This traveller has flown business class over 500 times. Here's when he thinks it's worth it
Richard Robinson knows his business class seats.
The American who works at a software firm has flown in the business class cabins of multiple airlines a total of 521 times.
So he knows when it's worth it to splurge.
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Richard has flown business class over 500 times. SIA
While many Aussies are happy to be flying at all and stick to economy, Richard's status as a frequent flier as well as years of experience helps him get the best seats.
And there are some which stand out to spend all those hours in the sky in.
The key thing is a seat which goes completely flat for optimal snoozing. Because not all business class seats offer that feature.
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"A lot of my international flights are red eyes, so a lie-flat seat for me is number one," he tells CNN.
"It makes a huge difference in how much jet lag you have when you arrive."
Japanese airline ANA is among his favourites as it offers an extra-wide, fully flat seat in a sectioned-off spot dubbed 'The Room'.
ANA's The Room FX offers privacy for fliers. Acumen Design Associates
The best business class seats to choose
Another important thing to check before booking a flight is the seat plan.
Newer planes offer business class seats which give every passenger easy access to the aisle.
But there are still some airlines flying with older configurations which mean you could have to climb over your neighbour to get out.
"I much prefer a 1-2-1 layout, where my legs are in a footwell, I've got an end table and enough width to feel like I'm in a cocoon," he says.
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Lufthansa's business class seats are getting a revamp. Lufthansa
However he avoids "claustrophobic" seats on British Airways and Japan Airlines, saying "the seats are so narrow."
He also doesn't like Lufthansa's business class on certain Boeing 747s and Airbus wide-body aircraft where the two middle seats are angled inward toward each other.
While the airline is introducing revamped Allegris cabins, for now it's not a fun way to fly he says.
"I've woken up and realised I was touching the person next to me unintentionally," he says.
"I decided I don't want to play footsie with a stranger."
Lufthansa is launching its new Allegris cabins. Lufthansa
As for his preferred planes, he wants an Airbus A350 or a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
They have quieter engines and better personal air vents he says.
HIs overall favourite is between ANA and Singapore Airlines, with the latter narrowly winning, he tells CNN.
He even ate lobster in the sky on a recent flight via the airlines Book the Cook program, something most economy passengers can only dream of.
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Is it worth paying for business class?
As for deciding if it's worth splashing out what can be three of four times the cost of an economy class seat, Richard has some advice.
"The question that I always pose to them is like, 'Okay, look, you can pay $2,700 ($AUS1900) for an economy flight from New York to Tokyo or $5,700 ($4000) for business, right? What is a better use of your money?'"
He says the thousands of dollars difference is more than enough to pay for several extra nights in a hotel.
"You can try to sleep in a sub-optimal space for twice as much money or, if you have some flexibility in your schedule, give yourself more time to acclimate to a new time zone in a comfortable hotel once you're there," Robinson says.
He recommends using a site called Seats.aero, to maximise the use of booking with your airline points.
Richard has the sought-after United Airlines Premier 1K status, the airline's highest tier with benefits that extend to multiple airlines.
It means he's among the world's most elite passengers.
