Kevin Flanagan goes in search of the answers

Have you ever flown for 12 hours non-stop, sitting bolt upright and surrounded by screaming kids? Have you glanced enviously at the pampered folk in Business Class, sleeping on their flat beds, surrounded by luxury and one-on-one service? 

I certainly have! But I have also tasted the luxury of Business Class. Most recently the extreme luxury of the Emirates Airbus A380 Business Class service, with its own luxury airport lounges, no-queue boarding, silver service, and flat-beds for sleeping. I even enjoyed the Airbus’s unique bar in the sky, where I stood sipping cocktails while chatting to fellow guests. As my colleague said, “Sounds like heaven on earth!”

But with Business Class tickets costing anywhere between 3 and 10 times the price of an Economy ticket: IS BUSINESS CLASS WORTH IT?  This is the question I answer in my latest podcast episode (linked here.)

Have a listen to the podcast – just search for The Top Travel Destinations with Kevin Flanagan on your podcast app – and you can also read about my experience below:  

My Emirates Airline Business Class experience onboard the Airbus A380

Emirates is often regarded as one of the best airlines for both economy and business class due to several factors. At a high-profile industry awards ceremony,  

Emirates was named the World’s Leading Airline for the Middle East for the third consecutive year and scooped up top honours for Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment, Leading Airline Brand and Leading First Class. There are several reasons for this, including:

Modern Fleet: Emirates operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world, consisting primarily of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including spacious cabins, comfortable seating, and advanced in-flight entertainment systems. These help enhance the overall passenger experience.

Comfortable Seats: In both Economy and Business Class, Emirates offers comfortable seats with ample legroom and ergonomic designs. Business Class seats often feature lie-flat beds with direct aisle access, providing passengers with maximum comfort during long-haul flights. Even in economy class, Emirates provides wider seats compared to many other airlines, along with adjustable headrests and generous seat pitch.

Travellers vote the airline No 1 for its Exceptional Service: Emirates is renowned for its exceptional onboard service and hospitality which I found was second to none.

Gourmet Dining: Emirates is known for its high-quality dining options, even in economy class. Passengers can enjoy a variety of delicious meals inspired by cuisines from around the world, prepared with fresh ingredients and served with complimentary beverages, including fine wines and spirits. Business Class passengers, in particular, have access to an extensive menu of gourmet dishes, and on selected flights you can even plan ahead and order your main courses before you fly. 

Innovative Amenities: This includes an industry-leading and award-winning in-flight entertainment system with a vast selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games, accessible through personal touchscreen displays. Business class passengers also have access to onboard lounges on select aircraft, where they can socialise, relax, and enjoy refreshments.

Luxurious Airport Lounges: Emirates operates luxurious airport lounges in major hubs worldwide, offering Business Class passengers access to premium facilities and services before their flights. These lounges feature comfortable seating areas, complimentary refreshments, shower facilities, business centres, and more, allowing passengers to relax and unwind in style before boarding.

Overall, Emirates’ commitment to excellence has won it awards across the board.

My recent flight to Bangkok from Dublin, Ireland

Flying on Emirates’ Airbus A380 is often described and voted as one of the most luxurious and comfortable experiences in the air. It offers passengers a range of amenities and services to ensure a pleasant journey. Here’s what I experienced:

Spacious Cabin: The Airbus A380 is the world’s largest passenger aircraft, offering a spacious cabin with wide aisles and plenty of room to move around. Whether you’re seated in Economy, Business, or First-Class, you’ll find ample space to stretch out and relax during your flight.

Comfortable Seating: Emirates’ A380 aircraft feature comfortable seating in all classes, with ergonomically designed seats and adjustable headrests to enhance passenger comfort. Business and First-Class passengers enjoy lie-flat beds and direct aisle access (not all seats in Biz have direct aisle access), allowing for a restful sleep during long-haul flights.

In-flight Entertainment: Emirates is known for its industry-leading in-flight entertainment system, ICE (Information, Communication, Entertainment). Passengers on the A380 have access to a vast selection of movies (more than 6,500!), TV shows, music, and games on personal touchscreen displays, ensuring hours of entertainment throughout the flight.

Gourmet Dining: Emirates offers a culinary experience like no other onboard its A380 aircraft. Passengers can enjoy a variety of gourmet dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, prepared with fresh ingredients and served with complimentary beverages, including fine wines and spirits.

Onboard Lounge: Business and First-Class passengers have access to an onboard lounge located at the rear of the upper deck on Emirates’ A380 aircraft. The lounge offers a social space where passengers can relax, socialise, and enjoy refreshments while flying at 30,000 feet.

Luxurious Amenities: Emirates’ A380 aircraft are equipped with luxurious amenities, including spacious bathrooms with shower facilities for First-Class passengers, onboard bars in Business Class, and complimentary Wi-Fi for all passengers on select flights.

My Verdict?

