After 18 hours you will understand why they charge that for business class. I do the Hong Kong flight couple times a year, and my first stop is Japan, then on to hong kong. That flight is murder.

If you are flying coach, definitely check seatguru.com and see which airlines have powerports in their seats. That way you can bring your own entertainment without having to worry about battery life.

Trust me, you do CONUS to Japan ONE time in economy and you will never want to do it again. Go for the business and you get a better seat, more room and food and drink when you want it. Coach they treat you like you are hitch-hiking and everything in back is several steps lower.

I did LAX-Shanghai in economy (United) and it was miserable. Did LAX-Beijing on Air China economy and it was worse (if that was possible). Upgraded to biz on the way back and it was like heaven. The following trip to Beijing I insisted on biz (both Beijing trips were business with someone else paying).

I go to Hong Kong next month for fun. Cashed in miles on United so it is "free" but flying in the back. I didn't have enough miles to pop for business and don't have the budget to upgrade (damn tranny rebuild). Gonna tough it out. Will have the ipod charged, have a window seat booked so I have something to lean against, and hope the ambien gets me a couple hours of sleep.

Or maybe I'll just figure out a way to upgrade. Life is short, and economy sucks for 14 hours...

Thanks guys, you talked me (and my boss) out of my guilt for spending so much. I'm going business :D.

I traveled extensively for 30 years and never had any reservations about spending the extra to fly business or first class, my company allowed the added expense and it made a big difference in the way I functioned during the trips and overall recovery from jet lag. Companies wouldn't pay the added cost if they didn't know it made a difference.

I was a company officer so was never challenged on my expenses and as VP Sales, I always encouraged subordinates to travel in business class for international flights.

I've done a few non-stop flights from Newark to Hong Kong in coach. No fun, but flying is so miserable for me anyway, I don't see the point in paying so much more to be a little less miserable for the exact same amount of time. I took ambien and it didn't even make me drowsy. Xanax made me vomit. Long flights suck for me. Most of the int'l. flights I've been on were gigantic planes and I never felt too cramped, just bored to tears and I can't sleep in any kind of vehicle ever.

Yes, you'll get there probably at 6 AM and not be able to get to your hotel room for the better part of the day. If your flying into Narita, its several hours by shuttle bus into Tokyo.

I flew to Auckland from LA coach last January and its flat out sucked, especially coming back. I flew business to Prague twice last year and it was a world of difference. Some airlines, NZ and Lufthansa the business class is much better than United, the former the seats totally lay flat, the United seats not at all.

If you have to fly coach, exit row, aisle is the best. I gave up on window seats years ago, let me get out of my seat easily and stretch.

I usually don't mind flying, so I could probably put up with coach. My concern is seat spacing. I'm 6'3" with freakishly long legs. I was hoping an international flight had more legroom in coach, but after checking on www.seatguru.com I found that wasn't really the case.

If we get the job, all's good. If we don't, then I had a very expensive training session on a turbine that we won't be working on :(.

United LAX to Narita is on an aging 747. No personal entertainment system, 50/50 chance the cabin movie projector will fail, grumpy 50+ year old flight attendants with orange hair dye, lousy service, and the most uncomfortable seats - the floor is more comfortable. Not a great way to spend 10-12 hours.

That said there is NO FREAKING WAY I'd pay an extra $1K+ for a business/first class seat. Hell my business travel is funded by tax dollars and I would never feel comfortable burning money that way. I'd much rather go over per diem on hotel where I can really get rest.

American LAX or SFO to Narita is on a new 777 with all the United issues resolved. Sing air is still the hands down best. I'm a FF on American and sometimes score an upgrade but honestly the only tangible upgrade that I appreciate in business is the noise canceling bose headset. Sure the seats are bigger and recline more but the coach seats on the triple 7 ain't all that bad.

Most flights to Narita departing from the West arrive the following day ~ 3:00-5:00 pm. Bus or train (recommended) take 1 hr to Tokyo. For that reason I recommend staying awake the entire flight out. Get into Japan, get to your hotel, grab some Sushi and Saki, then crash in a decent bed ~ 10:00. Always works for me. :)