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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:37:03 AM EDT
[#1]
True first class is a whole different experience
Maybe just start with coach+ or a better airline |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:38:00 AM EDT
[#2]
For me it depends on the length of the flight. Anything 4 plus hours the minimum is comfort plus or whatever the equivalent is.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:39:13 AM EDT
[#3]
I think hardly anyone actually pays for it. I think nearly everyone gets it with Frequent Flyer miles or their company paying for it because it's a long trip.
I like it for long trips. If the seats recline enough to sleep they are a great benefit. Some Airlines like Qatar Airways have really nice free stuff- pricey wine and very nice pajamas I've taken home and still worn around the house in the winter as workout clothes. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:40:40 AM EDT
[#4]
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:41:40 AM EDT
[#5]
Airlines have cut back so much on service, even in first class, that “is it worth the money” takes on new meaning.
You’re getting a nice seat and free drinks in first. The food on short haul sucks. Transcons and international have better food but not like it was even 20 years ago. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:42:06 AM EDT
[#6]
If you like more legroom, a wider seat and booze, yes. It's worth extra.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:42:24 AM EDT
[#7]
it really depends on where you're going. if you're flying major hub to hub then yes there's usually a real first class on a large plane. if you're doing regional airports then the small planes usually don't have a real first class and just a slightly larger seat with about the same leg room as the exit row in coach.
my experience recently is that they've cut a lot of the amenities. heck you're lucky to get a drink these days. imho, the real benefit is for the occasional flight where you're stuck on the runway for 3 hours before the flight. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:42:36 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Fly private Tv us to fucking small though https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_125116_jpg-2810707.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_132652_jpg-2810709.JPG Do you know what that costs? |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:42:52 AM EDT
[#9]
check what type of flight it is (which aircraft) then check leg room for the emergency exit row.
for example, seats 24 D through F on an American Airlines A321 have about five feet of leg room, and are usually only a modest upcharge. I think it was $38 extra last time I flew. No fold down tray table (because no seat in front of you), but not a problem for me. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:43:37 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted: Recently flying back from Charlotte was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've been on specifically because of my knees. Is the real benefit to flying first class/business mostly the leg room? |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:43:55 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: For me it depends on the length of the flight. Anything 4 plus hours the minimum is comfort plus or whatever the equivalent is. Same. For me it’s domestic vs international. I can suck it up and ride with the plebes for a domestic flight but if I’m crossing an ocean I want the good life. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:44:21 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Do you know what that costs? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Fly private Tv us to fucking small though https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_125116_jpg-2810707.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_132652_jpg-2810709.JPG Do you know what that costs? We bought it for 30 million Just saying you wont have to worry about room |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:45:23 AM EDT
[#13]
I made the decision to never fly coach again. Get an airlines rewards card (my wife and i both have Alaska) use points, companion fares, or just pay for the upgrade to comfort plus or first class. On short flights it may not be worth the extra per ticket but it is so much nicer then flying with the goats and chickens in the back.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:46:09 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Do you know what that costs? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Fly private Tv us to fucking small though https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_125116_jpg-2810707.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_132652_jpg-2810709.JPG Do you know what that costs? 10k per hour, per person? |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:49:02 AM EDT
[#15]
Buy a mid tier seat, then upgrade immediately after. Saves hundreds of dollars.
Yes. I only fly 1st. 1st on and 1st off makes it worth it alone. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:49:52 AM EDT
[#16]
It depends on the amount of time being stuck on an airplane.
My general rule is that if I am flying by myself I would go for economy plus with the possibility of upgrading to first. Usually I travel with flights greater than 4.5 hours. The extra leg room comes in handy. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 8:54:36 AM EDT
[#17]
I flew 3 yrs first class off of flyer miles. I don't know the cost. But if you want more room it's definitely nicer. Free drinks can be dangerous at times. Or it was for me at the time. The meals were a lot better than what the coach lizards ate also. I'd recommend it.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:07:18 AM EDT
[#18]
Most domestic flights aren't worth the cost IMHO. Over 2.5 hours we pop for 1st Class. Carribean we go 1st Class. Over seas is business class as even though I'm rich with a model quality wife I'm no spending that $ amount.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:11:29 AM EDT
[#19]
I’ll never fly coach again, IF I ever fly again. Fuck that.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:12:00 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: We bought it for 30 million Just saying you wont have to worry about room it ain't the buying, it is the maintaining it that is the killer heck even my little plane, the maintenance over the years has been way worse than the initial cost but me be a poor so there is always that |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:17:46 AM EDT
[#21]
Legroom in first is a little better than the premium seats. But for <1k miles the biggest benefit is being off the jet immediately and not having to wait for the clusterfuck in the back.
