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In the Miles & Points world, we try not to fly economy. Or so they say. Personally, I’m fine flying economy within North America. If it’s a short flight under 4 hours, I’m happy with lounge access and a preferred seat. On longer flights like Toronto–San Francisco, I’ll try to book business class. But with how competitive premium cabin award space has become on transcontinental routes, I’ll usually just book economy and call it a day.
That might change with United MileagePlus now that United miles are accessible to Canadians.
Economy is Honestly Fine
Compared to business class, economy has much less variation. Business class comes in 2-2-2 Apex suites, 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configurations, 2-4-2 “British Airways special”, and so on. Economy is usually the same 3-3 or 3-4-3 setup, whether you’re flying a narrowbody or widebody.
Photo from Emily on her Toronto – Sao Paulo flight on Air Canada
I mostly fly economy on narrowbodies, so I’ll speak more about that. My most frequently flown economy class product these days is Porter Airlines, due to its 2-2 seating configuration, excellent snacks onboard, decent award availability, and great redemption rates through Alaska Atmos Rewards. But if the fare is cheap enough and I don’t need a checked bag, I’ll happily book Flair.
Is Air Canada THAT Much Better Than Flair?
In February, Flair was selling Miami – Toronto flights for $140 CAD one-way in basic economy, so I booked a round-trip for $280 and opted to save 15,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards (and $129 CAD in taxes/fees). On both ways, I sat in the middle seat in the last row. It wasn’t pleasant in any way, but it also wasn’t unpleasant. The flight was on time, I’m short and didn’t mind the seat pitch, and my neighbours were respectful.
Photo from Anshul on his Toronto – Vancouver flight on Flair
Last week, I flew Air Canada Toronto – Miami paying 9,000 Aeroplan points + $124 CAD and yes — it was way better. It was on the A220, and I got a preferred seat for free thanks to my 25K status. The in-flight entertainment display was crisp, I was able to connect my AirPods through Bluetooth, and there were free snacks and wine.
If it were frequently available for 9,000 Aeroplan points, I’d always choose this, but if it costs 2-3X as much as Flair? If I don’t need a checked bag, I’ll choose to save money/points. Economy is still economy.
I flew JetBlue economy a few months ago, managed to snag an empty row to myself, and was extremely productive over the five-hour flight. Before flying, I considered spending $499 USD to buy up to Mint since there were lie-flat seats on my plane, but I ended up being glad I didn’t. Now, I might feel differently if I ended up in a middle seat, but most of us in this hobby know enough tricks to avoid that outcome most of the time.
If I can be productive by taking up 2 tray tables, I don’t need business class 😉
Fly Business Class Whenever
I think many people deep in the points game would agree: we have enough points to fly business or first class when we really want to, and it’s always worth the price on long-haul flights.
You might hear people say that once you fly business class, you can’t go back, but I feel almost the opposite way — knowing I have enough points to fly business class if I want to, I’m fine to sit in economy if that’s the best option, and fly in a premium cabin next time. Knowing I can book a premium cabin when it truly matters makes it much easier to take the cheaper or more convenient option the rest of the time.
At the end of the day, without Miles & Points, I’d probably be flying economy anyway. Being able to travel affordably and frequently is still the biggest win.
Would You Connect for Business Class?
With the current state of award space, economy redemptions are also looking better. Would you rather take 1-2 extra connections and pay 60,000 Flying Blue + $500 in taxes to fly business class or take the direct flight in economy for $650? And honestly, that scenario isn’t exaggerated at all anymore — finding award space on the exact direct flight you want is far from guaranteed.
$585 one-way on Air Canada vs. $500 in Flying Blue taxes + a connection likely required
Other PMB writers have told me they’re considering economy and premium economy for transatlantic flights. Virgin Atlantic frequently offers premium economy for 16,000 miles from Toronto to London, which is a fantastic deal for starting a Europe trip or positioning for a first class flight. I haven’t flown transpacific in economy in years, but at the back of my mind, I know Asia Miles charges just 38,000 miles one-way and it’s my go-to back-up flight if I have no flexibility.
Takeaway
As much as the Miles & Points world glorifies premium cabins, economy is often the more practical choice, especially within North America. A direct flight in economy can easily outweigh a complicated itinerary in business class, particularly with today’s limited award availability and high taxes and fees on some redemptions.
The real luxury is having the choice. Knowing you can redeem points for business class when it truly matters makes it much easier to happily fly economy when it’s the cheaper or more convenient option.
