-
Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Has anyone ever traveled first class on a flight?
- Thread starter MattA7
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
I've travelled First Class on American and United (very much better options are available). It was always an air miles upgrade from business, which work paid for. Since the upgrade typically cost less air miles than you earned from the business class flight, it was effectively free, and it was worth that. It was a bigger seat than business, significantly so in United because their business class seats are a tiny bit meagre. It was also very much more obsequious service - they made your bed for you while you ambled off to the toilet to prepare to sleep for example.
If I was feeling flush I would probably take business class over economy, but wouldn't pay any extra for first - fully flat beds and a real proper meal are all that my entitled bones really require.
Snow1964
Established Member
Yes couple of times on BA, the service was outstanding, got upgraded on a business trip to Chicago, just 4 passengers in first and 2 flight attendants. Very comfortable large seat and bed and large TV screen, and very good food served on real plates, and of course unlimited champagne etc.
Then did a family holiday, using BA holidays to Dubai, opted for First as was special anniversary. Again brilliant on the plane, but real bonus is at Heathrow T5 (separate check in desks, priority Lane direct through immigration and scanners, straight into first class lounge (which has table service dinners, free drinks, spa etc). At Dubai they even take your luggage off conveyors if marked first. On some flights there is separate gangway for first and business, so you can skip the dreadful crowded airport shopping mall as a place to wait.
Our return from Dubai was full, 7 adults and 7 (very well behaved) children, (was end of February half term), but of course they all had access to films, games etc
Is it worth the cost, if you can get a good deal, book 6-8 months ahead, might only be paying double premium economy, then it is. But if you are going to have to pay £4k upwards per flight then no.
Worth experiencing once in a lifetime though
Then did a family holiday, using BA holidays to Dubai, opted for First as was special anniversary. Again brilliant on the plane, but real bonus is at Heathrow T5 (separate check in desks, priority Lane direct through immigration and scanners, straight into first class lounge (which has table service dinners, free drinks, spa etc). At Dubai they even take your luggage off conveyors if marked first. On some flights there is separate gangway for first and business, so you can skip the dreadful crowded airport shopping mall as a place to wait.
Our return from Dubai was full, 7 adults and 7 (very well behaved) children, (was end of February half term), but of course they all had access to films, games etc
Is it worth the cost, if you can get a good deal, book 6-8 months ahead, might only be paying double premium economy, then it is. But if you are going to have to pay £4k upwards per flight then no.
Worth experiencing once in a lifetime though
I’ve travelled on a fair selection over the years, however:
Fewer and fewer airlines offer First Class cabins on their flights, on fewer routes and on fewer aircraft, and the cabins and service styles differ not just by airline, but sometimes also between the same airline’s aircraft types.
For some passengers, the ground handling is an important part of the service and this varies between airlines and airports, too.
Some value the on board service above all else, and may therefore not find the value on a night or shorter flight. Others value the rest more and therefore would favour First and the generally smaller and quieter cabins for overnights.
There’s no fixed supplement for First Class, and there the further variability of the comparison with the airline’s business class offerings, which can themselves vary even more widely than First Class.
So, it depends on what you’re upgrading from, what you’re upgrading to, the length and time of day/night of the flight, what you value, whether there are any compromises associated with having to be limited to a particular service which offers First, and then what the comparative prices are (and indeed if it’s a case of using frequent flyer miles).
The internet is full of trip reports that may help you decide, of course.
Shimbleshanks
Member
Years, no, decades ago, on Pan Am from Heathrow to New York, not long before they were swallowed up by United Airlines. A freebie - the firm I worked for had an arrangement with a number of airlines. Getting on the Subway to reach my hotel in New York was a bit of a come-down after being wined and dined across the Atlantic.
That's my one and only experience of First Class, though I find Business class seating very much more comfortable on a long flight - the difference being that you can stretch out and get some proper sleep without doubling up and giving yourself a crick in the neck in Economy. But as to whether it's worth it - if it's my own money, I can think of many far more useful things to spend a few hundred pounds on.
I've also flown in the upper deck 'bubble' on a Cargolux jumbo freighter, again decades ago. The top deck had about 12 first class seats, with a stewardess to look after us - a nice Irish girl who told me all about her previous job working on the private jet of an African potentate.
"I had to give it up after the plane crashed," she said. "Bet you were glad you weren't on it," I said. "Oh, I was."
