How of Happiness

The scientific pursuit of happiness.

Sonja Lyubomirsky is a social psychologist at the University of California, Riverside and author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. See full bio

June 13, 2008, Happiness

Comments on "What's So Great About Business Class?"

What's So Great About Business Class?

By Sonja Lyubomirsky on June 13, 2008 in How of Happiness

Singapore Airlines announced recently that it will begin flying all-business-class flights across the Pacific – Newark to Singapore started in May and Los Angeles to Singapore will start in September. The demand for business class seats is apparently enormous, so this new venture sounds like it makes perfect business sense. But the psychological scientist in me wonders whether, at the end of the day, this will prove to be such a good idea. Read More

All Business Class Seats?

Submitted by Eleanor Brewer on December 8, 2008 - 8:18am.

For years my husband I have avoided the dream trip to Australia, New Zealand, etc. because we fear blood clots, leg cramps on arrival, or worse, from the long cramped flight. We've been to China, Hawaii, Amsterdam, on flights less than 13-14 hours. But the leg cramps keep him up all night upon arrival. Feeling special is good--we felt special on Singapore airlines in Economy when the sweet little Asian stewardess asked "Mr. Brewer.....you take shot?" as they checked on his diabetes regimine, and brought his meal first. Special is ok. Alive is more important. If I get a grant that would help pay for business class to Fiji and then on to Australia/New Zealand, we will fly on Air New Zealand on flt.4011 and return flt.4010 because all business class seats are FLAT on their 747-400 and that removes our fear of his excrutiating leg cramps all night after arrival, blood clots that could cause death and the painful patience a 14 hour flight would require (13-14 is the minimum length of a flight to Down Under). AFFORDABLE FLAT, SPECIAL OR NOT.