Long time reader (10 years+) and first time poster. In my early university days I did envy the first and business class passengers. I never thought that I would one day be travelling in the premium cabins through avios, error fares and ex-eu.

I work in London, so does my partner. Together we bring home after tax just over 60k sterling per annum. I consider that above average for a couple. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, we are in the top 10% in earning in UK.

I do not see myself rich enough to pay a J/F ticket that starts in London. Just yesterday I booked two tickets to YYZ in J from Dub for 2700 pounds. That is a lot of money. It does stinge a little that I spent almost 5% of our yearly after tax salary on two plane tickets.

On the 777 from LHR to YYZ, there are 224 seats. 14 in F, 48 in J, 40 in WTP and 122 in WT. This route is often full, or close to full. Now if we use a scenario where the plane is full. If I assume that 4 seats in each premium cabin is a redemption, that leaves 10 F and 44 J. So that leaves 54 seats that can be purchased by an individual or company. Im using YYZ as an example as in theory that route should have less business travel than JFK/HKG.

My partner and I do not have kids, maybe that is one of the reasons why we can still afford some premium travel ex-eu. I have always wondered who can afford to fly premium cabins from LHR on a regular basis. I know I certainly can't... can you?