-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: Which legendary musicians or bands have you seen live?
Have you ever flown Business Class or First Class?
- Thread starter BCoetzer
- Start date
Binary_Bark
Forging
Does a private jet count?
Cius
Honorary Master
Nope. Cattle class only so far. Not sure on exact count but I think I have been on about 20 flights in my life total ranging from very short hops to some endurance testing stints at the limit of how far airplanes can fly.
We need a poll to decide
Dubai or "the island"?
BrotherTheresa
Expert Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2022
- Messages
- 1,018
- Reaction score
- 1,845
No. But got upgraded to 'Premium Economy' from HongKong to JNB once. Man, that felt like business class compared to normal economy for thay long flight, I can tell you that much.
Sinbad
Honorary Master
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2006
- Messages
- 88,914
- Reaction score
- 41,586
Had a couple of upgrades to business class on long flights (Joburg to frankfurt, on lufthansa, heathrow to LAX andheathrow to joburg on BA). Also had a BC ticket from Joburg to Mumbai via Dubai on Emirates.
Lufthansa (in 1999) was OK.
BA (2007-ish) was nice.
Emirates (2015ish) on the A380s was absolutely amazing.
Worth the money? I probably would not do it unless I had **** you money - but for business travel where you need to arrive refreshed and on the ball ready to work, it's worthwhile from the company's point of view.
Lufthansa (in 1999) was OK.
BA (2007-ish) was nice.
Emirates (2015ish) on the A380s was absolutely amazing.
Worth the money? I probably would not do it unless I had **** you money - but for business travel where you need to arrive refreshed and on the ball ready to work, it's worthwhile from the company's point of view.
I do about 2-3 international trips per year and about 2-3 domestic trips. All international are first (if available) or business, and domestic are all first. The company pays for my flights if there is a business purpose (which is about 2/3rds of them). My wife always accompanies me, though and I pay her tickets separately (yes, same class 
).
Space, checkin process, and the ability to sleep flat all make it very worthwhile for me.
).Space, checkin process, and the ability to sleep flat all make it very worthwhile for me.
I worked for an airline and used to get 6 return flights per year in business class.
I just did 6 flights in the last three weeks, two of them 11 hours long and I travelled economy class. No way I will pay for business class.
I just did 6 flights in the last three weeks, two of them 11 hours long and I travelled economy class. No way I will pay for business class.
Depending on the airline I will either;
1. Book economy and upgrade to Business before flying or
2. Book Business upfront.
3. If its too full, sit in Economy.
Sometimes though, the plane is just too full and travel is too short-notice and Business is full, which leaves you in Economy or Premium Economy.
While i prefer to always be taking off with a glass of something bubbly in my hand, I'm not gonna cry if i'm in Economy. I usually would be able to board early anyway as I only book on the airlines i'm maintaining Gold or higher with.
My biggest and worst issue of all is not the class, its whether i'm in the vicinity of a crying baby or screaming child because regardless of ticket price that can completely and utterly ruin a flight. Its terrible.
1. Book economy and upgrade to Business before flying or
2. Book Business upfront.
3. If its too full, sit in Economy.
Sometimes though, the plane is just too full and travel is too short-notice and Business is full, which leaves you in Economy or Premium Economy.
While i prefer to always be taking off with a glass of something bubbly in my hand, I'm not gonna cry if i'm in Economy. I usually would be able to board early anyway as I only book on the airlines i'm maintaining Gold or higher with.
My biggest and worst issue of all is not the class, its whether i'm in the vicinity of a crying baby or screaming child because regardless of ticket price that can completely and utterly ruin a flight. Its terrible.
WollieVerstege
Expert Member
Amen
JerryMungo
Honorary Master
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
- Messages
- 37,699
- Reaction score
- 6,447
JerryMungo
Honorary Master
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
- Messages
- 37,699
- Reaction score
- 6,447
Easily solved.
Noise cancelling headphones?
