10 hours in economy for 3 nights?

[DreamingofItaly]

I appreciate this is a real first world problem but I'm after some advice, perhaps from MNers that travel more than I do.

I have to travel for a work conference. Policy is normally business class for long haul, but as it's an internal event we have to go economy. It's 9.5 hours UK to US. For 3 nights. They expect us to be productive for the 4 day event. I often work long hours, but factor in getting to airport 2-3 hours before the flight and the fact the airports with direct flights are a 2.5 hour drive from me, I'm looking at a 14-15+ hour day travelling with bugger all sleep and being super jolly on arrival.

AIBU to think this isn't on? I don't want to pay can't afford to pay £1500 for the upgrade fee and I'm going to be knackered all weekend, land Friday morning meaning it cuts in to my family time. Oh, and I'm expected to then do the return drive on most probably no sleep.

My colleagues it seems are happy with this. I find it appalling and a health and safety risk.

Does anyone know if there are precedents against this? Probably sod all I can do and it's not an option to not go so I think I'm going to have to suck it up.

Any ideas? I'm thinking of asking for a taxi to/from the airport, see how they take that.

You may not sell bette run club, I had a snore next to me in 1st and got o sleep.

Often economy to the USA has space and so when doors close you can grab a row of seats and sleep.

Try again

You may not sleep better in club, I had a snorer next to me in 1st and got no sleep.

Often economy to the USA has space and so when doors close you can grab a row of seats and sleep.

But a daytime flight is best option- both ways

I fully intend to have supper and then get about eight hours sleep lying flat in a quieter, darkened cabin.

Not flying with BA then? The current club arrangement means you have to step over/or be stepped over to get in and out.

Not flying with BA then? The current club arrangement means you have to step over/or be stepped over to get in and out

Doesn't make sleep unmanageable though - I always take a window seat and even when stepping over legs it's easy to do without disturbing the person to whom they belong.

I do economy for long haul 9hr+ flights with my firm 3 - 4 times a year OP.

I hate it but firms have tightened their belts over the last few years. I always try to make it as convenient for me as possible. I get cab to / from the airport (approx £110 each way) and go a day earlier if I want..

You probably have to suck it up but make it work for you as best you can x

The company will have a policy, which you basically have to suck up.

Maybe the most you can get is time off in lieu when you get back.

Landing three hours before the event starts is very tight. It wouldn’t take much for you to miss the start of the event. At the very least I’d see if you can go the previous day.

Definitely look at going the day before, or failing that staying in a hotel at the airport the night before you travel. I can see why your company doesn't want to pay business class which could cost over £1k extra minimum per person but a hotel room for the night should only be £100 or so.

Some people cope better with lack of sleep/ sheer exhaustion than others. I don't cope well at all and in your situation I'd try to fly a day early even if I had to pay for the first nights hotel myself and I wouldn't be driving 2.5 hrs if I'd just spent a night on a plane in economy.

I get it OP. I fly long haul all over the world with work and am explicitly prohibited from doing what you are being asked to do on health and safety grounds. Driving after such a flight is the explicitly prohibited bit, and that's after a business class flight. We are also prohibited from economy for that distance and no manager anywhere is to ask anyone to do it.

Have you read your travel policy on why it has to be business when it's an external flight? If there are any health and safety grounds for that, you may be able to quote those, as the fact it's internal doesn't change the H&S aspects.

I would be physically unable to do what you're being asked to do, and I'm relatively fit and young. To the poster who said business doesn't make any difference...! I can sleep for 8 hours straight in business, including in BA. With BA I always choose an aisle seat in the middle block so I don't have to climb over anyone and I'm visible for crew whilst I'm asleep and travelling alone.

Good luck op. It's awful to be expected to give up so much personal time, and so much of your wellbeing for work. It doesn't matter that it's only for 3 days when you can't keep your eyes open in the conference and feel physically ill when your alarm goes off.

If you can't fly business, can you take hand luggage and pay for express security to minimise how long you need to be at the airport before?

How much would it be to stay at an airport hotel when you arrive back? Some will offer a daytime only rate.

I managed to care for 3 pre school aged dc after a flight to USA. You'll probably survive