The Great Jet Set Divide

Julie Carpenter writing in the Express this week quoted our very own David Wickers for his comments on what you get when you upgrade your long-haul flights.

Here's an excerpt:

David Wickers, an experienced travel writer and director of holiday specialists Bridge & Wickers, says: “The most opulent experiences are going to be had on the new Airbus A380 which is two storey. If you’re flying on the Singapore Airlines 380 in first class you have your own suite – you can actually close the door and have total privacy. On the Qantas 380 there’s a presentation area designed for businessmen to host a meeting. On the Emirates 380 you have the likes of showers and top-end bars. You can expect to be picked-up by limousine from your home and dropped off when you get back. In the lounges, before you even get on the plane, you can have massages, spa treatments, get your shoes shined and have free drinks and meals.”

If you’re a BA first-class customer you have the option of a range of these lounges, which all boast ­restaurants, private concierges and suites should you wish to change or take a nap. Arguably the most sumptuous is The Galleries First Lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 which even features The Gold Bar, which is covered in gold leaf and is lit by a Swarovski crystal chandelier. 

“First-class passengers still have to go through security like everyone else but they are fast-tracked through and have dedicated ­check-in,” says a BA spokesman.

So is it worth upgrading?

“What you get by upgrading your class of travel is obviously ­dependent on individual airlines,” says ­Wickers. “It’s also worth bearing in mind that the benefit of a better seat increases in direct proportion to the distance you travel and the time of your flight. If for example you can’t afford to upgrade your seat for both the outbound and inbound flights pick the one when you’re ­flying overnight for your upgrade.

“Premium economy in most cases offers more space, a better choice of food, a dedicated cabin on the plane and often dedicated check-in at the airports. However many airlines merely use the same seats as ­economy but with more leg room. Other airlines use their own ­business-class seats. The jump from premium to business class is the biggest both in terms of comfort and price.”

Indeed business class has become so good, with many airlines offering flat beds, that some people now argue first class cannot survive for much longer.