Ever fly First Class?

[Abstract]

So who here flies First Class or has ever flown it? What about Business Class? I don't care if it was just a free upgrade. I want to hear what you get in First Class that's so special.

Why don't I know already? Well, it's because of that curtain that they shut light-tight. It's almost like they don't want the 'po folks in Economy to even glimpse at the magnificent, brilliant glow that comes from First Class. They shut that curtain faster than necessary, it seems.


I've almost been tempted to check in late (say 40 minutes) before a long flight one day and hope that I get a free bump because Economy is all booked up. I'm going to Japan for 2 - 2.5 weeks in December for kicks, so I'll probably try that. I'd also run the risk of missing the flight entirely, though.

 

[iGav]

I want to hear what you get in First Class that's so special.

You know those orgies you don't get invited too? it's just like that.

Most times I'll fly Business Class on BA, free upgrade if a seat is available, that's the bonus of knowing someone that works for BA.

Thanks Anna B.

 

[shecky]

first class is great because:

-much, MUCH bigger and more comfy seats; not only wider but also a ton more legroom
-drink service from the instant you sit down on the plane, no waiting until you are in the air
-much higher quality of food/better variety of options
-off the plane first
-much quieter section of the plane, forward of the engines, usually no screaming kids, etc..
-usually no people with their butt in your face waiting on line for the restroom.

having said all of that, there is no way i would ever pay for 1st class out of my own pocket; only did it when someone else was picking up the check.

 

[Chundles]

Yes, from SYD -> LAX and from New York to SYD.

I got a full length, fully flat bed. Large, touchscreen TV with a choice of movies on their own cassettes, free Dom Perignon 1996, more leg room than I knew what to do with, four windows, a massive table, a power point, really good food - as in actually really good not "good for aeroplane food" and the service was top-notch.

It's the only way to do the 13 hour flight to and the 18 hour flight from the US.

Oh, and I paid A$99 total for the whole trip.

 

[kretzy]

Oh, and I paid A$99 total for the whole trip.

I think I hate you a little bit now.

I've never actually flown first class (not that I've done all that much flying anyway), and probably never will until someone else foots the bill (or I become incredibly rich).

 

[yg17]

Nope. When I checked in for my flight from DCA->STL, American gave me the option of upgrading for 80 bucks, and it was tempting, but I decided it wasn't worth it for an hour and a half flight. If it would've been longer, I might've done it. It turned out, there were about 50 people on the flight (This was an M80, not a regional jet, so 50 isn't a lot) so I had plenty of room in coach

 

[floriflee]

I am so jealous, Chundles, shecky and iGav. I wish I knew how to score first class like that!

We have only ever flown economy. When flying in the States I don't see much point in paying triple the fair for a flight that only lasts on average about 2-3 hours each leg. Overseas is a different story. Next flight we plan to use all the frequent flyer miles we've racked up on AmEx and Chase to upgrade to at least business.

First class on Qantas must be sweet!

 

[~Shard~]

I've done first class for business trips at times and it's great for all the reasons previously mentioned! But yes, I would never pay for it out of my own wallet. On short flights I would say it's pretty pointless, but on long flights it's a huge advantage - fully flat beds, free everything, peace and quiet - it's great.

 

[Chundles]

I am so jealous, Chundles, shecky and iGav. I wish I knew how to score first class like that!

Staff travel for family members - it's sweet. My cheap 1st class ticket is really a one-off. Now, a return SYD -> LAX Business Class ticket for me is about A$800, still not too bad at all.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Yeah, twice, an overseas, overnight flight to Amsterdam both times.

It was awesome. I could barely reach the seat in front of me- on the second flight they let me take my cat on board, and I opened her container (it was a soft cage, they required something that could fit under the seat during takeoff and landing) on my lap and played with her for part of the flight. Flatscreen TV's popped out of the armrest with a choice of five movies, and they served menus. I had the prawns the first flight, and the roast duck on the second.

Oh, and the U.N. paid for both flights. I'd never pay for it on my own.

 

[eva01]

*post*

You have seen snakes on a plane. You go in first class and you live.

 

[Ugg]

Twice. Both were upgrades. Once on American and once on NW. It is nice, lots of legroom, big cushy leather seats, good service, quiet people, good food.

 

[Felldownthewell]

One time, flying back from Europe with me dad, mom, and little sister, two of our four seats got upgraded to business class because my dad is apparently high on their list of un-asked-for-but-appreciated-free-upgrades. We didn't know until we were on the plane- we went to our ticketed seats and found some lady and a military guy drawing roses in a huge sketchbook. We then talked to the flight attendant who berrated us for not going to check and see if we had been upgraded. Of course, we explained to her that we hadn't even asked for the upgrade, and she rolled her eyes while we debated (ie violently fought over) who would sit in business class. Some woman behind us started complaining loudly to her husband "We couldn't get upgraded and they didn't even ASK and they did! This isn't fair, we'll never fly this airline again" in an extremely high pitched and obnoxious voice, and so, denying her snobby fat a** a place in a comfy chair became the highlight of my business class experiance.

