Pls advise. Flying first class tomorrow but am a slob. What to expect

[avacadojam]

Ahhh pls help. Dh left flight booking so late we are now flying first. I am dreading it. We usually fly economy but had to fly on a certain day so had to take what was left. I know I shouldn’t dread it but I really am!

im currently sitting here with straggled half dyed hair, nails that look like they’ve been used on a cheese grater and clothes that would shock a medieval peasant. Do I need to go and put some effort in?!

Can you give greater detail about this tip please?

Which bit? I think @brogan1972 thinks that draping cardigans and sweaters around their shoulders will allow the OP to 'pass' for a wealthy regular first-class flyer while actually getting on the place, before whipping into the pyjamas provided.

This repetition of telling someone to be clean and fresh is making me heave 🤮 I have to say one of my pet hates that women wear now on planes are these ribbed tight lounge wear stuff. They bend over in the aisle and it is just too much. No one wants to see your thong or worse. 🤮

@MidYearDiary yup I know 😂

Depends on where you are going to surely?

Going out of Toronto, you can get business class fares for £767 (I think they have phased out first, but it used to be about £100 more than business)

Cardi for wifey

Sweater for hubby

Twee central 🤢🤮

I wish people wouldn't say that wealthy people always look scruffy. Nobody is going to wear the same outfit for a flight that they do when they're horse riding!

@Saschka you seem to be confusing business and first class

Don’t worry at all - the super rich take private jets (and I doubt they dress up) so they won’t be there to judge, and the people in first are just quite financially lucky. I really don’t think the airline staff care what you look like.

I flew first from London to Perth once and wore a silk top - with leggings! Super comfy. It was fine - the only thing that made me embarrassed was my own stupid brain saying “you don’t deserve this, you’re not famous enough” when the wonderful staff came around to offer me something. Even though I had paid for it by my own hard work. But oh, it was lovely! Don’t be me and spoil it for yourself. Wear what you like, you’re in your own pod/cabin so nobody else can see you anyway, surely?

I've flown first a couple of times (free upgrade). No-one will care at all. You'll be in your own little cocoon and waited on by smiling people. Enjoy!

No, I am well aware of the difference thank you, having flown both.

I’m saying I can’t screengrab first class fares because BA has changed the class of planes used on that route and there is no longer a first class cabin.

But business class fares on that route are £767 (not £1200 for premium economy as stated), and prior to last year, when there still was a first class cabin on that route, the fares were approx £100-200 more than business class fares during seat sales (and about £500-800 more at other times).

You normally fly economy but your husband has booked flights that are maybe 2500 pounds each?

Two and a half grand? Mine return to the States was £8k.

Glad I wasn't paying for that bugger!

I agree with pp, don't dress up. Be comfortable. I always wear a pair of draw string trousers, tshirt, cardigan and trainers. Nobody seems to dress up. I've never had my nails done in my life and have flown First Class many times.
The experience of First Class does vary airline to airline quite a lot, though.

I've been where you are @avacadojam and honestly, the people in first class don't care one bit what you look like. Baseball cap, joggers, fresh white t-shirt and some clean trainers with a cosy jacket or jumper will see you through. Depending on what airline you're flying, they'll give you some cosy pj's and slippers (frequent flyers don't wear them, but I absolutely did! They were so soft...) Enjoy the free food, booze and have your self a good kip in the lie-flat bed! I flew in the first class cabin with one old woman (80's) who spent the entire flight lying down with a hot flannel on her face, occasionally emerging for champagne. Something to aspire to...😆
Enjoy every second of it and let us know how it goes!

To those saying flights are £££ they are and we do usually fly economy but had to get a flight asap and several flights were fully booked and this one had no seats left except in first. We can afford it and I’m starting to look forward to it but I certainly was intimidated straight after we booked it as I’m quite the scruffball.

I’ve pulled myself together a little more than usual today and feeling much more comfortable now! (And realising that I do need to look after myself a bit more as I’ve actually had a nice day)

@Queenieoh that is definitely something to aspire to :-)

@Saschka which route are you taking about?

"But business class fares on that route are £767 (not £1200 for premium economy as stated), and prior to last year, when there still was a first class cabin on that route, the fares were approx £100-200 more than business class fares during seat sales (and about £500-800 more at other times)."

I didn't mention a specific flight neither did OP. I compared with another 9 hour flight as a rough comparison.

Hope you have a great time, OP!

If you don't already have an airline loyalty card, be sure to get one:

First class seats bought at full price will likely earn you a fair amount of points/miles and they add up.

“I am dreading it. We usually fly economy“! WTF! You’re crazy and you’ll never ever want to fly economy again. Enjoy 💪

@Bayern
I didn't mention latest fashions, basic care for yourself doesn't need to be pushed aside because you have kids.
No need for your snippy response.

I fly to US west cost regularly and first on BA is regularly cheaper than business (because of demand - many companies won’t pay for first regardless of cost). That said I just priced up my trip and is £19k return. I paid about £11k a few days ago

Well, whilst we are throwing out random prices, since we don't know exactly where the OP is going, which airline and whether it's a return ticket or not, a first class flight tomorrow to Dubai (only 7 hours) is 4.5k one way per person and almost 7.5k return. Which is also absolutely irrelevant but I thought I'd throw it in there to give perspective on your random pricing!

I'm guessing you don't live in the countryside? OP does (me too). Literally no one cares if your nails are done!

I recall Dame Joan Collins did a deal with BA in the 70s or 80s. She appeared in a series of ads for the airline and instead of a flat fee she negotiated free first class travel LHR-LAX for a number of years. (This was before 1st class fares took off into the stratosphere.)
Apparently she caused a certain amount of discontent among the other rich passengers as she disappeared into the 1st class bog an hour or more before landing and didn’t emerge until the last few minutes of the descent, having done a full refurb — clothes, hair, face, the lot. The price you pay for stardom/diva-hood!
This was probably in Dynasty days when loads of papparazzi would be waiting to snap her coming through Arrivals.

Ditto. Richest old money people I know (PILs) are wear old slightly scruffy clothes half the time. FIL often carries a Sainsbury's bag. They could probably buy a small airline but you'd never know - until they spoke!

I suppose if you’re Dame Joan or similar you have a certain image you have to maintain; for the rest of us it’s comfort all the way.