I've never flown first/business, but have a question.
Discussion
I regularly fly ultra long haul in economy and I have no problems with it, I don't mind it. I'd love to one day experience a flight that costs more than my entire car history, but for now, I will stick to economy, a 31 inch seat pitch and more importantly, at 18 stone, a minimum 17 inch seat width is all I ask for.
One thing that does get to me though, is how hard and bum numbing the seats are. They have very little squish. I always thought that it was because they have to be durable. But the drivers seat of a articulated lorry has squishy foam (albeit with an air sprung base) and has to last a million miles, probably a similar amount of bum on seat time to those in aircraft, between overhauls. I really don't know why they don't make plane seats squishy.
So, my question. Do they use squishier foam in the base of the seats in first/business? I know you get more space, better service etc, but is the foam in the seats dictated by durability/fireproofness?
One thing that does get to me though, is how hard and bum numbing the seats are. They have very little squish. I always thought that it was because they have to be durable. But the drivers seat of a articulated lorry has squishy foam (albeit with an air sprung base) and has to last a million miles, probably a similar amount of bum on seat time to those in aircraft, between overhauls. I really don't know why they don't make plane seats squishy.
So, my question. Do they use squishier foam in the base of the seats in first/business? I know you get more space, better service etc, but is the foam in the seats dictated by durability/fireproofness?
The foam is flame retardant.
If the foam is 'soiled' it is washed and a hole punched in it. Each wash softens it. After 3 holes the flame retardant qualities are reduced to an unacceptable level and the foam is discarded
In short, what you need to do is piss yourself on seat 36K three times throughout the entire fleet, you now have a comfy seat in the future, as they will all have been washed and softened as much as permissible.
Be sure to inform seatguru.com so they can update their records.
If the foam is 'soiled' it is washed and a hole punched in it. Each wash softens it. After 3 holes the flame retardant qualities are reduced to an unacceptable level and the foam is discarded
In short, what you need to do is piss yourself on seat 36K three times throughout the entire fleet, you now have a comfy seat in the future, as they will all have been washed and softened as much as permissible.
Be sure to inform seatguru.com so they can update their records.
"squishy" is bad in context of any seat that's to be used for a long time. If it is too soft, then you end up sitting on the hard structure of the seat and that is very uncomfortable.
What you need is something that supports you.
I'm afraid being 18/19 stone means you are always going to be uncomfortable in economy, simple as that. We do our best to make the seats as comfortable as possible, but there are limits when it comes to economy seats.
What you need is something that supports you.
I'm afraid being 18/19 stone means you are always going to be uncomfortable in economy, simple as that. We do our best to make the seats as comfortable as possible, but there are limits when it comes to economy seats.
annodomini2 said:
Is the experience in Business/1st better, yes obviously.
In 1st the food is almost edible.
Is it worth the money, never!
That surely depends on how much it costs, speaking personally I see no point in going on a long haul holiday if I'm going to hate the flight out and dread the flight back. Of course you can save money by going economy, but you can save even more by staying at home.In 1st the food is almost edible.
Is it worth the money, never!
Dr Jekyll said:
annodomini2 said:
Is the experience in Business/1st better, yes obviously.
In 1st the food is almost edible.
Is it worth the money, never!
That surely depends on how much it costs, speaking personally I see no point in going on a long haul holiday if I'm going to hate the flight out and dread the flight back. Of course you can save money by going economy, but you can save even more by staying at home.In 1st the food is almost edible.
Is it worth the money, never!
If you've regularly flown long haul, you generally do stay at home for a holiday, just for the novelty value.
Being staff you get to experience just about every type of seat for every duration of flight.
If you think Economy seats have very little padding and don't recline enough, try flying all the way to SFO on a cabin crew jumpseat. 90 degree back, foam an inch thick and rock hard. No entertainment, constantly having to move to let trolleys through, and your only buddies are the overpaid moaners they call cabin crew these days.
Still, I got to San Francisco for less than £150. And I got Club on the way back.
