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

  • May4th on 15/06/2013 - 19:37
    +10

    i can never justify the extra cost even if i can afford it but the difference in comfort and service is quite remarkable especially over a long flight. cattle class is so named for a reason

    • bragains on 17/06/2013 - 21:48
      +9

      I think you all are looking at this differently. I personally have paid out of my own pocket for Premium Economy and Business Class seats myself and sometimes it isn't only about the comfort.

      Almost all occasions travelling on these classes, I end up meeting someone whom I can share a good conversation with over that poor selection of wine, and end up making good solid friends with, just in that space of 12-14 hours. These connections always certainly end up with an economic advantage. As cliche as it may sound, you're paying for the like mindedness.

      I am not saying I'm higher than art thou (after all, I frequent OzB as much as you all!), it is the increased chances and higher opportunities of sparking that conversation that may net you your next big fish with the person in the seat next to you.

      Not many will agree with me, but I thought I'd like to share what I've experienced.

      • nzthunderboy on 17/06/2013 - 23:08
        +2

        I would agree with you. there has been many occasions where I have met people who I can work with (business wise). As being a Qantas and Virgin Platinum, meeting some people in lounge starting from a random conversation led to some business after.
        To me, flying in business class, is just than comfort or prestige. I tend to classify as investment at times.

        • May4th on 17/06/2013 - 23:36

          that's a very good point. but i think OP was talking more in the sense of purchasing business/first class out of their own pocket and not part of a company sponsored business trip. not everyone is so business inclined after all!

      • dzhay on 21/06/2013 - 14:13

        Totally agree. Can't have a conversation with the lower socio-economic mutes at the back of the plane. It's just grunts and hands full of faeces back there.

    • netsurfer on 17/06/2013 - 22:48

      Advantages of Business Class/First Class:

      • Your luggages come out first (go through immigration before other people) so you get to go home before people in the normal class
      • Board / Exit plane first
      • Can go to lounges and eat/drink before flight
      • Priority check-in
      • Extra luggage allowance
      • Up to 180 degree seat or at least seat with decent leg room
      • Better food & drink
      • More chance to see famous people on the plane

      Why would an OZBer travel B.Class or F.Class? Well, if you travel a lot (due to work) and collected enough status points to reach gold class or higher, most airlines do offer free upgrades to frequent flyers… so why not? One of my family friends flies so much, he just buys economy tickets, and he always gets free upgrades to business class (he has a platinum card).

      If you know how airlines choose to upgrade people, you can take advantage of it. Though, you will find business travellers tend to get the upgrades. They normally travel alone - it is easy for airline to upgrade 1 person, rather than 1 whole family.

      • brilliances on 18/06/2013 - 00:16
        +2

        Add to that
        - better toilets
        - better selection of meal and in first class, it's cooked when you want it, and unrestricted servings.

        But at twice the amount of business class, first class is a bit unnecessary when business class already gets you good room, good service, and good food.

        Essentially first class is like staying in a backpackers lodge for Rich people - it's the only time they ever share a room with anyone other than themselves.

      • cairnsn on 18/06/2013 - 10:19
        +1

        Other advantages:

        • Flexible fare conditions
        • Refundable ticket
        • Accelerated path to gaining elite status on frequent flyer programs (status credits, tier miles etc) which give you event benefits
        • Extra points on frequent flyer programs (cabin bonus)
        • Chauffeur driven cars to/from airports on some airlines
        • On-board lounge or bar on some aircrafts
        • Better in-flight entertainment (bigger screens, noise cancelling headphones)
        • Luxury amenity kits (pyjamas, toiletries)
        • And if you're lucky to fly First class, your own private "suite" on some aircrafts (eg Singapore A380), in-flight showers etc.
  • Benicio on 15/06/2013 - 19:49
    +9

    For domestic flights I agree it doesnt seem worth it at all, but for long haul flights 12-16 hours, sometimes life is too short to travel budget airlines! You'll find most business/first class passengers have companies paying or they are loaded and dont even bother looking at the price of things.

    Flat beds in some airlines business, better food and always a staff member there when you need them, priority boarding and first off the plane - baggage first off the plane too.

    Is it worth it? Not if I'm paying it's not.

