Has anyone here flown First Class any airline? How is it and what airlines provide some of the first service within this class?

As for me, I have never flown First Class but would like to experience it one of these days. Though I have flown Business Class with Cathay Pacific several times.

NOPE......
cant afford.......

I did, on two ocassions.
One was a zillion years ago on MAS as Malaysia Airlines was known back then. No choice then as it was during an extended holiday period and First was the only class still available. My boss reluctantly agreed to foot the extra cost as otherwise I would be stranded for quite a few days. Only a short two hour flight. The crew were very attentative to the point of pampering. Food was served on luxury cutlery. Went to the airport extra early to savour its First class lounge.
The second ocasion - also eons ago - was a free upgrade (the plane had only no B Class; only E and F) on Brunei Air. Also two hour flight. But no alcohol served on this airline.
Btw WANCH, I was also once upgraded to B Class on a Cathay Pacific BKK to SG flight.
Many other free upgades to B class on quite a number of other airlines too. :)

A million times! I cant believe some people didn't; that's sad! :(

First class is great.. you get to sleeeeeep in a flat bed and a buffet tray for lunch or dinner. Plus, you get priority boarding and deboarding. :)

Never,

But how do you afford it?

I've been fortunate enough to travel first class on CX and SQ.

Since my experience with SQ was only between HKG-SIN, I'll give you my impressions of CX on a long-haul flight.

Food & wine better than biz class. CX offers caviar during their meal service.

Flight attendants very attentive (obviously) -- 3 FAs for a cabin seating 12 people.

Seats way better than J class.

CX provides PJs from Shanghai Tang to change into, as well as a very comfy duvet (not those staticky blankets) when you're ready to sleep.

Before check-in, priority check-in and access to 1st class lounge (CX's flagship lounge in HKG is awesome -- maybe the best airline lounge anywhere).

Is it worth the money? No. To me, the difference between Y and J class is more significant, and I get lounge access and priority boarding from CX anyway as a high-tier frequent flyer. But it's sure nice to be pampered.

Actually, many airlines phasing out first class and focusing on improving their business class product.

I think first class is more suitable for long-haul flights. Usually if you're an elite member flying business class, you are more likely to get bumped to first. Lie-flat beds are starting to become commonplace even for business class. CX is going to introduce them to business class very soon.

quite a few times on long-haul flights to the USA and Asia

Yes twice from Manchester to Paris and back on a British airways flight.

yep, several times, first time in 1991 in pan am (i was 6)
and others include, United, Swissair, Lan Chile, Air france, British Airways and Swiss

Never, just business or economy classes.
:dunno:

yes

first class from seattle to atlanta - with delta airlines - was nice - big leather chair, free everything, personal TV for the movie - the people in coach had to pay for headphones, drinks etc. and it was a dreadful movie

than business elite which is the highest class on the flight - atlanta - london again with delta airlines - the seat really stretched out but i couldn't sleep anyway but it was nice to lay out and get good food, drinks, tv etc. and a goodie bag

and than back again but london - cincinnatti and than cincinnati salt lake city first class again - i was so tired i fell asleep before take off and woke up when landing - and 2 minutes after i sat down the woman next to me who had ugraded herself split her drink all over me leg - it was tomato and vodka with ice - it was cold - got it cleaned up - wrapped up in a blanket and fell asleep the whole trip

I did, on two ocassions.
One was a zillion years ago on MAS as Malaysia Airlines was known back then. No choice then as it was during an extended holiday period and First was the only class still available. My boss reluctantly agreed to foot the extra cost as otherwise I would be stranded for quite a few days. Only a short two hour flight. The crew were very attentative to the point of pampering. Food was served on luxury cutlery. Went to the airport extra early to savour its First class lounge.
The second ocasion - also eons ago - was a free upgrade (the plane had only no B Class; only E and F) on Brunei Air. Also two hour flight. But no alcohol served on this airline.
Btw WANCH, I was also once upgraded to B Class on a Cathay Pacific BKK to SG flight.
Many other free upgades to B class on quite a number of other airlines too. :)

It's a same with me though I got upgraded to B Class on a CX flight from HK to LA. It was a great convenience for me since I would sleep well on economy especially travelling for around 12 hours.

But true that alot of airlines are improving their business class. In fact I see more ads on business class than first class.

But true that alot of airlines are improving their business class. In fact I see more ads on business class than first class.It's far easier to fill up the seats in business class by marketing towards the corporate community. Not many employees can fly first class without breaking company policy.

ok is there a standard or level that has to be done in order to be called "first class"

i wondered why Delta never had First Class but had "Business Elite" the hisghest class they seem to have

is it just a naming thing or an actual industry delegation?

ok is there a standard or level that has to be done in order to be called "first class"

i wondered why Delta never had First Class but had "Business Elite" the hisghest class they seem to have

is it just a naming thing or an actual industry delegation?
I don't think First Class is popular among the US carriers anymore. They're more prominently featured on long-haul international routes.

I fly 1st class on American all the time. Usually, it's on short hops out of DFW to exotic places like Tulsa or San Antonio, but it beats the hell out of sitting in coach for an hour.

Rack up enough frequent flyer miles and you get upgraded for free.

I would never pay for F class, however, I will definately use my frequent flyer miles at some point for an F class ticket. Preferably on SQ or LH (The LH Senator Lounge at FRA is supposed to be something really special).

I have flown C class though, but that's another story.

It's far easier to fill up the seats in business class by marketing towards the corporate community. Not many employees can fly first class without breaking company policy.

