You all might have accidentally come to the conclusion that my husband and I are what some would call, snots. You might be right, but sometimes I see value of being a man of the people and I need your help! Matt and I are planning our next European holiday and…I think it might make sense to fly economy 😱. Help me convince him!

Business Class as a Value Proposition.

Look, as someone who literally just flew around the world, I do not need to be sold on the value of business class. International business class tickets provide the following value;

• Priority check in
• Priority security
• Lounge Access
• Priority Boarding
• Lie-Flat seat
• Amenity Kit
• Better food
• Bigger TVs

Business class just makes life easier. However, like anything else, the more something costs the more diminished the value.

Our Upcoming Opportunity

Part of our potential trip would be flying to Vienna from Boston. We have enough miles for business class or economy. However, the economy flight would be direct while the business class flight would have a connection. I am trying to make the argument that the direct flight in economy is superior to the business flight with a connection.

We Would Still Get a lot of the Perks

With credit cards, status and amenity kits from previous trips we did not use; we would still have the following benefits.

• Priority check in
• Priority security
• Lounge Access
• Priority Boarding
• Amenity Kit

What Will We Miss

Business class food is good, but not excellent on most airlines which is still superior to economy. However, I have to be honest, usually I eat enough in the lounge that I really do not need a huge meal on the plane, but still it is nice to have good food.

Otherwise, the biggest loss is the lie-flat seat and privacy. That is not nothing and the most painful part of this proposition.

Why I Still Think it Makes Sense

Direct Flight

This one is easy to defend. It would be lovely to just land and be at our destination and not have to deal with a layover, missed connection, multiple opportunities for a broken plane or severe weather.

Well Rested

Wait what? Isn’t this incorrect since you will be uncomfortable in Economy? Well, direct flight also means significantly shorter travel time. Not connecting and shlepping in a large hub will also save energy.

Same Amount of Sleep Anyway

Boston is fortunate to being pretty close to Europe compared to the rest of the United States. It is about an 8 hour flight to Vienna. The first two hours will consist of getting settled and dinner. The last hour will be breakfast and coffee. That leaves about 5 hours to sleep. Let’s say we get 2ish hours in Economy vs 4-5 in Business. Is that worth double the miles?

More Miles for Another Vacay

Not using a lot of miles means a lot of miles on a future trip!

The Value Prop of Business Class

As I said, the more something costs, the less value there is. While I do love business class, paying double the miles for 3 extra hours of sleep, a larger tv and better food seems like a lot. Don’t always assume business is better.

Matt If You Are Reading This

Why not take one for the team and fly us in Economy!

What do y’all think…is it ever okay to fly Economy?

Bon Voyage,

Andrew