Who fly on Business Class?
Oct 21, 2002 | 10:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 148
Who fly on Business Class?
I work for a Fortune 500 company as its Asia BD manager and fly Business Class for the nearly 20 hours flight across the pacific ocean. Last week my boss told me I should fly economy class instead of business class. So I would like to ask my fellow FTers who fly on business class paid by your employers?
Oct 21, 2002 | 10:41 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: SQ, LH, AMEX, Citi, Cap1
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When I used to work for a major car company, you could fly in business class only for inter-continental flights. A person high in the management chain would have to approve the trip to begin with. (My supervisor was high enough in the management chain to do so.)
The automotive supplier that my father works for allows you to fly in business class if the flight is 8 hours or longer.
I personally think that your manager's request is utterly laughable, especially for flights across the Pacific Ocean.
- Pat
The automotive supplier that my father works for allows you to fly in business class if the flight is 8 hours or longer.
I personally think that your manager's request is utterly laughable, especially for flights across the Pacific Ocean.
- Pat
Oct 21, 2002 | 11:09 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Company pays for biz class on travel over 6 hours. I steadfastly refuse to travel coach unless I have 3 days at each end to recover from the whack on the body, and I travel so often (8-11 times per year to Europe) that it's not an option.
Stand the ground. Either 3 days on each end, or it's business class.
Stand the ground. Either 3 days on each end, or it's business class.
Oct 22, 2002 | 12:05 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,859
I've been told no biz or first inside the US or Europe before. Fair enough, I upgrade up the yazoo in the US and in Europe the difference isn't big enough to make a difference. Besides on short notice I end up in Biz anyway.
If someone told me what they told you, I would walk. Plain and simple.
If someone told me what they told you, I would walk. Plain and simple.
Oct 22, 2002 | 12:17 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
In my company (in the telecomms business) it used to be economy up to 4 hours and business class over 4 hours; flying to the other side of the world and being required to get straight off the plane and go into customer presentations used to be sufficient excuse to get first signed off. Now it is economy class everywhere, no excuses. Unfortunately there are a lot of telecomms people in the job market at the moment so "just walking" is not a realistic option. 
[This message has been edited by christep (edited 10-22-2002).]
[This message has been edited by christep (edited 10-22-2002).]
Oct 22, 2002 | 1:23 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Silver VY apologist IB up and coming
Posts: 8,706
My company will pay for the least-expensive upgradeable coach fare. Since almost all of my miles come from business travel, those are what I can use to upgrade if I want (and I want). Being a small company, we can't afford do drop eight grand on plane tickets everytime someone needs to go to Asia or Europe.
-alan in seattle
-alan in seattle
Oct 22, 2002 | 1:34 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 470
We always fly coach, per policy. At least we can keep the miles; and quite a number of people use miles to upgrade on long domestic/int'l flights.
"Walking" sounds bold and brave, and maybe in a better economy that might work. Don't think that right now is such a good time to be doing so for many.
"Walking" sounds bold and brave, and maybe in a better economy that might work. Don't think that right now is such a good time to be doing so for many.
Oct 22, 2002 | 1:48 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,859
I've turned down jobs/projects not so long ago where the company(ies) had such policies. To me it seems that a company that insists on having me conduct business internationally for them (and what I do has me flying EVERYWHERE all the time)needs to take care of me properly. If this is the attitude of the company it is indicative that they really do not understand what I do, and would be prone to cut corners elsewhere.
Oct 22, 2002 | 4:58 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: BOS
Programs: AA LTG EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,420
My company (fortune 100) pays for biz on anything over 6 hours. My wife's (also a fortune 100) only pays for coach.
But I would agree its nuts to fly coach transpac when you have real work to do on arrival
But I would agree its nuts to fly coach transpac when you have real work to do on arrival