Snacks/drinks/food don’t hurt. But I enjoy the slight increase in legroom and the time savings more than anything. The time savings shines on any flight- whereas the legroom is more valuable on the long ones. Oh, and fatties can’t pour into your seat as easily. *this is of course for domestic/transcon flights. As other have said, REAL first class is a different animal entirely. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:20:02 AM EDT
[#22]
No, not really. Especially for you. Most airlines let you “upgrade” to the exit row for a nominal fee, or just for asking. Look into that.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:22:07 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: We bought it for 30 million Just saying you wont have to worry about room Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Fly private Tv us to fucking small though https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_125116_jpg-2810707.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_132652_jpg-2810709.JPG Do you know what that costs? We bought it for 30 million Just saying you wont have to worry about room Did you get the connectivity resolved? It's not the room, it's the time. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:26:15 AM EDT
[#24]
If you can afford it, it's the only way to travel. Figure 2-3x the price of coach for domestic. Up to 5x the cost for long haul international flights.
I usually only fly business. I just buy domestic business class and use systemwide upgrades and miles for the first class long haul. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:27:41 AM EDT
[#25]
I only fly about twice a year, so I do pay for first/business class. I like being first one, first off and not having to deal with the overhead bin fights that I see.
I do know a travel secret though. Book a cheap seat, once you get on the plane tell the flight attendant that you want to be moved to First Class and in exchange you will clean the bathrooms once the plane has landed. They go for that deal all the time. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:29:22 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I’ll never fly coach again, IF I ever fly again. Fuck that. This is the way! My wife just paid a butt load of money for renewing our TSA pre check. I ask her why? You really want to fly anywhere in this environment. Damn money wasted. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:36:46 AM EDT
[#27]
I have only flown first class on a few domestic flights but it is worth it to me. If nothing else than for the larger, more comfortable seating. The better service from the flight attendants is nice too. If I were planning a vacation with my wife then I would budget for first class as I don't want us to start and end our vacation with a cattle car flight experience.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:36:55 AM EDT
[#28]
it is pretty sweet compared to coach. maybe not the lap of luxury but still a lot better. took family to Greece last year and couldn't swing the true first class with the beds you get but the middle option was about the same as first class on US flights. I'm 6-4 would have been utterly miserable cooped up in the back with the coach folks. for a short hop not worth it at all.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:39:39 AM EDT
[#29]
For a long haul international flight, maybe? On almost any of them except the super premium foreign airlines, you're eating basically eating the same food and pooping in the same toilets as the economy passengers. Those tickets are also mega expensive unless you can cash in miles or get a lucky upgrade or something.
For short haul domestic flights, for me it's worth it. I like boarding early and getting settled before pushback, I'm also a big dude so having more leg room and an ever so slightly wider seat is important for me and as to not intrude as much on other passengers. I really only fly for work so they buy my tickets, and in most cases it's less than a $100 out of my pocket to upgrade so cost isn't that bad. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:43:26 AM EDT
[#30]
It's a hard question to answer because the definition of first or business varies depending on the plane.
On a 747, you could have first class, business, and coach, in that order. On a 787, you might only have business and coach, but the business class on the international long-haul planes like the 747 or 787 is far superior to the first class you get on a domestic 737. Most companies have policies that all employees can fly business or first (but not first if there's a separate business) class if the total travel time is greater than 10 hours, or some will do it based on the individual flights being longer than 5 hours. They usually state that VPs can travel business/first on any flight. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:44:55 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Do you know what that costs? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Fly private Tv us to fucking small though https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_125116_jpg-2810707.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263964/20230411_132652_jpg-2810709.JPG Do you know what that costs? Yes  Lear 45 cost me about $16340 same day round trip from Miami. (Bout 3400 per hour) Usually we just swap hours with our Hawker 4000 @ $6500 and Lear 60 @ about $3800 |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:47:58 AM EDT
[#32]
Paying directly for it…no…waiting an hour or two to take the next flight because the airline overbooked and getting upgraded…heck yeah.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:56:01 AM EDT
[#33]
I am tall, and I hate being uncomfortable. For the last 10 years, I have only flown first class. If I need to fly somewhere, it is either first class, or I am not going. (If it's a very short flight - like 45 minutes or less - I am willing to fly coach, if I am in an exit row or some other "extra legroom" seat)
Fortunately, I don't need to fly that often, so the cost is manageable. The cost is definitely worth it to me. On 10 hour + flights (like D.C. to Hawaii), being in a big wonderful Polaris lie-flat cocoon of a seat is worth everything you pay for it, as opposed to some cramped economy seat next to smelly people. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:57:15 AM EDT
[#34]
I think so
Went nonstop Boston to Lisbon Portugal Lay flat seats, first on first off, priority baggage (included) and better food and drink I think this meal was octopus salad with short ribs Cost was $1600 more ($800 each way)  Attached File |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:57:17 AM EDT