Overall, flying on Emirates’ Airbus A380 was for me a memorable experience characterised by comfort, luxury, and exceptional service. I was on the aircraft for a total of 16 hours and it literally (and please excuse the pun) flew by!

And Emirates is one of just a few airlines that flies the Airbus A380 – an aircraft like no other. It is a double-decker aircraft and you literally climb the steps into Business and First-Class – and live in this cocoon of restful quiet. The stand out moment for me is standing in the bar and having a drink while chatting to the other customers – unique!

And if you go one better to First-Class – not only have you access to showers and total privacy, you can also order any dish to your Private Suite at any time and dine from exclusive Royal Doulton fine chinaware with Robert Welch cutlery.  

But I’d be happy with Business Class every time. There is a sense of shared community that I enjoyed! I LOVED THE BAR – a true once-in-a-lifetime experience!   

Dubai Stopover

When travelling to Bangkok from Dublin, Ireland, I stopped at Dubai and availed of their Hotel Stopover, which gave me a break and allowed me to stay at an airport hotel with a pool to swim and stretch in, and a comfortable bed to sleep on. I also got to visit the Dubai centre and explore the world’s tallest building.

Emirates Airlines offers several hotel stopover options for passengers travelling through Dubai. These options provide travellers with the opportunity to break up their journey and explore Dubai for a short period. Here are some of the hotel stopover options offered by Emirates:

1. Emirates Dubai Connect: This complimentary service is available to passengers with a layover of 10 to 24 hours in Dubai. It includes a hotel stay, meals, ground transportation to and from the airport, and assistance with visa requirements if needed.

2. Emirates Holidays: Passengers can book hotel accommodation through Emirates Holidays, which offers a wide range of hotel options in Dubai to suit different budgets and preferences. This allows travellers to customise their stopover experience according to their needs.

3. Dubai Stopover Packages: Emirates offers stopover packages that include hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and optional tours and activities in Dubai. Passengers can choose from various packages based on the duration of their layover and their interests.

4. Partner Hotels: Emirates has partnered with several hotels in Dubai to offer special rates and benefits to its passengers. These partner hotels range from luxury properties to budget-friendly options, providing passengers with flexibility in choosing their accommodation.

Passengers can find more information about these hotel stopover options and make bookings through the Emirates website or by contacting Emirates customer service. Additionally, Emirates Skywards members may be eligible for discounts or special offers on hotel bookings in Dubai.

HOW TO get the best deals when buying business class airline tickets

1. Flexibility: Be flexible with your travel dates and destinations. Flying during off-peak times or choosing alternative airports can often result in lower fares.

2. Book in Advance: Business Class tickets are usually cheaper when booked well in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak seasons. Aim to book at least a few months ahead of your intended travel dates.

3. Use Fare Comparison Websites: Utilise fare comparison websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to compare prices across different airlines and booking platforms. These sites often offer helpful features like flexible date searches and price alerts.

4. Sign Up for Alerts: Subscribe to fare alert notifications from airlines, travel agencies, and fare comparison websites. These alerts will notify you when there are price drops or special promotions on business class flights to your desired destination.

5. Consider Loyalty Programs: If you’re a frequent flyer or have accumulated miles or points through loyalty programs or credit card rewards, consider using them to book Business Class flights. Many airlines offer discounted or upgraded fares for travellers using miles or points.

6. Look for Sales and Promotions: Keep an eye out for sales and promotions offered by airlines and travel agencies. Follow airlines on social media, sign up for newsletters, and regularly check their websites for special deals and discounts on Business Class flights.

7. Use Alternative Booking Methods: Sometimes, booking directly through the airline’s website or contacting them by phone can result in better deals, especially if you’re booking multiple tickets or have specific travel requirements.

8. Negotiate: In some cases, especially for last-minute bookings or group travel, it may be worth trying to negotiate the price of a business class ticket directly with the airline or through a travel agent. Some airlines do a bidding process – minimum of $300. 

As for appropriate websites and blogs that can help you find the best deals on business class tickets, here are a few recommendations:

– The Points Guy: www.thepointsguy.com

– One Mile at a Time: www.onemileatatime.com

– FlyerTalk: www.flyertalk.com

– SeatGuru: www.seatguru.com

– Secret Flying: www.secretflying.com

– Scott’s Cheap Flights: www.scottscheapflights.com

These resources often provide valuable insights, tips, and deal alerts to help you score the best business class flight deals.

My Verdict On If Flying Business Class Is Worth It? 

Firstly, it depends on your budget. People can choose to afford Business Class for work, special occasions, treats and the reward for collecting air miles. 

Personally I would ask the question: WHAT IS YOUR DAY WORTH? Flying Business Class is like practising and getting fit for a ski holiday. You will gain a couple of days of pleasant skiing by getting ski fit. And if you fly a long-haul flight (which I would define as 12 hours plus), you will gain a day or two of normal life when you disembark. And by this I mean less stiffness, tiredness and jet lag as you have slept and feel refreshed. Now what is that worth?