    Virgin Australia premium economy is very worth it when it's on special though - bigger and more comfortable seats, better food and a bigger incline on the seats means I can actually sleep on long haul flights.

  • retiredfeline on 15/06/2013 - 20:04
    +4

    I know a friend who has a medical condition that would preclude flying in economy class due to the cramped space. And of course as mentioned some people can afford it or somebody else is paying.

    Me as long as I'm fit I'll endure economy and spend the money at the destination instead.

  • MATTDAMON on 15/06/2013 - 20:47
    +6

    When your 6'6' you literally cannot fit into pleb class, whenever i travel for work via air (occasionally) i bring it up as an OH&S issue that i cannot fit into the seat and could cause damage to my knees, hips and back, so they bump me up to Business class or a bulk head seat.

    Besides, some people just like the extra space and the perks you get, and for alot of people an extra couple of hundred is worth it. Not everyone is out to save every single dollar.

    • May4th on 15/06/2013 - 20:51
      +2

      interesting. maybe you could use "i get claustrophobic and anxiety attacks when i'm in economy class" as a reason too

    • berger on 15/06/2013 - 21:35
      +9

      I'm 6.5.

      The jetstar check in girl said "wow you are tall, I'll give you a seat in the emergency exit row. "

      When I boarded, I was the seat in front of the the emergency door row! It was smaller than a standard seat :(

      • bwad on 16/06/2013 - 18:00
        +1

        I'm 6'6" and this has happened to me numerous times. I just aim for aisle seats now and snarl at the short people sitting in the exit rows when I walk past ;)

      • grapedrink on 17/06/2013 - 20:19
        +2

        by any chance were you flying from Gold Coast to Melbourne on the 9th of June when that happened?

    • TALLBALLER on 16/06/2013 - 04:13

      Im 6'11/ 7" i will try that one next time i fly for bball

  • gottacatchemall on 15/06/2013 - 20:55
    +3

    Agree with copie if you can afford it then it is definitely worth it. Based on this logic why would you buy anything more expensive if there is a cheaper but inferior opinion. I agree that business is not worth the cost for short haul flights but for international flights, especially to Europe, it is worth paying more if you can afford it for the superior space, comfort and service. Also if you value your time you can save alot of time with business class priority boarding and check in.

  • p1 ama on 15/06/2013 - 21:31
    +6

    Okay, so I decided to do a little bit of research into the prices.

    Let's say I'm flying from Melbourne to London, Economy class is around $1,700 at this time of the year, based on Expedia prices. Business class bumps it up to $5,500. First class is $8,500. This is all one way.

    So what this is telling me is that I could essentially take my whole family on Economy class for the price of taking myself on First class. I don't know, but that does seem like a massive price hike.

    Like, just thinking critically about the points everyone's brought up, it's actually a massive price hike, for Economy to Business class, it's a 325% increase. So it's not simply a couple of hundred dollars. I do agree that not everyone out there is out to save a buck. But let's look at it this way, I'd rather use that $3,800 price difference to get a better hotel, it's just a bigger comfort increase, I'd rather put up with a cramped plane for a day and get a good hotel for the next few weeks than the other way around!!

    But I do think airlines are probably overcharging for Business class, i.e. they make a higher margin off business class and first class seats, just because they know businesses will pay for it.

    • retiredfeline on 15/06/2013 - 21:34
      +15

      What the market will bear, is the saying I believe.

      I mean your question is just like any number of similar questions: Why to people buy luxury car X? Why do people buy expensive fashion? etc. etc.

      Because somebody can and wants to, so these goods and services exist. Not everybody needs to watch every penny.

      You might say OzBargaining is a way to save money on some things to splurge on other things. After all you can't take it with you. And I don't mean on a plane trip.

      • INFIDEL on 16/06/2013 - 11:55
        +9

        If you pay for that luxury car or fashion, you get too keep it, not rent it for hours. Generally no one will know you flew first class, unless you tell them. The flash car or dress will have higher posing value.

        I have no car nor fashion clothes to inform others of my status. But I have enjoyed holidays OS up to 9 months a year for many years, by buying the cheapest fares & enjoying the destination rather than the journey.

        • retiredfeline on 16/06/2013 - 12:00
          +9

          On the other hand possessions inevitably wane in satisfaction after a while, not to mention that you might be dependent on the approbation of others, while experiences and memories stay with you.

