How bad is flying economy these days?

[Griffith4ever]

Zoon said:

Doesn't look too awful either.
[Courtesy of the spelling police]

Do yuo hvae anithing useaful to contubite to thes descushion? or aer yuo jsut a bit of a tawt?

[omniflow]

Petrus1983 said:

I’m not taking the piss - but were you definitely on a BA flight rather than just booking through them? I’ve recently booked via BA but selected an AA flight as I like the T3 lounges so much - however last year AA were flying from T5. Would be great if AA are back in T3.

Is that REALLY a serious question?

It was a BA plane, with BA cabin crew, wearing BA uniforms, and everything was branded BA. So, YES, I would say it was definitely a BA flight.

Also - if you're not "taking the piss", then what exactly are you doing? How stupid do you think I am?

[nebpor]

Ah I see people still falling for that old BA trick of when they sub the flights out to a cheap Eastern European carrier, but make them wear BA uniforms to fool the passengers

Anyway, my big tech company, where I’ve been for 10 years, has an economy only rule. No exceptions, unless you are rich enough to have your own private plane (which a few do) or pay to upgrade yourself, which is occasionally do for a comfort+ seat on delta if it’s a hundred quid or so. Was a pain in the neck after a life of business class, but I quickly accepted it. Flying all over apac from Sydney wasn’t fun up the back, but we’ve a great hotel policy so that balanced it out for me a little. Some of my American colleagues do so much domestic that they get status upgrades a lot on long haul, however since moving back to blighty I have su was fully reduced my travel to the point that I am now BA bronze and proud of it (I was qantas platinum)

Off to NYC in a few weeks, up the back. It’s not ideal but I love the company and my job, so I accept it

We have never lost people because of our travel policy. I don’t believe any company would lose folk over it, given all other things are equal, ie you get paid a suitable remuneration package

And only losers work on the plane - it’s about the only time I ever get to disconnect for some me time

[Petrus1983]

djc206 said:

Valencia is one of about short haul 20 routes that BA has already or is moving to T3 this weekend. There’s some long hauls due to move nearer the summer.

All AA back at T3 now.

That’s great news - thanks djc.

[Petrus1983]

omniflow said:

Is that REALLY a serious question?

It was a BA plane, with BA cabin crew, wearing BA uniforms, and everything was branded BA. So, YES, I would say it was definitely a BA flight.

Also - if you're not "taking the piss", then what exactly are you doing? How stupid do you think I am?

Lol - didn’t mean to upset anyone. The main thing is finding out they’re using T3 again so I can have my champagne breakfast at Quantas followed by lunch at Cathay Pacific - both leaving me suitably tired to fly to Dallas fast asleep!

[deja.vu]

Shnozz said:

Earthdweller said:

My wife works in a senior position for a global business and travels every week, mainly around Europe but also further at times

Company policy is economy for everyone no matter how far the flight

Only exception is if they are expected to go straight into a meeting/work on arrival or within a specified time period and that’s only for longhaul .. Europe no chance

There’s been a massive move away from people actually travelling unless necessary .. there’s no jollies

Double whammy really. You’d think the costs saving by moving many meetings to zoom would give a little more room to allow, well, a little more room when you are forced to travel with work.

Clue to me is in the name. If I’m going on business, doesn’t seem too much to ask to fly in business class.

The problem is, "big corp" has put the saving on T&E on the bottom line and now don't want to start spending again.
In theory, I can do all flights over 8 hrs in business, however in reality mine are mostly in PE ( which is fine).

If i had to fly long haul in economy, i'd simply refuse.
It has nothing to do with ego, status or self importance ( I don't qualify for any of those) and every thing to do with being mid 50's, 6'5" with dodgy knees.

It's one of the reasons I don't want to work for AWS.

[The G Kid]

Griffith4ever said:

Samsung Galaxy watch 2

Fair enough. Could easily be found in cattle, biz or first. Perhaps unlike a PP Nautilus....

[Seventyseven7]

number2 said:

The unavoidable truth is "if you have to ask, you can't afford it".

It's not a question of trading off against anything. If you are then don't. There's no "I'd rather have a better hotel", people have both.

It's similar to the "hot water tap" threads, and "kitchen" threads. Some people can afford to buy things that make their lives easier without having to develop a business case or sacrifice a meal.

It's okay, no one cares, do what you want, don't make life difficult.

Wear sunscreen.

This is the perfect post and should be at the top of every thread on every forum. Well done Sir.

[Boo12345]

timbo72909 said:

Some background - in standard PH director style we only ever fly business (or premium as an absolute worst case), last time I flew economy was short haul about 20 years ago.

Now I've found an absolute bargain trip and five star hotel in the Seychelles but economy flights only are available (last minute booking).

Is long haul economy actually tolerable for PH director level people which could be worth it for such a bargain trip, or will it ruin the experience because basic economy is so terrible?

Whats economy?

