When does it stop being a bus with wings and become a luxury experience?
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From: UK and Italy
When does it stop being a bus with wings and become a luxury experience?
Around Europe a plane is a bus with wings; you sit in it, maybe look out of the window if you have one, it's not a great experience but it's over fairly quickly, like a visit to the the dentist.
If we're talking about a ten-hour flight, then we want a lay-flat bed, several gourmet meals, and to awake refreshed as if we'd spent the night in a luxury, albeit small, hotel room.
What's your limit? LHR - DXB = luxury, pampered for me. LHR - PFO: cattle class.
If we're talking about a ten-hour flight, then we want a lay-flat bed, several gourmet meals, and to awake refreshed as if we'd spent the night in a luxury, albeit small, hotel room.
What's your limit? LHR - DXB = luxury, pampered for me. LHR - PFO: cattle class.
N4790P
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From: Asia
Around Europe a plane is a bus with wings; you sit in it, maybe look out of the window if you have one, it's not a great experience but it's over fairly quickly, like a visit to the the dentist.
If we're talking about a ten-hour flight, then we want a lay-flat bed, several gourmet meals, and to awake refreshed as if we'd spent the night in a luxury, albeit small, hotel room.
What's your limit? LHR - DXB = luxury, pampered for me. LHR - PFO: cattle class.
If we're talking about a ten-hour flight, then we want a lay-flat bed, several gourmet meals, and to awake refreshed as if we'd spent the night in a luxury, albeit small, hotel room.
What's your limit? LHR - DXB = luxury, pampered for me. LHR - PFO: cattle class.
Paxing All Over The World
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I was spoilt when I was just turned 30, got a job in the City (of London) that had C travel. At that time, even in Europe but they stopped that a couple of years later. My very first trip to NYC was in VS Upper (their first iteration) which was still fabulous.
I agree that Europe is in Y (unless very good reason) and I put a limit of 5 to 6 hours at a squeeze to NYC but would try to make a daylight return. Over 6 hours it is PE or C, depending on the bank balance and the number of points on hand to upgrade. On a couple of occaisions I have paid full price for PE and C but not often. That said, if I had to get somewhere urgently to see a member of family who was critically ill, if no other seat (or money) available, then I would go Y.
Also, my choice is flavoured by their being only the two of us!
I agree that Europe is in Y (unless very good reason) and I put a limit of 5 to 6 hours at a squeeze to NYC but would try to make a daylight return. Over 6 hours it is PE or C, depending on the bank balance and the number of points on hand to upgrade. On a couple of occaisions I have paid full price for PE and C but not often. That said, if I had to get somewhere urgently to see a member of family who was critically ill, if no other seat (or money) available, then I would go Y.
Also, my choice is flavoured by their being only the two of us!
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From: Near SOU
Tbh I don't really care where I sit on a plane as long as I have a window (cos I spend all my time watching outside), it arrives at the destination on time (or at least not overly late) and I get fed and watered en-route. My next trip is in two weeks time, 4 x ATR 72's in 2 days...going to be lots of fun.
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From: Denmark
Despite my relatively very good economy, I'm not willing to pay the extra money for a better class. Once flew Philadelphia to Doha for work on top class, didn't sleep at all. Normally I never fly more than 8 hours, typically across the pond to New York or Chicago. So say the first half is endurable in monkey class, not worth paying, say 200 quid per hour for the last half. Possibly strange reasoning, but I sleep fine in monkey class, when I can sleep at all.
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From: Asia
I'll do a couple of hours low cost, much more than that I'm looking at full service Y. I might splurge for premium economy if it's around ten hours when my body clock says it's daylight. With long haul business class being a ridiculous price, I rather have a break in the middle and pay a couple of hundred quid for 12 hours in the airport transit hotel vs thousands for a lay flat seat upfront. The hotel bed is better, I can have a shower and change of clothes, nice restaurant meal and arrive with less jet lag. In Doha you can have a workout in the gym and go for a swim without having to clear immigration.
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From: UK
Always coach so long as it's a wide body for the longer flights then can get up and get in my steps...gotta keep the Doc happy. On my trips to Oz always had a stop over for 24 hrs or so in ME or Asia
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From: UK and Italy
I'll do a couple of hours low cost, much more than that I'm looking at full service Y. I might splurge for premium economy if it's around ten hours when my body clock says it's daylight. With long haul business class being a ridiculous price, I rather have a break in the middle and pay a couple of hundred quid for 12 hours in the airport transit hotel vs thousands for a lay flat seat upfront. The hotel bed is better, I can have a shower and change of clothes, nice restaurant meal and arrive with less jet lag. In Doha you can have a workout in the gym and go for a swim without having to clear immigration.
Comments?
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From: Beyond the Blue Horizon
As a company our rule is business class over 4hrs, but personally we stretch that to 5hrs but will use Fire Exit or PE for extra leg room. Above 5 hrs we use Business class personally by using points or other methods like pay on board or at gate though this is generally getting very rare or pay for it in normal way. I do use our travel consultant though to find good rates for personal trips if points total low.