          See here for example: http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2010/03/study-shows-experien…

          It's just that I'd rather spend the money on experiences at the destination rather than inflight. :)

        • INFIDEL on 16/06/2013 - 12:36
          +3

          Few possessions depreciate in value as quickly as first class air service (usually hundreds of dollars per hour). People pay based on perception of luxury (often a dated concept of how air travel was before cattle class public transport) & reality of extra comfort (in the same metal can).

          For those travelling for a short time, arriving relaxed & pampered may be worth it. I would rather use the money on a comfy bed, good local food, and maybe a massage while I take the time to appreciate my destination. I'm on no rush.

        • retiredfeline on 16/06/2013 - 12:38
          +3

          Well a service is not a possession, you don't get to keep it, it's an experience. But we agree that a holiday experience at the destination is more worthwhile. It's more individual, for one thing, whereas all first class passengers get the same champagne, etc. But hey, some people must like it.

        • INFIDEL on 16/06/2013 - 12:51
          +2

          As for the joy of buying over the joy of possessing, I used to buy from retailers with easy return policies, having the fun of purchase without the expense :-)

          But spending time like I recently did in poor villages of Myanmar gives a different perspective. Offering mandarins to appreciative smiling adults & children, or sitting in crude tea shops listening to the lives of wonderful locals is a greater, more enriching experience than bubblie at 30,000ft.

        • INFIDEL on 16/06/2013 - 13:05
          +1

          True, you can't depreciate a service, that's why I stated 1 was a possession & the other a service. The comparison was $/hour cost.

          If a family is travelling long distance first class, that price difference may pay for an upgrade to a luxury choice when buying a vehicle, which will hopefully give greater perceived benefit over a longer period & status value. Suspect most paying for first class can afford both.

        • retiredfeline on 16/06/2013 - 13:09

          Yes, that's another psychological finding, that giving results in more contentment than receiving.

        • INFIDEL on 16/06/2013 - 13:21

          My years studying Psychology are paying off :-)

          I think all my clients travelled first class. My work was to help them see life fresh & differently, viewed with wonder through the eyes of a child. Decisions like class of air travel are often made without conscious thought & justified later.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2013 - 12:41
          -1

          seems like you have a hard time differentiating goods from services bruce

    • berger on 15/06/2013 - 21:38
      +26

      It's more about the space it takes up. If a 1st class seat takes up as much space as 3-4 standard economy seats, then its going to be roughly worth 3-4 seats. It's like real estate. Pay for a bigger block of land, or in this case, a bigger seat.

      That's the way I think about it anyways.

      • KiLLUMiN4Ti on 15/06/2013 - 21:45
        +6

        that actually makes a lot of sense

      • m0nkeycheese on 15/06/2013 - 22:37
        +8

        Straight to first class sir

        • montorola on 19/06/2013 - 14:29
          +1

          Woah…are you calling me FAT?! :O

      • [Deactivated] on 19/06/2013 - 14:42

        There's also the weight factor, though. A large factor in cost of operation is how much weight the plane is carrying. While you might be taking up three times the space, you're also balancing that out a bit by using up about half the weight (the chairs are heavier).

    • MATTDAMON on 16/06/2013 - 15:37
      -2

      I think you need to check elsewhere for flight costs, for my trip to the states next year, it was only another $310 each way to upgrade to business class, First class was another $7900 Just got to be keeping an eye out on sales and be quick.

      • machej on 19/06/2013 - 22:18

        You sure it wasn't a jetstar flight? That's a bargain.

    • nikey2k27 on 16/06/2013 - 17:50
      +1

      i fly to every 6months to london i fly business class i am tall. I do mix ticket get business class for singapore to london. i payed 2,800 for the mix i have flown first class before it real cool.

    • guidedlight on 17/06/2013 - 17:28
      +1

      Yeah, Business Class is literally used for businesses. There are a few reasons for this:

      Lots of companies have policies that say, destinations over x hours away must be flown in Business Class. It is done for OH&S reasons, employee comfort, etc.

      When business people travel, they are literally maximising their time on the ground; rushing from meeting to meeting, from customer to customer. Or they are there to solve a big problem. It's not a holiday, in any stretch of the imagination.

