My experience as a first-time flyer!
When I planned a trip to visit my family after the fear-stricken years of covid, the first thing I dreaded was the long-haul international flight.
I live halfway through the globe from my family, and it takes 18 hours to reach the destination. By the time I touch the ground, with a disheveled look, sore body, and jetlagged mind.
This time around, I planned to bite the bullet and go business. After some research, I scored a business class ticket at an excellent price despite my son pulling his hair out, saying, “ How can you justify spending more on a ticket when you could save the extra money for shopping, Mom?”
I clicked the buy button to fulfill the lifelong dream of flying business. The perks started right away when instead of getting flying anxiety, I started looking forward to the trip.
Passengers flying business or first-class experience comfort, amenities, and privacy making the flight worthwhile.
On ground
The luxury experience starts on the ground when you receive Business-class amenities starting from convenient business-class check-in, shorter queues, and priority boarding.
All major airlines have business lounges where you can enjoy free-of-cost meals, cleaner restrooms, sleeping pods, and massage chairs. If you have a transit flight for more than 4 hours, enjoy the luxury of taking a hot bath and chef-prepared hot meals.
Family trip
Flying coach all my life with three kids in tow, I understand the struggles of a parent. Children get tired, agitated, and frustrated during long flights. They are served special meals, toys, and entertainment.
Rest assured that your journey will be less stressful if you are a family with kids; similarly, three is more space for everyone to move around, making it easier for other passengers who want to sleep or relax without the constant crying of children on board.
In-flight service
It took me some time to digest the overwhelmingly welcoming attitude of the cabin crew.
They greet you with a big smile and usher you to your seat. There is an onboard chef who tells you about the cuisine he would prepare for you.
There are exquisite drinks and delicacies for you to devour.
Main features
Comfortable seating
When you pay double the business class ticket, comfort is the first thing you expect from your seats. These seats are upgraded and more significant than the economy class seats.
There are hidden compartments for your hand-carry, special light features, and a very spacious area to move around the seat. The seat can be moved into different positions and could be turned into a spacious bed for a whole night's sleep.
You would receive travel pillows, bedding hammocks, and footstools for extra comfort if a business class passenger.
Your Personal Gennie
You want to relive Aladin’s experience of having a genie at his beck n call; traveling business would give you a glimpse of that for the duration of your flight. A smiling genie will grant your wish the minute you press the button.
A bag full of Goodies
For convenience, all the passengers on a long-haul flight receive a bag of amenities, including a toothbrush, paste, socks, facial cremes, etc.
The bag you receive is from a renowned brand house full of luxurious goodies. I got a lovely orange Vercase makeup bag with their latest perfume sample and other goodies.
Bon a petit
Imagine dining in a fancy restaurant thousand of miles up in the air. Yes, you get the same experience, with anon flight chef preparing a gourmet meal with a large variety of choices when traveling business.
Dance your flight away!
The inflight entertainment system gives you access to the latest movies and games, is excellent for taking a mental break, and has a wide variety of audio content ranging from the latest pop music to all different genres of music. Your screen lets you start watching various programs from any point you wish.
Gotta go….
Some airlines feature cabin shower facilities for first-class passengers, an excellent feature for a long flight. The business-class washrooms feature the best toiletries and are sparkling clean.
Au revoir
A beautiful ending to a smooth flight is when you shimmy your way out of the plane without being shoved around by agitated passengers who want to get the hell out of the fancy capsule after being stuck for hours.
Ditch the crowds and disembark smoothly as a business class passenger.
Points game
Business-class award
Let’s consider a redemption in business class to show the difference in value due to the high cost of the flight. This flight from New York to Paris costs $3,855 in business class.
In miles, that same flight costs 123,500 and $150.67 in taxes.
Although the award price increased 106% from 60,000 miles in the economy to 123,500 miles in business class, the net cost in dollars increased from $984 to $3,704 (276%). This miles-to-money increase explains why a premium cabin award often gives a much higher remission value.
I would conclude that irrespective of the fact that Business and first-class ticket costs an arm and a leg but if affordability is not an option, then splurge on it.
