Has anyone flown first class? What's it like?

Question

Is it a better experience than, say, first class on inter city trains?

Answer 1

First Class is, almost always, 'First Class' - unstressful bliss. Essential (why not) if the cost is totally irrelevant. However for the un-rich, work out the (extra) cost per hour and reckon up if it's worth it. It won't be. The avoidance of - say 5 hours - less comfort isn't worth £500 to me personally - that's 2 or 3 weeks living in UK and probably a month or two or more in a 3rd world country. I've often travelled 1st Class for business, but I cannot justify that expense personally just for a few hours being more comfortable on a journey on which all (or no) passengers will reach their destination in but a few hours.
Aviation catastrophy doesn't save the First Class passenger and kill the others, so if getting alive from A to B is your priority - any class will do.

Answer 2

Have not flown it but since I have studied travel and airlines I can tell you the difference. The big one is price of course. It is much more expensive in first class. More comfortable, alot more legroom. Some seats convert into sleeping berths. Aisles are wider. There is a free bar and sometimes a lounge. The menu is more varied and you get a choice. I was upgraded to business class once for no reason. The seats were bigger, wider, more leg room and we were given drinks from the bar.

Answer 3

I've flown first class on domestic flights only and it's definitely nicer than coach. The only reason I fly first class though is because I have several hundred thousand frequent flier miles and get free upgrades. You basically just get more legroom and a wider seat, and free alcoholic drinks, and on really long domestic (i.e. transcontinental) flights you get a free meal which you don't in coach. That's really the only major difference but if you fly constantly it's pretty nice - plus you get to deplane first so it's nice.

Answer 4

The main problem with flying first class is now, when I fly coach, I feel cheated.

The seats are large and comfy. The flight attendants are obsequious to a fault. Sleeping is easy. The food is better.

It's horrendously expensive, a difference of about $5,000 for an international flight.

Answer 5

In my last job, I had to fly a lot around the UK, and I was able to fly Business Class, from London City Airport to places such as Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow with VLM and Scot-air.

My experience was of excellence - no screaming children, even in the terminal, no drunken charvas. Small aircraft, but with leather seats and plenty of leg and shoulder room.

Eastern Airways fly from my local airport (Norwich) and Flybe are looking to do the same from Southend (also near me). I'd sooner spend £100 of my own money with these airlines than £20 with Ryanair or Sleazyjet. I have my standards, and it is much more pleasant to fly with those who have got a bit tiddly on Chivas Regal, rather than Fosters.

Answer 6

First class on a plane is very nice, way better than first class on a train. However it's not worth the price. Unless someone else is paying or you have money tree don't do it. You don't get the value for the price even on a plane.

Answer 7

First Class on trains is normally full of fare dodging pikey kids so I don't bother but on a long haul flight is well worth the cost; they drive from your front door to the plane, check in your luggage and there is decent champagne and good nibbles when you get on board. On some of the recent flights I've taken they have full length decent beds and still use proper cutlery.

Answer 8

I have flown first class on both short and long haul flights. The service is better on the long haul flights because more food is served. On short flights, the service is good, but very little food is served. At least the booze is free.

Answer 9

There is a BIG difference between first class on a US domestic flight, and first class on a long-haul flight on one of those best international airlines like Singapore Air. On the international first class flights, your chair lies flat and the whole thing turns into a suite, like converting it to a bed with semi-coccoon privacy. There is a lot of space between the suites, and they give you fancy robes and slippers, and you can opt for a massage too.

Answer 10

I flew first class the best way...I didn't pay for it because the company was in overbooking and they HAD to put me on that flight...It was awesome, the seat is so comfortable and big, you just sink in it. I had a personal waitress/attendant who took care of me the whole time: she hung my jacket, she brought me food twice ( and it was a 2h flight!), she brought me drinks, everything I needed and even more! I think you have to do it at least once in your life!