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[industrian]

QFT - work colleague has done it a few times with emirates, but his tip is this.

Always get there early (like way early) 1/2 an hour to an hour early to make sure you are the very first in line. Ask if there are any complimentary business class seats available for upgrade. If there are not, ask to be put on a waiting list for seats. Depending on who turns up, they may upgrade you. My work colleague has been upgraded twice as a result (on Emirates).

I have two medical certificates confirming my history of DVT and PE, and when flying in Asia they tend to at least get me a bump to "enhanced" Economy Class. In 2010 it allowed me to fly from Korea to Japan and then from Japan to Taiwan with free upgrades to business class. Hong Kong Airlines don't give a fuck though. There could be three people on the plane and you could have two broken legs and the flight attendants would still insist that you pay extra for an emergency exit seat.

Spoiler

Fuck Hong Kong Airlines.

When flying to Europe though, the European Courts determined a while back that European airlines aren't liable for DVT/PE so you can't play that above game with medical certificates. The last time around, KLM did give me an emergency exit seat and a lot of whisky though.

Speaking of which, the monetization of emergency exit seats makes me incredibly angry. I'm 6'5". If I'm obese then yeah, make me pay for two seats because I can go on a diet and exercise routine and lose that shit. I can't lose my godamn height, but still I have to pay extra.

 

[Illithid Dude]

It's pretty nice but the difference between first and business is nothing compared to the difference between business and coach. I've found that basically in first the food is a little better than business and you get a little more legroom. Granted, I haven't been in Emirates Air so I don't know about their souped up version of first. The only time I would say that going in first has been significantly better than going in business is when flying from LAX to NY, since first on that trip is quite nice and business is still pretty shitty.

 

[Deku Tree]

You know what I think about first class? No matter when you board, the flight still takes off at the same time. No matter when you land and when you get off, you still have to wait for your luggage if you checked it. It's nice to have extra leg room and a bigger seat, but I wouldn't care to pay for it.

I guess people flying long distances who want to sleep and get off the plane ready to talk business should use it. Also it seems nice for people with lots of money waiting ready to burn.

I'm glad it exists because first class prices allow airlines to keep prices competitive for the rest of us. I personally would rather spend my cash on other things than first/business class.

 

[Seth C]

Unless you're flying international, here will be your first class seat:



All the pictures of cool bed chairs is all from international flights, not domestic US.

Not true. I've had a bed twice on domestic United flights (787). It just depends on the route. If you're flying between LAX and DC on United, there is a good chance you can get a bed.

Also, United is currently having a 100% match on mileage purchases. If you bought 75,000 miles with the match you'd get 150,000 for about $2,800. Expensive and north worth it if you plan to cash the miles in for domestic tickets, but 160,000 miles is enough for a round trip ticket to Australia or Asia and for $3,000 that's a steal.

 

[Arjen]

Once, Amsterdam to Newcastle. Flight was less then an hour, so didn't get the change to enjoy it for very long. Managed to drink a surprising amount of free alcohol in that time frame though.
Oh and the extra leg room was nice to.

 

[Tabris]

I'm in first class again. Score. Watching the economy passengers filing in.

 

[Rentahamster]

Yes, and it's great.

 

[Tabris]

Omg I'm on a flight without first class / business. Kill me now.

 

[EviLore]

I'm heading to Asia soon and have booked ~$30,000 in first class and business class airfare for free. Just gotta know how to work the frequent flyer programs.

 

[Chittagong]

I have been twice on BA First LHR-SFO-LHR. In my opinion, the differences to Club (Business) are minimal. I actually kept track of them:

- you are walked personally to your seat
- seat is slightly bigger than Club, which is big already
- you will get top ups of champagne before take off, not just one
- your meal is served whenever you want
- fancier chocolate after meal
- Kiehl's consmetics instead of Elemis
- You get a pyjama
- They offer to make your bed
- Nobody is working on a laptop

The last point aside I don't really see the value over Club, which is very good at BA.

