Economy or Business?

[sureshot375]

I’m usually in economy. I just can’t justify the extra costs. I’ve done upgraded delta seats, not the delta one pods, and I never really felt like it was worth the expense.

 

[Keelebilly]

Flying Atlanta to jo’berg you depart around 10pm and get there just in time to go back to sleep. I take a Valium and a Benadryl before take off and usually sleep 10 hours out of a 16 hour flight in economy. Find a doctor to script you out some sleeping pills. You’ll sleep them off by the time you’re ready to hunt. Save your money for taxidermy or an extra trophy. You’re going for the hunt, not the flight

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have flown business 3 of 6 trips. Qatar 2 times, United 1 time. Tickets were bought at reasonable prices. Under $4000
Last trip and the one booked for 2026. Delta comfort aisle seat. Most I’m willing to spend. Business now is just way out of my budget and it’s Delta from now on for me. I want least amount of travel time. No long layovers in another country. Direct route for me.

 

[mdwest]

We generally fly economy... which sucks...

but... I typically amass enough points each year to get 2x economy seats at no cost... and then because Im platnimum pro or higher class every year, I automatically get a free upgrade to economy plus.. we always book far enough in advance to secure exit rows or bulkhead seats, which makes economy doable..

If I was having to fly true cattle class, I'd be paying the extra for upgrades..

We tend to travel internationally for vacation twice a year... I cant cost justify 4-6x business class seats (we usually take one of the adult children with us on at leastr one if not both trips) every yeat... but I can pull off 2x "free" tickets on points and 2-4 more economy tickets...

It helps that my wife is an executive employee with a hotel management firm as well.. whenever we arent in a hunting lodge, hotel rooms are typically very, very affordable (Im traveling right now for the holidays.. We paid $45 tonight for a Fairfield Marriott).. between free flights and cheap rooms, we can do some healthy travel for a fraction of what others pay..

 

[Greffdog]

One piece of advice if you are paying for business class - verify the plane and business seat layout. Occasionally some “business” class seats are just economy with the middle seat empty.

A few times I have had the pleasure of the above layout. It’s not the flight crews fault, but passengers are rightfully upset that the airline would sell a $4k ticket to an economy seat.

Not all business layouts are the same, so when booking you can verify and ensure it’s worth the extra cost.

We usually use miles to fly business and there’s a reason companies pay for it. I have had some trips with minimal jet lag because the flight was restful. That’s never been the case when I have flown economy.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Economy vs. Business = Greyhound bus vs. Limousine.

 

[Russ16]

One piece of advice if you are paying for business class - verify the plane and business seat layout. Occasionally some “business” class seats are just economy with the middle seat empty.

A few times I have had the pleasure of the above layout. It’s not the flight crews fault, but passengers are rightfully upset that the airline would sell a $4k ticket to an economy seat.

Not all business layouts are the same, so when booking you can verify and ensure it’s worth the extra cost.

We usually use miles to fly business and there’s a reason companies pay for it. I have had some trips with minimal jet lag because the flight was restful. That’s never been the case when I have flown economy.

Seatguru used to be the best foe this but is shut down. Seatmaps is about the best going now.

 

[CamoManJ]

Business class really helps with jet lag and the overall traveling experience. Heck yeah, the lie flat seats & hot showers at lounges make it much more comfortable. There are several different strategies to get the costs down, it takes some work and a bit of luck. Do your homework online, miles plus cash or vice versa, when to book, etc. Being a credit card holder & mileage member of an airline really helps. I’m sure they have algorithms to know who their loyal paying customers are vs who are just trying to score a deal. Flight attendants also seem to know who paid full fare for their business class seats and who got a deal, it’s all in the codes. I am a long time United loyal customer for both business and pleasure, I can tell that I get some level of preferential treatment in the order of tenure, miles flown & the amount spent on my United credit card. In the past before I chose United, I went through an online website, the airlines seemed to treat me like a cheat. Flying these days, you definitely get what you pay for on many levels.