Won an essay competition for the Economist magazine in UK for a series of short stories in June 2009. Mine was a shared 3rd prize with an Australian lady. British Airways sponsored Business Class for my wife and myself from Cape Town to London. The economy price was R7200 and business class R 16500 at that time
Very nice food served on proper plates. I avoided the free champagne as its head-ache making
The difference between business and first class seemed to be separate compartments for first. There was no-one in first and just 4 in business class
Coming back, BA made a mistake and double-booked us, which we only found out when checking in. The lady at the counter just said, "these things happen". An American gent standing behind me listening told this lady she had better sort it out. In the end, BA put us in a Hotel at the airport and we left the following day
Very nice food served on proper plates. I avoided the free champagne as its head-ache making
The difference between business and first class seemed to be separate compartments for first. There was no-one in first and just 4 in business class
Coming back, BA made a mistake and double-booked us, which we only found out when checking in. The lady at the counter just said, "these things happen". An American gent standing behind me listening told this lady she had better sort it out. In the end, BA put us in a Hotel at the airport and we left the following day
On an Emirates flight back from China in January 2019, EK381.
I arrived at the luggage check-in at Shekou ferry terminal, and they wouldnt take my luggage for some reason.
Managed to get to Hong Kong International and the check in desk told me there was a problem with my ticket. This was the first leg back home, Hong Kong to Dubai, then Dubai to Cape Town.
I was looking forward to the Hong Kong to Dubai leg as it would be my first time on the massive A380.
They checked my bags in and issued me with a temporary boarding pass to get into the duty free, but told me I need to report to the gate desk to get my actual boarding pass.
Time comes and I get to the gate desk and there seems to be panic. It seemed that the flight was overbooked and they needed to make a plan for me. I didn't put up a fight, understanding that things can go wrong, but jokingly said that I'd very much like to get home after having spent a few months in Shenzhen overseeing production at one of our suppliers.
About 15 minutes late, an Emirates employee comes to be and says "Here you go, we've upgraded you to business".
What an absolute dream.
A seat that reclines fully, where staff then put a mattress down with a pillow and blanket, an open bar, it seemed there wasn't any limit as I have several Chivas 18 years, noise cancelling Bose headphones, and the food was phenomenal.
The flight went by in what felt like 1 hour because I slept like a baby on it. Its an almost 8 hour flighty.
From what I understand, that seat goes for $3500, would I ever pay this? Not a chance. But what a wonderful experience.
Have you ever flown Business Class or First Class? - Business Class
Was it a local or international flight? - International
Do you think the cost is worth it? - No chance in hell, but a free upgrade, always
What was the best part about it? - Everything, the food, the comfort, the bed, the bar, the service. Felt like royalty
I arrived at the luggage check-in at Shekou ferry terminal, and they wouldnt take my luggage for some reason.
Managed to get to Hong Kong International and the check in desk told me there was a problem with my ticket. This was the first leg back home, Hong Kong to Dubai, then Dubai to Cape Town.
I was looking forward to the Hong Kong to Dubai leg as it would be my first time on the massive A380.
They checked my bags in and issued me with a temporary boarding pass to get into the duty free, but told me I need to report to the gate desk to get my actual boarding pass.
Time comes and I get to the gate desk and there seems to be panic. It seemed that the flight was overbooked and they needed to make a plan for me. I didn't put up a fight, understanding that things can go wrong, but jokingly said that I'd very much like to get home after having spent a few months in Shenzhen overseeing production at one of our suppliers.
About 15 minutes late, an Emirates employee comes to be and says "Here you go, we've upgraded you to business".
What an absolute dream.
A seat that reclines fully, where staff then put a mattress down with a pillow and blanket, an open bar, it seemed there wasn't any limit as I have several Chivas 18 years, noise cancelling Bose headphones, and the food was phenomenal.
The flight went by in what felt like 1 hour because I slept like a baby on it. Its an almost 8 hour flighty.
From what I understand, that seat goes for $3500, would I ever pay this? Not a chance. But what a wonderful experience.
Have you ever flown Business Class or First Class? - Business Class
Was it a local or international flight? - International
Do you think the cost is worth it? - No chance in hell, but a free upgrade, always
What was the best part about it? - Everything, the food, the comfort, the bed, the bar, the service. Felt like royalty