EDIT - Wait, I think most people here are talking about Business, not First

 

[terrisus]

I'm heading to Asia soon and have booked ~$30,000 in first class and business class airfare for free. Just gotta know how to work the frequent flyer programs.

All those frequent flier miles from flying out to Belgium to get chocolate, right?

 

[FreedomFighter]

...What lies beyond the curtain!? I never can justify the cost, but maybe some gaffers here can give the inside scoop.

I flew first class on Ethiopian airlines once. To me, it's no different from Economy. I like economy.

When I was on my way back to DC from Addis Ababa, they bumped me up. I had no idea why. But I was fine with it. I later found out it was because I racked up a significant amount of miles on the total trip, flying only their airline to several destinations. The extra space is ok but I can manage in economy. The best part of it was that they serve injera in first class, that was great.

(This was in 2009, btw).

 

[ced]

My experience with getting upgrades through frequent flyer programs was just an actual comfortable seat and space, oh and you get your beer before even taking off.

 

[Goro Majima]

I would never pay for first class out of pocket. It's just not worth the extreme price difference for a few hours of my life....and I say this as a 6'3" person.

That said, if you have a business that will pay for it or you know how to work the mileage programs, more power to you.

 

[satori]

I would never pay for first class out of pocket. It's just not worth the extreme price difference for a few hours of my life....and I say this as a 6'3" person.

That said, if you have a business that will pay for it or you know how to work the mileage programs, more power to you.

Meh if you were a multibillionaire what is 7k to you? If I had that kind of flex I sure would spring for 1st class

 

[Brandson]

I'm ill be flying first class for the first time from Toronto to Vancouver in August. The cost difference over economy wasn't that extreme so I thought I'd try it for the experience, especially since I discovered that Air Canada has a couple of 777 planes on that route with its international first class style seating. Most of its non-777 planes on that route have a first class that doesn't seem like much of an upgrade at all, but the 777 first class looks a lot better. I guess I'll find out what I've been missing soon.

 

[terrisus]

Meh if you were a multibillionaire what is 7k to you? If I had that kind of flex I sure would spring for 1st class

If you were a multibillionaire, why wouldn't you just buy your own plane and hire your own pilots?

 

[arglebargle]

More often business but I've flown both. The differences between classes vary by carrier and length of trip.

I'm in a lounge between two business class flights now. Emirates is the best. Seats are so nice.

 

[Serra]

I would love to be afford to fly first class just for the extra legroom. 6'2 and its cramped as fuck in economy and such.

 

[Wedge7]

Never flown First class, but have flown Business class a few times. Echoing the thoughts of many who have already said it, but for Domestic, I think its pretty pointless, at least for me. The seats are just slightly bigger, but thats it. At least for crappy Airlines like Air Canada. I dont really drink at all on flights either, so thats a pretty moot point. Also, in most cases, the flights are short enough where I dont really need to sleep or feel that exhausted, as its at the most 5 hours, and usually more like 2 hours or so.

Now on international flights, with 10+ hours, yes, to me it makes a huge difference. Flew from Canada to South Korea business class, and it was wonderful. First to board, little personal touches that made me feel important (and kinda made me laugh, as nobody calls me Mr as I'm in my mid 20's) such as greeting me as Mr. Wedge7, and then constantly remembering it for the rest of the flight. "Oh you want some more coke Mr Wedge? Right away sir!" Lol, what a trip. Just the ability to fully extend my seat into a bed, and all the extra room and comfort that you get was worth it. Personally for myself, another huge thing is the ratio of washroom/people, which is a god send when you dont have to wait in line for 10 minutes.

Overall, I dont think I could ever go back to flying Economy. I remember about 5 years ago flying to India, and how brutal that fucking flight felt. Cramped, tired, unable to sleep due to the seats and all the people around me never shutting up. Felt exhausted when I landed. For myself, its worth the extra money, and unlike most, I pay it in full, as I dont travel for business or anything. In most cases, its about 3x the price of economy.