Originally Posted by
darkom
I really don't think coach is that big of a deal, but I have never been in a plane for longer than 4 hours, and the flight to Paris is 7-9 (depending on our depart city). If coach is moderately easy to obtain perhaps the rest of my energy would be better suited acquiring perks to use towards a hotel in Paris? Coach flight + better hotel Vs. Business/first flight + average hotel
Oh, did I mention the g/f has approx 50,000 Delta/Amex miles? Not sure if those are worth much, or applicable in any fashion to this proposal.
Can't thank you all enough. Easily the best forum and most helpers members I've ever come across.
Longer flights put a strain on anybody. I'm in my 50s. I've given up on flying across the ocean in coach, especially for red eye flights. My sister, who is slightly younger than me, can take some medications and stay unconscious through an entire 8-hour flight. After accompanying her to Dublin in 2010 and watching her sleep all night long in a coach seat, I learned I just can't go that way anymore.
My last few TATL flights have been in BA's Club World business class. I nap but generally don't sleep long because of the aircraft engine noise. Nevertheless, even without sleeping all night long, I've found myself refreshed enough to make my first day as productive as when I made my first flight to Europe in 1998. I think it has something to do with being able to relax while lying down instead of making an effort to stay upright in a coach seat. My days in coach are over for TATLs.
I'd consider taking coach, staying in an OK hotel (check the "Travel&Dining: Destination >> The World" forum for France here at FT to find reasonable hotel recommendations that won't break the bank), and splurging on dining. Dining in Paris is a highlight but generally extremely expensive. Plus, you might have some money left in the budget to buy something memorable to commemorate your engagement.