Airfare upgrade, I just can’t, but would you?

FD1000 said:
Why not?
If people are already willing to pay 6–8 times more, why not 10–12 times? At the end of the day, it’s all about supply and demand.

Generally airlines have raised first-class or business-class fares by a higher percentage than economy fares over the past decade, though it varies by route, carrier, and market conditions.
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Why not? Because you reach the point where flying private becomes a better deal with a lot less hassle.

My neighbor just flew himself and his wife from Palm Beach to Boston for $25k total.

I'd guess that's the other end of the calculation the CEOS already make. You start charging $7-8k for that seat and suddenly people have other options.
 
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Tetto said:
That makes no sense. If they raise it ridiculously high, the obvious result will be only the truly wealthy will utilize it. If I have to pay $28000 to fly first class, I will not do it. Those much wealthier than I perhaps will not blink. I’ll be out.
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Last year, I was waiting for my Emirates flight in their lounge at JFK. This lounge is shared by business class (which is what I was traveling in) and first class. Emirates first class goes way beyond business class - you get your own suite and the use of a shower onboard.
There were two young women in the lounge talking very loudly and I heard one say to the other "I hope my video gets enough views to pay for this trip". After listening to their chatter, I realized that they were Instagram influencers booked in first class. They had each paid $20k for their tickets. In contrast, my business class seat was "only" $6500 :)
The highlight of that flight for me was enjoying a beer in the bar on the upper deck. The Emirates long-haul A380s are configured with the entire upper deck for premium seats. The first class cabin is up front and business class at the rear. There is a separate lounge/bar for first class!

IMG_3356.jpegIMG_3354.jpeg

Finally, to address your point about market segmentation: airlines are adding more classes to cater to every kind of traveler. For example, in their latest 787-9 aircraft with the "Elevate" interior, United has 5 (or 4 depending on how you look at it) classes: Polaris suite, Polaris, Premium Economy, Economy Plus and Economy.
 
We are flying first class round trip next month for the first time ever, but the flight in only just under 3 hours. The cost is a little more than double economy. It will be nice to board first and have more legroom and a comfy seat, but I doubt we'll conclude it was worth it after all. I'm reading we'll get breakfast and drinks too, but not sure yet. We'll see.

The warden doesn't know I booked us in first class, she only saw the charge, and probably assumed it was higher due to higher fuel costs. It will be interesting to see how she reacts...
 
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Midpack said:
We are flying first class round trip next month for the first time ever. The cost is a little more than double economy. It will be nice to board first and have more legroom and a comfy seat, but I doubt we'll conclude it was worth it after all. I'm reading we'll get food and drinks too, but not sure yet. We'll see.
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I predict you will conclude it's worth it. While you're sitting in First Class, you likely won't be thinking about what you could have paid for Economy. But you likely will be thinking how much more comfortable it is - not just the seating, but the overall lack of "congestion" from being in a much less crowded part of the plane.
 
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Midpack said:
We are flying first class round trip next month for the first time ever. The cost is a little more than double economy. It will be nice to board first and have more legroom and a comfy seat, but I doubt we'll conclude it was worth it after all. I'm reading we'll get breakfast and drinks too, but not sure yet. We'll see.
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Order yourself a congratulatory Bloody when you first sit down!
 
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Midpack said:
We are flying first class round trip next month for the first time ever. The cost is a little more than double economy. It will be nice to board first and have more legroom and a comfy seat, but I doubt we'll conclude it was worth it after all. I'm reading we'll get breakfast and drinks too, but not sure yet. We'll see.
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I don't mind boarding last and get another 30% discount.:)
 
Midpack said:
We are flying first class round trip next month for the first time ever. The cost is a little more than double economy. It will be nice to board first and have more legroom and a comfy seat, but I doubt we'll conclude it was worth it after all. I'm reading we'll get breakfast and drinks too, but not sure yet. We'll see.
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If it's domestic, it's not leaps and bounds better, but at a 2x markup that's a no brainer. You'll board first, your luggage will be tagged separately, and with some airlines that means your bags get off first too. That means both you and your bags are out of the plane and airport faster. Time gained roundtrip? An hour, easy.

