Have you ever flown business or first class?

Was it worth it?

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

We were bumped up once because I arrived at the airport about 2 minutes after they closed our flight at check-in - EEK! Luckily, my husband had a silver frequent-flyer membership card at the time and they managed to find us seats - although DH wouldn't speak to me for most of the flight because he was so mad at me!

It was on Virgin and they had all these great things like free in-flight spa services, but I was too excited about the flat-bed and didn't get to take advantage of anything because I was asleep the whole time! It was great, but I don't think I could justify spending the extra money, but that's just me...

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

yes I have, for longer flights (international) I definitely think if you have the $ to spend on it, its sooo worth it!

for short flights, no I dont think its worth it at all.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

For work I fly business class and it is so much better than coach. The chairs are so much more comfortable and the food is not as nasty.
However, when I found out how much it costs I would never pay that much out my my own pocket! I think it was like $6,000 for 2 people round trip to Switzerland in business class
It isn't worth that much $$$ IMO, unless you are getting a better deal than that I woukdn't upgrade.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

DH & I flew to Hawaii first class (roundtrip) and it was definitely worth it.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

I've never paid for it, but I have been bumped up to first class a few times. I could see it being worth it for long international flights.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

my brother works for the airlines so i fly first class a lot. i honestly don't think it's worth it at all for short trips...if it's longer than 3 or 4 hours and you can afford it (especailly if it's to europe) it's worth it though so much more $

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

Yes...twice but as a free upgrade due to the airlines mistakes...It was fantastic and if I had the money I would do it all the time

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

I work for an airline so every chance that I get when traveling standby I wait to try and get business or 1st class.


I agree with some of the other posters- if its a 2-3 hour flight coach is fine but if you are gooing to Europe or something over 4 or 5 hours and you have the extra $$$$$ I say its worth it.

Keep in mind, if you are traveling to the Carribean or something mot too far ioff the service is not as elaborate so don't be dissappointed.

SOme airlines let you upgrade @ the airport day of trip for a very small fee- Air Jamaica does that. We upgraded for like 100. each day of enroute to our honeymoon.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

I think it depends. I have traveled business class a bunch of times and coach a bunch of times. Air Jamaica's first class is super cheap (like $500 rt pp), so we always do that. But for longer flights (we have traveled to South Africa, Mauritius, etc.), it is way too expensive to do it. It would be about $10,000 for both of us.

The solution is to get the bulkhead or emergency exit. We almost always get them. Sometimes you have to pay a little more (like $100 pp per trip), but it is so much better.

Unfortunately, coming back from South Africa on KLM, I was unable to get them. I felt so claustrophob in coach. I took an Ambien and was out for a good portion of the flight.

Now because we have been traveling a lot, we have earned a ton of miles. So on our next trip I will use them to upgrade to business class rather than get a free coach seat.

Message edited 7/4/2006 4:44:12 PM.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

I agree, I think for longer flights (especially international flights which can be overnight flights) it's worth it.

For our HM, DH and I upgraded using our airmiles. Unfortunately though, Continental charges $450 pp for each leg in addition to using your miles for upgrades. So, we compromised and spent the extra $$ to fly home from Paris first class. I wasn't about to sit in a middle seat for 8 hours!! On our way to London I didn't mind because the row was only two seats in coach.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

I only do if I get bumped or use my miles. Totally worth it in that case!!!

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

We upgrade ourselves to business on our honeymoon (to Greece)...was so worth it. It was ~9 hour flight...

We flew to Germany in the emergency row and that was practically the same as business class (minus the extra service you get in business/first class). Was quite roomy.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

If you fly a red eye then it is totally worth it.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

For work and sometimes DH and I will travel first class. It is so much worth it. I love it.

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

yes - it is worth it only for long flights

Re: Have you ever flown business or first class?

I have flown first class a few times because my uncle works for Delta and I have been lucky to be upgraded a few times because of him.

I went to Ireland about 4 years ago with my grandmother and we flew first class both ways. It was absolutely amazing. The service, wine, and even food were top notch. If the price differential weren't so great, I would fly first class all the time, especially on long trips.