 

[DLSJR]

As others have already said, business class makes travel to Africa a much better experience, but at a significant cost difference. One alternative I tried coming back from Zimbabwe earlier this year was Premium Ecnomy on Emirates. It was absolutely worth it. Cost was about double of regular economy but half the cost of Business. The seat was very comfortable, leg room ample, food was good and service excellent. I’ll fly Premium Economy on Emirates again without hesitation. But… Biz Class is awful nice when flying from SFO through Dubai or Doha so it remains my preference whenever feasible. The lounges in Dubai, Doha and Istanbul (if on Turkish) are all very nice.

If you go Emirates or Turkish, seriously consider a day or two layover in Dubai or Istanbul. Both are fascinating cities and that helps with arriving fresh with little to no jet lag.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I can’t sleep on a plane anymore for some reason. Newark to Lisbon last year on our way to Madeira on Delta, my wife got us upgrades to the pods (explorer or some name like that), the service, food, drinks, all great. Wifey reclined the lay-flat bed thingy and zonked out. I couldn’t do it. I’m a side sleeper and my legs and feet just couldn’t get comfy on that darn system. I had to sit it back up, ordered more drinks and watched movies.

Since then I don’t usually upgrade to business class. Even on domestic, I get upgraded to first class all the time, but typically buy regular seats. On international flights, and the wife is along, we’ll upgrade if reasonable or she wants it, but I’m no less comfortable in a smartly selected regular seat. Once the price gets to a few thousand dollars or more, that’s an additional trophy fee, chunk towards another firearm, flights for our girls to Hawaii, something I value more than just a differently awkward and uncomfortable seat.

I have found I like flying Qatar air. With my flight status I get premium seat selection with tons of leg room, they wait on me just like when I’ve been in business class (seems like it anyway), and it’s easy to get up and stretch at my leisure. They seem to bring me drinks and food more than I’d want.

I do like to get a room at the Doha airport on the layover. Actual shower and real bed for a solid 6-hours is awesome. Arrive in the morning where I don’t get stuck in the city any more than absolute necessary.

Now, ask my wife, she loves business class.

 

[ActionBob]

As others have already said, business class makes travel to Africa a much better experience, but at a significant cost difference. One alternative I tried coming back from Zimbabwe earlier this year was Premium Ecnomy on Emirates. It was absolutely worth it. Cost was about double of regular economy but half the cost of Business. The seat was very comfortable, leg room ample, food was good and service excellent. I’ll fly Premium Economy on Emirates again without hesitation. But… Biz Class is awful nice when flying from SFO through Dubai or Doha so it remains my preference whenever feasible. The lounges in Dubai, Doha and Istanbul (if on Turkish) are all very nice.

If you go Emirates or Turkish, seriously consider a day or two layover in Dubai or Istanbul. Both are fascinating cities and that helps with arriving fresh with little to no jet lag.

Are there any issues with rifles when staying over more than 24 hours? Do you claim the rifles and take them to your hotel or leave them checked at the airport?

 

[fourfive8]

Silly question. If you can afford it, do it. If you can’t afford it, don’t do it. For me, it means the difference between going and not going or going only once. Only you can answer the question. Also, only you can determine if it’s worth the bragging rights later.

Or just ask AI…

 

[Mountaineer]

I have flown both. I got business class on a rewards flight. It’s super nice to eat good food and lay flat. If I had to pay cash it’s economy all the way. I can’t justify a flight at the cost of a plains game hunt.

 

[SStomcat]

I can relate to you in many ways. On my long hauls to India, I’ve usually flown Premium Economy—definitely better than economy, but let’s be honest, it’s still the waiting room outside Business Class.
Our last Mumbai run was a family of five during peak season (Dec–Jan), so Premium was about as good as it got without costing an arm and a leg.
I’m planning a trip to Africa and started checking fares from Houston to Johannesburg for June–July. Here’s where reality hit hard:
• Economy: $1,250
• Premium Economy: $4,800
• Business: $13,500
• First Class: I didn’t even click it—some things are better left unknown.
At those numbers, Premium Economy suddenly feels like the “financially responsible luxury,” and Economy starts looking very… character-building.

