Flying First Class

Rabeile31

Will it become less expensive to fly First class in the Recession?

If anyone has flown first class is it really worth all the money?:rolleyes:

anotherlostie

It is not worth the money for what you get. From a business perspective, it is worth being able to change the flights at a drop of a hat if things change on your trip. But for the sake of a couple of free drinks, a few extra treats, it's not worth paying for.

I have flow transatlantic several times with a number of different airlines, and while it is nice, I would much prefer fly in economy and keep the extra money myself! And I would give that advice to anyone thinking of shelling out for a treat. Use the money to treat yourself when you get to your destination.

However some colleagues flew first class from Japan to London, and they said that was an experience never to forget, so I guess it depends on where and who you are flying with.

Rabeile31

Will it become less expensive to travel first class with the Recession?

Is First class really worth the money?

Whats it like?

kopijacked

First Class is exactly that...everything you expect it to be! More space, more service, more comfort all around.

Is it worth it, I guess if you can afford it then it would be but that will be depending on everyones personal circumstances. Personally my work has paid for it when I have had the chance to fly first class so that was worth it:D

Who knows what the recession will bring, i'm sure with more companies going bust then more first class seats will become available possibly at a cheaper rate.

murphaph

anotherlostie wrote: »

It is not worth the money for what you get. From a business perspective, it is worth being able to change the flights at a drop of a hat if things change on your trip. But for the sake of a couple of free drinks, a few extra treats, it's not worth paying for.

I have flow transatlantic several times with a number of different airlines, and while it is nice, I would much prefer fly in economy and keep the extra money myself! And I would give that advice to anyone thinking of shelling out for a treat. Use the money to treat yourself when you get to your destination.

However some colleagues flew first class from Japan to London, and they said that was an experience never to forget, so I guess it depends on where and who you are flying with.

I think you're confusing business class with first class. Many airlines don't do true first class anymore, some don't even do business class anymore (AerLingus on short haul). First class is horrendously expensive.

Ponster

I've had work pay for 1st-class from JFK to CDG in the past.

Basically you get onto the plane first - have a seat that turns into a very comfy bed with a full length duvet - usually an impressive menu for food drinks - addressed by name - lots of space; the next closest person may be several meters away from you.

It's not going to get cheaper as I doubt the people who normally fly 1st-class are affected by the recession as much as those who fly economy.

Calina

Moved from Commuting & Transport

spurious

I've never flown first class, but I've flown business class a few times, especially on long-haul. I've flown business class with Aer Lingus, Continental, Cathay Pacific and KLM. I would fly with them all again except Continental which I didn't think was business class standard at all. Cathay Pacific are outstanding.

Last year I flew business class on a trip to New Zealand on a trip with my mother. The main advantage of business class is the space. I could fully extend my seat to almost flat and there was still enough room for a person to pass between the soles of my feet and the seat in front. I never have that 'wrecked' feeling on arrival that I used to get following long flights in economy. The food is in a different league, but the main advantage is the space. Personally, I think it's absolutely worth the money, but I doubt I'll be flying business class anywhere soon.

tinkerbell

I doubt it, there will always be those people who can afford the price of first class in and out of a recession. And those most likely to fly first class probably wouldn't be affected that much by the recession anyway.

Fishtits

I used to work for an organisation that allowed business class air travel for any journey that lasted over eight hours point to point - that included road travel etc from departure office for example to your destination, it wasn't hard to have a five hour flight upgraded given the criteria. On a few occasions I was upgraded to first class unasked for.

From a personal perspective the only real advantage is the space, on a long flight (>8hrs) you can really sleep comfortably, I don't drink while flying and airline food is airline food on average so apart from the space I wouldn't place any great premium on it.

As to whether I would pay the premium for personal travel... barring a lottery win, no.

Rabeile31

Fishtits wrote: »

I used to work for an organisation that allowed business class air travel

As to whether I would pay the premium for personal travel... barring a lottery win, no.

So say you havent won the lottery like most people but you had a few extra euro to spare....

How would you go about gettin bunked up to first class from economy?
Ive never had the confidence to try my luck at it...

Even if the airline had empty seats in first class would you still have to pay to upgrade?

Ponster

Rabeile31 wrote: »

So say you havent won the lottery like most people but you had a few extra euro to spare....

How would you go about gettin bunked up to first class from economy?
Ive never had the confidence to try my luck at it...

Even if the airline had empty seats in first class would you still have to pay to upgrade?

It's not going to happen I'm afraid. Economy to business can happen from time to time (for free) when the place is overbooked. Some airlines let you use miles to upgrade to business.