Why Do You Choose Business Class Over Economy?

Dano1977 · Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:03 pm

I would just like to get other peoples opinions on why they choose to fly in Business rather than economy/coach.

And please can we be slightly more imaginative than "my company pays" Wink

I choose business because....

1. I get lounge access that allows to me to work in relative privacy
2. I'm a big guy (6ft 9"tall built like a linebacker) so i enjoy the extra space in the seat.
3. The lay flat seat allows me to sleep and arrive fresh for work (which pleases my clients)
4. i do enjoy good food and wine
5. The privacy of the seat, allows me to work without people seeing what im doing.
6. 9 times out of 10 you are away from screaming/disruptive children
7. you avoid the well meaning old lady that can talk the hind legs off a donkey.
8. My accountant loves it, because its more to claim back against the tax man.

skane340 · Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:06 pm

I choose business or even first beacuse:

1) Priority security checkin
2) lay flat seat
3) better food
4) quiter cabin

I have my own company so I decide and pay myself.

jfk777 · Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:07 pm

With the internet the prices have come down to 2k often. AA prices to LHR can be very attractive.

swiftski · Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:07 pm

For me it's mainly the lounge, and if I need to combat jetlag or must arrive in pristine condition (i.e. without being able to go to a hotel and shower/change)

ZRH · Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:15 pm

You can ask: why do choose a limousine and not in a hay cart. Actually the horrible economy classes of ALL airlines are not bearable on long-haul routes (short-haul does not matter). The seats are too narrow, too less pitch, simply inhuman. In law enforcement it is not allowed to torture but in civile aviation. The difference is that you fly voluntarily.

fbgdavidson · Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:19 pm

Internationally:
Extra space, lay flat seat and being away from the screaming kids if possible. I get all the ground benefits as a top tier elite in *A and OW anyway.

Domestically/within Europe:
More room at seat and off the aircraft faster generally. Being fed might come into it.

Qatara340 · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:00 pm

I never fly coach or ecnomy on flights more than 1 hour! Business Class all the way--and First when applicable. Better seats, priority check in, lounge access, excess baggage, ect.. makes it all worth it.

ikramerica · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:08 pm

I choose business or first internationally because I get there feeling better, which means 1-2 days of my trip are spent enjoying the location or working rather than suffering. I look for deals to get a lower fare, or use miles to upgrade or miles to get a mileage ticket.

I also like the lounge access, especially if there are showers in the location where I am making a connection. Also knowing that you have a nice lounge to wait in means getting to the airport early isn't as annoying. And check-in and security are often faster, too.

Domestically (USA and elsewhere that has domestic such as Australia and Japan) I don't generally buy F/J. But I do have elite status on 2 airlines, so if I get an upgrade, that's nice, too. And the Amex Platinum card lets me into many domestic lounges. And I never use miles domestically. Not worth it.

UN_B732 · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:08 pm

I wish I could afford to pay for biz; but I'm just a poor college student. I'm usually in Coach; but when I upgrade to Business with miles, it's mostly for the far better service, the more comfortable seat, off the plane first (somewhere like SVO; where the customs lines are terrible, it really matters.. F/As often guard the coach/business division so business gets off first), the food, and the lounge. And of course, the dirty looks from boarding coach pax (just kidding..)

-A

SpeedBirdA380 · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:11 pm

Quoting ZRH (Reply 4):
You can ask: why do choose a limousine and not in a hay cart. Actually the horrible economy classes of ALL airlines are not bearable on long-haul routes (short-haul does not matter). The seats are too narrow, too less pitch, simply inhuman. In law enforcement it is not allowed to torture but in civile aviation. The difference is that you fly voluntarily.

Well said! bigthumbsup

Flying Economy on any flight over 6 or 7 hours is a very unpleasant experience and sadly an experience I will probably have to face many more time's. Sad

I fly Business over Economy every time I can possibly afford it. Check-in is a good reason.

I flew from London to Sydney via Bangkok a few year's ago near Christmas time when Heathrow was brought to a standstill because of fog. Even though the airport had descended into chaos with a Business class ticket I was checked in and fast-tracked throught security in about 15 minute's. Some passenger's who I talked to at the gate who were flying economy said it took them an hour and a half just to get through security!

Another reason is comfort. It doe's not matter who I fly my knee's always end up jammed into the seat in front and there is always a IFE box or something in the way so you have to position your feet around them. My lower back ache's like mad after about 3 hour's sat in an economy seat. Then when you think it cant get any worse the seat in front recline's nearly touching your face!

When I need the toilet I end up taking headphone's,pillow's and blankets halfway down the aisle with me.

I also remember on a long-haul flight with KLM sitting next to a huge Dutch guy who had brought a rucksack full of beer with him on the flight. He drunk about seven beer's and kept falling asleep with his head on my shoulder and breathing in my ear! When I needed the toilet I could not wake him up to let me out. It was after that flight I started spending more money flying premium classe's.

So comfort and convenience is why I choose Business when I can. It really is a no-brainer- If you have the money.

JJJ · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:12 pm

Quoting Dano1977 (Thread starter):
8. My accountant loves it, because its more to claim back against the tax man

That only comes into play when a company has quite fat profits.

A lot of companies struggle to break even, so a yearly difference of, say 100.000 euro in flight tickets can be a lot.

Qantasistheway · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:17 pm

Several Reasons:

1-Quick Check-In, even though I am member of Star Alliance and oneworld it always feels better when in J than Y.

2-Fast lane security and Immigration

3-Lounge Access

4-Priority Boarding

5- More personal service from the FA's

6-Well presented meals and plenty of drinks

7-No lines at the bathrooms

8- A restfull nights sleep

9- Knowing that you are not in economy and the dirty looks at boarding bitelip

10- A substantial second meal

11- Ariving refreshed and comfortably/leaving the plane first

naritaflyer · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:17 pm

I fly over 150,000 miles a year and always on an economy ticket. I have never purchased a J or F Class unless using mileage. I get upgraded using coupons and if I don't get upgraded, tough, I fly in economy. Fortunately in Asia there are some very classy airlines that have good economy service.

naritaflyer · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:29 pm

Quoting Qantasistheway (Reply 12):
Several Reasons:

1-Quick Check-In, even though I am member of Star Alliance and oneworld it always feels better when in J than Y.

2-Fast lane security and Immigration

3-Lounge Access

4-Priority Boarding

5- More personal service from the FA's

6-Well presented meals and plenty of drinks

7-No lines at the bathrooms

8- A restfull nights sleep

9- Knowing that you are not in economy and the dirty looks at boarding

10- A substantial second meal

11- Ariving refreshed and comfortably/leaving the plane first

As a top-tier member of Star Alliance I get all the above with my economy ticket anyway except for number 6 which you cleverly say "well presented" and not "better food".

PanHAM · Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:36 pm

A lot of reasons have been given already. Anothjer big reason is, that there is hardly a difference between Y/B fares and C/D fares if bookings are made in short notice.

I always pity the poor guys who have to follow company procedure and fly Y for something like close to € 900,00 on FRA/LHR whereas C class is abount € 1040. No question that the extra 100-150 € are wirth it.

One more reason, you simply need to make a couple of C flights every year to maintain FF status. On LH's E/L/T fares reaching FFT status is virtually impossible, unless you fly 3 return trips a week.

Why Do You Choose Business Class Over Economy?

Why Do You Choose Business Class Over Economy?

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