Which direction to take a Business/First Class on Holidays

[Craig O'Brien]

HI All

Just a random question for everyone, sorry if it has been answered before..

If you only have enough points/dollars to travel in business or first class on one way on a trip (most likely a holiday) which one do you choose

If you go select the better class on the outward journeys, it is better cause you will not be jet-lagged and will start the holiday fresh, or is it better if you have it on the return journey, as you are tired and just want to sleep and get back into the routine when you return home.

I guess it also depends on where you go, a long hall trip to Europe or north america is probably different than a trip to Asia.

This is purely a hypothetical question as I will not likely be having a holiday as my significant other is about to give birth..

Thanks

 

[NZflygirl]

I would choose the longest leg in the longest direction (usually longer flying west than east)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In 'theory' if you are going to your holiday there should be less jet lag as you have the adrenaline to keep you going. If flying eastbound to Europe that should also minimise the effects.

Coming home to Australia can be bad for jet lag.

Personally I would take the F class on the way home... fantastic holiday and something to look forward to and end on a high rather than 24 hours at the back of the bus. But, as NZflygirl points out, coming back from Europe you'd shave a couple of hours off your premium experience.

 

[Hvr]

Access to the F lounge based on flying class may also come into the equation.

 

[earlyriser]

I've wrestled with this question a few times. Do you start the trip off more refreshed or get back into normal life with less jetlag? Last trip (to the UK), we started out in economy but had 3 days in HKG to break it up, then took business on the way home with only 90 minutes in HKG. Will probably do that again or vice versa in the future.

 

[AnnaB]

I decided on doing F class home rather then out. Several reasons.... one was that SQ had the A380 Suites going home from JFK and its a 19 hour flight to SIN.

I want to end the holiday on a high, something to look forward to rather then feel that I dont want to go home.

The tickets were available That was a big reason. I was going to go with J, but saw these online when I was surfing around and I just booked them.... details could be worked out later, but at least we had an F flight.

 

[JessicaTam]

I have flown home in F after flying to EU in Y. The knowledge of what was to come made the F flight all the more worthwhile. As opposed to experiencing what was in front of the curtain and not being able to enjoy it on the way home.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have flown home in F after flying to EU in Y. The knowledge of what was to come made the F flight all the more worthwhile. As opposed to experiencing what was in front of the curtain and not being able to enjoy it on the way home.

Exactly.

Extra letters

 

[amaroo]

I'd select a day flight... night flights are waste of an experience IMO.

 

[harvyk]

Take the fancy flight there, otherwise you may miss the holiday due to the excitement of traveling premium, esp if you're normally in the back of the bus.

 

[flyingfan]

If I had to choose, I prefer a higher cabin on the way home. My calculus is that I have something great to look forward to at the end of the trip and I have a general philosophy of saving the best till last. I know that some much prefer to upgrade on the way there, so they can start the trip on a high etc and just zonk out coming home.

As mentioned, the type of aircraft and other factors should also influence which upgrade to pick.

 

[coyote25]

Well I ended up booking my first ever international first Class Flight in the first leg (MEL-DXB-NBO) with the return home in business (JNB-SYD-MEL).

It was a very hard call hopefully got it right, but hey first ever first Class Flight and on Emirates A380 & 777 hard to go wrong I'm hoping

 

[MEL_Traveller]

... with the return home in business (JNB-SYD-MEL).

If QF is operating the older seating configuration on the JNB-SYD make sure you reserve a seat rows 1-4 (old first class seating). Otherwise you'll end up with angled seats.

 

[Colster]

For me it's more about the service. I hate wasting first class on a flight where I will sleep most of the way as I'm fine to sleep in J class.

 

[scwappy]

HI All

Just a random question for everyone, sorry if it has been answered before..

If you only have enough points/dollars to travel in business or first class on one way on a trip (most likely a holiday) which one do you choose

If you go select the better class on the outward journeys, it is better cause you will not be jet-lagged and will start the holiday fresh, or is it better if you have it on the return journey, as you are tired and just want to sleep and get back into the routine when you return home.

I guess it also depends on where you go, a long hall trip to Europe or north america is probably different than a trip to Asia.

This is purely a hypothetical question as I will not likely be having a holiday as my significant other is about to give birth..

Thanks

A question I have had a lot of fun debating with the other half and to which there is no right/wrong answer. I'd probably do for the time awake for enjoyment purposes, whichever direction that is. I see you are flying EK F on both the 380 and 777. I have only had great flights with EK in F on both these aircraft. Have fun!!!

 

[Denali]

The idea of flying long haul home in Y makes me want to cry.

 

[Flying Fox]

For me, I would consider -

1. Length of flight in each class

2. I always prefer getting the lower class flight done first and the higher class flights done last (my end on a high point thinking).

 

[awkwardpaws]

I have flown home in F after flying to EU in Y. The knowledge of what was to come made the F flight all the more worthwhile. As opposed to experiencing what was in front of the curtain and not being able to enjoy it on the way home.

+1 to this. We flew Y to Asia and then home in SQ Suites - it made us kinda looking forward to the end of the holiday and journey home

 

[harvyk]

I have flown home in F after flying to EU in Y. The knowledge of what was to come made the F flight all the more worthwhile. As opposed to experiencing what was in front of the curtain and not being able to enjoy it on the way home.

That's true of any flight which is taken in Y after flying in J or F. You get that feeling when flying J in an aircraft with an F cabin, especially if you'd recently flown F.
Really, unless you can fly in the top cabins every time, all you're doing is setting yourself up for disappointment the next time you have to make your way to the back of the bus.

 

[albatross710]

This has been an interesting thread to read, my immediate preference upon seeing the title was the better class on the way out. For the following reasons:

A) The holiday and the new experiences start as soon as you approach check-in.
B) Sit back and lounge around, there really are no work emails now, the holiday is on.
c) Take a day flight and a partner, enjoy the preflight service, the inflight dining and a few beverages
d) Be the first off the plane for a good immigration and priority baggage collection.

Homeward trips are always so fast anyway, buy a neck pillow, toughen up and sleep it off when you are home.

Alby