As for trips through DXB and EK and flights to Australia I can’t comment on the bit to Australia but spent arguably too many hours in their Business Class lounge over the years.
My observation would be food wise ok but probably better on aircraft though scrambled eggs are good and smoked Salmon is not too salty at breakfast time.
Drinks are generally good and plenty of Champagne available unlike BA at LHR. As for the showers the rooms can be a tad warm sometimes and busy but they are clean and it is a good place to change for winter clothing when inbound to Europe in winter or vice versa when outbound.
The one thing I will say though is that it is always busy during the various waves during the day and night. If you happen to arrive early on one of the waves it is amazing how empty the airport appears. This has only happened twice once inbound from Phuket and once from Saigon when flights were on leading edge of the inbound wave but we were over an hour ahead of schedule, I guess someone wanted to go home 😉
Cheers
Mr Mac
As for trips through DXB and EK and flights to Australia I can’t comment on the bit to Australia but spent arguably too many hours in their Business Class lounge over the years.
My observation would be food wise ok but probably better on aircraft though scrambled eggs are good and smoked Salmon is not too salty at breakfast time.
Drinks are generally good and plenty of Champagne available unlike BA at LHR. As for the showers the rooms can be a tad warm sometimes and busy but they are clean and it is a good place to change for winter clothing when inbound to Europe in winter or vice versa when outbound.
The one thing I will say though is that it is always busy during the various waves during the day and night. If you happen to arrive early on one of the waves it is amazing how empty the airport appears. This has only happened twice once inbound from Phuket and once from Saigon when flights were on leading edge of the inbound wave but we were over an hour ahead of schedule, I guess someone wanted to go home 😉
Cheers
Mr Mac
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Having spent twenty years flying coporate aircraft and ensuring my passengers received the best possible service, as a passenger myself I hate the airport ordeal.
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From: UK and Italy
EMA - VRN and back, there isn't much walking, it's a trip I do every few days when I'm not taking the train. I much prefer regional aeroports. There just seems to be less rush rush hurry hurry.
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From: Ferrara
For us - about 4 hours.
Spent years in the back - 4 or 5 stoppers from SIN-LHR with 2 small kids etc etc but with age we were able to see the flight as part of the trip
But even in Business you can have problems - we flew LHR-Hong Kong - Auckland bout 4 years ago and the flights were great 0- but we still had the most incredible brain fog for the first 12 hours in NZ
On the other hand I slept solidly for 11 hours on SIN-CDG two years ago in SQ Business - marvellous
Spent years in the back - 4 or 5 stoppers from SIN-LHR with 2 small kids etc etc but with age we were able to see the flight as part of the trip
But even in Business you can have problems - we flew LHR-Hong Kong - Auckland bout 4 years ago and the flights were great 0- but we still had the most incredible brain fog for the first 12 hours in NZ
On the other hand I slept solidly for 11 hours on SIN-CDG two years ago in SQ Business - marvellous
Paxing All Over The World
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
When I go on holiday I like to do it BIG. I have fewer holidays overall - to then go BIG. That starts with my window seat (in any class) but for long haul, then I want a bigger seat and the airlines know that I am prepared to pay for it!!
Last edited by PAXboy; 31st July 2025 at 14:43. Reason: typo
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From: Everett, WA
I've noticed as I've grown older, I've also grown far less tolerant of unpleasant experiences. While I'll tolerate cattle class for short flights, even then I'll usually spring extra for 'premium economy'. For longer flights, First/Business unless the cost is eyewatering.
A few years ago, flew Singapore non-stop from Seattle to Singapore - few hour layover - then on to Jakarta. Premium economy to Singapore, then cattle class the last 90 minutes to Jakarta (no premium economy on the Jakarta flight - and Business was over a grand more
). Tolerable - barely. For the return trip, I spung for Business the whole way (I'm more apt to splurge on the return flight since 'coming home' always seems to take forever). As you might imagine, the service in Business on Singapore was impeccable (and the Singapore Slings they serve are fantastic) - the lie-flat seats, not so much, on a 16-hour flight I don't think I ever managed to fall asleep - I'd take the Delta business class lie-flats any day.
I've also sprung for lounge membership - combined with TSA Pre-check making going through security is tolerable, it makes the airport experience almost pleasant (my wife has become so accustomed to the lounge that she complains when we have a short layover and don't have time to visit the lounge
).
Flew to Hawaii recently (~six hour flight) - Delta First Class - quite nice, and the food and service in first class was quite good.
In a few weeks, headed back to Indonesia. Delta Premium Economy Seattle - Incheon, then Korean cattle class from there to Bali (no premium economy on Korean, but at least their cattle class isn't horrible - 9 across on a 777). I've been watching for 'deals' on upgrading to Business, but the costs have been eyewatering (especially since I'm traveling with the wife, so the costs double, and this trip is expensive enough already). Returning on EVA (from Jakarta via Taipei) in Business - surprisingly affordable. Haven't flown EVA in ~25 years, but back then their Business class was quite nice.
