Binary_Bark
Forging
/Surpressing the urge to nerd out...
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Question of the Day: Will you be subscribing to the new Disney+ R49 streaming package?
Have you ever flown Business Class or First Class?
- Thread starter BCoetzer
- Start date
Binary_Bark
Forging
Fulcrum29
Honorary Master
No, never even been upgraded. Also, when the client (or partner) covers the travel expense, they don't spoil you.
Jola
Honorary Master
Used to fly business class to London on BA. Business purposes.
But in those days it was just a wider seat and more leg space, nothing special.
The fancy stuff only came later.
Nowadays it is all economy, would never pay for business class.
Worst flight ever was in a "Limited Comfort" seat on a SAA Airbus A330.
A couple of seats on those A330's had less leg space, and you didn't know about it until you sat down.
It was hidden on the flysaa website, but if you drilled down you could find the information.
But in those days it was just a wider seat and more leg space, nothing special.
The fancy stuff only came later.
Nowadays it is all economy, would never pay for business class.
Worst flight ever was in a "Limited Comfort" seat on a SAA Airbus A330.
A couple of seats on those A330's had less leg space, and you didn't know about it until you sat down.
It was hidden on the flysaa website, but if you drilled down you could find the information.
HAL 9000
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The South African Airways (SAA) Boeing 747-300 nicknamed "Ndizani" (registration ZS-SAJ) was a legendary aircraft celebrated globally for its vibrant, multicoloured Olympic livery representing the post-apartheid "Rainbow Nation". Unveiled on 27 May 1996, the aircraft's name translates from Zulu to mean "flying to new heights".
Key Historical Facts
- The Olympic Mascot: The aircraft was specially commissioned to fly Team South Africa to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. It carried iconic historical figures like Josiah Thugwane, the first Black South African athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. The paint scheme was later retained to support the country's bid and eventual celebration of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. [1, 2, 3]
- Origin: The airframe (MSN 23027) was originally built in 1983 and operated by Singapore Airlines before being acquired by South African Airways in January 1996.
Ndizani operated its final commercial flight from SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil to Johannesburg on 26 April 2004. It was stored at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and officially scrapped in November 2009.
Technical Specifications
- Aircraft Model: Boeing 747-312 (Stretched Upper Deck)
- Engines: 4 x Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7RG2
- Cruising Speed: 895 km/h
- Maximum Range: 12 400 km
naughty001
Expert Member
never ever felt the need to try it - to me air travel was around the same thing as jumping into a car to go to work ie a means of getting from place A to place B ..... it never bothered me to do it in style ..... the bigger seats don't really bother me - im short and small built albeit with a slight paunch so people could easily still call me fat for my height but that doesn't mean i need a big seat and the fancy meals don't help me (i'm vegetarian for religious reasons) and im old enough to doze off while watching the in flight movie and only waking up when i reach the destination - so i'm not going to spend 3 to 5 times more if i'm sleeping all the way to where i'm going ...... to me it is as stupid and illogical as buying a 10 bedroom house for a single person that is going to live alone
and the main reason why not is that i can do far more important things that are actually beneficial to my life with that same money rather than waste it on vanity usage
and the main reason why not is that i can do far more important things that are actually beneficial to my life with that same money rather than waste it on vanity usage
Zellephant
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That must be the ugliest paint job I have ever seen on an aircraft….
Herr der Verboten
Honorary Master
Pfft all still second class unless you're flying the bird and not another passenger on the bus…
SauRoNZA
Honorary Master
Is it worth it? Absolutely not, largely because it just shows up how ****ing greedy the airlines are and how terrible economy class really is.
However it’s pretty much the only time I ever sleep on a plane, purely because of the seat and ability to be comfortable and makes the entire experience almost a voluntary one.
Economy could be made infinitely better for everyone with just a few less seats crammed in and everyone just getting a nicer seat with more reclining.
That being said I’ve always had more fun in economy. Business class you always end up next to some stuck up snob who thinks they’ve made it, whereas in economy you all just suffer together.
However it’s pretty much the only time I ever sleep on a plane, purely because of the seat and ability to be comfortable and makes the entire experience almost a voluntary one.
Economy could be made infinitely better for everyone with just a few less seats crammed in and everyone just getting a nicer seat with more reclining.
That being said I’ve always had more fun in economy. Business class you always end up next to some stuck up snob who thinks they’ve made it, whereas in economy you all just suffer together.
marine1
Honorary Master
Have flown business class to New York , I think in 2000, had a contact at SAA who upgraded us to BC. Was amazing.
Have flown numerous times on a LearJet for work, private with some VIP's. Flew to another African country on a Learjet I think a lear 45, me and 2 pilots, during the world cup, was incredible, went for work.
Flew multiple times after that around SA in a private Jet.
I am planning to go overseas December and will book premium economy or business, I will never fly Emirates economy again in my life, was the worst experience I have ever had, earphones didnt work for 2 of us, seats are designed for someone who weights 50kg's absolute sh!!!T experience.
Have flown numerous times on a LearJet for work, private with some VIP's. Flew to another African country on a Learjet I think a lear 45, me and 2 pilots, during the world cup, was incredible, went for work.
Flew multiple times after that around SA in a private Jet.
I am planning to go overseas December and will book premium economy or business, I will never fly Emirates economy again in my life, was the worst experience I have ever had, earphones didnt work for 2 of us, seats are designed for someone who weights 50kg's absolute sh!!!T experience.
Solitude
Executive Member
I was upgraded once and it was amazing.
I was in Europe last week and had to fly economy and man there's so little space for your legs.
I was in Europe last week and had to fly economy and man there's so little space for your legs.
Hemi300c
Honorary Master
Travelled a locally lot a few years ago, was upgraded pretty often but on British Airways never on any other.
Local flights, you'd be mad to pay they 1st/Business class rates for such short flights.
Local flights, you'd be mad to pay they 1st/Business class rates for such short flights.
Binary_Bark
Forging
Sinbad
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*poor humans
DrJohnZoidberg
Honorary Master
Yep, a few years ago flying back from Canada. The upgrade from NY -> CPT was only $500 and work had already covered the base ticket cost so it was a no-brainer.
The first flight out also ended up having to return to the airport just after takeoff and we had to do it again the next evening. I was happy I had business class though as all the hassle of getting the airport to deal with the hotel bookings was much easier.
The first flight out also ended up having to return to the airport just after takeoff and we had to do it again the next evening. I was happy I had business class though as all the hassle of getting the airport to deal with the hotel bookings was much easier.
Athos
Expert Member
Yup flown business class once, I paid for myself just to experience it. From China to South Africa on Singapore airlines. Was a great experience, it has ruined cow class for me but sadly I cannot afford to do it again so unless my company pays I will be with the peasants at the back of the plane for the rest of my life.