      Employees generally don't like to travel for work (high-pressure to maximise productivity whilst travelling; away from family; trying to quickly "make the deal" despite dealing with different people/cultures; etc). So anything the company can do to make the experience as pleasant as possible is often encouraged (hotel suite, sizable per diem and business class airfares).

      Additionally, many "regional managers", etc actually negotiate business-class travel into their contracts.

    • cairnsn on 18/06/2013 - 10:10

      Comparing economy tickets to business class tickets is like comparing apples to oranges. Apart from the product (seat, meals, service etc), you also need to take into account the fare conditions when comparing the classes. You are comparing the price of "discount" economy tickets with that of Business and First.

      Most Business/First class tickets have flexible conditions which allow you to change your flight without penalty even after the plane has departed. They are usually fully refundable. Discount economy tickets, on the other hand, are restricted tickets, tightly yield managed (ie. there are only a handful of seats on each flight at the cheapest price point), non-refundable, and often come at a high price in terms of fees if you have to cancel or rebook your ticket.

      You can get the same flexible conditions by booking fully flexible fares but on a Melbourne to London flight these fully flexible Economy tickets will set you back around $3,500-$4,000. So at these prices, its only a 160% increase from Economy to Business.

      Again, it all comes down to how much value you place on these extra benefits.

      • nikey2k27 on 19/06/2013 - 16:03

        Most Business/First class tickets have flexible conditions which allow you to change your flight without penalty even after the plane has departed. They are usually fully refundable.

  • bbqwer on 15/06/2013 - 23:33
    +5

    Its clearly you are not on that level yet. When you can afford to pay first class, then you will start thinking differently.

    Why buy BMW, if toyota can take you from point A to B ?

  • superbass on 15/06/2013 - 23:41
    +12

    The answers are rather simple.

    1. (I think this is majority of the business/first class passengers) They don't pay for it. Their company pays for them, so they don't care which class they fly. Most of multinational companies for example have travel policies that you have to fly business class if the flight is more than certain hours. Tough life huh? But think about it. You are going to London to close out multi-million dollar deal, wouldn't your company want to make sure you are 100% and would couple of thousand really matter in that context?

    2. Much more simple answer is that because some people have a lot of money, where few grand doesn't really affect them.

    3. Why does anyone buy luxury goods?

  • nephilim on 15/06/2013 - 23:45
    +1

    I assume alot are just bad at booking, Alot of flights cut of a large % of the time like Sydney to LA or Perth to Johannesburg which make economy not as bad.
    Business flight looks good when they do into flight centre with there credit card, while getting flights that are 6 hours longer.

    • MATTDAMON on 16/06/2013 - 15:38
      +1

      Yep, just got to be on the ball and do your own research rather then going to flight center etc and getting them to check it all out.

      • ThadtheChad on 18/06/2013 - 23:57

        Dont know why u keep getting negged. Am I missing something?

        • MATTDAMON on 19/06/2013 - 15:44

          Because i have a member by the name of Chilled, who has a hard on for me, so negs every single one of my posts. (its Mr Chilled from OCAU)

          He gets so mad.

  • Multi21 on 16/06/2013 - 01:01
    +1

    There's no justifying the extra cost. However, In my experience, business class was far better in all aspects (11 hr flight). I didn't have to squeeze past people seated next to me when getting up, the seats were much easier to sleep on and the washroom was always vacant.The infotainment system was pretty cool too. It was a largely unoccupied flight from Zambia to Dubai, and I was only charged $100 for an upgrade from economy. Not bad if you ask me.

    • nikey2k27 on 16/06/2013 - 17:54

      i one time paid $120 to go economy to first class by just asking. i did on my uni trip last year real pissed teacher off.

    • berger on 16/06/2013 - 09:34
      +15

      Do you not enjoy nice things?

  • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2013 - 06:01
    +2

    So that you can get on the plane first and then watch everyone else board!
    I've only ever taken 6 business class flights. I did like it but did not and would not pay for it myself. I think the air is better there.
    Being able to lie down and sleep on a long flight is also nice. Easier than sitting.

  • devilbabies on 16/06/2013 - 08:31
    +3

    for the price of 1 business class seat, you can get 2 economy class seats and a hooker.

