Do international law firms generally pay for flights in business?

[ruggedreindeer]

I am a newly qualified (+2) lawyer working at one of the big name city firms, that I'd rather not name.

Recently, in the space of a week I had to be in London, then New York and then Tokyo. Obviously they've paid for hotels and flights, but the flights were in economy class. That's absolutely fine for going on holiday or for short haul. It's just that week I'd racked up 22/23 hours of flying time, bloody knackered with the amount of work, and struggled with the time differences. Then to be put on flights that I can't manage to sleep in (I'm 6ft) due to cramp space.

I was just wondering, is my firm being particularly stingy putting me in economy, or is this something all firms do other than for the partners etc?

I can't comment on what law firms do I'm afraid, but xh works for a not for profit all over the world and goes business (at the cost of a business partner)

I couldn't do what you're doing and function long term. The time differences alone sound like a killer. Rest between stops is essential, not a luxury.

Depends on the firms policy

I think that’s a thing of the past. Quite frankly business isn’t really sleepable either.

As a newly qualified lawyer I would expect economy - definitely nothing else. It is pretty standard.

It used to be business out and economy back for the firm I know.

I work for a top 20 firm and yes long haul flights are business class. Occasionally, business class seats aren't available (if a flight has to be booked short notice). In that scenario usually they ask if you want to go a day earlier so you can have a night in the hotel to catch up on sleep.

Sounds a bit weird that your firm expects you to step off a long haul flight after little sleep and start work. However, if you have a night before you have to start work, that is probably ok in my view.

I have noticed this too with the professional accountancy firms. I was shocked when a senior partner told me he had flown economy to the UK from NY!

Not in a law firm but at my company everyone flies economy, even the management.

(In reality they always get upgraded to business/first because they fly so much and have gazillions of points etc), but the tickets are cattle.

...That is, unless there is some extenuating circ - for example a colleague recently had to fly to Seoul, host/work a very technical all-day workshop the following morning, fly back that night and travel onward to Europe for the next session! His business class flights were his only bed for a couple of days!)

The economic crisis of 2008 put paid to most of that, although each firm will have its own policy. And some clients have their own policy that applies when you are travelling on business for that client. Before I was a partner, I never went better than Premium Economy when I travelled for work. Sorry, but I think you just have to get used to it!

I also have a well-built friend - 6'6" and very broadly built. He had it negotiated into his contract that any flights over a certain duration would be business class.

Not any firms I’ve worked for. Sorry!

A mate of mine is very senior in an international firm (not law, but very lucrative). They're put in economy regularly and/or have to pay the difference for business if they want it. Not unusual. Nor is being routed round rather than the most direct flight back.

We go business if the flight is over five hours (not a law firm, but other professional
consultancy)

Not a lawyer but my DH flies business everywhere paid for by his company

I work with lots of "magic circle" lawyers in the city and elsewhere. If the flight is long-haul, they always fly business class. A quick hop over to Europe would normally be economy.

Hope that helps

Thank you for the replies. It seems there isn't a consensus. Although in regard to the point that the 2008 crash has made things tighter, my firm most certainly is better off now than they were pre. As a rule I'd say most firms I've come into contact with are (?)

It came as a bit of a shock to me After slogging all this way to get here, I'd always had an image of myself flying business class for work. Oh how naive I was

Maybe I need to keep an eye out for new roles elsewhere !

All the companies I’ve worked for (large corporates) have had a policy of business for anything over 5 hours and economy for anything less than that.

DH’s employers (different industry) have all been the same.

I’m a bit surprised a law firm wouldn’t use business for long haul flights tbh.

Also not a law firm, but international tech / financial services. Used to be graded dependent on hours flying / billable work, but now Everyone goes economy, basic rate, cheapest ticket these days.

It is bloody horrible 🙁🙁 like you say, economy long haul is different if you don’t need to be on the ball when you land, but it’s crap when you do.

I’ve tuned down a Feb assignment to Sydney.

The general policy is economy now but make sure you join all the airlines clubs and rack up your miles. If you do you find you get free upgrades if there is space available that way!

I'm international law. It's basically economy only unless client is willing to pay business. I think London Toykyo might theoretucally be approved in business but if not chargeable then in reality you would be under significant pressure to go economy.

Over a certain distance would be business in my last firm. But only if chargeable and at a reasonable cost.

What are you doing? Presumably as an NQ no one is expecting you to host clients on your own at the end of those flights.

Only if over 7 hours