That's my one and only experience of First Class, though I find Business class seating very much more comfortable on a long flight - the difference being that you can stretch out and get some proper sleep without doubling up and giving yourself a crick in the neck in Economy. But as to whether it's worth it - if it's my own money, I can think of many far more useful things to spend a few hundred pounds on.
I've also flown in the upper deck 'bubble' on a Cargolux jumbo freighter, again decades ago. The top deck had about 12 first class seats, with a stewardess to look after us - a nice Irish girl who told me all about her previous job working on the private jet of an African potentate.
"I had to give it up after the plane crashed," she said. "Bet you were glad you weren't on it," I said. "Oh, I was."
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Does Concorde count?
Priority check in; very large spacious lounge with free nibbles and drinks, more attention at all times.
Then when on board, larger seats ( see avatar picture ) with decent legroom - not true first class spacing as it wasn't a huge aircraft, but certainly not cramped - and the in flight meal was definitely better than anything in economy.
Priority check in; very large spacious lounge with free nibbles and drinks, more attention at all times.
Then when on board, larger seats ( see avatar picture ) with decent legroom - not true first class spacing as it wasn't a huge aircraft, but certainly not cramped - and the in flight meal was definitely better than anything in economy.
alistairlees
Established Member
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2016
- Messages
- 3,737
I had the chance to go on Concorde shortly after the Paris crash. With hindsight I should have!
I did Virgin First Class to Hong Kong in the 90s (I was doing a project there). Fabulous service, food and drink, great in-flight entertainment, and a huge seat (I assume it reclined but can't remember how much). The flight on the way back was cancelled, so I had to come back on Cathay (in economy!). On the plus side I got so many free Virgin Airmiles to compensate that I was able to go to San Francisco twice for free (once including my girlfriend). Those were the days!
RJ
Established Member
I've travelled First Class on Cathay Pacific. It was lovely. Top level of service, decent food (for an aeroplane) and a fairly nice champagne. I had to write in to commend the crew, an amazing experience. The Pier at Hong Kong Airport was nice - there was a fine dining style restaurant, an open cocktail bar and private suites to relax in.
Also travelled in Singapore Airlines First Class Suites from Singapore to London. Dom Perignon 2006 and waffles for breakfast in The Private Room. When the lounge host sees your ticket, they leave their post and escort you past the hustle and bustle of the business class lounge and the less busy First Class lounge before handing you over to the TPR team. After breakfast, onto the A380 where I was greeted by name and shown to my suite. There were only two of us in the twelve suite cabin. To say the service was attentive would be an understatement. I don't like to ask for much but I didn't have to - they had it covered. Lobster, caviar, champagne (you can have Dom P or Krug or both!) and I sampled some Blue Mountain coffee. Wonderful.
I've tried long haul business class with a few airlines - British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Singapore Airlines and Virgin (Upper Class) - but that's for another topic.
Generally the step up from economy to business is the lounges, the lie-flat seat and a slightly nicer food offering. The beverages on offer are usually the £20-£30 bottles you find in the supermarket. The step up from business to first is smaller - you still get a lie-flat seat, although in a less dense cabin with more space and higher end food and drink. But people will pay for the privacy and attentive service. There are also a lot of unwritten rules of how to comport yourself in business and first. There doesn't appear to be many other people in their 20s in the lounges or on board at any one time.
Covid has made me postpone a few trips - a British Airways First return to the Caribbean, a trip to Asia via the UAE (I heard Emirates serves Hennessey Paradis!) and another trip on Singapore Airlines, this time in the new Suites.
Something I have learned is that you should really research what your business or First Class ticket entitles you to and be organised in order to make the most of it. Certain bits of information don't just come to you - you have to find it.
As for the price, it costs less than a cheap economy ticket which works ok for me. I wasn't to know that the unfortunate circumstances that got me into railway ticketing would lead to me moving onto deal hunting with airline ticketing
.
I believe Concorde was an all-business aircraft due to those short journey times, but well jealous of those lucky enough to be able to fly on it!