    • T1 on 16/06/2013 - 09:12
      +3

      In-flight entertainment ?

    • May4th on 16/06/2013 - 09:31
      +6

      two seats? one for you and one for the hooker?

    • marquise on 16/06/2013 - 14:17
      +15

      for the price of 1 business class seat, you can get 2 economy class seats and a hooker.

      Can you pls post a link to this deal? A quick search doesn't reveal any results…

  • nfr on 16/06/2013 - 09:15

    The opportunity cost really pains me but I still pay for my own business class ticket. It's way more comfortable. In economy I cannot get any sleep at all.

  • chickenchipsgravy on 16/06/2013 - 09:40

    depending who youre flying with it really is an added luxury more than anything. Is it really worth 4-5 times the cost of economy? no but then how much do you value your own space, comfort and can afford it… i typically travel business using various frequent flyer programs and at double cost can justify it but anything greater than that and it's really stretching the friendship.

  • zelda707 on 16/06/2013 - 09:48
    +1

    for domestic it doesn't really make a difference. But on international flights, it's a big improvement. Better food, service, comfort and it's a lot quieter (No kids screaming and running around)

  • John-John on 16/06/2013 - 10:22
    +15

    Why do people go to 5 star restaurants and spend 10 times what it would cost to eat at a market?
    Why do people book superior rooms in hotles when they can stay at a motel?
    Why do people hire limosines instead of calling a taxi?
    Why do people buy designer clothes and accessories when they can buy elsewhere cheaper?
    For roughly the same reasons people book first class tickets.
    They propably feel the 'deserve' it. They'd like to experience something
    'super nice'. They want to feel special. And they of course - probably can afford it.
    Then of course there's many of the reasons mentioned above. Medical needs, size of the person,maybe
    someonelse is paying, maybe it's a tax deduction, a gift, a prize, a necessity.
    Is it worth paying the price?
    We're all different - so for those who fly the business/first class way I can only guess they'd answer
    your question with a "yes"!!

    • bich.light on 17/06/2013 - 15:12

      One economical word to sum it up: Utility

  • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2013 - 10:57
    +15

    The real answer of course is… if something goes wrong, while the plane screams headlong into the ocean, first class passengers can have a smug smile - knowing they paid so their life will end before the sheeple way back in economy.

    Wait… what!?

  • gimme on 16/06/2013 - 11:07
    +2

    The "I'm Very Tall" Excuse is a load of crap but a nice way to get an upgrade through OH&S if you can. Australian (NBL) basketballers travel cattle class all the time and their knees are fine.

    First Class is great if someone else is paying for it.

    What you get for the extra eg $4000 is worth a couple of hundred bucks on land so from a value for money perspective is extremely poor.

    Of course I wouldn't knock it back.

    • marquise on 16/06/2013 - 14:19

      Worst nightmare, sitting in front of a NBA/NBL player in Economy. You'd get kneed in the back the whole time.

  • Cluster on 16/06/2013 - 11:13
    +2

    I have flown business class twice: one with a free upgrade on a Qantas 767 flight from Japan, and on an AirAsiaX flight.

    Qantas: 2004 - Old plane, worn out seats that reclined maybe 150 degrees and made sleeping awkward, entertainment system dodgy, but I could stretch out as far as I liked and didn't have a chance to touch the seat in front. Would I pay quadruple for that compared to an economy flight? No way.

    AirAsiaX: Malaysia to India. 5 hours in 170 degrees flat seat heaven. Never been so comfortable on a plane. It cost triple the already very low airfare so for me it was worth it.

    Premium economy on first tier carriers seems to strike the right balance. More room without continuous champagne refills. Just how much can a person consume out of a $40 bottle of champagne and pay $1000 extra for the priviledge?

    • zelda707 on 16/06/2013 - 11:34

      qantas business class has improved a lot since then. The seats are flat but the entertainment systems have improved but they are still slow.

    • sonu1111 on 16/06/2013 - 11:45

      Ever thought of Myers and David Jones, they sell products at a higher price compared to other sellers in the market. If you forget about ozbargain, people do know they are expensive and they do shop there. It is matter of convenience.

      Somebody said about houses here, land prices depend on many factors like living space, access to school, market. Think about, why would people buy an apartment in city when they can get a bigger house in near suburb, there are other factors that are more important than money.

