Are first class plane tickets worth the extra money?

[Lukeee]

Depends on how much the money is worth to you. If you spend it on the plane are you going to miss it when you get there?

 

[rareboy]

I've flown both, and am not impressed w/ First Class (not even while flying overseas). I'm probably in the minority though.

No. You're not.

And the more we can afford it, the less inclined I've been to fly first. Not because we're cheap, but I don't see the extra value.

We're not that fat and the hoi poilloi don't bother my sensibilities.

 

[Edward Twinkletoes]

What is your opinion?

If the plane crashes, you'll be just as dead.

 

[MystikWizard]

What is your opinion?

It really really depends. It depends on the length of the flight (such as flying coast to coast) AND it depends on the cost difference.

In most cases, I would say "No" ... because it isn't worth the increase in cost. However, again, a coast to coast flight to have a nice, large seat to yourself along with meals served and a better array of snacks ... makes all the difference.

I would say it is worth considering if you have a flight that is OVER 3 hours.

 

[tonyboy]

As as been said ^.. depends on the airline and the distance.

Many times I paid the $50 to upgrade to FC on flights from SLC to California... but that was just surcharge... my company paid for the ticket.

Only thing that was great about that was that I got to board first and got an Irish cream on the rocks... plus the seats were very comfortable and there was lot's of let room.

Took a fight from SLC to Hawaii once, my buddy had first class tickets for both of us.
Man, it was damned fine.
Long flight so we had a very fine dinner... had a choice of many different menu items.
Each plate got crystal salt and pepper shakes, real silverware, and crystal wine glasses... cocktail glasses were also crystyal.. not the plastic stuff in coach.

On our trip to the Bahahmas we also got First Class... had a fresh ironed newspaper to read, at the end of the flight we were offered lemon secented hot towels to wipe our face with.

Quite pampered we were... But aside from the upgrades I paid for personally, the other first class trips were available only because my buddy had acquired enough travel miles to upgrade us for no extra cost.

So, aside from the $50 bucks I spent on a fairly short flight... I'd say that for a long flight the money to fly FC would be better spent elsewhere.

But if you get to travel FC my friends... take it... it's fine and wonderful.

 

[NineOfClubs]

For flights over three hours, absolutely.

I used to fly much more, and would almost always pay for an upgrade, or use air miles, to get First Class.

If you drink, it's wonderful because the drinks are free and the attendants are often more than generous with the refills. Also, the food and service is so much better, though that varies from airline to airline. Generally your fellow passengers are quieter and the entire atmosphere is more relaxed. The wider seats (leather) and the extra leg room is good too. Believe it or not, sometimes I was sorry when the plane landed....

 

[spencer]

No. You're not.

And the more we can afford it, the less inclined I've been to fly first. Not because we're cheap, but I don't see the extra value.

We're not that fat and the hoi poilloi don't bother my sensibilities.

I don't see the extra value, I feel it, when I'm sleeping while lying flat on an overseas flight. Time goes faster while i'm asleep, especially in comfortable uninterrupted sleep.

 

[voyager1994]

I wouldn't know as I have not travelled first class ever. Would be nice to try, but why bother when I wouldn't be able to afford first class most of the time anyway.

 

[CorporalAris]

I haven't had a problem with people in Coach. There's usually a bit of small talk until we get into the air, then everyone near me falls to sleep with headphones on. End of story.

 

[treanir]

Considering I do Amsterdam-London by bus 'cause it's super-cheap... I wouldn't pay to upgrade to business/first (unless it's like $20). Offer it to me for free, however, and I say please and thank you.

 

[Dobson73]

Depends on the airline, the length of the flight, and what exactly the cost difference is. I've found it worth it each time I've done it, but each time, it's been pretty cheap.

Lex

Agreed, Lex. I managed First Class fro LON to SYD (about 22 hrs) on BA once which was heaven. A good nights sleep, more smoked salmon and champagne than I could manage but the seat was bliss. Anything over about 8-9 hours I'd recommend it, otherwise no. But there are so few airlines/flights that feature First Class anymore.

