Large communications company > 100k employees.

Officially lowest cost option which is normally Y, for all trips and all staff regardless of length of trip or position. However, I do believe that above a certain level J is allowed (but a very high level and kept low key!)
J is allowed if cheaper than Y


(Prior to takeover of company above) Medium sized software company < 900 employees

Y for all trips unless customer would pay for J (not often), or not available and trip dates were not flexible.
Director level and above was J.
Y+ was allowed for some trips (but given lack of Y+ carriers, especially from Germany (our base) then this was very infrequent as well).


Previous company, Telcoms company ~ 5000 employees

Lowest cost option which was Y for all staff regardless of position (they made a big deal about CEO travelling Y)
J when Y was not available (and dates could not be changed) or if cheaper, or if flexibility was really needed (discouraged).
99.9% of trips were intra europe.