Flying for work has always been a tug-of-war between cost and comfort (or the finance team and the poor soul in seat 54B). On paper, economy looks like the most obvious choice, especially for small teams on a budget. But when you factor in recovery time, sick days, and staff turnover, that ‘saving’ could be costlier than you imagine.
This isn’t just about bubbly in business class or that glorious leg-stretch in premium economy. It’s about whether spending a little more upfront actually saves money in the long run.
The anatomy of an aircraft
We all know cabin classes are about as equal as a bowl of biltong and a single raisin, but let’s break down those long-haul seat stats, courtesy of SeatGuru.
Economy:
On average, expect a seat 43-45cm wide with 70-80cm of pitch. That’s just about the personal space of a medium-sized manhole cover (perfectly manageable on a short-haul flight, but not much room to move).
Premium Economy:
Not every airline offers it, but those extra 12-18cm of leg-room and 88-100cm of pitch already sound like a win. Add a bit more recline, a footrest and, depending on the airline, a different meal.
Business:
This is where comfort takes off. Business class usually means double the pitch of economy, plus up to 10cm of extra width. Some seats only angle back; others give you the holy grail: a flat bed. Translation: you can eat, work, and actually sleep like a grown-up before you hit the boardroom.
Healthy employees are happy employees
Spending 12 hours-plus in economy class then flipping straight into business mode is no easy task. Studies show skipping sleep is comparable to being drunk (with similar cognitive and motor skill impairments). In fact, the Appleton Institute in Australia reports that 24 hours without shut-eye is equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0,10 (about four or five beers).
Add in jet lag: the Sleep Foundation notes it can take up to 1,5 days per time zone crossed to reset your body clock. Cross three zones and you’re facing four and a half days of feeling out of sorts.
The good news? A study of an Australian cricket team found that better-quality rest in higher cabins really did speed up recovery.
And here’s why it matters: employee wellbeing is a key ingredient in retention.
Research from the Society for Human Resource Management shows that replacing a skilled employee can cost anywhere from 50% to 200% of their annual salary. Factor in recruitment, training, and lost productivity, and the real bill soon appears. Consistently sending your crew in ‘cattle class’ might look like a win on paper, but when they burn out and walk out, the true cost lands with a thud.
Because here’s what the ticket really buys you:
- Economy: Cheap upfront, expensive in practice. Add one to three lost workdays to recover from jet lag, stiff joints, and zero sleep – there goes your ‘bargain’.
- Premium Economy: Depending on when you book, SeatGuru estimates it runs at 35-85% more than economy. Ouch, we know. But you’re buying leg-room, laptop space, and a fighting chance at sleep. If it saves even one recovery day, the seat’s paid for itself.
- Business class: Three to four times the sticker price of economy. But here’s the trade-off: actual sleep, no recovery days, sharper thinking. One deal closed, one client retained, or one high performer kept loyal more than covers the cost.
To think about...
- Turnover: Swapping out burnt-out employees is pricier than a business-class upgrade.
- Hotel nights: Flying economy often means footing the bill for an extra night so your employee can recover before seeing clients.
- Time is money: Priority check-in, security, and boarding save hours. Lounges offer Wi-Fi, peace and quiet, and showers – productivity you’d otherwise lose to fluorescent-lit food courts.
The moral of the story? A ticket’s value isn’t in your budget column. It’s in what your people deliver when they land. Sometimes the cheapest seat is the costliest mistake.
So, where’s the sweet spot?
For SMEs, spending two to five times more for a business-class ticket feels a bit wild. But there are different ways to approach the traveller journey, and prioritise the health and wellbeing of your team.
You need to factor in:
- Long haul vs short haul: For just a couple of hours in the air, economy is fine. Cross time zones or fly more than six hours? Premium economy starts to shine.
- Itinerary: What’s waiting at the other end? If it’s a jam-packed day of meetings, a step up in comfort means your team arrive ready. Depending on your budget, that might mean premium economy for priority perks, or business class with a flat bed.
- Who’s flying: The C-suite rightly enjoys comfort, but don’t forget your frequent flyers – the sales teams, project managers and, yes, the road warriors. They’re the ones at risk of burnout who won’t expect an upgrade but will deliver tenfold if you give them one.
What’s the ideal outcome?
The aim isn’t a full fleet of business-class tickets. It’s balance – between budget and wellbeing.
Cutting travel costs only to pay in sick days, sluggish meetings, and resignations is a false economy. The victory here may not show up in next month’s ledger. But over time? Expect smoother trips, loyal staff, and fewer lost workdays.
Bravo for weighing up the true value of that ticket. Your people – and your bottom line – will thank you for it.
