip itself

Earning 10k a month is the pre tax amount

Besides which 120k would be closer to 13k a month after tax

10k is quarter of a million income a year

top 2%

I'd keep the £1k and tough it out in economy

Ooh l love a tone deaf post but yes l would pay this to be upgraded.

Are for fucking real? I earn £1300 a month. Yes you are rich.

Yes absolutely! Enjoy it! The problem with flying long haul business class is you then can’t ever go to economy 😂

which airline is it?

Absolutely yes

Out of interest what made you choose BA? I am in this situation too but have been told Wizzair are awful! But Luton is closer than Heathrow so l am torn!

I did, but I was going for a short trip for a wedding and wanted to be rested when I arrived and also rested on my way back. Slept well on both flights so it was worth it for me.

It's about £85k pa each, which puts them in the 93rd percentile of earners. That is definitely rich.

An upgrade to business class from economy is around £500 each

Are you sure? I would expect to pay £500 to upgrade from economy to premium economy?

That’s a really good price for that upgrade and I’d pay it for a night flight but not for a daytime one.
We are on a similar income to you and don’t feel rich, certainly don’t feel poor either but not at the stage where I could just throw a grand at 8 hours with no difference to the outcome - ie everyone arrives at the same time anyway!

If it's just the two of you travelling, I see no reason why not. It's manageable for you financially and will be more comfortable.

Hell yeah. It's a bargain. I LOVE business class.

That’s what I was going to say and is what I roughly paid to upgrade from economy to premium earlier this year on an eight hour flight. Business was at least £2k more per person.

I never travel 8 hours in economy. I prefer the smaller, quieter cabin and quicker service that premium or business offer. Plus less people per toilet (can’t stand a massive queue for the loo). It’s not all about the extra space, although I do like a lie flat bed!