Christopher V. Flett

Last week I spent a couple of days doing training for HSBC Securities in Toronto. As part of our agreement, they flew my first class from Vancouver to Toronto. I am a firm believer of flying first class. Aside from the additional space (which I require at 6’6″), there is a business case for flying in a more civilized way:

1. I spent a total of 9 hours in the air. I was able to complete 8 hours of work at a billable rate of $400/hour. I billed $3,200 in time in the air. I was able to lay out my laptop, my paperwork, all while enjoying a continuous coffee service. In coach I understand that it is almost impossible to have our laptop out if someone is ahead of you and reclining in the slightest. You are banging elbows with the person next to you, trying to keep any additional paperwork on your lap, and heaven forbid you have an aisle seat. Someone has to ‘tinkle’ and you are up with your work product in your arms. The flight was on sale at $2K but even at $4K, I bought back 8 hours of workable time that would have been other wise wasted watching “Free Willie 6 – Isn’t that fish dead yet?”
2. Flying is a waste of time. If you can get your work done, you get from point A to B AND bill work that you would normally try to do waiting at the airport, or when you get to your hotel. My work was done by the time we landed so I could relax in the hotel and have a good night’s sleep.
3. Most first class fares come with access to the business lounge. If you are in some shitty airport that doesn’t offer WiFi, the lounge will get you connected to dump work product when you land or upload it before you board.
4. You meet interesting people in first class/business class. You get the odd upgrader (someone using their points), but in most cases, you are with either the rich (no much business value) or other senior level professionals that you can chat with. I made two great connections on the way to Toronto and one on the way back.

I hear all the time that ‘first class is a waste of money’. Yes, and so is wearing leather shoes, eating out in restaurants, and going to a movie. Life’s too short to be a money martyr. Don’t think about “why you can’t afford to fly first class”. Think, “what can I do to make enough to fly first class?”

Consider flying first class or at least business class if: A) You are flying over 3 hours and B) You bill more than $200/hour. By getting your work done on the plane, with lots of room, not only can you arrive and relax, but you remind yourself that you are building a profitable business so that business class isn’t a luxury, it’s the only option.

Remember, friends don’t let friends fly coach.

Cheers,

C/

(p.s. Yes I know that whales aren’t fish.)

My seat

First class on an Airbus 330. (Air Canada)