Why do People fly Business or First Class?

p1 ama on 15/06/2013 - 19:24

Just something that's always bugged my mind, every time I read an article in the Travel section of a newspaper and they talk about the benefits of flying business class or first class, they seem to make it out to be a MASSIVE improvement over economy, despite it being much, much, more expensive.

Is there actually something I'm missing out on?

For me, as long as I get from point A to point B, I'm perfectly happy taking onboard a couple of sandwiches, chucking the headphones on and listening to music or watching a movie on my iPad and playing a few games.

I've just never seen the benefit in having a bigger seat, more legroom (I just stand up and walk around the plane when my legs are tired) or even like good service (I just prefer to be left alone).

I guess I'm pretty frugal, but for short haul flights (e.g. MELB/SYD), I'd gladly stand if that'd save me money. Anyway, does anybody have much experience with flying Business/First Class and whether it's actually worth the price hike?

Travel

Comments

      • Timocracy on 17/06/2013 - 22:01

        Scoot stuffed up and I ended up in there premium class. Trust me it's not worth the money. bigger seat, choose what time you want your meal. That's it, glad I didn't pay they serious $$ they would have charged me.

        Airlines make all of their money from Business seats(they are a rip off on every scale). Read the annual report, blah blah blah business travel was down we lost alot of money. I think Cathay's said they need to sell something like 15 economy seats to make up for one lost business seat.

        Using points doesn't justify it as points=$$$.

        Only time paying for a more expensive tickets may be worth it is the budget airline vs Economy question. I've probably "lost" 4 or 5 trips on budget airlines due to change of plans etc etc. So the money I've saved on the rest of the trips would be close to equalling the money lost on the lost tickets.

        So in the long run your probably just as well off buying the cheapest economy ticket with a legacy carrier as you are with a budget airline. But hey, no one can resist a 99c ticket!

        • Onysius on 19/06/2013 - 18:59

          Was there considerably more legroom in the premium (SccotBiz) seat? As I'm thinking of flying with Sccot to Singapore later this year.

  • dealman on 17/06/2013 - 12:16
    +1

    hmm I guess one small thing that has been left out here is the networking opportunities esp if you are a business owner / the consultant type.

    • Givemethemoney on 18/06/2013 - 01:41

      How would you simply raise this issue in the first place, don't most people just want their privacy?

      • dealman on 18/06/2013 - 08:54
        +1

        hmm … if you are classy about it not like the pushy AMWAY network marketer.

        I think good contacts can be made on business class, which can then lead to decent business opportunities.

        • Givemethemoney on 21/07/2013 - 19:14

          What do you mean by in classy way and how does one develop this skill?

  • PotPlant on 17/06/2013 - 12:30

    Just collect frequent flyer points gradually….and then BAM! You will wake up one day and be able to fly business class. And it doesn't cost you a cent. Except taxes of course.

  • inherentchoice on 17/06/2013 - 12:57
    -4

    Why? Coz they're pretentious. Snobbish. Haha.

    First class means they don't have to put up with us bogans and children who should be seen but not heard.

    A relic of class segregation. That's where it gets its name from after all.

    • Davo1111 on 17/06/2013 - 13:47
      +1

      TIL keeping quiet so you don't disturb others is class segregation.

      • inherentchoice on 17/06/2013 - 17:43
        -2

        ? "Children can be seen but not heard" is a generalisation of what some pretentious people say…

        • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2013 - 20:44

          It's "children should be seen and not heard"… and while outdated (you'd have to be at least 50 to remember being told it as a child in Australia) it was a saying common in all classes. Pretentious people? Do you mean old people? Why on earth would you even bring that up?

        • inherentchoice on 17/06/2013 - 21:59

          Why do I bring it up? Because I thought it's a genuine answer to a genuine question. They can mix with better company in first class.

          I don't really blame them for wanting to avoid mixing with the attitudes of entitlement and lack thinking.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2013 - 09:38

          Children can mix with better company in first class because of an outdated saying about them being quiet?

        • inherentchoice on 18/06/2013 - 17:52

          ? I don't understand what you you mean.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2013 - 18:14

          Yes, I'm saying I don't understand what you mean, because what you're saying makes no sense.

