Is Business Class worth it?

That's one expensive hotel bed.

I went from NYC to my 50th HS reunion in the middle of the Pacific (via Japan). My spouse and kids gifted me a business-class flight for the return trip. I had a slight (not terrible) problem with lower-leg swelling on the way out, and avoided that completely on the way back.

Frankly, I thought business class was a lifesaver (but at the same time, I doubt I ever would have shelled out the dough myself): The ability to lie down completely and have my longish legs at the same level as my heart made a *big* difference in the comfort level on a ~20hr flight. YRMV.

Business class is definitely the way to travel for long intercontinental flights. You get more room, better food, lie flat seats etc. so the trip is not as taxing.

Another significant benefit is the business class lounge. Free food and drink, newspapers and magazines, comfortable armchairs and usually showers which are a godsend especially if you have a transfer mid journey. I had a flight from Montreal to Singapore with a three hour stop over in Tokyo. I spent one of those three hours in the shower.

They also have their own pre-boarding announcement system so you can leave the lounge and walk straight onto the plane without having to wait at the gate.

Whether the better service is worth the extra $$$ is subjective - the company was paying in may case - but I often used the points to upgrade regular tickets to business class for private trips. That seemed a better use of the points than just a free economy ticket.

Finally, you get a lot more points with a business class ticket so if you travel a lot that should also be factored in.

I fly quite a bit for work (am United 1k). Business class is certainly nicer, but I don’t think I would use my own money on it unless I really had cash to burn. But if I had the miles or my company was paying, then it’s a nice perk

I’ve only flown first class domestically and Comfort + internationally, but $6-7K goes a long way for the rest of the trip.

I’d pay an extra $1K or so for “Economy Plus” with more legroom and maybe free drinks/better food, but not $6K extra for business class on my own dime.

I've flown many long-haul flights, probably close to 100 trips with at least one leg of 10 hours. I've probably flown business class on about 40 of them, either lie-flat beds or almost-full recline with the similar pod configuration. Once I flew first class (15 hour flight) but it was pretty similar to that airline's business class cabin which I've flown quite a bit.

As far as I can recall, I've never paid the full-price business class fare (on 10+ hour flights, have definitely done it a number of times on shorter flights), it was either: 1) paid by my employer, 2) I bid for an upgrade (some airlines let you do this), 3) I redeemed miles/credit card points for a business ticket, 4) I had an upgradeable economy ticket and used miles to upgrade class, 5) I got a free upgrade at the gate (only happened about 3 times, but this is the best).

There's definitely a big difference between stuck in the back like one sardine among many and having a lie-flat bed, both in terms of experience and how you'll feel after the trip. Is the $6-7k for round trip or one way? That's not a bad deal for that route round trip, but I would also consider the following:

1) What are the alternatives, in terms of cost and experience? If you can snag an exit row or premium economy seat, that alone could elevate the experience at much lower cost.

2) Do you have credit card points you could redeem for the business class ticket, or to upgrade from the economy fare?

3) What does the extra $5k or so mean to you? If you have a NW of 20 million, it's a lot less of a financial burden than if you just graduated college and have your first job while trying to pay back student loans. Since you're even asking I'm guessing you're somewhere between those situations so it's really up to you.

I've done some pretty rough routes on economy, 2-3 leg trips of over 24 hours total duration. You'll get through it, just download some shows to keep yourself entertained. But if you can afford to treat yourself for a special occasion trip, business class will put you in better spirits and probably make the whole experience more memorable.

Done NYC-Singapore and LA-Sydney several times in Economy, Premium Economy and Business. Business is definitely nice, as it allows to arrive reasonably well-rested at destination, while when flying economy let you a bit off for the first day. Neither is going to save you from the jet-lag.

On a business trip, where there are meetings scheduled a few hours after arrival, Business class is kind of a necessity. For a holiday of a couple of weeks, for me it is not worth an extra 6K, but would consider Premium Economy if it is only ~1K extra.

