Economy vs. business class: is it really worth it?
Flying can be a pain, even though there are plenty of amenities and premium options available during your flight to help make your trip as comfortable as possible. Previously, we touched on how to make coach feel like a business class experience. For a premium, you can one-up — or many times up, really — to make your flight experience better. But is forking out the extra fees really worth the comfort? Let’s consider the factors.
Staying comfortable during a short haul is no problem, but if you’ve looking at a 20-hour non-stop flight from Singapore to New York, a little extra leg room goes a long way. Are you used to sitting for hours on end? Are you able to sleep sitting? If the answer is yes, economy is perfect for you. If the answer is no, just imagine sitting down for 20 hours without sleeping. How do seats that recline all the way sound now?
If you’re not fussed about lying down on planes, JAL’s economy seats are one of the widest in the market, giving you enough space for a comfortable flight. Alternatively, premium economy truly pampers with reclinable seats that do not intrude into personal space.
There are some airlines with a reputation for leaving on time, some with a reputation for great food selection and some with a reputation for service. And that reputation is likely to be amplified to all passengers, whether in economy or business.
Take JAL for example. People who values service over anything else heard of the legendary omotenashi experience, a Japanese way of complete and selfless approach to receiving guests. That includes attentive care, unobtrusiveness and the smallest details to attention. Depending on your preference, some research into what the airline prides itself with could help greatly with your decision.
Consider the price difference
Sometimes, all it takes to secure an even more comfortable flight is to pay just that bit more. For example, economy seats have gotten a bad reputation over the years, though some airlines are taking steps to ensure economy seats are as comfortable as it gets with various amenities. JAL for instance still provides Häagen-Dazs ice cream after meal service!
Business class seats are obviously made for comfort along with personalised service, which in itself is a priceless experience. Even then, business class fares varies from airlines to airlines, so it is important to suss out the airlines that provide far more value than others.
How much is comfort worth to you?
To quote an old article about this writer’s hilarious take on flying business, “As I shortly discovered, it’s not flying I’ve been terrified of all these years. It’s flying economy.”
Economy seats are good enough for most, but bigger economy seats like the ones JAL have are even better. And then there are business class seats, which are truly first-class comfort. Truth is, business class is not an everyday occurrence, unless you’re an airplane aficionado (and even then, you’ll want your money’s worth when you book that ticket!)
For the rest of us, business class represents a real treat, because we know that the additional value (better food, better seats that are really beds, better services) is worth the additional fee. For best value, keep a lookout for new or enhanced business class seats, like JAL’s SkySuite III. Large 17-inch personal screen, privacy screen for enhanced comfort, aisle access from every seat and of course, free flow champagne and specially-prepared food, are just some things you can expect from the esteemed airline.
Whether it’s a wedding anniversary or a pampering treat for your parents and yourself, if you’re already going for business class, you might as well go with some of the best.
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