          The phrase you incorrectly quoted had nothing to do with class or pretension and is outdated.

        • Eivad on 20/06/2013 - 14:06
          +1

          I think what he's saying is that he doesn't want a 10pm flight to the US ruined by six screaming children who together, left no minute of the night untouched by their piercing screams whilst their parents snored soundly.

          Bloody Jetstar. Thank god for my noise-isolating earphones, but I felt bad for the other passengers.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2013 - 18:40

          So you think he's calling himself pretentious and snobbish?

    • SydStrand on 17/06/2013 - 18:24

      Jack Dawson, is that you?

  • Vallani on 17/06/2013 - 14:22
    +1

    Most people in business class have their fare paid for by someone else - usually their employer. Easier to spend more when it is other people's money.

    • INFIDEL on 17/06/2013 - 14:30
      +1

      Hence the name - business class.
      I'm waiting for OzBargain class, the cheapest way to travel.

      • bich.light on 17/06/2013 - 15:13
        +1

        Economy "class".

      • MATTDAMON on 17/06/2013 - 17:48

        Only .81c per kg to send an item via aircan to Europe.

      • May4th on 18/06/2013 - 09:37

        standing up and strapped back to back to the passenger behind you?

  • acersaurus on 17/06/2013 - 16:27
    +4

    Economy sucks, but I'd never fly anything else even if I was very wealthy.

    Irrespective of ones level of wealth, who can justify paying an EXTRA 8k for commfort to fly to Europe say, when that same money could be given to the Fred hollows foundation for instance, and could make a huge difference.

    • Davo1111 on 18/06/2013 - 08:02
      +3

      or an 8k computer rig. ohhhh yeah

    • zhenjie on 18/06/2013 - 15:24
      +1

      Dare I say people with wealth are more considerably philanthropist and charitable than those without similar wealth.

      • SteveOh on 18/06/2013 - 15:43

        They need the tax deductions!

        • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2013 - 15:55
          +2

          Whenever I see statements like this I'm forced to think people don't understand tax or tax deductions.

          Let's say you earn $150k/year.

          If there are zero other factors you're going to pay $43,447 income tax and have $106,553 remaining (much of which will go into other taxes like GST, luxury tax, fuel taxes, alcohol taxes etc. but that's a complication we're not using for this demonstration).

          So you decide to donate $25,000 of that to a charity annually. Your taxable income is now $125k/year.

          The amount of tax you'll pay is now $34,197 ($9,250 down! yay!) but as you don't have that $25k your actual amount remaining is $90,803 ($15,750 down! Ya… wait).

          Tax deductions don't make you have more money. They just mean you're spending more. The only benefit you get out of it is to be able to direct a portion of your tax money toward a cause you support… but you're still significantly out of pocket.

        • brawndo on 19/06/2013 - 08:11

          The actual amount remaining is not $90,803 as you imply. You've failed to take into account the $9,250 tax return.

          While $6k odd is still a significant amount, the resulting $25k donation to a cause you deem worthwhile is arguably more valuable (both to the receiving party and to satisfy your philanthropic needs).

        • [Deactivated] on 19/06/2013 - 09:34
          +1

          I don't imply it, I state it. And the $9,250 less is taken into account.

      • SteveOh on 18/06/2013 - 15:45
        +2

        Actually, that's not true! Here's n article: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/04/why-the-…

        In fairness, the article is based on the US. I'm not sure how much things differ here in Aus.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2013 - 15:56
          +3

          I started writing my reply above before you posted this.

          I'm actually really glad you realised it wasn't quite right yourself and went looking.

      • May4th on 18/06/2013 - 16:25

        @zhenjie, i'd like to see a comparison of % of disposable income donated by wealthy people compared to % disposable income donated by average working class population. i'd be very surprised if your statement holds in that case

        edit: ah, the article did it for me

        • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2013 - 16:27
          -1

          Broken down to charities who actually practically help people versus religious donation would be handy too. I have no doubt lower earners give more to churches.

