Is Business Class Worth It? Not Always🤔

Business class? Nah, ✨premium economy✨

How lame is it that I've been reviewing airlines for YEARS and just realized that premium economy is much better value in most cases? Let's take a typical transatlantic flight. Most cities offer flights to the US for about $2000 roundtrip in business class. Meanwhile, premium economy might cost $700-800 roundtrip (not during high season obviously). To me, that's much more worthwhile. If the airline allows it, booking premium economy one-way and business one-way to get some sleep is even better.

What are your thoughts on premium economy vs business class?

[goodnightasmr]

I trust you, but as someone who has never flown business class, having your own little nook and a lay-flat seat is the most appealing part of a pricier ticket to me.

[TarikDaniel]

Business Class: pay with Miles
PE: pay with money

[TorstenVillnow]

"So much more space" - this fully depends on what the airlines really offer as "Premium Economy"

[PlaneSpotterJimmy]

I've been lucky enough to fly business class a few times. Having the fancy seat that reclines into a bed and your own space is amazing, especially on long flights. But what I found the best part of flying business is being able to avoid all the hassle and queues in the airports. You can check-in whenever you like without a massive queue of people, can board whenever you want, access the lounge to get away from the terminal chaos, and you're off the plane and get your luggage even before economy class gets through immigration.
In saying that, I wouldn't pay for business unless I had miles or got a very good deal. Like Dan said, premium economy is better value for money in most cases. Unless you get to fly Q-suite with Qatar (its amazing)

[alishashenoy]

It depends really if a flight is 12 hrs or more business makes sense even if it’s a day flight . Easier on the back and knees

[lj]

PE has become expensive. Some flights cost 3x the economy fare.

[yosoykibbles]

I guess the edge of business class over the premium economy is the check in. It is truly one of the challenges I would want to avoid. I just get paranoid waiting in line with my luggage with tons of people in near proximity to me. I feel so protective of my luggage because of crazy airport scams. 😢🎉😂

[videos]

It’s not always possible sometimes to split the fare classes between cabins as the airlines don’t allow it, you end up splitting up the sectors into one ways and it gets just as expensive.

[RandomLifeProductions]

I disagree sometimes business class less expensive on some journeys than premium or the price difference negligible. Also think of going one way premium and travelling the other business, this does work

[magnustan]

The trouble is that most daytime flights I ever took, are short or medium-haul where economy is fine. The thing with premium economy is that a few airlines price it wrongly. The price charged and the soft product offered does not justify the price premium enough, especially if they offer an excellent economy product.

[meibing]

Agree. Premium economy is fine on daytime flights. At night I need to lie down.

[Lovemonniibee]

We booked business class for our Christmas vacation because it’s Christmas and we used points. But generally with the kiddos we do PE as well because the seat configuration is generally better for dealing with young children

[pranavmangho]

Thank you for doing Cathay after so long

[mdhazeldine]

After trying all 3 classes a couple of times, I have settled on economy or premium for day flights and premium or business for night flights (depending on my budget) unless I can get a stonking deal on going both ways or there's no cheaper option left on the day flight. The lie flat seat is not worth it on day flights. The only real advantage is slightly better food, a bit more privacy and space for working on your laptop and lounge access. You can pay for lounge access at a far cheaper rate than paying for business, so unless you really need to get work done, I don't see much point during the day.

[anthonylebreton]

so true other than the bed it’s
rarely worth the over spend

[Ryan-zvyl]

I agree. When flying to the Philippines from the US I choose business class for the lay flat seats. Anything under an 8 hour flight economy plus is by far the better option as far as the cost vs experience goes

[TravelSingFly]

I must say I don't agree completely. It really doesn't account to all airlines. Like in KLM it's quite tight, Air France looks great but sitting there for 12 hours isn't at all. Lufthansa is better.
Cathay is just another story, it's among the best premium ecos in the world, EVA great too. Hard to say that in general....

[yaowsers]

I flew on United premium economy from Newark to London. I feel like the overhead bin for the center row is more shallow than the side rows. Not as deep. But i got lucky going and coming home! While it was full going to London, some people didn't use the bins near me so i was able to fit my bag sideways. Coming home, it wasn't full at all! Next to me, directly in front of me, and the two seats behind me (2, 2, 2 configuration) were all empty! Once again, had plenty of room for not just my bag, but also personal item bag. I had bought a ton of stuff from duty free so that went under the seat. Definitely appreciated the extras space as I'm in the fluffier side and purposely bought that seat so i didn't intrude on my seatmate. For was good, attendants were great and i enjoyed the entertainment.

[yourlocalriri]

JAL Premium Economy is probably the best I’ve ever been on. Great recline, good seats, hard-shell backed seat, lounge access, and great legroom.

[artsyhyd]

It’s worth it most for long flights, with baby/children, with elderly, and if money is not an issue 😄