      In business class, you are actually taking approx 2.5 seats of economy class. Economy class seats hardly recline. Giving priority service to someone over other people cost a lot.

      And talking about alcohol, then $40 bottle cost way more in pubs, think about you being served in plane.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2013 - 11:40
    +2

    My dad is 6'4" and in his sixties. He has bad knees (they swell when they act up), and some back issues too. He's made a fair bit of money in the later half of his career and is still earning through investments, so he doesn't have any trouble affording it.

    He'll go with premium economy and extra leg room economy options if he can get them, and he'll even do regular economy on short flights. But my sister lives in Europe, and he's tried to get there in regular economy. He was laid up waiting for the knee to go down for 3 days. Not worth it.

    That said, as a younger and shorter man I have no problem with economy seating and always fly economy.

  • INFIDEL on 16/06/2013 - 12:16

    A plane ride is not much different to any other form of public transport.

    With our terrestrial transport, some people pay extra to hire their personal transport (taxis etc) while others buy a vehicle for their private use. Some do that with air travel (chartering or owning a plane) - that's real first class. Anything less is a hang over from the old perception of air travel.

    Few would think of paying many times the fare to travel on the same bus or train, arriving at the same destination & time as those on the same public transport, just for a more comfy seat etc.

    • DickTaylor on 17/06/2013 - 20:25

      yfw they have multi-class trains and coaches in Europe and people pay for first class

      • INFIDEL on 17/06/2013 - 21:11

        That is long distance & usually of a high standard comparable to planes. But are the fares on coaches many times the normal price? I meant to compare most cheap flights with daiy commuter services for conditions of travel.

  • iSamurai on 16/06/2013 - 13:50
    +1

    You should never pay for a business/first class ticket (well, at least for me). Get an airline co-branded credit card to pay for your everyday expenses, including flights. Sign up to frequent flyer programmes. Just make sure with a CC you still have a net benefit for paying the annual fee but otherwise there's no point.

    When you have enough points you can either redeem a free economy ticket or an upgrade from economy to business. This is much more value for money than swapping points for gift cards etc.

    If you choose to upgrade you'd have to get the "flexi" option which is more expensive than those "saver"/"sale" tickets, but you should at least try it once and how it feels like. I almost always go for the free ticket. I fly SQ and it's quite comfortable in economy already. Service, food and seats are great. Doesn't matter who you choose to fly with, stick with them.

    When you fly in low season periods you usually have entire back of the plane to yourself, so you can lie down on long haul flights. And when you redeem a free flight, redeem early for peak seasons (using the same number of points as it's based on distance not travel date), so only pay for tickets during off peak periods (which is also a few hundred bucks cheaper than peak periods).

  • mickminh on 16/06/2013 - 14:12
    -1

    AirAsia (and few other airlines) now offer options to buy 1 adjacent extra seat for about $20 and 2 adjacent seats for about $36 - if they have empty seats at the last minute.
    We bought that for our last 2 long flights, so we virtually had a "flat bed" so cheaply, and to us, that was no difference to flying "first class" :-)

    • Guybrush57 on 16/06/2013 - 17:47
      +3

      I think you got the shiv. Whenever I fly and there are free adjacent seats I just lie down. Doesn't cost me a thing!

    • mparf on 17/06/2013 - 11:08
      -1

      I opted to do the possible upgrade if there were any free seats available in the next class for $50. However, there weren't any, so my mother and I got 2 additional seats each free in economy, on a packed flight. It was a pretty damn good alternative!!

    • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2013 - 13:28
      -3

      Except your head is lying where hundreds of a**** have farted into (reduced pressure in cabin increases farting).

      Nothing like dropping your head onto the pillow and feel like you're suspended in a cloud… of fart :p

  • Ronnnie on 16/06/2013 - 19:24

    Sometimes you can upgrade to a flatbed for cheap during flights on some of those budget airlines. Personally I can't justify the price difference, but I can understand people from upper echelon of society flying in first class. I suppose its the same as staying in a good 3 star hotel vs staying in 5 star hotels in the best room, some people are loaded and don't need to worry about costs or consider chasing a deal that offer best bang for buck. In a way that is a good thing for some of us not so well of folk, since they could be subsidizing (not necessarily though) lower prices on economy. Just like how Australian's oft are screwed over with high economy seat prices targeted at us, yet you some can end buying tickets from an overseas site targeted at different markets for half the price on the same routes…

  • Davo1111 on 16/06/2013 - 22:49

    company pays or free upgrade.

