ex_exile

Hi Guys

Help me out here, I have to fly from Sydney to London to visit relatives, Obviously have choice of flights / airlines but am toying with the idea of flying business as I dont fancy being squeezed into a 32 inch seat pitch for 24+ hours.

So, have you ever paid to fly business and whats the maximum you think its worth paying for the extra space assuming I could get an economy class flight for say $3,000

Cheers

x_x

nicktork

We paid for one-way business class when emigrating. Scary because it was 3 times the price of economy and we didn't have jobs lined up in Melbourne, but it was our treat to start off our new life down under.

I can't recommend it enough. We arrived feeling great, it was like a holiday -- fine food, wine and entertainment. I even managed 10 hours sleep on the near-flat seat/bed, which really helped with jet lag.

But once you've done it, economy is ruined forever and you'll never want to travel any other way.

Centurion

I fly business and first on business trips a lot and upgrade using frequent flyers on personal trips. The price you pay varies greatly with each carrier. All business and first class products are NOT created equal.

For example, Emirates business class is crap on 99% of its fleet which is why is a darn sight cheaper than say Singapore who have an awesome business product. However, Virgin Atlantic have probably the best business class product out there and you'll pay more than Emirates first class, but then again its a lot better product.

To my mind the best value for money in a business cabin at the moment is Malaysian. Angled flat bed seats on the SYD to LHR sectors and cheaper by a lot compared to Cathay or Singapore.

But as above - once you fly business or first you can never stomach economy again long haul

JulesM

We've flown to Australia in economy, premium economy and business class and, as both previous posters said, once you've flown business class you can't really go back to economy!

We've flown with BA (all 3 classes), Qantas (business class) and Virgin Atlantic (business class). Of these I would say that Virgin Atlantic's business class is by far the superior. We flew earlier this year with them and paid about £3k each but it was definitely worth it and we plan to do the same again next year.

The lounges were really good (free eyebrow pluck at Heathrow!) and the ability to have a shower part way through the journey (Hong Kong) was much appreciated. The service on board was very good (even made me a bacon sandwich at 3.00am) and we were both able to get some proper sleep. I know it's a lot of money but if you can afford it you should definitely do it (work out the cost per mile and it will make you think it's quite reasonable! )

Jules

on a mission

Ye "ol business class" debate.

Go with what you can afford and want to do.

At the end of the day long haul flights arent pretty , and you still smell the same at the end, and can still walk around like you own the airline when you walk through arrivals with a boner.... to your chauffeur.....

I'd rather be put out for 24hours and stuck in the baggage hold and then brought back again at the other end.

maisey

On the subject of business class are children allowed on business class or is this frowned upon. We were thinking of doing the one way on business class when we go as a treat. Although I think the prices are extortionate.

on a mission

ofcourse they are allowed.

I took my kids once, they screamed for hours, so much fun wacthing the regular traveller get upset over it.

Pollyana

I got a free upgrade to Business on JAL last year for compassionate reasons, Tokyo to Brisbane. Truly amazing, I loved it. I've done Business domestic/shorthaul many times in Europe, but not longhaul till then.
Its a great experience, but i wouldn't pay the extra just for me. I would if I flew with The Bloke, as he's a big guy and economy is just uncomfortable, but I think you have to be in the right income bracket to justify it as a regular thing.

FluffyTheCampfireSlayer

Personally I think it's a waste of bloody money! All that extra cash (and lots of it) just for a comfier seat and for the trolley dolly to smile (falsely incidentally)a bit sweeter??

Even if I had the money I wouldn't do it!

It's a few hours of your life for gawds sake, how the heck can anyone justify that amount of cash when there are people in this world wondering where their next meal is coming from?

Greed I tell you, greed!

on a mission

be careful you will have the "up ur ass" frequent flyers on yer case....

FluffyTheCampfireSlayer

Face?

Bovvered?

Am I bovvered?

Do I look bovvered?

tabby

busterboy

The type of mature reply I expect from you Buffs!

DunRoaminTheUK

We flew business class when we originally emigrated and to be quite honest the 4,600 quid that we paid could be put to much better use right now.

Unless you are seriously loaded, I would say don't bother and especially if you think that are going to a professional position that pays less money than you are used to.

It was a nice experience but the money is now sorely missed.

walaj

have been upgraded before now and been treated for honeymoon and it is difficult to turn right onto the plane once you have experienced batter. We did debate it when we were making the big move, but did'nt in the end. Instead we stayed in a posh 5star place for a few nights with harbour & SOH views.