Business Class

Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted to fly on the "top deck" of a Boeing 747, the second-largest passenger airplane currently in operation. The want wasn't based in anything specific. I've always loved flying; as a child, the flight to and from a vacation destination was often as exciting (or more exciting) than the travel itself.¹ When we would visit my dad's family in Southern Illinois, I would always arrive at the airport in anticipation, hoping they would use a 747 or something similar for a small domestic flight (San Francisco to St. Louis.)

Flying is more predictable, and less exciting as an adult, in part thanks to modern technology (I can know the exact plane I'm taking before it arrives at the gate) along with the fact that I just fly more now. Last year I took 25 flights totaling 50,000 miles. Almost half of those were long-haul, meaning I spent a lot of time (more than 5 days!) sitting in 777s, A350s, and the like. I've begun to optimize my airport routine, sitting in lounges rather than at the gate and working on an iPad rather than staring out the window during taxi and takeoff. Thanks to "Clear Plus" and TSA PreCheck, security usually takes less than 5 minutes. Adulthood brought efficiency to my frequent flying. It also made it boring.

But, being an adult has also brought me closer to some of those childhood dreams. Thanks to credit card rewards programs, business class was suddenly something attainable, rather than a $6,000 upgrade justifiable to no one. Earlier this year, the right flight finally appeared: a 70,000-point seat from San Francisco to Frankfurt on the coveted "top deck" of the 747. I'm writing this piece from that seat, an hour away from landing. Here's my take on business and to an extent, being a child.

First, some parts of this experience are just objectively better. The food, for example, is great! It's clear to me that business class is meant to be a "luxury experience" akin to eating at a nice restaurant in the sky, rather than just a nicer seat with more legroom. Dinner on this flight (steak, etc.) was fantastic, and breakfast was good as well. Business class is also just waited on more than in economy: we had one flight attendant for what was basically 4 people, although 4 of the nearby seats were empty.

The seats themselves are obviously nicer as well. Being able to fully recline the seat into a lay-flat bed is just so nice. I'm fairly tall (6'), and usually airplanes make my legs extremely uncomfortable. I avoided that experience entirely on this flight—I have more legroom than necessary and can even put my feet completely up if I'd like. Likewise, I also just have way more space! I can put my laptop on the side of me rather than in my lap without any issues, allowing me to write while eating dinner or read the news during breakfast. The storage is also just fantastic. Yes, there are the traditional overheads (now easily accessible), but also two HUGE storage bins directly to the right of my seat. My backpack, always too large to fit under the seat in front of me, can now be stowed in an upright position with room to spare. It's the perfect compromise: easily accessible but safe during takeoff and landing. I will miss it deeply back in economy, along with the four windows available for my viewing pleasure.

Some things, however, will remain the same on the 1st floor. The wifi is still bad (and still costs $30)—I had hoped to get a lot of work done on this flight, but that turned out to be a long shot. I strongly believe that the first airline to introduce fast wifi will see a massive boost in revenue. I would happily pay $100 more if I could really work on a flight. I have SpaceX Starlink in my Subaru, and it's better than my home internet, so I know the technology is there; it just needs to be introduced. I'm looking at you, United.

Also, despite the lay-flat bed, I still slept badly on the flight! I'm not sure why. It's possible there are just some factors I haven't optimized yet, like the temperature or humidity of the air. My Oura ring still said there were "minor signs" of something straining my body, so it's possible I'm actually sick, although I usually see a rise in body temperature during the first days of international travel. It's possible this is something a wirecutter purchase can solve, but I'm doubtful.

So in the end, was business class worth it? It's hard to say. At my current point in my life, I'm at a weird level of optimization. I'm flying business, sitting in airport lounges, and enjoying luxury travel, but also taking BART to the airport instead of an Uber to save $40. I'm well aware that business is a silly decision financially. Even when using points (this flight cost me $50 CAD) the opportunity -cost of business class doesn't work out: at worst, with 70,000 points, I could fly round-trip to Europe, meaning every two business class flights is a missed travel opportunity. Also, I just don't really need the amenities of business class. I am happy to eat a meal that's just okay or be cramped for 10ish hours—after all, I'm a college student staying in capsule hotels and dormitories, not a real luxury traveler. This flight was a good experience, and I'm sure it won't be my last time in business, but I don't think it's something I need in my life. I can easily live without it, and in doing so, I will find more opportunities to see the world and travel in ways that matter more to me: with friends.

Which brings me back to childhood wonder. I remember as a kid, I would wait in restless anticipation for every single purchase or event in my life. Often, I would receive a $20 Amazon gift card from my aunt and uncle for Christmas. That was really the only time I got to make a spending decision as a kid, and I would usually buy some kind of device on Amazon. A small drone, for instance, or a cheap watch. The 2-3 day delivery period would be filled with restless anticipation, every day arriving home and hoping the package had arrived early (it usually had not). Flying was the same way—the experience was rare enough that I would daydream when seeing a plane in the sky. I used to think I could never work at an airport: I would be too sad seeing all the planes take off without me on them.

Now, as an adult, I don't have that same wonder. Yes, I still excitedly anticipate packages and new toys, but without the same fervor as before. I'm spoiled by adulthood, in part spoiled by a financial position where I can often have both A and B rather than choosing between them. Is there a way to restore the joy I had as a child? I'm not sure. I've found myself less obsessed with things and more interested in people, in experiences. Suddenly, I look forward to an opportunity to see an old friend, to travel into the woods, or to go on a walk or ride my bike. My flights are not about the seat or the plane, but who I'm meeting and where I'm going. Sitting in business still matters, just not because the seat is nice or because the food is better. It matters because it is a meaningful experience, a story to tell, an excuse to write this piece, and a different way of seeing the world, from the top deck rather than the bottom.