  • bohn on 16/06/2013 - 23:49
    +6

    A lot of tall people complaining in here…

    You know what is worse than a tall/big/(sometimes fat) person being seated in a normal seat?

    THE POOR PERSON WHO HAS TO SIT NEXT TO THAT PERSON!

    Like the big guy whose elbows stick far past the armrest and into the next person, and he can't help it 'cos he is so big/fat.

    They shouldn't be allowed to fly if they cant sit within the bounds of their seat. They should be forced to upgrade and leave the thin ppl in peace/comfort ;)

    • INFIDEL on 16/06/2013 - 23:53
      +7

      Even worse - sitting next to someone complaining for the entire flight ;)

      • bohn on 17/06/2013 - 00:03
        +5

        true. no one 'likes' to hear someone complaining for an entire flight.. ;)

        but passengers have the right to enjoy the space that they paid for and not to have 'mr or mrs fatso' encroaching into that space. mr and mrs fatso are used to upsizing things.. they should try it with the airline seats ;)

        • RockyRaccoon on 17/06/2013 - 07:45
          -1

          So what are you saying.

          Its someones fault for being taller or larger?

          or

          Airlines for making seats too small?

          And why is that MrFatso fat?

          If its a disability/genetic/cultural etc then what you are saying is legally discrimination.

        • INFIDEL on 17/06/2013 - 14:08
          +4

          A person's physical dimensions can't be changed quickly, unlike shutting up, changing the subject, or not being so negative. It seems many people go into complaint mode as soon as they travel.

          I sat next to a skinny vegan who ranted on about animal rights on a flight back from London. I had no problems with his size, nor his views, just that it went on for so long. The plane was full, so I had little option but sit there. My hints that I had heard it all before & please change the topic were ignored. When he did change the topic, he went on about failed violent relationships & why had they left him. That deteriorated into graphic detail of gang raping Asian women he had given drugs to on his organic farm, after telling me how people should respect animals rignts. Their rights - none, "she knew what she was getting into". Who knows if anything he said was true? But a very unpleasant & lengthy situation with a potentially violent man. I was glad I was not a woman! I put in the earphones & fell asleep.

          You may sit next to someone amazing (many of my flights), someone with strange health / habits / odours / very large size (none), or just a complete bastard (once). But thats what happens sometimes on public transport.
          (No wonder some prefer a bit of distance found by upgrading.)

          Give me a pleasant person (of ample proportion) any day. Besides they are comfy to fall asleep against :)

        • maximum on 18/06/2013 - 15:10

          Have to agree. Most uncomfortable flight was sitting next to a very skinny person who kept on putting their pointy elbows well over the armrests and into my arms.

  • TheAviator on 17/06/2013 - 00:01
    +3

    I ask if paid upgrades are available at check-in. If the price is reasonable I'll take it. Got an upgrade to Jetstar StarClass from Japan to Sydney a few years back for $200, was totally worthwhile. Also got an upgrade (from Economy to First Class) Mexico City - Los Angeles (4.5hr flight) for $100, again totally worthwhile.

    Had I bought the Jetstar online to start with I would have paid around $1500 above my economy, and for the Mexico flight would've been around $1000. Amounts like that I could never justify even if I was super rich. But for a couple of hundred bucks more it's totally worth it :)

  • ejsteven on 17/06/2013 - 02:30

    Well I managed to get a blood clot in my spine (emergency surgery and 6 months recovery) after a 20 hour flight from Spain stuck in a crappy economy seat. Still going to fly economy :D

  • RockyRaccoon on 17/06/2013 - 07:49
    +2

    I dont know what the fuss is all about. Hell why does someone buy a BMW, RollsRoyce?

    Why do some people buy polo shirts, Gucci?

    Why do some not use Ozbargain?

    Why do some people stay at a Hyatt, rather than a Formulae1?

    Or Weetbix rather than a generic?

    Or pay full fare booking, or use servos for soft drinks?

    Maybe its because they have different values for their life, and Vive La Difference.

