A woman took video of her boyfriend playing Nintendo Switch golf for nine hours of a British Airways business class flight. They were in the old seats, so not a lot of personal space, but better than coach or premium economy and just enough to keep him entertained.

• Some commenters mocked the move as tone-deaf showboating
  
• Others raised posture concerns over nine hours bent over golfing

@tabithamy regular business class travellers vs my boyfriend x @British Airways #nintendoswitch #businessclass ♬ original sound – EpicGamingMusic

He definitely wouldn’t get deep vein thrombosis! Getting up and moving around is good for you. And he probably didn’t bend over for the entire nine hours. I suppose, though, that to some people any video of business class is ‘showboating’ even if I get the shivers thinking about taking a flight in the old, dense Club World cabin.

Old British Airways Club World

The real question, I think, is whether this is appropriate or too distracting to the rest of the cabin? Although I suppose it’s better than bringing a crying baby on the plane!

There’s two elements to a premium cabin seat: more square footage, and greater privacy. Those two combine to give you more freedom and flexibility. You have the space to spread out and relax, or even exercise. And you don’t have other people in your space and don’t have to feel so awkward about what you’re doing.

British Airways A350 Business Class Cabin

Now, in business class cabins where the seats have doors you don’t have true privacy. The doors don’t go up very high. Anyone walking by can look down into your space. Even in first class there are other passengers and you frequently don’t have true privacy (although some products, like Air France first class, the Emirates ‘game changer’ first class, and the Etihad Residence do offer quite a lot of it).

Emirates First Class

The ultimate though is being alone in first class. I’ve had entire first class cabins to myself (sometimes with my wife) on Singapore Airlines; Thai Airways; Korean Air; Asiana; Lufthansa; ANA and Qatar Airways to name a few. There’s still crew there so it’s not exactly like being in the privacy of your own home. But you have plenty of room to stretch out and do whatever fitness routines you like.

Qatar Airways First Class

But if you’re in a cramped business cabin, is Nintendo Switch golf ok?

(HT: Paul H)