It has now been several years since I stopped flying business class and the cost saving has been worth it. I even go long haul economy class and am now quite used to it. In fact, if you are prepared to break your journey costs can fall dramatically and you get a chance to take some mid flight exercise.. I refuse long layovers – preferring two to three hours – that is all. Since the downturn airlines have been pushing “economy plus” to business passengers – but that too is a pointless expenditure. Air travel is like car hire – it is all about feeling that status is preserved by paying for what we do not need. Feel less insecure about status and the company can really benefit.
If you travel long distance by economy and the flight socks are not enough to keep the circulation going then one useful modest expenditure is to upgrade to an exit seat. Lots of extra legroom and often a row of seats to yourself. I always think an aisle seat is extra value in itself and the middle seat of three is purgatory – so early seat booking is essential. Some low cost airlines now allow passengers to book their seats, but often still charge extra to be allowed onto the plane first. This too is a waste of money. The seat is not going to go away if you get onto the plane later.
I do draw the line at some low-cost carriers. Unless they are the only flights to a destination I will always try to avoid them. It is not that they treat you like cattle and get offered a dry roll and bottled water as refreshments – but that they pay their flight crews so little you doubt that you are really safe in the air or that maintenance is any more than that minimally required.. I was recently forced to fly “livestock” only to be told by the first officer that he was handing over to a pilot who was going to undertake their first flight at the joystick – on a journey peppered by high thunderclouds and – to make it even worse – at night. The result would have been fun if it had been in an amusement park, but at 35,000 feet the effect was terrifying – as fellow passengers gripped tight like ingredients in an electric mixer – waiting for the whisk.
A lot of lip service is given to profit maximization in business – whilst executives continue to book seats that cost the equivalent of renting a Manhattan penthouse for several weeks. I have heard the case made many times that some useful networking can take place through meeting others in business class. But I have met far more interesting people riding economy than I ever did up front. It is also necessary often to catch up on sleep in order to overcome jet lag – and the man snoring next to you flying business class is probably not going to talk business – and when he wakes will probably reveal he sells shower curtains.
Of course, change needs to come from the top and if top management does not wish to set an example then others cannot be expected to follow.