Recently, I've been traveling and began to understand why people might pay thousands of dollars extra for a business class ticket. A 10-hour journey can easily cost over $5,000, which averages around $500 per hour. So, what do we actually get in return for that cost? Let’s break down the key benefits and see if they’re worth it—and perhaps apply these insights to broader life decisions.

1. Comfort and Rest: The most notable benefit is the ability to lie down. Business class seats allow you to recline almost flat, creating a space where you can stretch out, relax, and sleep. This level of comfort is probably the top reason people invest in these seats.

2. Food Service: Another perk is the premium food service. You’re offered a range of meal options at your preferred times, often with an extended menu, so you’re likely to find something that suits your taste.

3. Entertainment: Business class typically provides an on-demand entertainment system with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, news, and more. This helps pass the time and keeps you entertained throughout the flight.

4. Reading Environment: Although not directly provided by the airline, the quiet and comfortable environment in business class makes it an ideal space for reading. You can bring your own materials and enjoy uninterrupted reading time.

Reflecting on these benefits, it’s clear why people are willing to pay a premium. If we take this concept further, first-class tickets can cost even tens of thousands of dollars for similar comforts.

If we're willing to pay that much for those 10 hours of business class, how much would we value having access to those same four benefits throughout our daily life? At $500 an hour, that translates to $12,000 a day. If I could experience the same level of luxury every day, I'd theoretically be willing to pay $12,000 for it—because that’s what I do for a business class flight. However, $12,000 seems like an astronomical amount, yet we can enjoy many of these benefits for free in our everyday lives. Let’s break down how.

1. Rest: Rest is completely free. All we need is a comfortable bed, a quiet, dark space, and a good pillow. These essentials allow us to enjoy the same high-quality rest we would pay top dollar for in the air. If we value sleep so much on a flight, why not prioritize it just as much on the ground?

2. Food: The meals served in business class are often gourmet, fresh, and healthy. On land, we can prioritize eating similarly: fresh, organic, and nutritious food. In the rush of daily life, however, we often compromise on food quality, failing to plan or prioritize healthy options. Making intentional choices around food can bring us the same satisfaction we expect from a business class meal.

By recognizing the value of these simple, accessible comforts, we can bring a sense of luxury and well-being into our everyday lives without the hefty price tag.

Unlike on a plane, we don’t have a button to summon someone with a selection of gourmet food at a moment's notice. But that shouldn’t deter us. With a little planning, we can still prepare or order high-quality meals at a reasonable price. It may take time, just as rest does, but investing time in preparing our own food brings us similar satisfaction.

3. Entertainment: The third benefit of luxury travel is entertainment. In our daily lives, we have even more entertainment options, often at a fraction of the cost. A simple subscription to Netflix or Amazon Prime covers most entertainment needs and is incredibly economical.

4. Reading: The fourth benefit, which I linked to reading, is also achievable with the right environment. In-flight, we’re in a distraction-free, cozy space. On the ground, we can create a similar space by minimizing distractions, turning off notifications, and setting aside dedicated time for reading and learning. This approach allows us to dive into knowledge in a peaceful setting.

For these four luxuries we’re willing to pay $500 an hour in the air, we can have them on the ground either for free or at a very low cost—certainly not $500, but closer to $5 per hour. In other words, on a plane, we’re paying 100 times more for benefits we can enjoy on the ground at a fraction of the price.

Is it possible to experience that kind of luxury on the ground? The first and most essential element is time. To rest, to plan and prepare nutritious meals, to enjoy entertainment, and to learn—we need time. If time is the only factor standing in the way of achieving these daily luxuries, then solving our time scarcity would, in effect, solve most of our problems.

With time, I could get my full 8 hours of sleep. I could plan my meals, cook or procure them thoughtfully. I’d have time for meaningful entertainment and personal growth through learning. All these benefits depend on one thing: time.

So, if we want the same quality of life on the ground as we get in the air, time is of utmost importance. But why don’t we have enough time? The answer lies in how our attention is diverted by the distractions of today’s economy, where our focus is constantly pulled away, stealing our precious hours. We live in a world that continually robs us of our time through relentless distractions, demanding a conscious effort to reclaim it.

This is the underlying philosophy: we each have a limited amount of time—24 hours in a day. It’s up to us to protect and prioritize it, choosing where we invest those hours to create a life that feels as luxurious and fulfilling as we desire.

Our time has been taken away from us in countless ways. Tech companies, for example, have developed increasingly sophisticated methods to manipulate our brain chemistry, distracting us and stealing our time. It could also come in the form of bad company, societal pressures, or business obligations that demand our attention. The pursuit of wealth itself can rob us of precious hours, as we chase success at the cost of time. The possibilities are endless, but the result is the same: we’re constantly losing time.

So, if we need time to experience luxury on earth, the solution is clear: reclaim it. Don't give away your time for free. Don’t let any technology or platform steal your time without your consent. This doesn't necessarily mean charging others for your time, but it does mean resisting the manipulation of those who try to entice you with “free” content that ultimately steals your most valuable resource: time.

Take Google and YouTube, for instance. Their goal of achieving 1 billion hours of viewing per day is shameful in its ambition, but its consequences for the viewers are far worse. A statistic like this represents 1 billion hours of people’s lives being wasted—hours that could have been spent resting, building meaningful relationships, pursuing entertainment that truly enriches, or acquiring knowledge. Instead, people are often watching aimless videos that offer a short-term dopamine hit but no lasting fulfillment or happiness.

Now, imagine if that 1 billion hours were spent on learning, acquiring knowledge, and growing. We could all be so much more educated, fulfilled, and wise if we reclaimed that time and used it more purposefully. The key is to be aware of how and where we’re spending our time, and to take control back from those who seek to rob us of it.

Imagine spending that billion hours simply resting. Think about how refreshed and energized everyone would feel, fully rested and ready to take on life. Imagine spending that time with loved ones—truly valuing their company, tuning into their needs, and sharing meaningful conversations. Or, consider investing that time in quality entertainment—not mindless content, but live theater, great music, and remarkable movies. Some films cost over $100 million to produce, and yet, for a few dollars, we can experience that level of craftsmanship and storytelling. What an incredible exchange! Entertainment of this quality can bring joy and fulfillment, something low-effort content rarely does. The possibilities for a life well-lived are limitless.

In conclusion, if we want the same luxury that we’re willing to pay $500 an hour for in business class, we can replicate that experience on the ground for just $5 an hour—100 times less. And to achieve this, we need time: time to rest, to nourish ourselves with good food, to entertain our minds, and to educate ourselves. Reclaiming that time requires a self-assessment. We must identify the time-thieves in our lives and work to reduce their influence. By understanding their tactics, we can block, limit, or eliminate distractions that don't serve us, focusing instead on what truly brings happiness.

Let’s hope we can all reclaim our time, resist the traps of modern life, and lead a fulfilling, luxurious, and wonderful life, content with who we are and where we are.

God bless us all.