European route British Airways Business class

[filthiestfis]

I have never travelled on business class and am considering booking with BA to somewhere in Europe. Is it worth it? Has someone flown with them on business short haul, and what are the extras?

My sister flew with them recently and said that apart from a bit more space, a newspaper and glass of champagne, it was the same as economy!!!

Its 200 pounds return Gatwick-Dublin economy with BA, isnt that steep for an hour's worth?

[Trotbot]

Business Class in Europe is pretty poor (long haul is much, much better). Your sister is spot on. Instead of having 3 + 3 seats accross, Business has 2+3 and a silly little gap between the 2.

[SteveD]

Another advantage of Business Class is that you get access to the lounge which can be a blessing if the flight is delayed.

[KARL]

In my opion, business class is grossly overpriced on any airline to anywhere - you take off and land at exactly the same times as economy and regardless of baggage circumstances you face exactly the same hurdles on landing, including immigration and customs. The lounge access can be bought online (major UK airports, similar at many foreign airports) for a modest price, if that is the significant benefit of business class. BA have, in my experience, among the worst seats in the business which invariably make it impossible to sit truly upright but instead force your head forward with a headrest that is not in line with the back. Some years back they introduced with much fanfare new business class seats which felt as if you occupied an upended gravyboat (i have never flown business with them since) - they were replaced before long. Maybe BA are rewsposible for the classic "vultureneck" (or humpback) posture you see so many people display on British city streets, but I think not: it is the practice of being propped up on several thick pillows so you end up staring at your toes in bed. Back to the subject: Don't waste your money - unless you enjoy spending for next to no gain.

[rhona_j]

Spend the extra money you would have spent on the flight on a nicer hotel at the destination!

[SteveD]

The main advantage of Business Class is that your ticket will be flexible. In other words, if your work schedule changes while you are away, you can alter the date and/or time of your return without paying a hefty fee. Hence its targeting at business people.

If you are thinking of paying for a Business Class ticket for a one-hour flight just to see what it it like, you are likely to be extremely disappointed. Follow rhona_j's advice.

[mash]

I get business class travel with work for long haul. It helps alot in removing many of the stresses of travelling and preparing you for work at the other end, mainly because you get loads of space and have a chance to sleep comfortably. In addition you get on and off quicker and priority baggage (it will also be a personal thing if its worth it to you / good value).
Short haul business class does not offer the same level of service or leg room and is a total waste of cash IMO.
The business lounge is useful but you can buy a pass for �15 anyway!

[JoolsTwo]

Not really worth it on short haul but much better on long haul. I have done both and I do think it is overpriced but it was lovely on long haul.

[filthiestfis]

but do you get a more personalised service on short haul Business? Do you get hot food? champagne? entertainment? what are the extras?

[KARL]

Fully flexible economy tickets are available at much less than the cost of business class. If you want to watch TV on a tiny screen or listen to music while in the air for an hour or two, buy and take along your own portable equipment which you can easily cover for the difference in ticket price. Any meals will still be served onto a table smaller than an A3 sheet and the portions will be to match and eaten off rather crowded/cramped plates/table using puny (probably plastic) cutlery - go to a restaurant on the ground instead. That leaves any alcohol - buy it from a shop at a fraction of the price and enjoy it in much more pleasant surroundings (home or hotel room for example) - drinking in the air does you more harm than on the ground and if you want to be regarded as posh then in-flight drinking is rather pass� with the possible exception in some quarters of champagne. Unless someone else is paying, in my opinion business and first classes are only worth it if you are sufficiently insecure to want to validate yourself and pose with the implied overspending. Any boy/girlfriend whose estimation of you depends on such things must surely be a dubious asset. I have only once paid for any of my business class trips myself (quite recently) and decided never again - any margin in comfort/rest (overnight longhaul flight) was quite marginal. However, if you are exceptionally large (in any dimension) then the additional seat space may be a must (but an expensive one) - I know of an airline which was the choice for one obese American when crossing the Atlantic: They gave him two seats to sit across (no armrest in between) - cheaper than one business class seat.

[KARL]

Sorry - yes, the crew-to-passenger ratio is higher in business class and they are instructed to schmooze the more profusely bleeding punter, but on short flights the effect of this is small because so much of the time goes into take-off and climb plus descent and landing.

[KARL]

Just a further thought: We recently booked a transatlantic flight and out of interest compared business with economy - the former is roughly ten times the price of the latter. I have no doubt about preferring to travel ten times than only once sitting further forward in the aircraft - booze, films and a bit more room or not.

[filthiestfis]

Yes Karl, good point, its not worth paying ten times as much for service that isnt even half of that many times as good.