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.

It's not the age of the aircraft that matters as much as the age of the interior fit...a 20 year old longhaul aircraft can have a better cabin fit than something that came out of the factory <5 years ago....

Anyhow...

Genuine flatbed on an overnight sector would probably be worth the money.

150? How long ago was this?

What Airline is this that it's only £500 upgrade

A decade ago, and even then it was flipping cheap. Am still not entirely sure why other than a computer glitch/the gods were looking out for me 😆

Maybe whilst in the US pick up some tips about how in other counties, what you earn is not crucial information that has to be discussed for something so minor.

Although once again I suspect this is a rage bait post, as seemingly it's a British thing that people care enough to have to share their income willy nilly.

It’s almost exactly £90k each assuming no student loan and 5% pension cont.

Not for a day flight

Well played op

I don’t begrudge anyone earning a high salary, but to claim that you’re not rich when you’re earning £10,000 per month is actually quite offensive. Do you realise that the ANNUAL state pension is £12,500 and many many people have to live on this for the rest of their lives?

I’ve been upgraded for about that much on transatlantic flights, economy to business. E.g with aer lingus you can bid for an upgrade.

I took it. Once because I was flying alone and it was a real treat. Another time we both had to be back in work the day after we landed.

now I look for upgrades because I’ve got dodgy hips and even getting up and walking round a long flight wrecks them. Premium economy on a day flight is usually ok. But I do love the business class lounge and easier check in.

I would upgrade.

Dear utterly unaware person

£60k is two years wages for a lot of normal people, so yes it being half an annual household income is quite fucking rich. “Boomerish” is a stupid ageist insult given most of the people on £30k and below will be young families and and middle aged people in unskilled jobs, neither of which are “boomers” 🙄.

It’s good value but debatable whether it is worth it.

Yes 100%

Even if it was just from economy to premium economy.

We routinely fly to/from the USA as have family and work connections out there. Flights home are always night flights and (I know this is horrendously first world) overnight in economy is like an endurance event. I hate every second once the cabin lights are dimmed.

Premium is generally how we do it, as I can’t sleep in a hotel bed the first night I’m away somewhere, so even lay flat doesn’t get me sleep, but if we have the points or see a really good deal then we’ll upgrade beyond PE. It’s rare the airlines have BC anymore but we have flown on a couple with nice big armchairs and that was great.

It’s rare the airlines have BC anymore but we have flown on a couple with nice big armchairs and that was great

As far as Longhaul goes F Class is being or has been phased out on some carriers on some routes but I don't think BC is that rare...

Of course you’re rich.

Upgrade going to Aus would definitely be worth it, though. Years ago I was bumped up from economy to either first or business on a packed JAL Tokyo-Brisbane leg and didn't bother sleeping just so I could properly enjoy it.

Agree - l am on £16k working in a school, husband in £30k as a delivery driver. £60k each would be a dream

Depends what aircraft it is. Some BA business is shite , Virgin upper class is a waste of time if on an older aircraft.

10k a month is not poor !

Couple of years ago I paid £75pp extra for PE over E. That was for a night flight home from NY.

If it was the beds/extra space business class i would. We got upgraded to NYC Business on my first every long haul flight ( BA) and it was amazing (23 years ago). I’d say it’s worth £500. I’ve no experience apart from those two journeys.

My £2k a month wage doesn’t stretch that far. Now if we had £10k a month……

This is one of those posts I don't understand why a poster would be asking random people on the internet. It isn't a decision that would be informed by others' opinions.

Can you afford it?

Do you have something else you'd rather spend the money on?

How important is comfort on a flight to you?

Do food and service matter enough to you to spend the money?

Have you got things on at home afterwards that would make a restful flight important?

Will spending the £1k prevent you from from doing something you really want to on another occasion?

Do you have any health issues to take into account?

Do you just fancy a bit of luxury?

Its not like a relationship dilemma where other views might help

But then they wouldn't get to tell us paupers that they're on 10k a month, would they?

You are rich...you are just being modest. I'm guessing you work hard for that money and travelling is part of the holiday so enjoy.
I'm just envious. I travelled for many years to visit family in South Africa and spent 22 hours between airports and flights and dreamed of one day turning left instead of right.
Oh and nick the great toiletries they give you as well.😃

Same. Just chucked my eye mask and headphones on.

True but TBF you can say the same about any of the Longhaul operators, not sure why BA and Virgin keep getting singled out.

Longhaul aircraft interiors get a rebuild/often a complete remodel several times over their lifetimes...I've stepped onto 15-20 year old Boeings that have just come out of deep maintenance and there's the new car smell and a better appointed cabin on that airframe than there is on the 2-3 year old aircraft parked next door.