I bought a couple first class tickets on Alaska Airlines. Is it really that different and worth it?

Question

Also, Alaska Airlines first class tickets were a lot cheaper than other airlines. Is there a big difference between first class of other airlines? What's included?

Answer 1

Differences in cost? Perhaps because a lot of the Alaska's newer jets (737-800s and 737-900s) have a higher fraction of first class seats (four rows) to coach than older configurations that other airlines fly. So they tend to have more first class seats for sale (and free upgrades for their elite mileage plan members) than other airlines.

Differences in service: You board first. You get a nice, free meal when the back of the bus has to pay $5 for a chicken sandwhich. You get a free digiplayer with about 20 movies on it ($10 otherwise) on their longer flights. You get free alcoholic drinks (otherwise $5 each). They serve you before the rest of the plane. Bigger seats and more legroom are the biggest perks. Maybe that's worth $50 to you. Maybe $300.

Differences between other airlines' first class. Not much. Alaska is nicer than most to start with. They don't offer power connections for your laptop/gameboy/cell phone like some airlines do in business class and first class (because they don't fly widebodies, only 737s on long flights and a few MD-80s on shorter hauls).

It is much easier to sleep in first class so maybe you book a red-eye, save a day (of work or vacation) and/or a hotel room night. That might combine to be worth $100-300.

Is it worth it? Argument for: I sat next to a guy in coach last week who was about 6'8" and in pain because his thigh bones were longer than the seat pitch. I gave him my exit-door seat with the extra legroom.

Argument against: You only get off the plane 1-5 minutes before coach. If you spend $300 (or whatever) extra for a 5+5 hour round trip, you could be "earning" $30 tax-free an hour by sitting in coach. That's like a salary of $40/hour. Or put the $300 into booze, in-flight movies and maybe a chair massage at the airport and still have $250 left over.

But sometimes (honeymoon, a reward to yourself, tough day ahead), it's good to be nice to yourself.

Answer 2

In the late 90's, I used to fly from St. Louis to Detroit on a regular basis. For a short period of time, I was about to get a $69 round trip fare! (which is very cheap)

Answer 3

On Alaska Airlines? Not really

You do get the following:

-Bigger seat
-More leg room
-Drinks/Snacks before takeoff and upon landing
-Priority check-in
-More personalized service
-Better meals on longer flights.

It is not too bad mate!

Enjoy!

Answer 4

First class gets you there a split second before coach. However, you all use the same exit from the plane.