Photo: Nicholas Carlson
Business Class flying: Is it worth it?This morning – actually, it was Tuesday morning, but it feels like it was this morning – I woke up in my Manhattan apartment at 8AM and started an 8,800 mile journey to Auckland, New Zealand.
I just arrived, and though it’s only Wednesday afternoon back home, it’s Thursday morning here.
It was a long trip!
My first flight, from JFK to San Francisco lasted about 6 hours. Then there was a three hour layover. Then I took a 13 hour flight over the Pacific Ocean and into the southern hemisphere.
But instead of dreading this long haul since I first planned it a few weeks ago, I’d been eagerly anticipating it.
You see, this trip was my first ever as a Business Class traveller.
I’ve flown a million times and the closest I’ve ever gotten to the big, wide leather seats at the front of an airliner was jamming a knee with my carry-on on the way back to seat 27B.
This time, it was Business Class all the way – and I was dying for it to begin.
Mindful that there may be a few of you like me out there, I kept my camera out at (almost) all times during this trip to document every step of the way.
The questions I want to answer here:
- Is Business Class all that it’s cracked up to be?
- Is it worth the money?
- What are the secrets to surviving 24 hours straight of air-travel?
The answer is that it depends on where you're flying.
On the domestic flight, we probably could have done without the warm, moist towelette and even the constant back massage -- thanks mostly to how incredibly engaging our iPad is.
The international flight was incredible. Compared to a couple of flights we've made to Europe, and even some across the country, it seemed short and a lot more fun.
But still, we would not spend the thousands of extra dollars on even an international business class ticket unless:
- It isn't on your dime -- and probably not even on your company's dime, especially if its a startup with limited capital.
- It is very important that you get a full night's rest before doing business on the day of your arrival. If you need 8 hours of sleep to be on your toes in a meeting that could make the quarter or year for your company, business class is a worthwhile investment. It will help you sleep.
- It is an extremely special gift for a loved one on a big anniversary or birthday. If you have the money and want to make the gesture, it's a really impressive one to make. The person you're giving the ticket to will be entirely blown away -- and feel like a million bucks.
- An iPad. The battery life is crazy. You can watch 10 hours of TV shows and movies -- and play some video games, too.
- Noise-cancelling earphones. Boise sells really expensive ones. The Skull-candy in-ear-buds I have cost $24.
- Sleeping pills, if your doctor says it's OK. I took Ambien. Slept like a baby.
You should know that I flew to New Zealand -- business class -- on New Zealand's dime. The government offered to buy my ticket and get me a hotel room so I could meet some entrepreneurs down here.
I agreed.
Scratch that; I jumped at the chance.
The Kiwis aren't saying they're expecting any kind of coverage. But the business owners down here will probably get some -- more than they would have if I hadn't flown here, I'm sure.
I promise to keep any stories I write about them honest.
(By the way, they're flying me back home coach.)
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