[#35]
I'm cheap. I'd put the money towards something else.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:58:02 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Airlines have cut back so much on service, even in first class, that "is it worth the money" takes on new meaning. You're getting a nice seat and free drinks in first. The food on short haul sucks. Transcons and international have better food but not like it was even 20 years ago. This. Personally, for longer US flights, yeah, first class is nice because of the space. I don't think I've ever paid for a first class seat as it was all based on upgrades/miles. Of course your rating at just about any airline today is based on how much money you spend with them (not miles per say) or having one of their credit cards. There's plenty of YouTube videos on flyers who fly first class and what the experience is. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 9:59:31 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: check what type of flight it is (which aircraft) then check leg room for the emergency exit row. for example, seats 24 D through F on an American Airlines A321 have about five feet of leg room, and are usually only a modest upcharge. I think it was $38 extra last time I flew. No fold down tray table (because no seat in front of you), but not a problem for me. Admittedly don't fly much anymore but my exit row seat a few weeks ago had a tray table. It's in your arm rest. Flight attendant had to show my dumb ass how to pull it out. I flew business class to mideast several times and it was Def worth my companies money! My money I suck it up with an exit row. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:08:41 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I made the decision to never fly coach again. Get an airlines rewards card (my wife and i both have Alaska) use points, companion fares, or just pay for the upgrade to comfort plus or first class. On short flights it may not be worth the extra per ticket but it is so much nicer then flying with the FIFY coach is disgusting. Yes it is worth it. You can also book a coach seat and upgrade at the gate for sometimes much less. I've upgraded from coach to first on a transatlantic flight for $300-500 multiple times. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:09:24 AM EDT
[#39]
Any flight over 4 hours, yes it’s worth it.
Any flight less than 4 hours just pay a little extra to upgrade to the exit row & aisle seat. I find it odd that people are interested in being the first person on the plane. If at all possible I want to be the last person on the plane. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:13:51 AM EDT
[#40]
While I don't fly nearly as much as I used to, I try to fly First Class if the price difference between First and Coach is not exorbitant. Since I usually check a couple of bags, I factor in the cost of checked bag fees in my decision. $140 worth of bag fees when flying coach vs. free when flying First reduces the price difference. I almost always fly American Airlines and I have to say that the coach seats on their 737's are miserable even on short flights. If I can't get a First Class seat on their 737's, I will try to book a different flight that isn't using a 737.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:15:42 AM EDT
[#41]
You're tall so yes it's worth it.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:17:26 AM EDT
[#42]
My son and I flew first class home from the Peach Bowl. We were in our Bulldogs gear as victorious lords of the sky. Was pretty excellent.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:18:42 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I am tall, and I hate being uncomfortable. For the last 10 years, I have only flown first class. If I need to fly somewhere, it is either first class, or I am not going. (If it's a very short flight - like 45 minutes or less - I am willing to fly coach, if I am in an exit row or some other "extra legroom" seat) Fortunately, I don't need to fly that often, so the cost is manageable. The cost is definitely worth it to me. On 10 hour + flights (like D.C. to Hawaii), being in a big wonderful Polaris lie-flat cocoon of a seat is worth everything you pay for it, as opposed to some cramped economy seat next to smelly people. At 5'5", I just put my ruck in my lap, fold my arms on top of it and put my head down. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:22:48 AM EDT
[#44]
My wife accidentally bought first class tickets last summer when I took the kids back to NY. I didn't realize what had happened and on the trip out the second leg of our flight was cancelled, so Delta changed our expensive first class tickets on both flights? where we were sitting together to three coach tickets scattered around the plane. I had to explain at the gate that I wanted my children to sit with me and get seats together in coach. Delta later sent me a coupon for $75.
The few times I've flown first class I didn't think it was worth the money. My in laws fly first class, but they're old and have trouble getting around. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:24:46 AM EDT
[#45]
Dallas to Chicago? No.
Dallas to Sydney? Yes. |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:25:40 AM EDT
[#46]
Quoted: Recently flying back from Charlotte was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've been on specifically because of my knees. Is the real benefit to flying first class/business mostly the leg room? for a short flight, no. for a multi-hour flight yes. for an international flight, a requirement - if you can afford it. (If you fly a lot, miles and status are your friends) |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:26:46 AM EDT
[#47]
My daughter is a flight attendant for Emirates. She only works A380 first class, (14 pax). They are always full, so someone thinks it is worth it.
Her work area.  Attached File |
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:28:54 AM EDT
[#48]
Delta First Class doesn't even get you access to their SkyClub anymore...
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:30:17 AM EDT
[#49]
That flight to Rhodesia is going to suck.
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Posted: 5/9/2023 10:31:06 AM EDT
[#50]
It's not worth it to me, and I'm not tiny at 6'. Putting aside the fact that I'd rather drive if possible, I can be uncomfortable for a short period of time. I make sure to stand up and stretch periodically.
I take aspirin for a few days before all flights and long drives to reduce DVT risk. |
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