In my line of work, flying business is considered by many to be poor form. I’m in science, and specifically in a field where most people know climate science, and the carbon footprint of premium class is something many take seriously.

That said, I am not unusual as a scientist and research prof in making about 20 RT trips a year, on average four transoceanic. I just got tenure and plan to cut way back. There’s generally a move to do this in the field.

On top of the carbon, much of my research is taxpayer-funded, so we’re generally forbidden from flying premium.

I make over $200k/year but just don’t see the point of throwing money into premium
when it can go to so many better things. It is awful to arrive tired and jet lagged and then give talks and go to meetings, but it is something I’m now practiced in. I probably should learn better how to upgrade cheaply, if possible—I don’t have an assistant and get overwhelmed with all the travel.

Strangely the only time I flew business was when I was a postdoc and the WHO was inviting me over. My science is now better but next week I’m flying 15 h in coach to Asia.