  • Ventak on 17/06/2013 - 22:05

    Most of the time First Class or Business Class isn't worth it (to fully enjoy everything, you'd need an extremely long flight, and even then some of your own personal things should you own them will be still better than First/Business Class offerings). Of course, I'd take it if it was free, but I'd rarely if ever pay for it.

    Speaking of which, why is it called Economy Class? Wouldn't Standard Class make more sense?

  • Drphods on 17/06/2013 - 22:43

    I can't believe how many comments there are.

    Economy or first class, I can't stand those idiots who stand in the aisle for ages putting their bag in the overheads and sorting their kids out while hundreds of people are stuck waiting for them.

    • brilliances on 18/06/2013 - 00:09

      That's why they let families board first.

      I hate the people who jump in to the families / special needs boarding call when they don't have any kids.

  • ihbh on 17/06/2013 - 23:27

    … easier to join the Mile High Club.

    • May4th on 18/06/2013 - 09:38

      you are not doing it right

  • DEvok on 17/06/2013 - 23:40

    Now all we waiting for is someone to post Oz Baragin for first class on ozbaragin, 20-50% off.

  • fredscool on 18/06/2013 - 00:01

    the top reason is they have a lot of money to spend on luxury things such as business class or anything expensive.

  • tonester on 18/06/2013 - 02:01

    why not just fly on single class planes than worry about the differences between economy, business and first?

    everyone's the same on private jets and charter flights :)

  • skd100™ on 18/06/2013 - 02:34
    +1

    Because its cheaper than hiring a private jet.

    • Eivad on 20/06/2013 - 14:09

      Business and First class are what wealthy people visit ozbargain for

  • MasterNoob on 18/06/2013 - 09:03

    People who go business class have maximum swag.

  • dumadiscount on 18/06/2013 - 09:07

    because their company pays for them to arrive refreshed and happy. example: im sending an employee to london to step off the plane and into a meeting in 2 hours, you probably are hoping your employee got some rest on the flight.

    same applies for domestic flights where employees are travelling during business hours and can do work with some relative comfort.

    then there's rich people for whom its like the cost of catching a bus. of course youll fly business or first if the cost is insignificant to you.

  • Catfaise on 18/06/2013 - 11:20

    I just want to sit at the back of the plane, it's the last place to hit the ground when it crashes.

  • mooboy on 18/06/2013 - 11:32

    Just from my experience, being reasonably tall and with a sometimes sore back, I find it makes a huge difference for long haul flights, especially overnight ones. Generally means I can enjoy my time at destination from the get go, rather than needing a day to recover from the flight.

    I agree for short haul flights it doesn't make much sense/difference (to me).

    As for people say it's good for networking, guess I'm not that outgoing. One thing I also like about it is you generally get a big chair all to yoruself so feels a bit more private.

  • SteveOh on 18/06/2013 - 12:39

    IMHO it's because:

    1. The traveler is really rich and so it's not a lot of money to them (this probably applies to one or two percent of travelers) This applies not only to millionaires but hey, if you're over 70, have no heirs and plenty of supra why not spend it on yourself and be comfortable?

    2. The traveler's employer is paying for it. This is usually negotiated in a contract or employment agreement. For example in the government lowly middle managers like me must travel economy on all domestic flights (no complaint from me there) but in the unlikely case that we are sent overseas we get business class.

    3. The traveler is so self centred or class conscious that they want to be able to say 'look at moi, I'm flying first class' they're basically willing to pay money to have the stewardesses and stewards threat them like they're someone important.

    I have not done any scientific research but my guess is that 1 above cover 1 or 2 percent of travellers and then 2 and 3 are roughly a 50/50 split.

    I'm sure that people who work in airline marketing departments have done very detailed statistical studies and customer profiles and other market research because, as the OP indirectly points out, this is a market segement with the potential for a very high markup and great profit margins ;-)

  • itournepal on 18/06/2013 - 14:20

    It think this is about the redistribution or equal distribution of the money. People who have money pay and others who need money benefit. Travel agents, tour operator and the airlines themselves offer something different and make good profit out of the people willing to pay. Since there are more profit, they advertise of even influence or sponsor travel writers to preach about theses tours. I think its good for everyone.

