If flying economy feels like spending the night at a budget swingers club — sweaty straddles and questionable decisions included — then business class is more like sipping overpriced cocktails in a dimly lit lounge where everyone pretends to know the sommelier.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a waste of money.
Much like it would be financial suicide for a first-year uni student to rub shoulders with Ibiza’s yacht crowd, if you’re staying in a three-star hotel or less, you probably shouldn’t be flying at the pointy end of the plane.
On the flip side, if you’ve got cash to burn, it’s obvious: swap the dingy discotheque for the velvet ropes. Or in this case, trade tray tables and turbulence for lie-flat beds and Laurent-Perrier.
This article is not for either of those groups. It’s for the in-betweeners. The almost-there crowd. The aspirational strivers. The guys who can afford business class but still feel weird about pulling the trigger.
It’s for those who fly up front for work but hesitate when it comes to spending their own money. The ones who are in the waitlist for a Rolex Daytona but aren’t quite sure how they’ll pay for it. You know who you are.
Here’s why, if you can afford it without completely torpedoing your budget, flying business class might be one of the smartest moves you make.
You’re only as successful as you are rested
Your startup might be hungry for attention, but so is your brain. Show up underslept to a high-stakes pitch and you’ll fumble harder than a reality show contestant at a job interview. Even if you’re spending your own cash, the boost in performance may pay for itself.
You can work while you fly
Time is valuable. If you’re stuck rewatching Vin Diesel family memes and defending your armrest from your neighbour, you’re losing hours that could be spent closing deals or fine-tuning your deck. In business class, you actually get a desk — and peace.
You can make priceless connections
This idea gets tossed around by LinkedIn influencers like free mints at a WeWork, but there’s truth to it. As Neil Patel wrote in his Entrepreneur article Is It Worth It Flying Business Class, one casual mid-air chat turned into a profitable business relationship.
“Once, I introduced myself to a guy while flying from San Francisco to Las Vegas. He asked me the typical question, ‘What do you do?’ I wanted to take a nap, so I tried to end the conversation quickly by saying, ‘Oh, I work at Microsoft. What about you?'”
“‘I work in the construction industry,’ he said. ‘I have a handful of kids, so I stay pretty busy.'”
Neil tried to be polite and kept the conversation going. It paid off.
“Have you heard of KISSmetrics?” he quickly responded. “It was co-founded by a guy named Hiten Shah.”
“Yeah. I’ve heard of it, I replied. I’m the co-founder. Hiten Shah is my brother-in-law. And, I don’t really work at Microsoft. I just say that, as it’s easier than explaining what I really do.”
“Well, I’m not really in construction either. I buy and sell web businesses.”
By the end of the flight, Neil had a new business partner, a fresh connection to The Carlyle Group, and a bottle of Louis XIII Cognac worth more than most economy tickets.
Layovers become luxuries
Sitting on a plastic chair at Gate 57 hunched over a burger? Or taking a bath at The Wing with a glass of champagne in hand? That kind of cortisol control can be worth the price of entry alone.
You actually learn things
Every flight is a chance to observe. Economy is all about gallows humour. Business class is a walking TED Talk. You’ll overhear investor chat, diplomatic banter, and the occasional existential crisis delivered in a €2,000 suit.
Hedonism can be healthy
Indulgence gets a bad rap. But studies suggest the occasional treat can reduce stress, boost mood, and promote longevity. And when you consider how soul-crushing a long-haul in economy can be — especially with a seat-recliner in front of you who can’t decide on an angle — that business class ticket starts looking like preventative medicine.
Food that actually fuels you
They don’t hire celebrity chefs for the novelty. Airlines like United, Qantas, Qatar, Emirates, and Cathay invest real resources into business-class cuisine. According to Monique Tran, Menu Analyst at United Airlines, developing a Polaris business menu involves more than a few quick tastings.
“There is a great production of chefs, caterers, menu developers and specialists that are responsible for producing an exquisite dining menu for United Airlines… with a particular focus on curating a menu that doesn’t compromise on flavour and texture when our sense of smell and taste alter when flying.”
While all passengers benefit from this science, business-class guests experience it at a higher level. Meals are trialled through panels, refined through workshops, and adjusted for taste at altitude — all to deliver something that doesn’t feel like reheated regret.
And that’s just one airline. Across the industry, luxury carriers invest millions into making your in-flight meals feel like an extension of your favourite bistro — not a biology experiment in foil.
So next time you weigh up the price of a business ticket, consider the whole picture. Sleep. Focus. Comfort. Connection. Good food. Less rage. And just enough flex to keep you motivated.
