DO WE GET VALUE FOR MONEY?

How do fellow posters calculate value for money when it comes to air travel? For example, if you pay for a J class ticket on any carrier are you getting value for the money that you have paid? Is there anyone who thinks that you get value for money if you pay for a ticket in F class? Do some people feel that there is value for money for business class in Europe? Do LCC’s offer better value for money than the full service carriers, taking everything into account? For five to eight hours’ flying (daytime especially) premium economy is a sweet spot for me. Costs about 50 per cent more than economy and is a lot better experience. I believe that is where the LCCs will attack on long haul. For short haul, commodity product, buy a direct flight whether it is legacy or LCC, look for value. However, I post as the owner of a micro business and my view may not be aligned with employees of a large corporation. In May 1977 I went to visit my soon-to-be in-laws in Durban (from Manchester). The cost of the return economy ticket was £416 (US$549). Air France has just sent me an email saying if I want to travel in November it is £460 (US$607). According to the inflation tables £100 (US$132) in 1977 is worth £585 (US$772) today. That would make the ticket cost around £2,400 (US$3,168)! I think we have lost sight of the value for money we get when flying. As someone who has just started their own business and has to travel all over APAC, I have to weigh up the value vs safety and reliability, etc. So gone are the days of J or PE travel. I hub from SIN so there is a premium from let’s say KUL but as I won’t fly MH anymore (frankly they are the most unreliable airline in the region) I will pay a small premium to ensure on-time departures. I generally don’t fly LCCs for business but do so for leisure; the problem is pure reliability as times get stretched enormously if they start to run late throughout the day. I am always looking for a bargain when it comes to long haul, and generally you will find a deal if you are prepared to shop around. It’s purely a judgement call. I only fly J or F on “long haul” – that includes flights of three hours or more for me. J class is a no-brainer, cash or points being the only real decision to make! The personal space, comfort, badge allowances, service and points make it super value. Short haul? I will never fly LCC as there is (in my opinion) a certain lack of dignity about being herded through the “process” and treated like a moron, plus a certain clientele I do not wish to engage with. Snobbish? Maybe, but I do not care.