The thing is do we really need first class? The fact that there are improvements in business class and more people especially executives would prefer flying business than first. Also can't you get the same service for business class that you would get in first class?

The thing is do we really need first class? The fact that there are improvements in business class and more people especially executives would prefer flying business than first. Also can't you get the same service for business class that you would get in first class?
From that, it's quite obvious you have neither been in first class nor know much about what services they provide. First Class is still substantially more luxurious than Business Class even with the cabin improvements. To start, the food is far better. Imagine having a grill at your disposal. The FA-passenger ratio is also a lot lower, and because of the location of First Class at the front of the plane and the seating arrangement, there is a lot more room between seats.

Business Class is geared towards the corporate traveler who has the backing of the employer to fly a bit better than the rest of the leisure crowd. First Class is more marketed towards the truly rich who can afford to do so without hesitation.

First Class is still substantially more luxurious than Business Class even with the cabin improvements.

Couldn't agree more. There's still a material difference between First and Business. When one pays US$2-3K more for a first class ticket vs business class, there are certain expectations about service and comfort.

The question is whether there will continue to be enough overall demand for airlines to sustain a First Class cabin. AC and VS are among a number of carriers that have eliminated First Class to focus on their Business Class product. Even CX doesn't offer First Class on many of its regional routes.

when i spent many many hours delayed in the cincinnati airport - the flights boarding next to mine kept coming on the PA and saying they had openings in First class and would offer them to people for $75 or so - first takers get them

these were only domestic flights though

No, but I've flown Supersonic Class (on Concorde) :D

For the Super-Rich: beyond First Class!!


I, as do the vast majority of mere mortals, travel "cattle class" most if not all of the time I take to the air. Of the hundreds - if not a thousand - of times I had flown in a huge variety of airplane types, there are only probably about a dozen ocassions when I do go on the intermediate "Business Class" (most of which happened when the flight was full and I was bumped there FOC ).
Only twice in my life did I find myself in First Class!
The difference in service and comfort is huge.....and so is the price (once when that was the only seat available, and the other time was a free upgrade.)
But luxurious though First Class is, what the enormously rich get to enjoy in their own private jets is just stratospheric!!!

Here are some pics of proposed interiors for the VIP versions of the hot-selling latest Boeing; the 787 Dreamliner.

http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/17/business/17megajets.xlarge1.jpg
A movie theater is part of Lufthansa Technik's design for a private Boeing 787.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/17/business/17megajets.large2.jpg
The proposed master bedroom for the Dreamliner as designed by Lufthansa Technik.

Only in my dream!!!

Never, just business or economy classes.
:dunno:

just business ?

Nope, but I snuck through the curtain to use the 1st class toilet once since the ones in business were a bit busy.

A million times! I cant believe some people didn't; that's sad! :(


Wow! You must live in a fortified enclave to make a statement like that.

Wow! You must live in a fortified enclave to make a statement like that.

Or to put it another way; a frog living in a designer well. :)

A million times! I cant believe some people didn't; that's sad! :(

First class is great.. you get to sleeeeeep in a flat bed and a buffet tray for lunch or dinner. Plus, you get priority boarding and deboarding. :)

Yeah,but you are rich,i'm not :(

A million times! I cant believe some people didn't; that's sad! :(

First class is great.. you get to sleeeeeep in a flat bed and a buffet tray for lunch or dinner. Plus, you get priority boarding and deboarding. :)

Admire you ! I don't experience the service until now ......

Only twice

KUALA LUMPUR to KUANTAN on MH 1284 ( flight time : 40 minutes )

LANGKAWI to KUALA LUMPUR on MH 1451 ( flight time : 55 minutes )

The service is much better than economy , Welcome drinks before take-off and Sandwich on mid-air. It costs only RM 110 ( $ 30 ) one-way from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan by first-class compared to RM 74 ( $ 20 ) by Economy

A lot of bullshit in this thread.

Twice. 1997 on British Airways flight from KL to Jakarta (too bad the flight lasted 2 hours only).

February this year on Malaysia Airlines from KL to Sydney (8 hours flight :okay: though the weather over Australia was a bit rough).

If I am paying for my flight, I fly cattle class :D

I did twice. One was in 2003 when i was like 12. I flow first in British Airways from Bogota to London. My parents told me i was flying by Business but i arrived late to the airport and i believe that my ticket was sold to another person. They couldn't send me by world traveller because i had paid more so they decided to dend me in first. The flight was comfortable and the food was good but it really sucked because all my friends were in the economy cabin and they couldn't pass to the cabin where i was. I could but ony for short lapses of time. The way back i did came in Business which was also good.

The other case in which i travelled by first class was one year ago when i travelled by Avianca to NYC. I had a lot of fun cause' i the games in the personal tv where great. jajjjajaajaj i sleepede all of the est of the flight because that chair was soooo comfortable.

NEVER

Everytime its for buissness trips my company pays for the cost and i have my choice of class i fly first all the time accpet for domestic (then i fly buissness)

Most recent ones were:

British Airways- SYD-LON Via SIN in First its fantastic hardley anyone was in the class their was about 23 people i counted (how sad am i!!!!)

Thrice times on Qantas 1. MEL-PER in Buissness its great 2. PER-MEL Buissness 3. LON-SYD Via BAK in First

and finally Singapore Airlines 1. SYD-SIN In First Its the best first class service iv gotten by far 2. SIN-SYD Via BRI In First