[Tim330]

I hate flying business on BA short haul economy. They let the business class passenger board first followed by economy through the same door. One often has to tolerate economy folks standing nearby in the aisle queuing for their seats. I always keep my valuables out of sight.

[2 GKC]

Tim330 said:

I hate flying business on BA short haul economy. They let the business class passenger board first followed by economy through the same door. One often has to tolerate economy folks standing nearby in the aisle queuing for their seats. I always keep my valuables out of sight.

How do you fly business on economy?

[Tim330]

2 GKC said:

Tim330 said:

I hate flying business on BA short haul aircraft. They let the business class passenger board first followed by economy through the same door. One often has to tolerate economy folks standing nearby in the aisle queuing for their seats. I always keep my valuables out of sight.

How do you fly business on economy?

Oops to early and didn't read what I'd written in an attempted humorous post. Change economy to aircraft

[loafer123]

Boo12345 said:

timbo72909 said:

Some background - in standard PH director style we only ever fly business (or premium as an absolute worst case), last time I flew economy was short haul about 20 years ago.

Now I've found an absolute bargain trip and five star hotel in the Seychelles but economy flights only are available (last minute booking).

Is long haul economy actually tolerable for PH director level people which could be worth it for such a bargain trip, or will it ruin the experience because basic economy is so terrible?

Whats economy?

A single engined private plane?

[unrepentant]

This thread is ludicrous.

Everyone knows that genuine PH powerfully built director types wouldn't be seen dead flying scheduled. One simply calls up ones chap and has him fire up the Citation 700 and off you go.

[Catastrophic Poo]

deja.vu said:

Shnozz said:

Earthdweller said:

My wife works in a senior position for a global business and travels every week, mainly around Europe but also further at times

Company policy is economy for everyone no matter how far the flight

Only exception is if they are expected to go straight into a meeting/work on arrival or within a specified time period and that’s only for longhaul .. Europe no chance

There’s been a massive move away from people actually travelling unless necessary .. there’s no jollies

Double whammy really. You’d think the costs saving by moving many meetings to zoom would give a little more room to allow, well, a little more room when you are forced to travel with work.

Clue to me is in the name. If I’m going on business, doesn’t seem too much to ask to fly in business class.

The problem is, "big corp" has put the saving on T&E on the bottom line and now don't want to start spending again.
In theory, I can do all flights over 8 hrs in business, however in reality mine are mostly in PE ( which is fine).

If i had to fly long haul in economy, i'd simply refuse.
It has nothing to do with ego, status or self importance ( I don't qualify for any of those) and every thing to do with being mid 50's, 6'5" with dodgy knees.

It's one of the reasons I don't want to work for AWS.

Our place is something like <4hrs = economy, 4-12hrs = biz, >12hrs = first.

I travel infrequently, when I do they are usually business. The fee my firm pays is often half the advertised rate, so not always as expensive as it looks.

I wouldn’t do >8hrs economy for work.

[Petrus1983]

unrepentant said:

This thread is ludicrous.

Everyone knows that genuine PH powerfully built director types wouldn't be seen dead flying scheduled. One simply calls up ones chap and has him fire up the Citation 700 and off you go.

My ex in-laws had 2 private jets (one for short trips for Texas - Cabo and one for longer flights TX - Aspen/NY) - it’s a nice position to be in.

[smifffymoto]

Petrus1983 said:

unrepentant said:

This thread is ludicrous.

Everyone knows that genuine PH powerfully built director types wouldn't be seen dead flying scheduled. One simply calls up ones chap and has him fire up the Citation 700 and off you go.

My ex in-laws had 2 private jets (one for short trips for Texas - Cabo and one for longer flights TX - Aspen/NY) - it’s a nice position to be in.

You obviously weren’t the right type for their daughter,probably an economy passenger.

[unrepentant]

Petrus1983 said:

unrepentant said:

This thread is ludicrous.

Everyone knows that genuine PH powerfully built director types wouldn't be seen dead flying scheduled. One simply calls up ones chap and has him fire up the Citation 700 and off you go.

My ex in-laws had 2 private jets (one for short trips for Texas - Cabo and one for longer flights TX - Aspen/NY) - it’s a nice position to be in.

Only two? Paupers.

It’s actually very cost effective to have a jet here as there are huge tax breaks.

[otolith]

Griffith4ever said:

When I was an IT director they tried to fly me to NY economy, when all the creatives (ad agency) went BC. The best they would do was PE. It never happened in the end, and ultimately, I was made redundant within a year! :---) Best thing that ever happened to me, it transpired.

I used to work for a company which created roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, airports, seaports, fresh and waste water treatment systems, dams, power plants, etc. The employees who created those things called themselves “engineers”. The employees who called themselves “creatives” created brochures. And document templates which looked pretty but weren’t fit for purpose.

[Petrus1983]

unrepentant said:

Only two? Paupers.

It’s actually very cost effective to have a jet here as there are huge tax breaks.

100% tax write off.

https://youtu.be/YMtXQpl4zkU