Also travelled in Singapore Airlines First Class Suites from Singapore to London. Dom Perignon 2006 and waffles for breakfast in The Private Room. When the lounge host sees your ticket, they leave their post and escort you past the hustle and bustle of the business class lounge and the less busy First Class lounge before handing you over to the TPR team. After breakfast, onto the A380 where I was greeted by name and shown to my suite. There were only two of us in the twelve suite cabin. To say the service was attentive would be an understatement. I don't like to ask for much but I didn't have to - they had it covered. Lobster, caviar, champagne (you can have Dom P or Krug or both!) and I sampled some Blue Mountain coffee. Wonderful.
I've tried long haul business class with a few airlines - British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Singapore Airlines and Virgin (Upper Class) - but that's for another topic.
Generally the step up from economy to business is the lounges, the lie-flat seat and a slightly nicer food offering. The beverages on offer are usually the £20-£30 bottles you find in the supermarket. The step up from business to first is smaller - you still get a lie-flat seat, although in a less dense cabin with more space and higher end food and drink. But people will pay for the privacy and attentive service. There are also a lot of unwritten rules of how to comport yourself in business and first. There doesn't appear to be many other people in their 20s in the lounges or on board at any one time.
Covid has made me postpone a few trips - a British Airways First return to the Caribbean, a trip to Asia via the UAE (I heard Emirates serves Hennessey Paradis!) and another trip on Singapore Airlines, this time in the new Suites.
Something I have learned is that you should really research what your business or First Class ticket entitles you to and be organised in order to make the most of it. Certain bits of information don't just come to you - you have to find it.
As for the price, it costs less than a cheap economy ticket which works ok for me. I wasn't to know that the unfortunate circumstances that got me into railway ticketing would lead to me moving onto deal hunting with airline ticketing
.I believe Concorde was an all-business aircraft due to those short journey times, but well jealous of those lucky enough to be able to fly on it!
Last edited:
Harpers Tate
Established Member
- Joined
- 10 May 2013
- Messages
- 1,700
I have used Virgin's "Upper Class" on many occasions - mostly with miles upgrades but some paid for (at discounted rates). Virgin pitch "Upper Class" (which is the best they offer) as, really, a business class offering rather than true First. As others have said - it's a lot more civilized than Economy (or Premium Economy for that matter) with dedicated check-in areas, lounge access (esp. at LHR which is outstanding) and a high degree of comfort and service onboard. UC seats recline fully into a flat bed and a duvet, pillow and "sleep suit" are all provided. Ends with priority egress and priority baggage handling. Worth it? Depends on the price differential (which varies hugely) vs. your budget. If you can totally spare the cost without it impacting on other aspects of your trip then, I'd say yes.
Whistler40145
Established Member
No, not prepared to pay for it
No.
However, I would point out that there's no standard definition of first class. On an Aegean European flight the seat size is exactly the same in economy and first. The difference is in first the middle seat is replaced with a table, there's extra leg room and the on board catering service is also different. I actually looked at it in detail when Aegean sent me an email saying I could 'bid' for an upgrade. I also observed in my case the relevant first class lounge at Manchester Airport would have been closed at the time I was travelling!
However, I would point out that there's no standard definition of first class. On an Aegean European flight the seat size is exactly the same in economy and first. The difference is in first the middle seat is replaced with a table, there's extra leg room and the on board catering service is also different. I actually looked at it in detail when Aegean sent me an email saying I could 'bid' for an upgrade. I also observed in my case the relevant first class lounge at Manchester Airport would have been closed at the time I was travelling!
nlogax
Established Member
Domestic US a few times, all pretty 'meh' to be honest. Internationally, just once. Did BA from Austin to London last year on what turned out to be the final night of 747 service on the route, and way closer to their general demise with BA than anyone anticipated. For whatever reason the first class seat was cheaper than Club so I went with it. It was a decent experience but at regular prices it's not one I'd regularly choose over business class. Keeping that seat 2A paper ticket for posterity though!
221129
Established Member
Thats Aegean calling business class first class and cannot be compared to long haul first or business.
Domestic US first is more or less equivalent to premium economy on long-haul flights - bigger seats and the slop they call food comes in a bigger bucket. I'd do it in preference to cramping my legs up in economy, but it's not an experience.
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
Multiple times.
RJ
Established Member
Short haul business class is a very different product to long haul first class.
For short haul flights luxury isn't the aim of the game. It's primarily to provide a bit of extra comfort and convenience to those who spend a lot of time in the sky, or those are otherwise prepared to pay for the experience.
