Flying first class

[MrsExpo]

We have go on a long haul flight later in the year and have been looking at options for flight times, departure airports, fares etc. Having done the research we're more or less decided what we're booking, but just for fun, DH looked at how much it would cost to upgrade to first class. The difference was between just under a thousand pounds for economy to around £6k (each!) for first class .... to get on the same plane, at the same airport and arrive at the same time as everyone else at the same destination.

So .... has anyone done it? Is it really worth the difference in price? What are the advantages? What do you get for the extra ££££ ?

Anyone care to share experiences?

I’ve done it when work was paying. It is corporate policy to get at least business class of the flight is long enough.

I’ve also done it when I’ve had a chance at a last minute upgrade. Sometimes they will announce that there is a first class seat open and it can be purchased for a steep, but reasonable price.

I’ve also gotten comped a few times due to flight delays.

It makes a huge difference. It is the difference between arriving at your destination, tired, grumpy, and in physical pain vs arriving feeling well rested. For me, it is completely about seat size. The perks are really not necessary.

Another tip - also look at the flight operator if booking a connection.

I do AUH-MAN a couple of times a year. Business class is around £4K direct with Etihad. Via Amsterdam or CDG I usually pay £1800. I wouldn’t book KLM business though because the seat configuration is 2-2-2 and I don’t want to sleep next to a stranger, but usually it’s a code share and you get Etihad AUH-AMS so get the single seat configuration. Also, via CDG it’s the A380 so better still.

I disagree with the PP who says you can book a lounge for £25. Yes. You can book a lounge. But not usually an airline business/first lounge. Totally different experience, fewer people (eg the Etihad Manchester lounge used to be just for Etihad business and gold members, so usually a maximum of 30 people in it). I’ve just the generic pay as you go lounges - totally incomparable.

Sorry, not rtft but, for everyone going on about the loungers, you do realise you can book them for around 25 quid pp regardless of your in flight status?

These are not the same lounges you get when you have a first class ticket.

Yes I have paid the £25 for a lounge at Gatwick in the past and they are no where near as nice as the first class ones. I think there were a few drinks that you could help yourself to and a few snacks in a £25 one. Whereas in the first class lounge you get full restaurant service wherever you sit, a fully stocked bar, entertainment areas ( sometimes a pool table etc), areas to rest or listen to the news/tv, spa/beauty area etc depending on the airline.

I totally get why people wouldn't want to spend the money on a ticket and I am glad they don't as it leaves more space for people like me that do want them. But what I don't get is why people say it's not worth it or you can get the same thing for £25 etc when they haven't actually travelled on one.

I know I have low standards but I think the basic lounge at Manchester is pretty nice - plenty of seating, no spas or sit down restaurant, but perfectly nice food that can serve as a meal if that's what you want, news/TV, wifi, free alcohol within reason, obviously not champagne by the gallon but I've had as many G&Ts as I've wanted when I've been there.

Well worth the £20 it cost me, especially as I claim it from work in lieu of an evening meal when travelling for work.

Trouble with travelling business class and going in the business class lounge is that becomes your 'norm' and then you really notice when you travel economy and use standard facilities. If economy is your norm, any little extra is quite a treat, that you really appreciate.

People say BC is not worth it to them because the cost is high for them.

You really have to have oodles of spare money to just drop £1k/£5k/whatever on a few hours of a nicer experience and most people simply aren't in this position.

@MariEDI I did mention that the best part is the bed and pillow. I agree that a lay flat option on a long haul flight is great, but I still would not personally pay for that. A few posters have mentioned the lounges. Honestly, I find even the first class lounge in T5 / UK somewhat grotty and badly kept. Crisps lying on chairs, used glasses and cups lying around. The Concorde lounge is nicer but it is an airport lounge after all. I know my family would rather be sitting in Itsu, complete with charging points! After years of spending frankly too many hours in airport lounges, I can no longer tolerate the standard smell of bitter coffee and baked croissants that seems to permeate them all. I would much rather be in the airy atmosphere of the main terminal itself. A few overseas lounges are better but in my opinion a lounge is a lounge.

I flew back from vancouver in first class, got upgraded, lovely but I would never pay my own money for it. So not worth to me the extra it would cost from business class.
Business class is to me worth it.

You really have to have oodles of spare money to just drop £1k/£5k/whatever on a few hours of a nicer experience and most people simply aren't in this position.

It's not just "lying round" for me at all. I choose to prioritise/save up for the premium airfare, and I live within my means in other areas to do so (and as mentioned previously, jump on the special offers as soon as they are launched).

For example, I don't value expensive clothes/handbags/bigger house/new car/trips to £££places like Disney etc.

Different strokes for different folks.
There is an incredible amount of reverse snobbery on this thread.

Well this thread has convinced me to fly business class if we ever go long-haul and to scrimp on some other aspects of the holiday! I already pay extra to fly short haul with a better airline as I find that makes a big difference to the experience.

Have flown business class with BA long haul and Virgin Upper Class long haul. Managed to it with air miles etc

WORTH IT !