A few years ago, flew Singapore non-stop from Seattle to Singapore - few hour layover - then on to Jakarta. Premium economy to Singapore, then cattle class the last 90 minutes to Jakarta (no premium economy on the Jakarta flight - and Business was over a grand more
). Tolerable - barely. For the return trip, I spung for Business the whole way (I'm more apt to splurge on the return flight since 'coming home' always seems to take forever). As you might imagine, the service in Business on Singapore was impeccable (and the Singapore Slings they serve are fantastic) - the lie-flat seats, not so much, on a 16-hour flight I don't think I ever managed to fall asleep - I'd take the Delta business class lie-flats any day. I've also sprung for lounge membership - combined with TSA Pre-check making going through security is tolerable, it makes the airport experience almost pleasant (my wife has become so accustomed to the lounge that she complains when we have a short layover and don't have time to visit the lounge
).Flew to Hawaii recently (~six hour flight) - Delta First Class - quite nice, and the food and service in first class was quite good.
In a few weeks, headed back to Indonesia. Delta Premium Economy Seattle - Incheon, then Korean cattle class from there to Bali (no premium economy on Korean, but at least their cattle class isn't horrible - 9 across on a 777). I've been watching for 'deals' on upgrading to Business, but the costs have been eyewatering (especially since I'm traveling with the wife, so the costs double, and this trip is expensive enough already). Returning on EVA (from Jakarta via Taipei) in Business - surprisingly affordable. Haven't flown EVA in ~25 years, but back then their Business class was quite nice.
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From: UK and Italy
And there wasn't a single thing he could do about it. I hope I gave him ulcers.
Now I'm retired, I have a fixed income, kids, and the money doesn't flow the way it used to. Still I like your philosophy - don't compromise on the quality, just let it be less frequent!.
It's not so much a bigger seat I want (we met at the bash, so you know I'm a child-sized portion) as a lay-flat one. I sleep on my side, so any seat that doesn't allow for this is a nono for me. It's mostly the service landside that I'm prepared to pay money for, the chauffeur to the bottom of the steps of the aircraft from my Club in St James's, because I'm not very mobile. But I do enjoy my food and drink, and I think that the buffet and a la carte that EK and others offer at places like DXB are as good as you'd get at a restaurant in town!
For my bucket trips - I want to do the Indian Pacific across Australia, the Canadian across Canada, and one of the Rovos Rail trips across Southern Africa - I want the full pampering experience, F or C class to get there, and the luxury cabins on the trains. The other great long rail trip, the Trans-Siberian, looks as if it will be on hold until Putin stops being nasty to the Ukrainians.
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From: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Had my last flight 18 months ago. [I'm nearly 83] A boys week-end in Dubai by Emirates. Done a lot of traveling. Perfectly happy in economy, never wanted anything else, though well able to afford more. Same with Cruising. Never been bothered about luxury. Sometimes had 4 seats to sleep across on long haul flights. If a bit cramped, got up and walked about, with nice conversations with people doing the same thing.
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From: UK and Italy
Had my last flight 18 months ago. [I'm nearly 83] A boys week-end in Dubai by Emirates. Done a lot of traveling. Perfectly happy in economy, never wanted anything else, though well able to afford more. Same with Cruising. Never been bothered about luxury. Sometimes had 4 seats to sleep across on long haul flights. If a bit cramped, got up and walked about, with nice conversations with people doing the same thing.
I've recently been in hospital and the attitude is 'if it's more than five minutes we'll get you a wheelchair' but at aeroports you're expected to negotiate your way through a labyrinth of shops where you are offered stuff you'd never want to buy, and then a 30 minute walk to the gate. No, C class for me, and a chauffeured limo to the bottom of the airstairs.
The last thing I bought at an aeroport was a Psion Series 7 computer, because buying it duty-free, taking a flight to Brussels, having lunch, and flying back was less cost that the 20% VAT. I still have the computer, 20 years later.
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From: Beyond the Blue Horizon
Justapax
There are a few airports around the world where the travel between gates can be like a route march. DXB is one and Istanbul new airport a colleague reports being challenging in the extreme unquote and she is only 36. The later I will comment further on in October as due through there on 1/10.
Closer to home after LH moved to T2 at Manchester the remote gates which appear to be heading towards Chester are a long walk back to immigration with very few and short travellators in rather dreary corridors.
Cheers
Mr Mac
There are a few airports around the world where the travel between gates can be like a route march. DXB is one and Istanbul new airport a colleague reports being challenging in the extreme unquote and she is only 36. The later I will comment further on in October as due through there on 1/10.
Closer to home after LH moved to T2 at Manchester the remote gates which appear to be heading towards Chester are a long walk back to immigration with very few and short travellators in rather dreary corridors.
Cheers
Mr Mac
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From: Clarty Waters, UK
For longer haul, Premium Economy is my preferred class if available, but I'll always enquire about Business just on the off chance the upgrade cost is reasonable.
Like a few others, I'm getting to the age where comfort is important to me.