Additional Coverage:
- I flew in business class for the first time. It cost $6,000 and was the best flight of my life, but I wouldn’t do it again for 5 reasons. (businessinsider.com)
Let’s talk about a journey that’s more than just a flight—it’s an experience. Recently, I had the opportunity to fly from Los Angeles to Auckland on Air New Zealand’s business class, a 12-hour voyage that, on paper, promised the height of air travel luxury.
While indeed luxurious, it prompted some unexpected reflections on value, privilege, and our impact on the planet. As someone who usually strings words together about the gritty realities of sports, this flight was a leap into a different world, one that, despite its allure, left me questioning whether it was a leap worth taking.
Upon boarding, the reality of what a $6,000 ticket gets you begins to unfold. The perks are immediately apparent and undoubtedly luxurious.
A three-course dinner that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end restaurant, a lie-flat bed that whispers sweet dreams far above the clouds, and a level of service that makes you feel like you’re the only person in the sky. It’s a pampering experience, where every possible need is anticipated and met with a smile.
Yet, as the miles flew by, a nagging thought couldn’t be shaken off—the ticking clock wasn’t playing favorites; time was passing at the same rate in every cabin class.
Reflecting on this journey, two main thoughts clouded my usually sports-focused mind. Firstly, the environmental footprint of flying in such opulence.
It’s no secret that air travel has a significant impact on our planet, but flying business class amplifies this impact; more space per passenger means fewer passengers per flight, resulting in a bigger carbon footprint. This realization hit hard.
For someone who champions the underdog and roots for the environment as much as the next big game, it was a stark reminder of the choices we make and their repercussions on the world stage.
Secondly, there’s an acknowledgment of privilege that comes with such an experience. Being young and able-bodied, squeezing into an economy seat for a few hours is a minor inconvenience, not a deal-breaker.
It’s a luxury in itself to be able to make that choice, a luxury not everyone can afford—financially or physically. This flight was a window into another world, but it also served as a mirror reflecting my own privileged position in being able to opt out of it.
In the end, the decision was clear. While the business class experience is undeniably luxurious and something many would aspire to, for me, it’s not justifiable—not just in terms of the cost but in the broader implications it carries.
Moving forward, you’ll find me back in economy, where the seats may be tighter, but the moral and environmental space feels a bit more expansive. It’s there, among the thrum of the engines and the hum of fellow travelers, I’m reminded that the journey is not just about the physical distance traveled, but about understanding our impact and making choices that align with a bigger picture—one that includes not just ourselves, but the world around us.