    BTW they help pay for the flight, service etc so I can get the bargain so good on them

    • MementoMori on 17/06/2013 - 11:29
      +4

      Personally, I like to splash out on the full $5 for a 1.3kg box of Weetbix.

    • DickTaylor on 17/06/2013 - 20:30
      +1

      Why do people in warmer climates buy clothes full stop?

  • Ughhh on 17/06/2013 - 08:07
    +2

    $6000 to some people is probably nothing.

  • porkupine888 on 17/06/2013 - 10:18
    +1

    appending to JLove, just like the $20,000 a night hotel suites they stay/live in …. there's a whole category of people beyond STANDARD living that have no idea how fortunate they are or how much the $$$ they spend could help so many in need… *support ozbargain donation campaign :D

  • mickminh on 17/06/2013 - 10:55
    +1

    RE discussions about overweight people on planes, I believe airlines would / should eventually come to a fairer ticket system whereby fares are partially based on weight (just like air freight, checked-in bagages, airmails, etc …). In fact, to my knowledge, an airline has already introduced this, and I believe others would follow.
    This would also help to promote a healthier life style and society.
    Cheers - and do keep lean & healthy to save yourself & your wallet :-)

    • bohn on 17/06/2013 - 13:08
      +1

      Yeah I hope all airlines follow this.

      Make larger seats to accommodate larger people, and charge them accordingly.

      • RockyRaccoon on 17/06/2013 - 14:03

        yep - but what is overweight?

        eg A 180cm tall person weighing 80kg vs a 150cm person weighing 78kg.

        Then an Asian frame vs a Caucasian frame. Now there's a candidate for racial discrimination..

        Nope that wont work so lets go purely on weight.

        So a 2kg baby, vs a 90kg person who should then pay 45X the price. Now you can have a plane full of screaming kids.

        and how do you allocate larger seats. What happens when all the larger seats are full? Or when all the smaller seats are full? Someone books 6 months in advance and puts on or takes off weight, or do you weigh at checkin, then find there are too many overweight for the larger seats etc.

        Simple "solutions" don't always work.

        • bohn on 17/06/2013 - 21:46

          .

        • Givemethemoney on 18/06/2013 - 01:38
          +1

          Simple answer would be BMI

        • aim54x on 18/06/2013 - 14:09
          +1

          I would beg to differ, BMI is unreliable, both a muscly male and an overweight male can fit the same BMI description (95kg 180cm = BMI 30) I have a BMI of just over 30 and I can tell you I wear size 32 jeans……accorrding to BMI I am obese….go figure

        • Givemethemoney on 19/06/2013 - 00:29

          The measure wouldn't be targeting why someone weighs more, but simply that they weigh more (otherwise it's blatent discrimination). You wouldn't even need to have a BMI measurement. Given that the cost of fuel is related to the weight a plane is carrying, having a charge for persons weight and baggage (irrespective of any reason for their weight would make a fairer system, and potentially more profitable system)

        • Onysius on 19/06/2013 - 18:40

          BMI is a croc as it doesn't take bone density and muscle mass into account.
          I'm 195cm/120kg, reasonably muscular and I also wear size 32 jeans, and while I could afford to lose a couple of kilos; I'm obese according to my BMI.
          According to BMI I would have to lose ~30kg to be in the healthy range.

      • robbyjones on 17/06/2013 - 22:03

        They do that already, it's called Business and First Class. It just isn't compulsory to purchase that seat if you have body spillage into the seat next to you in economy. Maybe it should be.

  • MementoMori on 17/06/2013 - 11:33

    Agreed. For me, I could never justify the cost, even if I had the money. I would rather shout 4-5 friends a flight too.

    However, I did fly LA -> MEL recently in business with my points… HOLY MOTHER OF GOD… it was HEAVEN. Dinner was a Rockpool Angus Rib Eye, got my QANTAS PJs, perfect flat bed and arrived fresh.

    It's all a bit excessive though, surely they could make better use of the space with some kind of bunk system.

    Flying Business on a low cost airline may be a good compromise, never checked it out though.

    • RockyRaccoon on 17/06/2013 - 14:07

      Not with Scoot. Even with a $100+ upgarde at the airport, the seats and service weren't much better than the yellow seats.

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