  • OutOfComplaintForms on 18/06/2013 - 16:06
    +2

    I'm actually surprised that so many people here think that people who fly in business are (1) rich or (2) flying on company dollar. In the case of (1) - people being rich, yes, there are certainly pax who splurge, but a lot of people who fly in business are frequent flyers who fly in business or first by mileage redemption. In the case of the U.S, almost all their First Class pax are upgraded Platinum members. Airline staff who aren't working also take a chunk of the seats.

    Also, not everyone flying in business or first started their journey from Australia (where airlines overcharge us due to our market's willingness to pay). The price for Europe -> Australia -> Europe in business is significantly cheaper than Australia -> Europe -> Australia in the same class, on the same airline, and on the same flight. So that guy sitting on seat 1A, might've paid a mere 3k, and is returning home.

    You also have to factor in the airlines. Yes, some airlines such as Emirates or Singapore charge high premium rates ranging from $8-10k for a flight to Europe, but people who fly in business on say, Royal Brunei or Vietnam Airlines are paying about half, of that - just under $4k.

    (2) You will find more people flying under company dollar flying in economy, than in business. Company policies have changed, hence why airlines like Cathay, are making losses in their premium cabin, so a lot of business people are generally flying in either economy, or premium economy - unless of course, you are a senior manager of very big firm.

    So yes, some people who fly in biz can be the typical splurgers, or company men, but there are many, many more types of people who can fly in that cabin.

  • subywagon on 18/06/2013 - 20:02

    I've flown heaps between Aus/NZ and Japan. I fkn hate flying cattle class. Squashy, dirty, people smell, kids out of control, food is expensive (so I bring my own, but it's never enough..) I used to fly various classes before the cheap airlines came into play when tickets were cheaper. Now I can only fly the cheap carriers, if I had the money I'd go to a better class for sure.. if it's just for the unlimited booze…

  • PleasureMe on 18/06/2013 - 23:13
    +1

    Why? Because it's MUCH MUCH more comfortable. And yes, it IS a massive improvement. I personally have flown both business and first class due to having family work in the industry and be able to get me free upgrades. Until you have flown first class, it's impossible to understand how much better it is. I'm not rich, but if one day I become comfortable enough to be able to afford first class tickets, then I will definitely spend the money on them. One of the best meals I've ever had was in first class, it's top restaurant quality.

    Although I only think it's worth it if you're on a long haul flight (i.e. to America or Europe).

  • matt_will_fix_it on 19/06/2013 - 12:21
    +2

    For me, as long as I get from point A to point B, I'm perfectly happy taking onboard a couple of sandwiches, chucking the headphones on and listening to music or watching a movie on my iPad and playing a few games.

    You've never had a Singapore Girl looking after you in first class then :)

  • psychtracker on 19/06/2013 - 12:31
    +1

    I wonder what percentage of people would knock back a FREE upgrade to first class/business class? not many..i suspect! less than 1%..?

    Would the OP knock it back and go sit next to that crying baby in Economy instead? That's enough evidence of a 'benefit', be it large or small - to my mind.

    Whether someone pays an extra $500 or $5000, or has a private jet, it's kinda irrelevant ..we all do what we want with our money. One mans bargain (or fair deal) is another mans ripoff!

    • May4th on 19/06/2013 - 12:44

      very true. my parents thinks the bargains i picked up from hallensteins/topman/industrie are hideous overpriced trash :(

  • mickminh on 19/06/2013 - 13:16
    -5

    Re the morality of flying & traveling, we should have something to think about …
    Billions and billions of people in this world can never afford to be on a plane of any class.
    If we can afford to fly even in the economy class, then we are already blessed with being in the privileged class of this world, and are already more lucky than the majority of mankind.
    So it's morally-incorrect if we complain about flying economy class and resort to flying "upper classes" for more comfort and a brief enjoyment of classy gimmicks.
    Even if we have excess money and can afford to fly "upper classes", we should be happy to downgrade to economy class, then donate the saving of few thousand dollars to the impoverished people of the world (as many have suggested above) …
    Cheers

    • OutOfComplaintForms on 19/06/2013 - 13:42

      What does 'morality' have anything to do with this? It's not as though the airline industry are exploiting child labour or inducing low-wage slavery. If you're talking about 'class equality' a.k.a socialist utopia, that is one thing, but don't drag 'morality' through the mud when the airlines haven't done anything wrong.

