Have you ever flown Business Class or First Class?

[DrJohnZoidberg]

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.

 

[Athos]

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.

 

[EMAM]

All the time, all overseas trips, back in the day, thanks to Voyager miles...

 

[TofuMofu]

No, closest I've come to Business/First Class is Premium on Lift lol

 

[ThinkCentre]

Does a SAFAIR Flossie also count with compliments of SAW & Sons?

 

[cguy]

I have flown business/first within Europe a bunch of times too, and often it just means “the middle chair in the three row is empty/blocked off with a portable table” - most disappointing.

I’ll usually try fly direct to the city I’m going and use the Eurostar, other train or driver to get about if I need to go another city.

 

[cguy]

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[Newusername]

Have you ever flown Business Class or First Class? Yes
Was it a local or international flight? International
Do you think the cost is worth it? Depends who pays
What was the best part about it? Company paid

 

[jezzad]

As a child used to fly between CPT and Namibia on a Cessna Citation pretty frequently thanks to De Beers.

More recently did Qatar from CPT to Germany in Q suite there and back for honeymoon. Then did Cpt to Mauritius in business class on air mauritius.

Then had a client fly me to his game farm in Zim on his brand new PC-24

 

[henkc]

Do private helicopters count? I've done a few of those, varying between functional and luxurious.
Locally, we actually had a long debate about this. On a relaxed schedule, Economy is fine. When meetings get postponed, changed, end late etc. Business actually can cost less than Economy plus one time change.

Internationally, got an upgrade on Air France once, after cattle class was overbooked. Nobody told me that the French dress for Business Class. So I got a few dirty looks, but the wine and cognac they serve make it worth it.

Once, I've had a client decide that I qualified, according to whatever criteria they used, for Business to Japan and back. I can heartily recommend it when you're spending that long in the air.

Have you ever flown Business Class or First Class? Yes
Was it a local or international flight? Both
Do you think the cost is worth it? No, although it's tempting
What was the best part about it? Actually getting a good night's sleep on a plane. Comfort, space, a decent meal. The wine and cognac on Air France are pretty good and Emirates has a few classic cocktails on their drinks menu.

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

got into KLM's "world business class" long ago, which is their top tier seeing as KLM does not have first class at all

was an "upgrade" of sorts, my connecting flights got f-ed and the airline had to make a plan, business class was all that had available seats for me

an international flight from Amsterdam direct to Cape Town
it was easily worth what I paid for it: nothing, my employer paid for an economy ticket and the airline bumped it up due to necessity, I know what the true price was though and no, norrafok worth that kind of money!!!

the best part? context is key, I was in transit for more than 24hr already due to multiple airline f-ups and weather challenges, I was so knackered I didn't realise my boarding pass said "row 1" and boarded at the end with the cattle class

from that moment on the pros:
- a very fetching blonde dutch hostess greeted me with champagne and showed me personally to my seat
- it was a morning flight and after my ordeal, staring at the Alps, Mediterranean, Sahara etc in clear blue skies knowing I'm on the last travel leg home was quite special, though it was available in economy class too
- having real cutlery, crockery and glassware was quite nice compare to the vending machine packaging you get in economy
- the main meal was created by a South African chef from Franschhoek even: Springbok fillet covered in biltong powder ... was very tasty
- the actual highlight: once the hostess knew which drink I wanted (Highland Park 12) she kept topping me up along with a bowl of mixed nuts until I told her to stop, never needed to ask or think of wanting more LOL
- I got a collectable ceramic Dutch house with a cork, filled with some juniper liqueur or something, apparently there was a whole range, if you flew business class with KLM often you may have completed the collection at some point

the cons:
- not worth the money, not even close
- the passenger next to me was an obnoxious, obese, Dutch POS who gave the hot hostess grief, but even worse, his fat f-ing pig arm kept bumping mine ... keep in mind these seats are very wide and each have their own armrests that are about 15cm wide so this pig had to stretch past 15cm of his own armrest to encroach on my 15cm in order to make contact

 

[Corelli]

My wife had to fly abroad for her mom's funeral, burial etc. This was during Covid. I had to go book her the tickets and arrange for the permits to bring stuff back etc.


Anyway got to the airport and she got upgraded to first class. Ironically the pilot was her cousin's husband too. Very sweet.

Have to say I did get an offer for upgrade to business for one flight where I flew back alone. Got to the airport and so I am thinking sure lets fly business, it was only R4k more. Anyway in come this american couple with 2 kids, total tantrum meltdowns, and went straight to business. So nope that was economy plus for me.

Anyway on the plane, I was happy I had Sony headphones, because those kids' tantrum didnt stop. Even one business class flyer came to sit next to me to try and get some sleep. He was sitting next to them.

So yes sometimes its great and sometimes its not.

My aunt prefers economy but lives in SE Asia. So for her she prefers that as spending money, ie 140k can buy a lot of nice shoes and clothing. She would rather just pay for extra luggage.

 

[animal531]

I once flew to the UK on company business and they got us business seats to match. But this was just before the big SAA strike, so then we got stuck there for quite some time.

Eventually we were trying everything to get back and I ended up in the pilot's jump seat. Think downgrade from business -> economy -> that, a really crap and small seat where you're stuck in tiny box with another person sitting about on top of you.

But my neighbour was a decent chap and the BA flight attendants brought us a lot of snacks/drinks etc.

 

[Segg]

Never paid for the base Business Fare, it's usually a ludicrous amount of money

BUT....

I've upgraded with miles on Ethiopian on their 787 which was nice! Their narrowbodies I wouldn't even bother

Purchased an upgrade at check-in from KLM (significantly cheaper than business and even premium economy) then banked the miles afterwards

Been upgraded to premium economy by Air France after an aircraft change with a different configuration.

It helps having a frequent flyer number for the respective associations.

 

[theratman]

As Segg mentioned its worth asking on check in (as a solo traveler) if there are any open business class seats you can upgrade to when flying economy. I've snagged upgrades that way a few times, with the cost for the long leg around 7 to 10k.

 

[SauRoNZA]

As Segg mentioned its worth asking on check in (as a solo traveler) if there are any open business class seats you can upgrade to when flying economy. I've snagged upgrades that way a few times, with the cost for the long leg around 7 to 10k.

Yup I think the magic is in being the solo traveller and then obviously if you flew with the same airline a few times recently they are most definitely checking that in the background.

Obviously much easier to find a single spare.

All you have to do is ask.

 

[Segg]

Yup I think the magic is in being the solo traveller and then obviously if you flew with the same airline a few times recently they are most definitely checking that in the background.

Obviously much easier to find a single spare.

All you have to do is ask.

Affirm, all upgrades have been during Solo travel

 

[Deandbn]

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.

Retirement & Fate:
Ndizani operated its final commercial flight from São 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

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So I got to ride on it a year before it was scrapped, no wonder i thought it was really looking tatty and sad.
Having said that, thanks for the detailed info hal, much appreciated.

 

[Spaj]

787 business class seat to Sydney. Lie flat window seat was a winner. Food was very excellent, service was great, price was reasonable (2x) considering other airlines (3x+). One ticked off the bucket list.

I believe there is a Japanese low cost carrier that offers lie flat seating with no frills, meals optional, just the seat, nice if it catches on.