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Ever fly First Class?

First class: twice. Free upgrades from BA both times. Once on Heathrow - Johannesburg, and the other, NYC - Heathrow. They were both due to overbooking on BA's part, and me being last in line for the upgrades, because I got there late. Just as I get there they mention how they've just run out of business seats, and oh look, there's one seat left in First. Oh well, I'll just have to take that. How unfortunate for me. :rolleyes:

Each time was amazing. There's no chance I'd do the Johannesburg (12hr flight) again, even in Business. I'd do my best to get that upgrade to First. Definiitely another world - how flying should be :)
 
i will be flying virgin upper class once i save up enough miles on my flying club account:D

until then, economy all the way. miles is the only thing that'll get me flying first.

S
 
I have only flown in cattle class - can't afford business or first class. I hate all you lucky folks who have flown in first class! :mad:
 
Many times.

The most memorable were the two times I went to Europe. Being on a plane for 10 hours - it's the only way to travel.
 
Mike Teezie said:
Many times.

The most memorable were the two times I went to Europe. Being on a plane for 10 hours - it's the only way to travel.
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10 hours = a short jaunt.

But still, 1st is the only way to go long haul. The Qantas Skybeds in Business aren't too shabby either.
 
Chundles said:
10 hours = a short jaunt.
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Too True. It was about 14 hours from LA to Sydney, plus a 1.5 hour flight down to LA from Portland. All in coach. It was awful. We got lucky and got in United's economy plus, which gives a bit more leg room but nothing else. Didn't get it on the way back though :(

Has anyone else been in Economy plus? I always try to get that or an exit row because I am 6'2 and my legs are really long.
 
Felldownthewell said:
Has anyone else been in Economy plus? I always try to get that or an exit row because I am 6'2 and my legs are really long.
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Oh yes, funnily enough on the LA to Sydney flight and back. Definitely worth the extra money. My previous visit to Oz was via Bangkok and in economy. I swore never again.
 
Always flown Economy as could never justify the cost.

However.............. I'm going to Vegas/Palm Springs/LA next weekend to get married in the Grand Canyon. My folks are coming and we were all flying economy. Then, the other day my mom withs £5000 on a TV call in competition so she has upgraded us all to Premium Economy! :D

Not First Class (upper on Virgin) but in between cattle and upper so looking forward to that.
 
Has to be BA

Twice flown BA first class LGW - PHX and back again. A fantastic experience. 7ft + flat bed (When you are 6' 4" it matters, own set of movies to watch, excellent champagne. A friend and I flying were working all the way and we asked for a bottle to take off the plane as we had been sober the whole flight. He got the Dom P. I only got Krug!

If I get the chance I fly BA Club World, a whole lot cheaper than first and the flat bed is great, I can actually work all day NY then red eye to London, drop into the BA arrivals suite for a freshen up then work the whole day here.

But now I have kids the best we can afford is World Traveller Plus, better service and more space than economy but same food etc. Still when you have to buy 4 seats everywhere can't grumble.

John
 
AndyR said:
Not First Class (upper on Virgin) but in between cattle and upper so looking forward to that.
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Andy R, Virgins Premium Economy is great my better half has used it. It is more akin to Business class where you get the big seat.

John
 
AndyR said:
Not First Class (upper on Virgin) but in between cattle and upper so looking forward to that.
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Virgin Upper Class is a Business class product (albeit the highest class that virgin atlantic offer - although it is alot better than alot of other airlines first class!), not a First class product!
 
I was lucky enough to get someone to ask me if I would trade my regular seat for their first class one because they wanted to sit next to their friend who was beside me. Who am I to complain? *L*
 
I was going to say Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, but since it's not offically "First Class", I guess that won't count... :(

Nevertheless, VS (Virgin) is by far the best product I've ever flown on, regardless of it being "First" or not. The Check-In services and Clubhouse is fantastic, and their flat-bed suites are truly amazing. The styling, atmosphere, and culture- whether on the ground or in the air, is really remarkable in an age where air travel (I fly a lot and it's really not fun anymore) has become a commodity. I love flying on their 744s and A346s.

For comparitive reasons (flown on both), I still find VS Upper Class a better experience than BA's FIRST. Granted, BA has a greater, more extensive network and is part of OneWorld (wish VS was Star Alliance- that's my biggest complaint), but there's just "something" about Upper Class that sets it apart.

We tend to fly economy on domestic flights; coach is relatively comfortable (esp. the bulkheads/emergency exits), and not justifiable enough to pay lots more $$$ to fly First Class unless we go trans-pac or atlantic.

(sorry if I got too technical... I just love airplanes/airlines) :eek:
 
I have found flying business class to be pretty pointless on coast-to-coast or other national (U.S.) flights. I've often even preferred coach. Reason: I hate the smell of the "live" cooking/frying they sometimes do in business, and being semi-vegetarian I hate the steak and omelet stuff they often fry up on various U.S. airlines on longer business class flights -- yuck. Plus, the armrests often don't fold up and those age old leather seats look kind of sketchy.

On the other hand, I'd love to fly first or Business on transatlantic, trans-pacific and other long-haul flights where economy is terrible and business/first services are modern and exquisite.
 
Chundles said:
10 hours = a short jaunt.

But still, 1st is the only way to go long haul. The Qantas Skybeds in Business aren't too shabby either.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I'm not looking forward to the flight from here to NZ and Australia.
 
true777 said:
I have found flying business class to be pretty pointless on coast-to-coast or other national (U.S.) flights. I've often even preferred coach.
On the other hand, I'd love to fly first or Business on transatlantic, trans-pacific and other long-haul flights where economy is terrible and business/first services are modern and exquisite.
Click to expand...
I understand your point, but there's another slant. If your travel day includes two domestic connections to an international connection (3 segments), using upgrades to first class on the +2 hour domestics makes more sense.
 
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