The food can be meh, the drinks not really a deal if you're not in the mood/schedule is not good for it, driving after, etc. But on the way home if you have an uber waiting and it's a later flight? Perfect.

No jostling for overhead space, no armpit-smell guy shelling pistachios with his teeth next to you. No 2 year old with no headphones playing Bluey videos. If you want to nap/relax, it's just easier.
 
Tetto said:
That makes no sense. If they raise it ridiculously high, the obvious result will be only the truly wealthy will utilize it. If I have to pay $28000 to fly first class, I will not do it. Those much wealthier than I perhaps will not blink. I’ll be out.
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Obviously. So they'll stop increasing first class fares when the demand drops off.

Basic economics.
 
chemEguy said:
The flight is often part of the vacation, I appreciate making it comfortable. Sitting on the tarmac in First is not unpleasant in the slightest.
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For us the "experience" of traveling begins when the car service pulls into the driveway to take us to the airport. It's the entire journey and not just the arrival.
Pamper me.

Its really simple: I don't tolerate being uncomfortable, cramped or crowded at home, why would I put up with it when traveling?
 
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Comes down to how refreshed you want to be when you land. If you have a day layover and can crawl into bed when you arrive, economy it is.

I cannot afford Premium or First Class. I marvel at the folks who can. And I am nearing multiples.

I am only 44 though. Maybe as I get into my late 50s, my attitude will change and I will start shelling out 8 to 10k per flight.

I look at how they packed the astronauts into the Orion Space Capsule, and it does not give me hope for humanity that we will be getting any extra legroom out of economy in my lifetime lolol.
 
kgtest said:
Comes down to how refreshed you want to be when you land. If you have a day layover and can crawl into bed when you arrive, economy it is.

I cannot afford Premium or First Class. I marvel at the folks who can. And I am nearing multiples.

I am only 44 though. Maybe as I get into my late 50s, my attitude will change and I will start shelling out 8 to 10k per flight.

I look at how they packed the astronauts into the Orion Space Capsule, and it does not give me hope for humanity that we will be getting any extra legroom out of economy in my lifetime lolol.
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I’m not prepared to spend 8K per flight. But 1.4K to fly roundtrip east coast to west coast direct in First. Heck yeah. Total no brainer.
 
kgtest said:
I cannot afford Premium or First Class. I marvel at the folks who can. And I am nearing multiples.

I am only 44 though. Maybe as I get into my late 50s, my attitude will change and I will start shelling out 8 to 10k per flight..
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I've noticed a lot of people on this forum who were adamantly against First 10-15 years ago are now deciding that it's not such a bad idea.

Old bones, a much bigger (and growing) portfolio and a "what am I saving it for" (if I don't fly First, my kids will) mentality may eventually override the pocket.
 
marko said:
I've noticed a lot of people on this forum who were adamantly against First 10-15 years ago are now deciding that it's not such a bad idea.

Old bones, a much bigger (and growing) portfolio and a "what am I saving it for" (if I don't fly First, my kids will) mentality may eventually override the pocket.
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Exactly! We gradually progressed as we aged and as our investments continued to grow, and our years left for long distance traveling continued to shrink.
 
marko said:
I've noticed a lot of people on this forum who were adamantly against First 10-15 years ago are now deciding that it's not such a bad idea.

Old bones, a much bigger (and growing) portfolio and a "what am I saving it for" (if I don't fly First, my kids will) mentality may eventually override the pocket.
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Not to mention a few of those international flights where you arrived the next day thinking...oh crap I have to do that again to get home...
 
Last year I spent $8.5K round trip to Singapore on United Polaris. I checked into the St Regis when I got in, where I would stay for a week, and I headed out to lunch with school friends. They were surprised when they learned that I had just got in a couple of hours earlier. They commented how rested I looked and there were no signs of the long flight, let alone jet lagged. It was a very small price to pay for comfort.
 
