Would you fly first class for £600

[sangeetsandra]

It’s £600 each on top of what we have currently paid for a prem econ flight. So £1200 for both of us.

It’s a 7 hour day flight to north America. It will be to celebrate becoming a GP.

It’s a lot of money for us right now - but what’s life without a little splurge?

Depends on what First Class would actually be. Some flights it's a whole seperate area with table service, a bar area you can stand in, linen tablecloths and set up for meals, etc. Other flights it's just a row of seats at the front where the seats are more comfy and you get complementystuff, but you're essentially in the same cabin as everyone else. The first would be worth it for the experience, the second would not.

I suspect you're being offered the second type, so I wouldn't

Not for ba

That's a good deal....

Would business class rather than First be a compromise? Which airline is it?

Depends which airline.
depends if actually first class (very few airlines have this now) or business class.

if actual first class then yes - again depending on airline you will get a special first class lounge you can loiter in for 3 hours before the flight. Eg Qantas first class lounge in Sydney you can get one free massage or beauty treatment and incredible food and drink. Really handy if flight’s delayed…

business on BA and the terrible bog standard over crowded terraces lounge at Heathrow - hard pass.

I suspect it's actually Virgin's "Upper Class" instead of "first class" - is that right, OP? So more comparable to a business class upgrade.

I haven't done it with Virgin but I do think they are one of the better business class products - with a bar area on some flights etc.

I would look into what plane you're flying on and what the perks might be.. I'd be tempted to do it if you can afford it but do think that the time will go very quickly. I also agree that PE in Virgin is great so perhaps not worth it?

If it was BA I'd be even more tempted though as I think their PE product is crap!

Depends on the timing. 10am departure, no. 10pm departure HELL YES.

Although I would also prob prioritise the more jet laggey direction and possibly fly 1st just one way

I've found daytime first class to be a bit of a waste tbh but over night : YES,

For a 7 hour flight, I'm not sure I'd bother.

I would spend the money on a really swanky hotel and the best of restaurants but that's just my personal preference.

Going to Australia or New Zealand and long haul flights I would.

Is this going to be your biggest, longest flight once in a lifetime holiday? If it's a once in a life time thing, I can see why you are tempted.

Enjoy the holiday, which is the main thing, whatever you decide.

Yes, we had some amazing splurge holidays pre kids. I don't regret a single penny. We did some crazy expensive things that we couldnt do now. Naybe we would be a few grand richer but that would have been spent anyway by now and we have lifelong memories of some amazimg experiences that cement us together as a couple. We have pics up on the wall of some of the trips and when times do get tough it helps to look at them and remember how much fun we had and how lucky we are.
Life might change and you might not get the opportunity again, or maybe you will.
If it isnt going to break the bank then go for it.

Depends on flight time, airline and time difference at the end of the journey??

Personally no.

I try and look at the equivalents. £1200 would be a 4 night mini break to Europe for me and dh (we went to Mallorca in June and it was about this price including transfers for a 5* AI hotel).

For me, I just don't see the value. Whilst we're reasonably comfortable, we're not SO comfortable that money is inconsequential and there are just other things I'd far rather spend £1200 on.

Hell yes

@Bananafofana Not sure what’s going on with the BA T5 lounges! Didn’t used to be as crowded as they now appear to be - and bag drop was the other end of the terminal from the short stay “drop off” parking operators! Very odd!

First Class or Business Class?

Who are you traveling with?

I’ve recently flown business class to the far east and to the west coast of the US for work. I concluded that no way would I pay business (or first - though sometimes first can be same price as business depending on deals) for a day flight. The only real point of business is the flat bed. First I imagine is a bit more luxurious but I think I’d rather go premium economy for a wider seat (but doesn’t lie flat) and keep the rest of the money for spending while there, if I were you. The US is not cheap!

And congrats on becoming a GP 🎉

Business is flat bed on BA. PE really isn’t that good!

@sangeetsandra, is your question is it worth £600 each to upgrade on BA from Premium Economy to First?

If so, definitely yes.

Doesn't matter that it's only 7 hours.
If you're leaving from Heathrow T5, you get access to the Concorde Room before you leave so your holiday starts early.

Do not think twice.
Oh, and get the pyjamas and put them on.
Little beats lying in bed in pyjamas drinking champagne as you fly across the pond - even on a daytime flight.

If it’s a night flight, I would do it. I sometimes upgrade myself to Business for a transatlantic flight and feel so much better when I arrive in London. A few hours sleep makes a big difference.

If iIt’s a daytime flight though, I wouldn’t bother.

We did this last year and flew Virgin Upper Class to JFK and back. It was a great experience, I slept really well on the lay flat bed and the food was great. Teen DC were in front row of premium economy and I definitely think we got the better deal!

Personally think business class is better value than first class , particularly for a 7 hour flight.

It’s probably because people just aren’t flying to the US at the moment so the airlines are flying with loads of spare seats.
My friend works for the umbrella company of an airline and says planes to the US are unseasonably empty!

I would pay that to travel first class to the far east, but but for a 7 hour flight. Spend it on something else a bit special

I wouldn’t pay for anything except economy. It’s a massive waste of money to me.
DH likes the legroom so we’ve done it a few times but I don’t appreciate it.

Not really relevant, but are you celebrating becoming a grandparent or a general practitioner? Are you flying to visit the grandchild in New York, because if not then flying to a different country is rather an odd way to mark the occasion!

But don't worry - any excuse for a holiday is valid in my opinion. Actually, you don't need an excuse at all.

Depends on the type of flyer you are. We flew first class for our honeymoon and because I’m such a nervous flyer I didn’t really enjoy it. Vomiting in first class was just as bad as vomiting in economy. DH loved it and wants to do it again, I’ll tag along but for me it wasn’t worth it. I will say I’m glad I tried it just so I can say I’ve done it and tick it off the bucket list. If you’re celebrating, celebrate! Go hard or go home!

No. £600 is nearly what I'd spend on a week's holiday!