Guess it depends on the airline as well?

 

[Spiff]

This is kind of a loaded question. I guess it depends on who you ask and how wealthy they are. Any average working Joe with half a brain would say first class is not worth their money (now if their company pays, that's a different thing.) Any rich guy with unlimited disposable income would say duh, of course it's worth it.

 

[Dobson73]

Considering that chances of survival during a crash are slightly higher when sitting in the tail section of the aircraft or over the wing (the strongest part of the airplane) I'd say that I prefer coach.

I've never flown first class, way too expensive and being slender and not very tall, it's not a real problem for me to sit in a coach chair for a few hours. Though I did notice, last time I flew, that British Airways has very nice, comfy seats even for the coach passengers, and that American Airlines had very small seats, which became uncomfortable after a few hours. (No fun flying from Los Angeles to London, glad I slept through most of it!)

Huh? Luv, if you slept through most of your LAX-LON flight I can't see that the seats became uncomfortable after a few hours?

 

[Piquechampion]

First, business or coach, as someone else said it, if it crashes, then you´re done just the same.

Just ask them folks at the Air France 447
















PS: Actually since that crash, I have been pretty much obsessed with plane crashes and stuff... and been dreading my next flight :/

 

[gsdx]

This should help you decide for yourself:

 

[2boyzukuk]

Well you leave at the same time arrive at the same time are subject to all the same delays and turbulence and if the plane goes down your all going drop on roughly the same spot on long haul the difference so only 36 inch seat pitch compared to 44 inch pitch with the seat only being 5 inches wider ok you can recline more in first class and the food is slightly better and you have options as to food you just have to consider if the extra 2-3 thousand pounds ($5.000) approx on a London to New York flight can be justified for the sake of a free drink newspaper and slightly better meals but must point out this is only a personal view having never traveled First, Business or coach for years but then again I am a pilot so i get the best seat in the house and they pay me to sit in it

 

[Yooper]

I really don't care. I don't mind if they treat the passengers like cattle, I just "moo" when getting on and off the plane.

Moo.

I also don't care. I am just happy the plane is there, on time-ish, and I'm probably going to get where I'm going much faster than driving. I've been in far worse places for 2-3-4 hours at a time and I can certainly live for a few hours with a teeny bit of being uncomfortable.

When you live in bumfuck nowhere, you are just happy they HAVE scheduled airline service. When I fly on those little planes, I'm just happy they don't make the passengers row!

Now then, if they could come up with an upgrade for the gate areas, I'd CERTAINLY pay extra for that!

 

[Jory]

Also think about what you can do with the money the differnce between first class and coach could be the difference of staying in a 5 star hotel and a 1 star motel

 

[CGHJ]

I hadn't considered the length of the flight...I always fly long distances. If it's a short flight I'd rather drive there...by the time TSA gives you an anal probe and rifles through your underwear, and the flight gets delayed and you're sitting on the tarmac for an hour, you could be there already. Also, they don't let me smoke joints on the plane.

However, for long flights 1st class is where it's at. I've only done it once and that was a bump...was flying back from Germany to Hawaii and when we were leaving LA the stewarde...er I mean flight attendant announced they were overbooked and asked if anyone would be willing to wait an hour for the next plane if they got first class. I'd already spent something like 19 hours in the air, most of it with screaming babies...I pretty much ran to the front pushing people out of the way. I would have committed assault to get that ticket. To recap: Germany to LA, one of the worst flights of my life. LA to Hawaii, one of the best.

They pour you a FREE (free!!) drink BEFORE the plane even takes off!! Sold!!

 

[maxpowr9]

If the flight is over 6 hours long, I would suggest flying business or first class. I flew business class from Melbourne to LA (nearly 15 hours) and I would go crazy if I was stuck in coach. I did it going to Australia and I called my mom and said "use your miles and upgrade me for my flight home."