8 things we get wrong about flying business class

Most of us have economy down to an art. However, flying upfront has its own etiquette, and many of us are doing it wrong.

You can make the business class experience even better. 

For research purposes, I belong to a number of groups-slash-cults on Facebook where airline bashing seems to be a professional sport. Controversial opinion, but I’m a believer that the passenger is also part of the problem. On a recent 14-hour flight with Qantas, from Sydney to Johannesburg in business class on the 787 Dreamliner, it dawned on me that there are a lot of ways to mess up a journey in business class, and umpteen tactics to make it more memorable and ultimately, worth your money. From not doing your research to dismissing the crew, here’s what we get wrong about flying at the pointy end.

Not doing your research

You’ve probably read the recent stories about passengers turning up to their business class seats only to discover a very different product to what they had expected. I have some sympathy. Some. Hot tip: before booking a flight online, you can check to see which aircraft is scheduled and then watch vlogger reels on Youtube to get an exact indication of what the business class looks like and whether it’s an older or newer product.

Being a 1A snob

Unless you plan to frame your boarding pass, it’s not all about that front row. Sure, 1A and 1K are ego boosts, but they also share a cabin with 30 other seats. On my flight QF63, the business class was separated into two cabins, with the second, smaller cabin accommodating just 12 seats in three rows. I chose 11A, and while I initially had some reservations (dread set in when I found out the front seats can accommodate a bassinet) about the cabin being sandwiched between the galley and premium economy, it actually felt more exclusive. Choose either 11A or 11K in this cabin, so that there’s a buffer between you and any potential noise.

Cheers to the drinks selection.

Calling it ‘glorified economy’

Earlier this year, I read a published letter from a traveller suggesting Qantas did not stack up to the world’s best. Strongly disagree. The Qantas PJs we received with smart, navy emblems are so cosy, I wear them around the house, while the flat-bed, thick mattress and substantial blanket made sleeping very comfortable. Service was slick, down-to-earth and faultless, and Neil Perry’s food put the meal on an Emirates first class flight I flew weeks later to absolute shame.

Going hard too soon

There comes a time on every business class flight when you realise you’re just eating for the sake of it. The pork and shitake dumplings were so good, they almost had me running down the back to preach to the punters in economy. But after an entrée, main of seared snapper, ice-cream sandwich, cheese and later crisps and Lindt chocolate from the self-service bar, I ended up refusing my tomahawk-esque pork cutlet main that was served two hours before we landed. You should have seen my face when I saw it enroute to another, major FOMO.

The food is restaurant quality.

Not chatting to crew

Your flight is only as good as your chat. Tim and Sarah were on top of the service in my cabin at all times. During meal service, Tim and I discovered that we had both lived in Dubai at the same time and in the same suburb. The crew are people with lives too and a little convo can break the ice and ensure your drink is topped up.

Not going veggie

The plant-based options in Qantas business class are tempting enough for you to forgo meat or fish. I’m still kicking myself I didn’t order the Korean-style sesame baked eggplant with greens and rice. Maybe if I did I would have had more room for that pork cutlet.

Cuddly pjs? Yes please.

Sleeping too much

There’s only so much lying down a person can do. By all means, make use of the flat bed to arrive fresh, but mix it up. This is one of the few times in your life that you have a transformer for a chair, don’t waste it. During my flight, I had three modes: sitting up and eating, sort of lying down and watching TV and lying flat and sleeping. On a long-haul, 14-hour flight, I find it helps break up the flight.

Not appreciating the drinks

Can we please raise a glass for Qantas’ impressively curated drinks list, which is a brilliant and accurate representation of Australia. From the ‘Qantas Sky Spritz’ with Davidson plum and finger lime aperitivo cocktail served to me mid-flight to the selection of wine and beer, including Chinese Tsingtao and Japanese sake on Japan flights, we sure know our booze.

The writer travelled as a guest of Qantas Airways

Originally published as 8 things we get wrong about flying business class