    • psychtracker on 19/06/2013 - 14:22

      Yes, but it's dangerous when you start preaching those ethics on others because you open yourself up to scrutiny. ie. Why don't YOU sell everything you own and spend the rest of your life selflessly helping out the needy and poor?

      ..or have you ever upgraded your Car, Computer, TV, DVD, Digital Camera, whilst the ones you were using worked fine - but you wanted faster, bigger or better.

    • Baghern on 19/06/2013 - 16:12
      +1

      You ignore the fact that First Class and Business Class subsidise economy class/ensures the company makes a profit. Flying would be near unaffordable if there was no business/first class.

      Cheap Economy/cattle class, is a HUGE factor in tourism. The third world would suffer without those tourist dollars.

      So in conclusion next time you see someone going into first class, you should take a knee and postulate before them, thanking them for being an integral part of supporting the 3rd world.

      • robbyjones on 19/06/2013 - 17:09
        -2

        Genuflect to those in first class…..seriously? They could help the third world even more and not fly at all and donate the funds directly to them.

  • Onysius on 19/06/2013 - 18:56

    I choose to fly Business class on long flights, to be guaranteed the extra leg room.
    I'm 195cm tall, and the Exit/Bulkhead row seats are not always available; also some airlines charge a premium.

    On a recent 3hr domestic flight I was seated next to a morbidly obese woman, who was spilling over into my seat space; yet one side of the plane was almost empty. After take off, when I moved over to a seat on the empty side of the plane, I was promptly "told" (rather rudely) by a flight attendant to move back to my assigned seat.

    • onlyletters on 19/06/2013 - 22:12
      -1

      next time, dont get so tall haha

  • onlyletters on 19/06/2013 - 22:12

    write it off when tax time comes along.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2013 - 18:42
      -1

      Whenever I see statements like this I'm forced to think people don't understand tax or tax deductions.

      Let's say you earn $150k/year.

      If there are zero other factors you're going to pay $43,447 income tax and have $106,553 remaining (much of which will go into other taxes like GST, luxury tax, fuel taxes, alcohol taxes etc. but that's a complication we're not using for this demonstration).

      So you decide to donate $25,000 of that to a charity annually. Your taxable income is now $125k/year.

      The amount of tax you'll pay is now $34,197 ($9,250 down! yay!) but as you don't have that $25k your actual amount remaining is $90,803 ($15,750 down! Ya… wait).

      Tax deductions don't make you have more money. They just mean you're spending more. The only benefit you get out of it is to be able to direct a portion of your tax money toward a cause you support… but you're still significantly out of pocket.

  • Blenny on 19/06/2013 - 22:38
    -3

    No reason to pay for business or first class when a sleeping pill costs a dollar.
    Sleeping 99% of the flight is significantly nicer than first class could ever be…

    • PleasureMe on 20/06/2013 - 15:49

      well you could also sleep in busn/1st class, it would just be a much more comfortable sleep, you may even have your own bed on some airlines. So your logic is flawed. Regardless of what you decide to do with your time, you will always be more comfortable in a better class.

  • stingy-oz on 19/06/2013 - 22:57

    Wanted to chip-in here.
    I fly almost exclusively Business class only on long-haul. The benefits are arguable depends on how you sees it but for me the choice is limited. I have a back condition that I cannot sit for long and when it's long haul, it's not possible for me to walk the aisle every 15 mins.

    Luckily for me though, I earn enough frequent flyer points to upgrade to business class whenever I fly. So it's not comfort that leads to business class, rather is health issue.

    Oh yes, I'd never fly long-haul if I have to pay for business class and thank god for frequent flyer points :)

  • mangoman on 20/06/2013 - 00:11

    I was told once if you are using rewards points of some kind, often its not much more to upgrade.

  • GerrardLFC on 20/06/2013 - 00:49

    I always get my dad business class seats when he travels as I want him to be comfortable when he travels and he can afford it. I then use all his Skywards points for rest of the family to upgrade to business when we travel ;D

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