My dad was BA staff when I was growing up. Nothing too interesting, IT, but he got staff travel benefits, including free flights on standby for the whole family.
Have had a fair few trips in abandoned business seats, and a fair few on the jumpseat. I know which I prefer!
As a kid EVERY ride in a plane was exciting. Was still the era where you could go visit the cockpit; even got to sit in the jump seat on landing once.