Have flown recently to Europe just with DH business class. Such a difference when it's peak holiday time at airports. Use of lounge etc

Makes flying a wonderful experience

I have had a holiday long haul and won’t unless I can afford at least business. I can’t imagine being on a cramped upright seat for 4 hours let alone 12 plus.

Business class is definitely worth it on long haul. I hadn't thought about flying from a European airport to reduce price, so thank you to those that provided that tip.

My children have travelled in business class and they are well behaved. But they would be in economy class too. Barely speak to me and DH during the flight once they're plugged into their entertainment.

We fly economy for short haul flights as you don't get much extra and it's not worth it. I see other families flying in business and not noticed any bad behaviour. Agree that it depends when you flying tho as to how many children will be in the cabin.

Have to say that the first long haul flight they did, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads with excitement at the "poshness and space" (their words) after being used to economy short haul.

I have never had the pleasure of first class.

And the business class airport lounges are not the same as the ones that you pay for or use your PriorityPass type cards for. They are much nicer.

I think BC is totally worth it for long haul and overnight. I wouldn’t go business to NY because most flights are during the day - but I would hate to come back in economy as most flights again are overnight. We use the BA Avios card and so can get a bit of money off and I usually try to buy flights on sales. My husband is BA Gold for work and so that helps. I wouldn’t pay more than £1500 pp though and generally pay less.

I do quite a lot, perk of staff travel. Never with kids though. Business isn't as expensive and there isn't too much in it on larger airlines. I just need a lay flat bed for long haul now!

It's fantastic but I only did it once when I had to fly to Australia and back again two days later.

Depends on the airline!

Emirates - absolutely worth it especially if you have a stop - unlimited everything in the lounges!

Quantas - shite, not worth it.

KLM & Virgin - only worth it if you can get it on an offer rate, but I wouldn't pay full fare for these two.

If I could afford it I would travel Business Class for all long haul flights.
I travelled BC to Dubai last year. It was wonderful .

For example, I don't value expensive clothes/handbags/bigger house/new car/trips to £££places like Disney etc.

There is an incredible amount of reverse snobbery on this thread.

It is wonderful when someone proves their own point.

It sounds like it's worth it to do an upgrade nearer the time, OP. £10K difference for you and your husband is a hell of a lot.

To the PP who wanted to go First just the once - do it to NZ; it’s currently the longest flight in the world. You may even come close to getting your money’s worth over 18 hours.

The Q Suite is amazing and waaay better than many airlines’ First but it doesn’t become your own apartment room unless you book at least three seats. The staff:passenger ratio is 2:3 which is embarrassing but I enjoyed being able to eat and drink whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. However I can do that in my own kitchen at home and it doesn’t cost the price of a small car.

To the PP who asked about upgrading, the failsafe way to do this is to work for the airline. Another reliable method is to travel with your boss!

Kids do indeed travel in First but they tend not to be obnoxious because the staff pander to their every whim. Personally I hate kids travelling in Business (surely the clue is in the name?) as there’s no increased privacy or staffing and the kids making a racket don’t appreciate the adults alongside them need to rise at some ungodly hour to have a meeting or present.

I didn’t grow up fancy and do not enjoy the truly servile service you get in certain countries but my DH loves being channeled through customs by a lady with a clipboard .

It is wonderful when someone proves their own point.

Not really, because giving common examples of things other people prioritise to give context is not me sneering at them - which is more than evident on this thread.

More power to them, crack on, enjoy what they enjoy. Why do you care so much what other people spend their own hard-earned money on anyway?

In India and the UAE you get a chauffeured golf buggy off the plane so you don’t have to take the transfer bus; unfortunately all your fellow passengers have a good old gawp and are very disappointed that you look neither rich nor famous.

I love that Namaste. I know exactly what you mean about the distinctive smell in the lounge. There’s also a general dispiriting air of futility and boredom that makes me depressed. All but a handful of people are travelling on business or because of business, and chances are that none of us are doing anything other than making shareholders richer. My big big boss has a company private jet at his disposal but he travels 100 days of the year. I wouldn’t change.

unfortunately all your fellow passengers have a good old gawp and are very disappointed that you look neither rich nor famous

I was upgraded to Concorde once on my way home from NYC (it was a work trip - I was in my 20s, up to my ears in debt and living in a council flat at the time) and spent the (admittedly short) flight looking for rich and/or famous people. The guy sitting next to me was really badly dressed (in a Hawaiian shirt) so my conclusion was that he must be REALLY rich to be dressed that badly. I was gutted that I didn't recognise anyone. Amazing experience. Although I think I was so overawed that I didn't fully appreciate it at the time. I was massively out of my depth so I just copied Mr Hawaiian Shirt and ordered whatever he ordered.

I’ve been very lucky to travel business whenever I fly long haul which is typically about 5 times a year. It is a real treat and I am always very thankful that we are able to travel comfortably.

I’ve been upgraded to first twice and the experience really was something else. Agree with other posters Emirates are wonderful vs Virgin et al.

I’m going to the US for our summer break and my DP surprised me with first class tickets, lovely but we a baby and I’ll be mortified if she is upset and disruptive.