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Upgrading to Business- Worth It?

We currently live in the M.E. and I'm about to move back stateside for up to a year without DH so we want to go on a little getaway before I leave.  We are looking at going to the Maldives for three full days (exclusive of travel time.)  Our flight there would be an overnight on Sri Lankan Air and we're debating whether to spend the extra $450 for both of us to upgrade.  From what I've read, Sri Lankan business class isn't that nice, but it would still be better than coach.  We're tempted because this is going to be a very short trip as it is and I'm going to have to get on a plane to the U.S. the same day we get back from our mini vacation so it would be nice to maximize the relaxation.

Does anyone have any experience flying Sri Lankan Air or want to vote on whether we should go for the upgrade?  TIA!

Re: Upgrading to Business- Worth It?

  • never flown sri lankan but if it's not that nice then no.
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  • With SUCH a short stay to such an outrageously expensive place, I don't think $900 is a lot more to spend to make yourselves more comfortable on an overnight flight. It's not like there's going to be a ton to do at night, so I wouldn't want to waste any daylight napping to catch up on sleep. Even if the business seats are just like domestic first class seats, I find those way easier to sleep in than coach seats, and I have a hard time sleeping on flights in general.

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  • Anytime I fly overnight or have to be up and about almost immediately, I upgrade. To me, $450/person seems very reasonable, considering I have paid $700/person one way when upgrading at the airport on Air Tahiti Nui or Air Pacific and have paid outright for business class on Air Tahiti Nui as well as many other airlines. There is nothing better than having a good night's sleep, not having any back pain, and being completely awake to enjoy your new surroundings as soon as you arrive. FWIW, I'm most likely heading to the Maldives next year (too soon to  book) and I will definitely be flying business class.
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  • MH and I flew SriLankan Airlines from/to Heathrow/London to/from Male, Maldives 3.5 years ago.  We flew coach or economy and I remember that flight being around 9 to 10 hours.  I remember that the plane had a business class but it looked like the seats and spacing were the same, it was just separated with a curtain from coach.  It's a toss-up on whether to upgrade or not, you may sleep for most of the flight anyway since it's a red-eye.  And, maybe the airline has since upgraded its planes from our 2008 trip.

    Unless you're staying on the island where Male is located, chances are that you're going to have to get on another flight with a seaplane to get to your resort.

    I remember the food served on SriLankan airplane was pretty good.

    It's a very good thing you're going to the Maldives now.  I just saw David Letterman interview ousted President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, last week.  He has a documentary film out now, The Island President, and he is raising awareness that if significant measures are not taken to curtail global warming/climate changes, he said science predicts that most or all of the Maldive islands will be under water in 7 years.

    eta:  Have a wonderful trip in the Maldives.  It truly is one of the most stunning places on Earth, above and under water.

  • I googled the airlines Business Class and found the following images. Based on this, yes I would absolutely upgrade:

    image

    image

     

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  • Normally I would not...we always fly coach, including long international flights.  However, given that this is your romantic getaway before being away from your husband for a while, I would consider it in this case.  The one time we flew first class was our honeymoon, and it's definitely a nice touch for a romantic trip.
  • Are you just flying Dubai to Male? If so, that is pretty short, I don't think I would upgrade.

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  • imageChangeOfPace:

    We're tempted because this is going to be a very short trip as it is and I'm going to have to get on a plane to the U.S. the same day we get back from our mini vacation so it would be nice to maximize the relaxation.

    Um, whut?

    You're nuts. 

    image
  • I've never flown on Sri Lankan Air but we almost always upgrade when we can especially on longer flights.  $450 for both of you to upgrade is pretty reasonable especially if you are flying in a 777.  First class has those chairs that lay completely flat into a 7 foot bed.  We are going to Dubai in the fall and are upgrading to first but it's $700 each to upgrade.
  • How long is the flight?

     

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