If you think Economy seats have very little padding and don't recline enough, try flying all the way to SFO on a cabin crew jumpseat. 90 degree back, foam an inch thick and rock hard. No entertainment, constantly having to move to let trolleys through, and your only buddies are the overpaid moaners they call cabin crew these days.
Still, I got to San Francisco for less than £150. And I got Club on the way back.
annodomini2 said:
Business is usually 4-6x economy, 1st is usually 4-6x business. Depending on the airline and the flight. Not including any offers they have on at the time.
If you've regularly flown long haul, you generally do stay at home for a holiday, just for the novelty value.
Equally if you don't regularly fly long haul, then you sometimes like to go abroad on holiday for the novelty value. I don't go on holiday to save money so as far as I'm concerned going to LAX and back in club for £900 + some BA miles last year was well worth it. If you've regularly flown long haul, you generally do stay at home for a holiday, just for the novelty value.
annodomini2 said:
Business is usually 4-6x economy, 1st is usually 4-6x business. Depending on the airline and the flight. Not including any offers they have on at the time.
If you've regularly flown long haul, you generally do stay at home for a holiday, just for the novelty value.
First isn't 4-6x business in my experience. In fact I find there's relatively little difference. If you've regularly flown long haul, you generally do stay at home for a holiday, just for the novelty value.
I fly longhaul twice a month (12hrs+). Most of the time in business, some times in First but always with BA.
There is no way business or FIRST is every worth the money for what you get, however FIRST is very exclusive, and thats what people pay for.
When its my money, I always go in Y, I just can's justify the extra costs for J or F.
There is no way business or FIRST is every worth the money for what you get, however FIRST is very exclusive, and thats what people pay for.
When its my money, I always go in Y, I just can's justify the extra costs for J or F.
annodomini2 said:
Business is usually 4-6x economy, 1st is usually 4-6x business. Depending on the airline and the flight. Not including any offers they have on at the time.
That's pretty inaccurate, even for a rule of thumb. IME. No way is first "usually" 4-6 times a business ticket.Yep! as already said, you are paying for the exclusivity and the cost keeps out the riff raff
I have only flown 1st once and business a few times but it was on Saudi Air so maybe it doesn't count but the feeling of not being with the cattle is great yet not worth it if I'm paying.
I'll go to Economy Plus or whatever it's called if I get a cheap upgrade deal on an already booked flight away.
I have only flown 1st once and business a few times but it was on Saudi Air so maybe it doesn't count
but the feeling of not being with the cattle is great yet not worth it if I'm paying.I'll go to Economy Plus or whatever it's called if I get a cheap upgrade deal on an already booked flight away.
Extra 300 Driver said:
I fly longhaul twice a month (12hrs+). Most of the time in business, some times in First but always with BA.
There is no way business or FIRST is every worth the money for what you get, however FIRST is very exclusive, and thats what people pay for.
When its my money, I always go in Y, I just can's justify the extra costs for J or F.
If you fly that much in business and first, don't you get upgraded when you have a Y ticket?There is no way business or FIRST is every worth the money for what you get, however FIRST is very exclusive, and thats what people pay for.
When its my money, I always go in Y, I just can's justify the extra costs for J or F.
Extra 300 Driver said:
Depends how full the flight is. I am Gold with BA but this doesn't mean I will get upgraded. You're only upgraded if they have to upgrade you for an operational reason.
This is why I generally opt to fly W. (world travelled plus). On a plane with 72 club seats, and only 36 seats in World traveller plus... like some of their 747s, there's a reasonable chance that you'll be upgraded. On some routes (LHR<->DFW) I've not had much joy, on others (LHR<->SEA / LHR<->SFO) I've been luckier..used to work for an Airline and occassionaly used to fly for work, using an AD 95 ticket.
Only ever got upgraded once, a BMI 737 from Amsterdam. Apart from the fact I was nearer the pilot, I noticed very little difference.
Flew to Oz once on Business on SQ, the boss flew Business... I sat down the back. Not impressed.
Only ever got upgraded once, a BMI 737 from Amsterdam. Apart from the fact I was nearer the pilot, I noticed very little difference.
Flew to Oz once on Business on SQ, the boss flew Business... I sat down the back. Not impressed.
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