For short haul flights luxury isn't the aim of the game. It's primarily to provide a bit of extra comfort and convenience to those who spend a lot of time in the sky, or those are otherwise prepared to pay for the experience.
SouthEastBuses
On Moderation
Haven't been on first class no, but the closest I've been to first class is BA Club Europe Short Haul Business Class on the Airbus A320-232.
This is one of the other issues; what airlines call their classes and what passengers understand by them is also wildly variable, or vague, or misunderstood.
What used to be shorthaul Business Class in Europe and Asia is what North American carriers tend to refer to as their First Class.
In Europe nowadays, with the exception probably of Turkish only, shorthaul Business Class utilises the same seats and, often, the same pitch as Economy Class, but with the middle or adjacent seat blocked.
In Asia, a number of airlines have gone the other way and upgraded their shorthaul Business Class seats to cocooned angled lie flat products. On the face of it, that's good, but in practice it's driven by their fleets being wide body aircraft that regularly get switched on to midhaul and even the odd longhaul route. In the round then, shorthaul passengers do well, but longer-distance travellers can sometimes find themselves short-changed versus their expectations.
The North Americans, however, almost universally (with the notable exception of jetBlue Mint and a few other Trans Continental products) have stuck with the old Euro/Asian shorthaul Business Class format of a larger, wider, more reclining armchair. And they call it First Class.
jetBlue Mint is, by any measure, better than domestic North American First Class, but uses seats found in other airlines' longhaul business classes, and jetBlue doesn't have airport lounges.
Virgin (never knowingly under self-promoted) Atlantic Upper Class is a business class product, despite their inferences. Up until the latest embodiments, their seat was (and still is on older aircraft) the same as the Air New Zealand business class seat, which they call Business Premier.
Aegean Airlines does not operate First Class; their service offer is Economy or Business Class, and they are a shorthaul carrier only, so that's a case of the user potentially not being aware of what a First Class product really is. Likewise, British Airways does not operate a shorthaul First Class; it's Economy or Business - titled EuroTraveller and Club Europe.
It's not an uncommon misconception to refer to anything other than Economy as First Class; indeed it's been common in the past for some folks to report having travelled First Class from Orlando to Manchester, when in fact they've actually been on a Thomas Cook A330 in their front seats, which roughly compared to network airlines' Premium Economy.
The full list of longhaul airlines operating First Class on selected services at the moment is, I think:
Air China
Air France
Air India
All Nippon Airways
American Airlines (Entitled Flagship First to differentiate from domestic)
Bamboo Airways
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
China Eastern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
El Al
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Garuda Indonesia
Japan Airlines
Korean AirKuwait Airways
Lufthansa
Oman Aviation
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Saudia
Shanghai Airlines
Singapore Airlines
SWISS
TAAG Angola Airlines
Thai Airways
XiamenAir
Apologies if I have missed any, but assuming that the above is exhaustive, then any other airline's 'top' product is a version of Business Class, rather than First Class.
Cathay Pacific Gatwick-Hong Kong, then 35 minutes after arrival Hong Kong-Osaka in
More recently, I've flown First, Business Class and Premium Economy with BA Heathrow-Phoenix. First was an upgrade with air miles and, no, it wouldn't have been worth it to pay the full fare.
Virgin Upper Class is now my preference, and it's quite good enough. Only used it Gatwick-Havana in 2015 so far.
The one benefit of First Class was that BA lost our luggage between T1 and T4 at Heathrow on the way out, so it was a few years ago obviously, but on arrival at Phoenix they threw money at us to compensate, we bought some new clothes in Walmart the following day and had plenty left over, plus our luggage was delivered to us in Tucson pretty quickly the following day anyway.
Last edited:
Cathay Pacific First Class in 1984 was brilliant, but I was only 22 or so at the time. I remember the check-in at Gatwick, with a token piece of red carpet, an older couple were in front of me but when they produced their tickets they clearly weren't First Class tickets, and the check-in lady was ever so polite to them but essentially made them step aside and checked me in before them. I had the same seat, behind the table in the middle, for both legs of my journey and was able to hustle through the old Hong Kong airport to get my connecting flight to Osaka.
