First Class

[Nardpuncher]

On planes, how much better is it to fly first class?

My back is killing me after spending most of a 12 hour flight leaning into the aisle to give enough room to the guy next to me.

How much more does it cost?

 

[RobertVA]

The thing you have to remember about airline fares is that any other passenger seated in the same class is probably payed a different amount than you did. Thus any attempt to determine the fare difference between coach and the more comfortable classes would be meaningless.

 

[TheBrew]

First class is amazing if you can get it. I would fly no other way if I could afford it.

 

[JiNX-01]

On planes, how much better is it to fly first class?

My back is killing me after spending most of a 12 hour flight leaning into the aisle to give enough room to the guy next to me.

How much more does it cost?

Was this passenger extremely overweight or big-shouldered? Many airlines now require that a passenger who can't lower the armrest on their seat to buy a second seat to avoid encroaching on another passenger's space.

I would suggest you complain to the airline about the inconvenience, discomfort and injury to your back.

 

[Nardpuncher]

Actually it was more my 'fault'. You don't have to be anywhere near the size of a linebacker to have your shoulders invade someone's space on a plane. I'm about 250lbs. If I don't say so myself I'm not obese (could stand to lose a few pounds or 20)
But does anyone have a good idea if first class or business class as they may call it is twice as expensive or something like that?

 

[sojourner]

^ at least twice as expensive. Likely much, much more. Of course, since you obviously have internet access, you could check out a few booking sights and find out.

 

[Nardpuncher]

Funny that it would be twice or more...y'know you get a seat that's about 20% bigger and more leg room, but the food can't be that much better ( I like the food already) and you don't really get there any faster than the economy class!

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

You're paying for the perception of exclusivity or status. In first or business class, in addition to the larger seat with a greater recline - in some cases flat- and more room between rows, you have a dedicated line to check in, a separate line to clear security, you get to board and deplane first, your checked luggage is removed from the plane first, if on an international flight you often get to go through customs first or have your own dedicated line, and you have access to airport lounges if flying international.

Onboard, the experience only continues - preflight drinks, menu choices, complimentary alcoholic drinks, premium entertainment choices, on international flights a top drawer amenity kit and more.

 

[Jan]

First class is usually two or more times the best coach fares because usually business people are the ones booking. In addition to larger seats and more leg room, you usually get things like priority boarding, no charge for the first checked bag, cocktails and the like. Sometimes good deals can be had at the last minute if you upgrade.

Jan

 

[DBR]

I would sooner try and swim across the pacific if I couldn't fly business or first on a long haul.

Some of the reginal airlines around here--Westjet, in particular--don't have classes. If I simply must fly with them, I request a seat behind the bulkhead.

 

[Marc]

I would sooner try and swim across the pacific if I couldn't fly business or first on a long haul.

Some of the reginal airlines around here--Westjet, in particular--don't have classes. If I simply must fly with them, I request a seat behind the bulkhead.

Is a bulkhead seat that good? I flew seated there on an Air Canada 767 from Vancouver to Toronto and didn't really like it.

Sure you have a bit more knee room but regular seating does allow you to stretch you feet out under the seat in front (unless they've stuck their carry on there) and I found not being able to stretch my feet out like that very irritating.

Also one of the things with first class is that it can be more expensive in some places that other (North America for example it's very expensive).

I looked a pricing on a first class seat one way from Sydney Australia to Toronto. Economy was $AU2100, First was about $AU9,500

 

[Holdfast]

The cost differential for upgrading can be amazing, depending on exactly when you travel. To give you an example, I was recently booking an international flight and for shits & giggles looked up the upgrade cost for both business and first. The difference for an upgrade to first was an order of magnitude depending on what day of the week I travelled. That was insane; one of the biggest "discounts" for being a flexible traveller I've seen.

(I didn't bother upgrading; I rarely see the value for it myself. Only if flights are over about 15 hours.)

 

[Marc]

Oh another thing about first class is it can depend on the aircraft model and fit out. On A380 you get little cubicles with sliding doors (though Singapore Airlines requests you don't join the mile high club in them), the 777s have seats in pods that slide to almost flat. Older aircraft have regular seats - they are just wider and with greater recline due to the increase spaced between the the rows.

Go to airliners.net and try searching on the different first class cabins.

Oh and see if the airline offers a business class - you get some extra space but without the extra costs (so it might only be twice the price of cattle class).

Or you could just get lucky. A few years back my mum was flying from the U.S to the U.K. As soon as the plane was a crusing altitude, the bloke in the seat in front of her put his seat right back. When it came time for the meal he refused to put his seat up and abused the cabin staff. So they told mum to take her handbag and put her in first class.