Midpack said:
We are flying first class round trip next month for the first time ever. The cost is a little more than double economy. It will be nice to board first and have more legroom and a comfy seat, but I doubt we'll conclude it was worth it after all. I'm reading we'll get breakfast and drinks too, but not sure yet. We'll see.
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We appreciate domestic First class but on relatively short flights it doesn’t make a huge difference. Where we live it is routinely 24 hours door to door to our vacation home or a trip overseas. And that lie flat seat and sleeping much of the trip is a game changer. Better food, guaranteed aisle seat for my aging bladder and many less passengers fighting over the toilets helps a lot too.

Racking up more points traveling in Bus or FC buys tickets and perks too, access to lounges on long layovers is surprisingly valuable. free and higher luggage allowances all contribute to a much better and easier travel experience.

My status on American gets us 3 bags at 70bs each. Saves several hundred bucks each trip home to South America where we bring a lot back.
 
marko said:
I've noticed a lot of people on this forum who were adamantly against First 10-15 years ago are now deciding that it's not such a bad idea.

Old bones, a much bigger (and growing) portfolio and a "what am I saving it for" (if I don't fly First, my kids will) mentality may eventually override the pocket.
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I think this commercial sums it up nicely:

 
Something I haven't seen mentioned, and this may not be true at smaller airports. At Dulles there is a separate check-in for First/Business/Polaris, etc. So we walk past the snaking long lines at the front of the terminal and head to the back where a United employee sees two "old" folks and comes over to help us check our bags. Nice. And relief of yet another stress-point along the way.
 
Looking back over the last 3 days of work-related travel, I should have upgraded to 1st. I'm reminded why it's actually cruel/unusual punishment to stick myself in a coach seat. I'm 6'4 and an active 250lbs. My knees are basically into the seat in front of me, i can't fully stretch out my legs, and my shoulder is well into the aisle (or pinned in by the fuselage in a window seat). I'm going to fight next time, work really needs to pay for a first upgrade. Exit-row class won't do it, I need the extra width too. By the end of both flights I was in pretty serious pain, it seems one of my knees is starting to exhibit signs of wear. It can't stay bent for that long.

Two years ago I paid the $700 upgrade cost to fly for this same event and I thought this year I'd save a few bucks, grin and bear it (upgrade cost was over $1,000). Nope. First or I'm not going anymore.

I'm reminded of the various "why I hate flying" threads on here. Since I don't fly often, I'm peasant-class, everywhere. Stand in the long security lines. Board last, which is fine, except that means there's no more overhead bin space, and because every flight seems to be delayed, it adds time to making any connection flight. Air travel is basically miserable unless you pay a steep premium.
 
sakowitzm said:
Something I haven't seen mentioned, and this may not be true at smaller airports. At Dulles there is a separate check-in for First/Business/Polaris, etc. So we walk past the snaking long lines at the front of the terminal and head to the back where a United employee sees two "old" folks and comes over to help us check our bags. Nice. And relief of yet another stress-point along the way.
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If you're lucky, some airports let you board directly from the club room, often before first call outside. Avoid all the pain entirely.
 
Midpack said:
We are flying first class round trip next month for the first time ever, but the flight in only just under 3 hours. The cost is a little more than double economy. It will be nice to board first and have more legroom and a comfy seat, but I doubt we'll conclude it was worth it after all. I'm reading we'll get breakfast and drinks too, but not sure yet. We'll see.

The warden doesn't know I booked us in first class, she only saw the charge, and probably assumed it was higher due to higher fuel costs. It will be interesting to see how she reacts...
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You do get to skip the general security line in most cases and go through a first-class/status-only line which is like having Clear or Pre-Check even if you don't have those things.

You board and deplane in the first group, the seats are comparatively huge compared to those in GenPop, they generally serve beverages before flight, you get a decent meal and snacks in-flight, first has it's own bathroom (Boeing 737) and overhead bin space is more generous with 2-passenger rows instead of 3.

I think it's worth it...
 
Airline CEOs are trying to get as much money per square foot as possible out of the inside of an airplane, and premium seating brings in more revenue per square foot than economy.

Airlines have entire departments within their respective companies using the latest technologies to determine what the market will bear on each class of service on every route they fly.

Believing that airline CEOs might make global pricing decisions based on reading retirement forums is just mean-spirited fantasy. Haters gonna hate.
 
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