As I flew in to LHR today in First, I was thinking about how to simulate similar conditions, in terms of sleeping, in Business. I have the PJs, now its just a question of the mattress. I was thinking of a little roll up thing that could be easily taken in my carry on...or even one of those self inflating matrasses the kids take on scouts camp.

Would make the really long hall flights (Australia, etc.) a bit more bearable in Business.

Any thoughts?

Yep! Do a couple of Australia and back in WT and you'll find CW completely bearable.

Other J products I've used (LAN, SAA) get a duvet-mattress-thing so I don't see why BA couldn't add it to CW for relatively low cost. On a recent SAA flight this made up for a slightly worn seat, and I slept well

Maybe they might need to improve First some more to keep a gap though.

Indeed. I have done it many times in WT (as an Aussie living in Europe for the last 20 years). Maybe I shouldn't use First as a baseline...but can't help myself

Well you know, the First mattress I just got from JFK was not nearly as good as the one I had when I flew First a couple of years ago to Australia. Not sure if they have different mattresses for different flights or whether the product has deteriorated.

Still, good idea to have one in CW for the long haul.

Scotch tape a load of sanitary towels together?

I guess you could call it period bedclothes!

Despite my daft comment, I know the feeling. Once in First, always lament not being there.

However, I find CW in window seat pretty good, actually.

But since you mention the generic "Business", I should tell you what you SHOULD NOT do if you wish to simulate being in F.

1. Do not fly JQ "Business" class.
2. Do not fly in sloped-bed business class cabin.
3. Do not fly JQ "Business" class.
4. Do not fly JQ "Business" class.
5. Do not fly JQ "Business" class.


What you SHOULD do:

1. Get an extra blanket to put on the bed for extra padding.
2. Get a window seat for extra privacy.
3. Get yourself a giant, gigantic sanitary towel. The one that measures about 7'x2.5'. Put it on the bed. Honestly, F makes me laugh with that giant sanitary towel. Could they have picked a worse colour for it?



Regarding JQ "Business" class, the reason why you should not is that it's not an international business class product. It's fine as a domestic product, but it's basically like premium economy, and you can stuff your chance of simulating flying F in J by the combination such as LH to SIN and JQ to SYD. Flat bed is a MUST for simulating flying F in J IMO!

<<Bad taste alert>> Dark red? <<End of bad taste alert>>

I find the eye masks in F a lot better, so normally take those. I don't normally resort to putting the F PJs on, but certainly wear more comfortable clothes. I guess a large laptop in lieu of the bigger TV screen in F might help too?

However, whilst I'd pay for J given the differential between it and WT+, I'm not sure I'd pay for F, and have always UUA from J in the past.

Travel with my son nearly every trip he will knock something over, but never on his own seat. Last time I was his victim with water all over my seat the CC went into First and bought back 2 duvets I put a plastic bag on my seat then 1 duvet then had the other on top. I normally take my own goose down pillow, as it can roll up really small, in hand luggage best nights sleep on a plane yet.

On nightflights back from the US, I always select a seat on the Upper Deck to avoid "through traffic"; the storage bins emulate the "shelf" in F, and give a feeling of space.

Certain seats also have increased legroom, as well, with more legroom than even F provides.

I bring my F sleepsuit and F eyemask, as well as my personal Bose Noise Cancelling headphones (better than those provided by BA).

I have some excellent ear buds from Swiss F which I never travel without.

I bring my own smaller sized travel pillow (but much bigger than the BA F offering), with an Egyptian Cotton pillowslip. The pillow has to be feather and down at the very least; these can often be acquired cheaply on WalMart top avoid carting it out with you.

I spray my seat and pillow with Molton Brown Cool Buchu (available in T5 Duty Free), concentrating on the area where my head will be:

http://www.moltonbrown.co.uk/store/m...oilette/MR020/

I re-fold the duvet provided so that it is double thickness and matches the size of the bed lengthways.

I rarely need a duvet on top of that, as it's often warm enough without.

Add to this a horse-tranquilliser to aid sleep, or a Unisom SleepGel if whichever ageing relative sources the prescription pills for me hasn't come up with the goods.

Two sniffs of a nasal spray to open up the passages, a couple of eyedrops to keep me moisturised and a water bottle to hand. Sleep like a baby.

I just don't see the point of F on overnight flights.

I admit I had the same idea as the OP when I was doing a lot of overnights from the Far East and having to go straight into work. I had a tailor in HKG cut a thin down quilt and an egyptian cotton duvet cover to approx J-class seat length/width and took it on board as a mattress, packed into one of those vacuum travel bags. I found it actually made a big difference to quality of my sleep.

Remember to bring along a bright blue light to shine into your face to get the authentic New First experience.

And plenty of small valuable items (passport, expensive watch etc.) to drop down the crack in the seat

Honestly I would fly anywhere with you