I’ve never flown business class, and there’s a reason for that. I hate flying. So the way I see it, if I’m going to be miserable on a plane, I might as well be miserable at a lower cost to me.
But I can definitely acknowledge that there’s a value to springing for business class if you can afford it. Here are a few good reasons to pay extra for a business class ticket.
1. Being able to sleep on the plane could help you minimize jet lag
If you’re taking a three-hour domestic flight where you’re not changing time zones by more than an hour, then I’d probably tell you to save your money and not pay for business class. But if you’re flying internationally, a business class seat could spell the difference between being able to sleep on the plane or not. And that could have a huge impact on the start of your trip.
Recently, I took an overnight flight to Europe in economy. Because I was uncomfortable, I only managed to sleep for about an hour at most. So when I landed at 6:30 in the morning the next day, I was exhausted. And while I managed to power through the day to adjust to the new time zone I was in, it wasn’t easy. It actually took me a solid two or three days to acclimate.
In a situation like this, business class makes sense if you can afford it. Business class seats often recline to mimic a bed so you have a solid chance of getting real sleep. And even if they don’t lie flat, they’re still roomier, so you may be able to squeeze in some shuteye.
2. Your seat might come with lounge access, making a layover more pleasant
Sometimes, having an extended layover between two flights is unavoidable. The nice thing about business class is that your ticket often comes with free lounge access. That can make an afternoon at the airport a lot more pleasant. And if you’re able to work remotely, lounge access can also mean being able to use your waiting time productively, since there are usually areas to plug in a laptop and stay charged.
Of course, some credit cards — particularly travel reward credit cards — give you lounge access as a cardmember perk. So booking business class isn’t your only option if you want to be able to access an airport lounge for free. But it’s a nice benefit nonetheless.
3. The food is just worlds better
Since I’ve never flown business class, I can’t speak to what the food is like from first-hand experience. But my husband has flown business class numerous times for work, and according to him, the food you get in business class is delicious, while the food you get in economy (if you even get food) is barely passable.
And I’ve heard the same thing from other people who have flown business class, too. So while I wouldn’t primarily upgrade to business class simply to get a better meal, if you take your food seriously, it’s a factor to consider.
Even though I don’t book business class as a general rule, I think there’s a lot of benefit to going this route under the right circumstances. So if these factors apply to you, you may want to consider an upgrade.
And remember, there may be a more affordable path to a business class seat than expected. If the price makes you want to run, see if you can use credit card points or miles to fund your upgrade. That could leave you paying little to nothing out of pocket for a much more enjoyable flying experience.
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