Originally Posted by
flying_pig
Being objective, not really an “unknown”… the worst thing that can happen is that the OP’s wife will have to shell out around $250 for a room at the airport hotel. From the sound of it, this doesn’t seem like a trip where travel time (length of trip) is of outmost importance. Under such circumstances, I would pick EK J with a long layover (with a good sleep in a comfortable room) any day, rather than a 11hr sector in Y plus connection.
Worse than Y? It’s a genuine question, as in my view it seems the “row to myself = comfortable flat bed in Y” concept is being a little too overhyped these days. It puzzles me. It is not that comfortable, no matter how much blanket and pillow padding one adds (it reminds me of my New Zealand-to-UK monthly commute many moons ago, when I certainly couldn’t have asked my employer for business class…).
The flying economy option came about due to the Op saying all other J tickets were now too expensive. I have done DXB-MNL on a 777 in J and yes without doubt if I had the option to avoid a 21 hour layover I would fly economy. I would rather get to where I need to be instead of waiting 21 hours just to fly on a 777 business class seat.