I mean if your net worth is $1 mil that’s still a good chunk for a flight. Don’t pay full price, use points

I do pretty well financially, but still cannot convince myself to ever pay for business class out of pocket. I did use premium economy often, however. Pre-COVID it was generally a great deal - as an example I used to fly to HKG a lot and economy+ was sometimes as little as $200 extra round trip (vs $4-6k extra for business).

The extra 4-5 inches means you can lean back further, can get out without waking your seatmates up, more snacks/perks, and for whatever reason it seemed like the middle seat was empty way more often than in economy. Economy+ window seat with an empty middle seat was pretty damn comfortable for the price.

I've flown long haul business class several times, but it's always been because I got upgraded and never because I paid for it.

You're going to be sleeping maybe 7 hours on the flight so that works out to $1,000 per hour to sleep. You've got to be kidding me. That's crazy expensive.

If you have a premium economy option that's the best value in my opinion.

Another option is to fly halfway to Sydney during the day, spend a few days wherever the halfway point is, then take a separate day time flight the rest of the way. That way you wouldn't have to sleep on the plane at all, you'd get to see a new place along the way, and you'd save several thousand dollars.

I could never justify paying $6000-$7000 more for a flight. If you’re going to be so worn out by flying economy, I would plan to just take one or two extra days of vacation at a nice hotel. That would cost way less and would be more worth it. Or, I’d use that money to upgrade my entire trip instead of using it for a flight.

But for me, I don’t really mind flying long distance in economy. I just watch movies or sleep. It still takes the same time. I remember my boss who flew a lot more than me and had Diamond status so he’d get upgraded sometimes, but I just never saw much of an appeal.

I loved flying business class on international work trips that my company paid for. But there's no way in hell I would pay an extra $6-7k, just not worth it enough to me.

I've flown the Heathrow to Sydney segment in economy before, it's a long segment but I would suck it up instead of spending an additional $6-7k.

Yes, most of the time but the company was paying for it. I doubt I would pay for it myself but Business Class is so much better now than even 10 years ago.

Hell 100% yes it’s worth every penny.

If you to feel like a vacant-hearted neoliberal, yes.

Some carriers order seats from famous designers, others try to win the passengers with entertainment, and others invite Michelin chefs. In a word, there is real competition in striving to improve service and comfort in business class. I flew business class, but I liked the service itself. I had business flights 20 %, and I had a chance to learn what real aerobatics is. Yes, they have a seat that folds out into a bed, a mini bar, and even spa care. Some people only need a pillow and headphones, so overpaying just for that doesn't seem reasonable. But the bed is what I would spend the money on.

London to Sydney is one of the longest flights in the world at 17 hours. There are a few longer but not many and it is a long time to spend in coach. Now my wife can sleep in a chair no problem so for her the flight wasn't too bad. I can't and so I end up being exhausted after LAX to Sydney and that's only a 15 hour flight.

I've flown LAX. to Europe Business class using points and it was well worth it, Was able to sleep, the food was great, there was more privacy and space (nice during covid) and the booze was nice and available all flight long. A 11 hour flight ended up being 4.5 hours of having some food and wine and watching TV and 6.5 hours of sleeping so I was able to enjoy my first full days in Paris, London, and Dublin without being exhausted.

However, spending an extra 6 or 7 grand just isn't worth it in my opinion there are so many things one can do with that whether on a single trip or others not to mention having some amazing hotel rooms for an extra $100 to $200 a night vs. a one way trip. That said if I had a race or something I really wanted to maximize my time for and be well rested, I would might consider splurging and if it is OPM then it is always the way to go.

Prior to covid I flew to from the US to Asia 6-7 times a year for many years. I only flew biz (or first when I could). Sometimes paid by me, sometimes by clients, sometimes upgrades. I'm old and I refused to fly coach on a transpac flight. It was definitely worth it even if I had to pay. Also, I would only fly widebodies with 1-2-1 configs where I could reserve an isle seat against the window. They provide the most privacy.

Another advantage of biz class is lounge access prior to boarding and after arrival if you want a shower or breakfast. Biz class is certainly worth it if you can afford. It makes for a very different travel experience and less stressful. Another advantage is if there are delays on the runway you can lie back an relax with a drink instead of being stuffed in a seat between people.