 

[Whit]

I’ve done the Europe - Jo’berg overnight six times now. Five out of six times I flew basic Economy, and the sixth the lady at the counter upgraded me to premium Economy… the additional six inches of reclining made a huge difference. If one can afford the cost, I’d fly business without question. So much more comfortable. But financially, it’ll be a long time before I can justify the additional $3k or whatever… that’s another week in-country.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

We haven't flown coach in so long that we don't know where it is located on the aircraft.
Seriously, comfort is a big priority for us. As a retiree, I can be flexible and plan out far enough that we are able to fly business/first at a cost that is not much more than coach with add ons (seat selection, bags, etc.). I flew 150K - 200K or more miles for many years. Ticket costs never make sense. A day or time difference can mean huge cost differences. Example: the route we normally take to get home around 1400 in Colombia was over $1600 for business. The later flight was $310. Same route, same day and same short layover. Makes no sense.

Fly what is best for you and safe travels.

Happy Christmas and safe hunting.

 

[Hogpatrol]

My old, creaking joints can't take sixteen hours of contortion anymore. It's business or not going. Shop around for business class seats. Some are going to extend the hours in the air and on the ground with layovers but being able to lay down and sleep makes up for it. Qatar and Emirates are two that sometimes have business saver deals.

 

[ActionBob]

Silly question. If you can afford it, do it. If you can’t afford it, don’t do it. For me, it means the difference between going and not going or going only once. Only you can answer the question. Also, only you can determine if it’s worth the bragging rights later.

Or just ask AI…

I was agreeing with what you were saying until you made the comment about bragging rights. Not sure how that factors in.

I'd always flown coach because I just could not justify the extra cost in my mind. Then in 2024 we took my Father in Law who has some metal parts on his skeleton and has never been on a real long flight before @Just Gina booked him a window seat in First Class. She had herself in the middle row across from with me on the other side of her. It was expensive but I think it really made the trip for all of us. In fact made it possible for her dad to do the trip. And after that experience I'm sold on the long haul trips it is now worth it to me. This has been a general progression. I no longer feel a need to go to Africa and shoot extra critters... I had got some animals on that trip that I had been wanting and trying for many years. Red duiker, civit, side striped jackal, white tailed mongoose... But I can honestly say I recieved more enjoyment from the overall experience with Gina and her dad taking animals on their wish list (Her dad got everything he wanted, took 5 days of dedication to gey a big wart hog but he got it!) and a pleasant trip was part of all part of that.

 

[DLSJR]

Are there any issues with rifles when staying over more than 24 hours? Do you claim the rifles and take them to your hotel or leave them checked at the airport?

Whether Dubai or Istanbul, your rifles never leave the airport. In Istanbul I used a tour guide service that Shawn Kennedy of Gracy Travel arranged and they handled the entire gun custody protocol. They took me and my guns to a police office inside the airport where I had to sign some paperwork, then they escorted me into a secure storage room and we placed the baggage. When I returned for my flight to Cameroon, they took me back to the police office, signed to transfer the cases back to my custody, then they took me back into the storage vault to get my bags including rifle. The company that Gracy connected me with is Istanbul for Hunters, owned by Hakan Ozsala. I recommend them very highly. They also provide excellent tour guides who speak perfect English to see the sights around Istanbul.

Dubai does it a little differently. The police, flight crew and Emirates personnel know your gun is on-board. The gun case and other checked baggage are all transferred to the police and you never see your stuff in Dubai. When you come back to check in for your flight from Dubai to Africa, arrive about 3 hours early, remind them that you have guns and baggage being held by the police and they need to deliver them for your flight. It can take a bit of time, so give yourself 3 hours but when the guns have been delivered to the plane, Emirates staff will advise you that they’ve been loaded onto the plane for your flight to Africa. It’s a bit time consuming but works well. I’ve never had a problem with guns when flying Emirates, Qatar. On Turkish; I had no problems other than an issue in San Francisco upon my return home from Cameroon and that was an SFO baggage handler problem.

 

[MacJenkins]

If you can afford it it’s absolutely worth it to me.

EMy first two trips to Africa where in economy as I was early on in my career and didn’t have the funds for anything else. The last 9 have been in business. Delta’s old slant first class was great. The new staggered pods are horrible, way to small, my shoulders where tight when lying down. Never again.

Emirates first and buisness are excellent. Will look at Qatar possibly for the next trip.