BA First Class was annoying when travelling as a couple, because we were too far apart. If I'd been on my own it would have been fine, obviously. I remember you had to move to your companion's seat area if you wanted to eat together, as we did, but it was a bit of a faff which wasn't necessary in Business Class. There was no significantly better service that I could sense in First Class than in Business Class, but clearly this was BA a few years ago and I no longer like travelling with BA if I can avoid it, their "offering" is not worth the money in any class any more for me.
BA First Class was annoying when travelling as a couple, because we were too far apart. If I'd been on my own it would have been fine, obviously. I remember you had to move to your companion's seat area if you wanted to eat together, as we did, but it was a bit of a faff which wasn't necessary in Business Class. There was no significantly better service that I could sense in First Class than in Business Class, but clearly this was BA a few years ago and I no longer like travelling with BA if I can avoid it, their "offering" is not worth the money in any class any more for me.
nlogax
Established Member
Absolutely agree. I have more than enough Avios to upgrade my partner and I on upcoming flights but it wouldn't feel like a shared experience when we're either side of wide aisle or walled off by a high partition.
Another vote for Virgin Upper Class from me (although work pick up the tab so won't pass comment on the price). The lounge at LHR is amazing as mentioned upthread; there's even a salon there so you can get a free haircut before setting off! The cabin itself (on the Dreamliners) has a bar area at the back of the Upper Class section which is pretty cool -- does tend to get quite lively on the Friday night redeye flights back from the far east though I have to say!
TravelDream
Member
- Joined
- 7 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 675
The step up from economy to business class (Upper Class in Virgin Atlantic speak/ Club World in BA speak) is massive. The step up from business to first class isn't really that big to be honest.
As stated above, fewer and fewer airlines are operating first class nowadays because there just isn't the business case for it.
The only airline I have ever flown it on is Emirates and that was an upgrade as first was oversold. It was luxurious, if a little gaudy, but I* would never pay the additional cost of first as the benefits over business are small. *Most times I have flown business, my work have paid - I have paid for it with miles and from my own pocket though as well.* You can get some amazing deals in business if you are willing to fly with certain airlines at the right time of year.
To me, the major benefits of business/ first are:
- The easier process when checking in and going through security.
- The more spacious and quieter cabin, and the all important lie-flat seat.
Other things like the lounge, better food etc are very nice, but the above two things are what really makes it for me.
As stated above, fewer and fewer airlines are operating first class nowadays because there just isn't the business case for it.
The only airline I have ever flown it on is Emirates and that was an upgrade as first was oversold. It was luxurious, if a little gaudy, but I* would never pay the additional cost of first as the benefits over business are small. *Most times I have flown business, my work have paid - I have paid for it with miles and from my own pocket though as well.* You can get some amazing deals in business if you are willing to fly with certain airlines at the right time of year.
To me, the major benefits of business/ first are:
- The easier process when checking in and going through security.
- The more spacious and quieter cabin, and the all important lie-flat seat.
Other things like the lounge, better food etc are very nice, but the above two things are what really makes it for me.
Last edited:
raetiamann
Member
- Joined
- 15 Sep 2013
- Messages
- 226
We have done first a couple of times - to Vancouver and Singapore. Service is excellent and you dine at the time of your choice. Beds very comfortable and on the 777 the window blinds worked very nicely. Is it worth the extra? Yes for the experience, but we would useuallybe quite happy in Business.
Same here, will not pay for it. I had a chance for a paid-for First class freebie to the US with BA but couldn't go due to work.
To make matters worse my mates sent me pics and videos.
Never have done, but thinking about it for a couple of LH trips in the next couple of years.
Generally speaking, is it ‘cheaper’ to upgrade through Avios / similar than to pay up front? I don’t
have membership of any frequent flyer scheme.
Also, what times of year are good for good business / upper / first flights to North America or Hong
Kong?
Generally speaking, is it ‘cheaper’ to upgrade through Avios / similar than to pay up front? I don’t
have membership of any frequent flyer scheme.
Also, what times of year are good for good business / upper / first flights to North America or Hong
Kong?
What would be the cost of the upgrade? What was the cost of the paid for flight? Why was it free? Did you have to travel? Was it for business or leisure?
The proposition with premium cabins is a little bit like mobile phone contracts; the pricing and inclusions are deliberately constructed to target specific audiences, subjectively, so it’s impossible to objectively advise, in all honesty.
It was free, I didn't need to pay for the flight as someone else would. Not going any further as it's personal.
- Status