Is Business Class Worth It?

Answer: 100% yes — especially for an overnight international flight.

Between the lay-flat pod, priority boarding, and lounge access, it completely changes the travel experience. You actually rest, arrive refreshed, and skip the chaos of economy boarding lines. The food and drinks feel elevated, the amenity kit is full of little luxuries (think skincare, eye mask, and cozy socks), and you have room to stretch, sleep, and work comfortably. Once you fly this way, it’s hard to go back — it turns the long haul into part of the adventure instead of just the journey.

Charleston → Charlotte (First Class)

Short, smooth, and the perfect warm-up for the long-haul day ahead.

Charlotte Layover (5 Hours)

Lounge access made all the difference. I caught up on work, skipped the coffee so I could sleep on the flight but had some hummus & pita as a snack in the lounge, wanted to be hungry for all the in-flight food.

Charlotte → Dublin (Business Class)

Here’s where it got exciting — my first time in a lay-flat pod seat!

• The seat fully reclined into a bed and came with a plush blanket and pillow.

• The food was surprisingly good — real silverware, wine, and a full dinner service (desert was so good!).

• Amenity kit included socks, eye mask, earplugs, and travel-sized toiletries including toothbrush & toothpaste & lip balm.

• I watched a movie, sipped wine, and actually slept for a solid 4 hours — something that’s hard to come by in economy.

Dublin → Prague (Aer Lingus)

Quick and easy. No first or business class on this route, but by then I didn’t mind — I was just excited to finally be in Europe.

I wore my Vitality Homebody Set with New Balance sneakers — comfy enough to sleep in, dark colors always so nothing shows, and still cute.

🇨🇿 Prague, Czech Republic – cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, charming cafés, and beautiful views

🇩🇪 Munich, Germany – Oktoberfest, pretzels, and hiking trips to Eibsee + Neuschwanstein Castle

🇦🇹 Salzburg, Austria – mountain views, Mozart, and cozy café culture

🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary – chimney cakes, ruin bars, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and views from the Danbue

🇵🇱 Kraków, Poland – a charming old town, incredible perogis/dumplings, and a moving visit to Auschwitz — the most meaningful stop of the trip

I planned the trip with my friend using Wanderlog, and their collaboration feature made mapping out flights, hotels, and must-see spots so much easier. My AT&T international plan kicked in automatically in each country for just $12/day, which made staying connected, navigating, and sharing updates effortless.

Each city will have its own detailed post coming soon — complete with where I stayed, what I ate, and must-see spots.