We settled that my mom would get one of the nice seats because she always has trouble flying, while my sister and I would share- 5.5 hours each (my dad flies in business for business so much that he didn't care). She took the first 5.5 and spent her time eating the nice food (They give you a menu!) and watching movies and eating candy (they had this little table in the front of the cabin with candy and water and such on it), while I did essentially the same thing in back. Then I got up front, laid back almost vertically, and conked out, to be awoken to an actually passable meal and never-ending coffee, while my sister barely slept because of the coach seats and got a freeze-dried egg sandwich for breakfast.

If I could ever afford any class above coach, I would pay it in a second. Sadly, it dosen't work like that.

 

[EGT]

When traveling to San Francisco a few years back, the flight from Heathrow was delayed by something like 5 or 6 hours due to a medical diversion of the incoming flight.

When eventually called to the gate, the check in agent asked if we'd like a free upgrade to Business Class. Obviously we took it. I think she offered it to us because the flight was actually going to Boston and then we had to get a connecting flight to San Francisco. Not how we’d planned, so they were probably being sympathetic.

Needless to say, Business Class is much better than Economy! Very comfortable reclining seats, plenty of legroom, your own personal TV that popped out from the armrest bit of the chair and a diverse menu throughout the flight. The food was extremely nice as was having a few little complimentary drinkies, hehe.

I slept most of the way and landed in Boston feeling refreshed and not in anyway lethargic like you sometimes do after a long flight. It was short lived though because the connecting flight was Economy and full of noisy children screaming and shouting, running up and down the aisles etc. GRRR.

 

[iGary]

I flew first class once to Great Britian, and it was worth every penny my client paid for it.

Seriously, though it IS nice on long trips. I can't see paying for it on any flight less tha 5 hours, though, unless it's a small price upgrade.

 

[Reaver]

I went from columbus ohio to honolulu hawaii in first class in 2001 and it was great, seats are like a lazyboy kinda thing some have fold out screens for your inflight movie. the drink and food service is the best my and my girlfriend (wife now) was giving champaigne when they found out we was on our way out for to get married.

very nice service A++

 

[puckhead193]

...first class is for poor people..its all about the private jet
I flew first class twice, once from hawaii to LA and from the Bahamamas to NY...

 

[iSaint]

My boss and I were traveling together to Tampa. His seat was booked from Atlanta mine wasn't. When I checked in the agent 'apologized' that the only thing she had was first class. I honestly tried to give it to my boss. I had to take it.

After the third offer of a drink before we took off, the dude next to me told me to take the beer. It seemed they wouldn't be happy until I did. We ate Chicken Cordon Bleu salad. Drank Amstel Light. Played a trivia game on the TV between our seats. The lady I sat with was really nice. We talked and played and had a great time.

The first thing my boss said when we got off the plane was, "You better not have had something to eat."

Only experience I had, and it was great.

 

[G5Unit]

I feel a little spoiled, first time I flew buisness was when I was 6 back in 1998. They had kirby games on the LCD in front of me any everything. I have only flown buisness on American and Southwest. BTW, it was from chicago to germany, over 13 hours

 

[m-dogg]

I did once - A few years ago our flight out to Colorado for a ski trip was cancelled due to a snowstorm in Connecticut (ironic, huh?).

We lucked out though, because when we called to reschedule our flight, there was only space available in first class, so that's where they put us. It was nice - Big comfortable seats, lots of free drinks (we got pretty drunk on that trip), and good food (served with real plates/silverware). They even came around serving wine at dinner.

My favorite point was when we first boarded, and they gave us drinks to pass the time as we waited for all the common folk to board. My friend hadn't finished his drink yet, and the stewardess told him that he had to finish his beer because the pilot was waiting to take off...so he chugged it down at the stewardesses request...

 

[Zwhaler]

Hell YES! On a trip to Hawaii, I got first class because I was supposed to be on Coach but something happened and I got moved free of charge!

 

[2nyRiggz]

Yup I did it all.....my first time 1st class was when I went to L.A with the modeling agency...did a show and bounce back to NYC..good times and I didn't pay a dime.

U.K here I come...Yeah baby!




Bless

 

[floriflee]

Staff travel for family members - it's sweet. My cheap 1st class ticket is really a one-off. Now, a return SYD -> LAX Business Class ticket for me is about A$800, still not too bad at all.

Hmmm.... *starts looking up jobs for the hubby with an airline*

 

[crazycat]

I fly first class most of the times, i find paying a lot more and getting a lot more back is better then paing little and getting little in return. Life is to short not to spoil your self.

 

[rdowns]

I fly business class or first class on most long flights. Definitely worth the extra money, especially if m company is paying for it.

I fly to Denver a lot but take Jet Blue since they offer flight times that work for me.