i usually take business on the way to the u.s. and coach back. i can't sleep at daylight anyway so when i have to be awake i prefer having the business entertainment / food / workspace. eastward i can still drink some glasses of wine in coach and have a nap, and then sleep again back home.

I prefer to ENJOY the amenities of upgraded travel. Thus I would fly in business Westbound when I am awake. If you choose your seats right, you will have just as much (if not more) LEGroom in coach as in front. And unless the upgraded seats recline to flat, you're not going to be all that comfortable no matter what. Plus in back, you may have empty seats to stretch across. Upgraded, even if your entire row is empty, you'll be stuck in your one seat.

Having taken it once, I am a big, big fan of the UA morning flight JFK-LHR. That way you can enjoy the amenties of upgraded travel in both directions (assuming you don't mind killing a day in the air).

[This message has been edited by kokonutz (edited 09-14-2000).]

I can't sleep at all while in the air. However, if I fly to Europe with a late p.m. departure, I'd upgrade on the outbound. At least I can relax, if not sleep, in a business seat. On the way back, I want to get home so much, it usually does not matter if I am in coach. Just get me home, please! I'll catch up on sleep in my own bed!
However, recently another consideration came to light: on my 2 recent returns, one from FRA and another one from CDG, the check-in was a zoo ! They ignored my status with UA, and made me check in with the rest of the coach passengers. Took an extra 1.5 hrs, causing me to miss all the duty-free shopping. Had I been upgraded to business, the check-in would have been a breeze.
To avoid it next time, I might re-consider my theory of not upgrading on the way back.

I am very surprised by some of the responses in this thread - personally I consider sitting (and sleeping) comfort by far the most important amenity on a flight. I find it impossible to sleep in a coach seat and those of you who can are very lucky (I seriously envy you). I really am intrigued that people value the airline food and entertainment, even in business so highly - I assume that means you feel physically comfortable in either class.

Novacats suggestion certainly has merit. I am also intrigued by Kokonutz idea about the daytime US-Europe flights. I have always considered that a waste of another day, so does anyone else have any comments?

Sleeping in coach is no fun, but sleeping in business class isn't that much fun either. It's better, but still no picnic. Another angle: During 5 of my last 6 transatlantic flights this year (winter!) I was able to get 3,4 or 5 seats in a row all to myself. Better than biz for sleeping!

James,

I totally concur with Kokonutz. Those am flights to LHR are a lifesaver! AA offers 2 out of JFK, 1 out of BOS, and 1 out ORD, and we always try to fly one of those when we go to Europe. Yes, it makes the itinerary more complicated (it means continuing the next day on BA from LHR to BLQ, MAD, AMS, ARN wherever we may be going at the time), more expensive (often two tickets), and more time-consuming (one extra night in a hotel at LHR for us), but what a huge difference when we get to Europe! Then, if an international upgrade is not available, it's not the end of the world: a seven hour day flight in coach is not ideal, but it doesn't begin to compare with the ordeal of 9 hours on a redeye in coach (especially in summer when those flight are regularly full).
Unfortunately, I believe that LHR is the only European destination that can be reached by flying during the daytime (except, of course, Concorde flights to Paris, enough said). I've no idea why daytime flights from the East Coast aren't offered to other "near" European destinations such as CDG or AMS. I can sort of see why JFK-FCO wouldn't be very practical (getting into Rome very late at night), but CDG and AMS are only a few miles farther than LHR... I will miss BA's connections from LHR if they end up leaving 1world http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Anyway, to get back to the thread topic: I would definitely upgrade on the Europe-bound flight. A good night sleep is invaluable, and helps keeping jetlag in check. The Westbound flight is slightly longer, but when you arrive, you can just have a good night rest.

Sorry to be late joining this thread, but I'm with the group that chooses eastbound=sleep=coach, westbound=awake=upgrade. A major consideration here is that my elite status lets me book the exit row in coach. I use my carry-on as a footrest, and have no trouble sleeping. (OK, Halcion helps! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif) And I'll admit to being narrow enough that the coach seatwidth isn't a problem.

Whnever I can upgrade only one way, it is on the westbound leg. I don't sleep well on a plane regardless, but even in the winter, I find the daytime westbound leg to be hot (that sun seems to come through the windows right on me, and too long (with the tailwinds, the westbound flights fighting them, it usually is a longer flight on the return.

Also, I usually excited enough on my way over that I don't notice how uncomfortable I am until 3/4 of the way over.

Larry

some additional perspective that may or may not matter: one of my considerations re: biz class (or first for that matter) is the company! i've established some interesting, fun, and profitable relationships on the long flights to/from europe and see upgrading as a networking investment (got a nice contract out of my last LHR-->JFK flight). that means that being in biz class during AWAKE hours is most fruitful.

of course, i don't sleep well on planes to start with. if i'm tired enough to sleep, i can do it in coach, especially if not full. two days before a europe trip, i start stockpiling sleep http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif .

some additional perspective that may or may not matter: one of my considerations re: biz class (or first for that matter) is the company! i've established some interesting, fun, and profitable relationships on the long flights to/from europe and see upgrading as a networking investment (got a nice contract out of my last LHR-->JFK flight). that means that being in biz class during AWAKE hours is most fruitful.

of course, i don't sleep well on planes to start with. if i'm tired enough to sleep, i can do it in coach, especially if not full. two days before a europe trip, i start stockpiling sleep http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif .

My preference is to upgrade to Europe, rather than back, if I can upgrade only one way. Two reasons: first, I want to sleep on the flight over so I enjoy my vacation more, or get more work done, when I'm in Europe. (Melatonin also helps.) Second, I like the extra attention from ground and FAs when I start my trip. It's like starting my vacation a little early.

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"If you want to win the game, write the rules."

Wow.. what a toss up... I flew Envoy class back when it was on the 767's.. and it was nice.. flying out was good.. becasue we could watch a movie and sleep well.. but it was only 6 1/2 hours or so... coming back.. it was sooooolong... and we were also in Envoy class... but it made all the difference. I flew coach Madrid-PHL and Envoy Paris-PHL.. and I can tell you that Madrid flight felt like it was never going to end.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Depends on your preferences.... If you can sleep in coach and there is a light load.. take coach.. you will probably nap either way in Europe.. and the Envoy on the way home is a nice end...

CP: Use the systemwides on the way to Europe. If, by chance, the agent forgets to collect the systemwide certs on the way over, you can then try and use them on the return. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif