When did you start flying business or first?

[Crewer]

Still doing economy plus to Europe and Asia but have done first class domestically. One advantage of being short and reasonable weight is seat size in economy plus or even economy is fine for me but I do economy plus since I'm lifetime gold on United. Domestically I sometimes fly different airlines where I have no perks and in that case first class is a bigger advantage.

I was only in my mid 60s when we flew nonstop from Houston to Sydney, Australia and it wasn't bad. The Frankfurt to Johannesburg South Africa flight aboout the same year was long and the a380 so crammed with luggage and stuff that it could have been a problem except I slept the whole way.

Maybe the one advantage of being short.

 

[explanade]

I'm sure we could get into a whole thread on fuel or CO2 efficiency and the environmental impact of air travel vs other modes of transportation. But based on typical loading of aircraft and of cars, the per-seat/per trip efficiency of air travel is roughly comparable to at least that of cars.

Interesting viewpoint. Thanks for the thoughts on emissions. I hadn't considered it for this discussion. Might be a fun discussion some day.

Returning you now...

I believe airline travel is way safer statistically than automobiles and all other ground transportation.

 

[Out of Steam]

I have flown once in domestic first class (upgraded by a travel agent friend for our honeymoon) and once transatlantic in premium economy (upgraded for reasons unknown), otherwise economy class.

On our last trip, I found the limits of my endurance in economy class, 8 hours from Washington-Dulles to Frankfurt. Any longer trip, such as across the Pacific, will need to be in premium economy or better.

While I've flown a couple of legs of similar length in the past, I was 35 years younger then.

 

[Out of Steam]

I believe airline travel is way safer statistically than automobiles and all other ground transportation.

Statistics say that you're much more likely to be killed driving to the airport than on your flight.

 

[Koolau]

Well, I'm spending 11 hours in the cattle car on a cattle car airline (French Bee) in a couple of weeks. Wish me (and my 65 year old back) luck. But hey, it's $200 to Paris - what could go wrong?

I guess the turbulence could be extreme and the overhead bins pop open and you fall into the economy seats.

 

[Zorba]

On my own, I fly Economy or Economy plus but when I am traveling with my spouse, we go Business class. A big part of the later is because the shared experience is a lot fun and worthwhile. