I must ask , as one gets older do you fly more premium economy/ business class?

Of course one must say this question is for the humble academic tourist as myself

I did however notice in business class the emergence of the more matured aged single men rather than the elderly couples flying to Thailand like normal

The last 2 times I travelled, somewhere on the trip I flew business or First Class.

Got there the same time as everyone else.

My checked bag didn't come out of the chute any faster.

Verdict: NOT WORTH IT 😀

1 minute ago, SiSePuede419 said:

The last 2 times I travelled, somewhere on the trip I flew business or First Class.

Got there the same time as everyone else.

My checked bag didn't come out of the chute any faster.

Verdict: NOT WORTH IT 😀

It i worth paying for a better seat if you are on a lower economic class.

Bussiness is the go, I only fly slob class on local flights.

11 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It i worth paying for a better seat if you are on a lower economic class.

Correct.

Why pay extra to sit next to people pretending to be above their status who can barely speak English and certainly can't write it. 😄

4 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Correct.

Why pay extra to sit next to people pretending to be above their status who can barely speak English and certainly can't write it. 😄

Oh, you’re one of those who likes to talk, God forbid.

Get the right seat on an A380 and it's almost as good as business minus the extortionate cost.

3 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

Get the right seat on an A380 and it's almost as good as business minus the extortionate cost.

But if you fly economy you don't have the option to choose your seat, as far as I'm aware.

My last 2 flights I went business, and never looked back. I may travel again at the end of this year, and won't even check for economy prices

9 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

But if you fly economy you don't have the option to choose your seat, as far as I'm aware.

My last 2 flights I went business, and never looked back. I may travel again at the end of this year, and won't even check for economy prices

On Emirates you can chop and change right up to 24 hours before the flight on the A380.

7 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Correct.

Why pay extra to sit next to people pretending to be above their status who can barely speak English and certainly can't write it. 😄

Thats the point, you don’t sit next to anyone , I always choose my seat on the plan before flying, alone, no neighbor.

7 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

The last 2 times I travelled, somewhere on the trip I flew business or First Class.

Got there the same time as everyone else.

My checked bag didn't come out of the chute any faster.

Verdict: NOT WORTH IT 😀

Business or first class is worth the investment for longer flights.

8 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

The last 2 times I travelled, somewhere on the trip I flew business or First Class.

Got there the same time as everyone else.

My checked bag didn't come out of the chute any faster.

Verdict: NOT WORTH IT 😀

I fly business all the time back and forth to Canada.

1) you board first (after the wheelchairs)

2) lounge with free food and booze while you wait fir your flight.

3) higher baggage limits

4) much more comfortable

5) better food

6) better service. Want a snack outside of mealtime and they'll whip it up.

7) lots of booze on the plane if you want

8) off the plane first

9) your luggage DOES show up before the cattle class.

Never go back to cattle class on long haul. Even back and forth to the Philippines I take business a lot.

9 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I must ask , as one gets older do you fly more premium economy/ business class?

Of course one must say this question is for the humble academic tourist as myself

I did however notice in business class the emergence of the more matured aged single men rather than the elderly couples flying to Thailand like normal

Thailandtravel guides

I either fly premium or business these days. Last year during Thanksgiving, I wanted to be fiscally responsible when flying to the West Coast and flew economy. I upgraded for the flight home.

Only way I’d ever spend the huge premium to fly business would be if my back was starting to play up on long haul flights and I needed a lie flat seat.

If you're over 70 you can use priority border on most airlines..just front up and ask at the priority line.Premium economy or business is great on longer flights ,if you can afford it.

As a retired airline captain, I am entitled to any available seat my prior seniority would allow. However, if there are no BC or FC seats available. I will purchase one. Long haul in EC seat is a miserable experience. Screaming kids, bad food, uncomfortable seats and filthy lav's.

Now that I am retired and living on Social Security I can't justify the cost of Business Class. I don't find Economy that uncomfortable if I do spend the extra for seat selection. I will admit that I am skinnier than the average American which probably has a lot to do with it.

On 7/23/2026 at 12:19 PM, MIke B Bad said:

Get the right seat on an A380 and it's almost as good as business minus the extortionate cost.

AirTravel

It isn't.

When I can get a return with Etihad in business class for 1500/1600 GBP I'll take it every time.

The seat, priority boarding, food, speedy luggage returns, etc

But the A380 certainly is my go to on a long haul if I don't want to pay business class. Lower deck front cabin for me, even the bulkhead seat to the rear of the front cabin is great.

My son arrives with his girlfriend in October for three weeks and they are coming all the way and returning on the A380 from Manchester with Emirates.

When I was younger, I flew plenty of economy class but as I am older now with not so good knees (one of which was replaced) and a twitchy back, I only book business class. If business class is not available, I can't get there from here unless I alter by schedule.

3 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

It isn't.

When I can get a return with Etihad in business class for 1500/1600 GBP I'll take it every time.

The seat, priority boarding, food, speedy luggage returns, etc

But the A380 certainly is my go to on a long haul if I don't want to pay business class. Lower deck front cabin for me, even the bulkhead seat to the rear of the front cabin is great.

My son arrives with his girlfriend in October for three weeks and they are coming all the way and returning on the A380 from Manchester with Emirates.

I always get an aisle seat in the central row with a bulkhead behind......only the wife to disturb me.........for some reason they also serve the last two rows first before moving to the front row?????

On 7/23/2026 at 12:09 PM, SiSePuede419 said:

Correct.

Why pay extra to sit next to people pretending to be above their status who can barely speak English and certainly can't write it. 😄

Sitting shoulder to shoulder in slob class.... my god the smells... body odour and Flatulence, no thanks.

4 hours ago, Zimar said:

and filthy lav's.

Now there's a topic.

In the past 25yrs I have filled 11 passports, not once have I ever used a toilet on a flight!

2 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Now there's a topic.

In the past 25yrs I have filled 11 passports, not once have I ever used a toilet on a flight!

That really is disgusting........if not the toilet then where?

On 7/23/2026 at 11:38 AM, georgegeorgia said:

do you fly more premium economy

Being a wheelchair bound passenger flying with Air Asia, I always book economy, but having mobility problems I am usually upgraded free of charge to the red "business" seats at the front. A very considerate airline.

17 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Sitting shoulder to shoulder in slob class.... my god the smells... body odour and Flatulence, no thanks.

Lufthansa has a great option called Free Neighbour Seat, so you do not have to sit with someone right next to you.

7 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Lufthansa has a great option called Free Neighbour Seat, so you do not have to sit with someone right next to you.

How does that work?

7 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

How does that work?

List of seat options here

https://www.lufthansa.com/az/en/advance-seat-reservation

31 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

That really is disgusting........if not the toilet then where?

Airports have toilets these days.

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

List of seat options here

https://www.lufthansa.com/az/en/advance-seat-reservation

Wow.....that is a good deal....!!!

19 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Lufthansa has a great option called Free Neighbour Seat, so you do not have to sit with someone right next to you.

Not flown them.. 3rd world airline or ?