Why Flying Business Class to Europe Isn’t Worth It, Even With Miles

As a points-and-miles and travel aficionado, you’d be (mostly) correct in thinking that I try my very best to fly in a premium cabin whenever possible.

However, as I’ve gotten older, and, presumably wiser, I’ve gained a better understanding that points and miles are a finite resource. The same sentiment applies even more so to cold hard cash, so I’ve had to reevaluate my travel strategies as I continue to circle the globe on a regular basis.

I’ve discovered that splurging on a premium cabin — whether paying cash or points and miles — is rarely worth it if I’m flying on U.S. East Coast or Midwest overnight flights to Europe, even if it means a very uncomfortable night in a tiny, upright seat. Instead, I prefer to fly, in most cases, to Europe in economy to save my money or points for either the way home or for an entirely different redemption.

I know that may be surprising coming from an author on a platform dedicated to finding the best ways to fly across the world in style. However, there’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s get right into it.

Why I Skip Business Class on the Way to Europe

Before we dive into the nitty gritty of my case, I want to make it very clear that this is based entirely on my personal situation. I realize everyone’s travel priorities are different.

For example, someone based on the U.S. West Coast may place a lot more importance on flying to and from Europe in a premium cabin, given how much longer flights are compared to the East Coast or the Midwest.

However, there’s a method to my madness, as I’ll outline below. Without further ado, let’s discuss the reasons why I tend to pass on premium tickets when flying to Europe and how, for me, it makes more sense to save the points or cash for the return trip — or an entirely different redemption.

I Can’t Justify the Price

Everyone understands why it costs more to fly in business or first class than in economy. And in many cases — on an objective basis — I can see the value of the premium cabin ticket.

However, one-way tickets between New York and London (I’m using this route as an example because it’s one of the most traveled routes across the Atlantic and one that I take regularly) regularly cost $2,000 or more on a full-service carrier with lie-flat seats in business class.

Meanwhile, economy tickets can be had for a fraction of the cost.

If money were no object, I’d think that a $2,000 ticket in business class is a great price, because I know that the business class experience can cost far more on other routes — or even on the same route, depending on the time of year, the demand, and more. However, context matters in situations like these.

Short Flight Time

Flight times between much of the East Coast and London are relatively quick — 6 hours or less in many cases from takeoff to touchdown. That’s roughly the same amount of time it takes to get from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX).

Further, unless you’ve booked yourself on one of the few elusive daytime flights between NYC and London, the vast majority of these flights are overnight, meaning sleep is a priority. But, with just about 6 hours to work with in total, you’re not going to get much sleep.

Sure, you can eat in the lounge before so you can go right to sleep upon takeoff, but if I’m paying for the business class experience, I want every bit of it, so I’ll certainly be enjoying a glass of Champagne or 2, dinner, and dessert. Even the most efficient dinner services can last well over an hour, so now you’re down to about 5 hours at the absolute most to get some shuteye.

Then, if you want breakfast, that will be served with at most 1 hour left in the flight, meaning you’re sleeping for 4 hours at most — not ideal even if you’re in the most comfortable bed in the sky. Add in the time to prepare the cabin for landing, and you’re talking about less than 4 hours.

Even in the best case scenarios, I will be a zombie regardless during the next day, lie-flat seat or not. I’d rather save the money and book an extra night in a hotel so I can arrive and immediately get a quality nap in before beginning the trip.

The same principle applies even if I’m flying to major hubs like Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), or Paris (CDG), as these flights are not much longer in duration than to London from the East Coast or Midwest.

Redeeming Points Is Rarely Worth It

As Upgraded Points readers, you know that paying cash is not the only way to book an airline ticket. We can use points and miles earned from various methods to book flights.

It’s an incredible way to save money and can open up experiences that wouldn’t typically be accessible (Emirates First Class and Singapore Suites, anyone?). However, because I know the power of points and miles when used effectively, I rarely redeem them for premium cabin tickets on overnight flights from the U.S. to Europe.

I find I can derive the most value from my points and miles when I can book very long flights in a premium cabin or incredibly unique flight experiences, which usually mean a first-class long-haul flight.

Granted, it doesn’t typically require an exorbitant amount of points or miles to book a transatlantic flight in a premium class between the East Coast and Europe (you can now book a ticket in Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class cabin from New York to London, for example, for as few as 29,000 miles one-way!). With that said, cash and points and miles aren’t limitless, and I’d rather conserve my currency for a higher-value redemption to a destination further afield.

Not to mention, taxes and fees on award tickets to Europe can be pretty pricey. U.K. destinations are the worst offenders in this regard, with taxes and fees on award tickets to and from London costing $500 or more each way, which eats into the value proposition of using points and miles in the first place.

My Preference? Booking Business Class Departing Europe

While I prefer to stick to an economy seat on quicker overnight flights to Europe, I won’t hesitate to book myself a return trip to the States in a premium cabin — if it makes sense.

Because of the egregious taxes and fees involved in flights to or from the U.K., I tend to avoid booking award tickets home from London. However, if I’m returning from elsewhere on the continent, where the taxes and fees are far more reasonable, I enjoy treating myself to a premium cabin ticket home for various reasons.

Most, if not all, flights from Europe back to the East Coast happen during the daytime, when sleep is a luxury instead of a necessity.

Daytime westbound flights back from Europe are longer than the same route heading east, which allows for more time to enjoy the flight. Plus, you’re typically served 2 “daytime” meals, which I prefer to breakfast — and I’m (usually) awake to experience it all!

Because I’m not focused on maximizing my time asleep, I can actually enjoy the trappings of a business or first-class seat. There are few better things than relaxing in a big, comfortable seat, watching movies, enjoying a full meal, and sipping a cocktail at 35,000 feet.

In the past, when I’ve flown on short overnight flights in the premium cabin, I rarely would have breakfast because, by the time it was being served, I was finally getting a few hours of sleep. The value proposition of the business seat would be to stay asleep until the last possible moment.

Not to mention the fact that breakfast is usually the weakest meal in terms of taste and quality, and it’s served in the middle of the night according to my body’s internal clock. I typically just wait until I’ve arrived at my destination to eat.

Final Thoughts

It may feel odd to have read an entire story about why someone like me, an avid award traveler, prefers to forego business class on flights to Europe. But, like I said above, considering the context is important. I lived for several years in New York City and am now based in the Midwest, so I’ve grown accustomed to relatively short flight times over to Europe.

And considering the unfortunate reality that I don’t have unlimited amounts of money or points and miles, I need to make decisions on where I’ll allocate those resources — and a quick, overnight flight falls to the bottom of the list in terms of where I’d prioritize my cash or points and miles.

On the other hand, flying back from Europe is an entirely different story. The flight durations are longer and they happen during the daytime, making it easier to enjoy all the elements of the flight that I’d just paid dearly for. Until I win the lottery or find a way to access an unlimited stream of points and miles (kidding!), I’ll be more than happy to sit in the back of the plane — even if my back hates me for it — to save my cash or points for a more worthy redemption.