When I sit down with clients to plan a long-haul destination like Europe, I’m consistently surprised by the first thing they’re willing to spend extra money on: airfare. Time and again, clients ask for budget-friendly lodging and lower-cost experiences — and then tell me they want to upgrade to Premium Economy or Business class. Don’t get me wrong: if an upgraded flight fits comfortably in your budget, go for it. But if you have to choose between upgrading your seat or upgrading your trip, I’d pick the trip every time. This is one of the first conversations I have with clients when we start planning a long-haul trip — and it’s worth working through before you book a single flight.
The Three (and a Half) Cabin Classes
There are countless fare types within each class these days, but here’s the simple version.
Everyone knows economy. Yes, it’s cramped and, let’s be honest, kind of miserable — but it usually includes a meal and some in-flight entertainment. Peak-season round-trip economy to Europe, with a checked bag and flexible change policy, typically runs $1,200–$1,500 per person.
Some airlines offer a small step up — often branded something like “Economy Plus” — that buys you a few extra inches of legroom. I love this option: the cost is negligible (often $200–$300 each way) compared to a full cabin upgrade, and a few extra inches make a real difference when you’re trying to sleep on a long flight.
The bigger cost jump comes with Premium Economy: wider seats, more recline, more legroom, and usually extra checked luggage, seat selection, and an upgraded meal and service experience. Pricing has spread out a lot over the past few years — I’ve seen peak-season round-trip Premium Economy to Europe run anywhere from $2,200 to $4,500 per person.
Finally, I’ll lump Business and First Class together. Most carriers flying long-haul to Europe now offer lie-flat seats, expanded entertainment, elevated service and amenities, plus basics like checked luggage and seat selection included. Expect peak-season fares to start around $4,500 per person and climb well past that — sometimes double or more — at the top end.
The Math, for a Family of Four
Let’s put this in real numbers. Say a family of four is working with a fairly typical $20,000 budget for a trip to Europe.
Economy air for the family runs roughly $4,800–$6,000, leaving $14,000–$15,200 for the trip itself.
Premium Economy changes the picture fast. Even toward the lower end of that range — say $2,500 per person — you’re looking at about $10,000 in airfare, which cuts your trip budget in half to $10,000.
Business class, at $4,500+ per person, puts you at $18,000 or more before you’ve booked a single hotel night. At that point, you’re priced out of the vacation itself.
So what’s the real difference between having $10,000 for the trip and $15,000? This is exactly the kind of trade-off I help clients work through — figuring out where the budget makes the biggest difference for their specific trip. Here’s how I’d propose spending that extra $5,000 to maximize the quality of the vacation, rather than the seat.
Where I’d Put That $5,000 Instead
- Choose one splurge hotel — ideally toward the end of the trip — with a beautiful view, a pool, an unbeatable location, a standout breakfast, or simply more space.
- Book a special-occasion restaurant with a tasting or wine-pairing menu.
- Upgrade one or more tours to a private or one-of-a-kind experience.
- Add a few extra days to the trip, maybe working in an additional stop.
- Budget for meaningful souvenirs — art or craftwork instead of the usual trinkets.
- Book a spa treatment, either on arrival or after a few days of hard sightseeing.
- Think beyond standard “tours”: a food tour, cooking class, wine tasting, bike tour, golf cart tour, and beyond.
With $5,000, you can mix and match several of these and meaningfully elevate the trip.
Think back to your last vacation. What stuck with you? How rested — or exhausted — you were when you landed? Or was it the dinner you still talk about, the view from your room, the guide who made the day, the piece you brought home?
If you’re planning a trip and trying to figure out where your budget will make the biggest difference, that’s exactly the kind of conversation I love having. Reach out or schedule time with me and let’s map it out together.
Travels With Kristin 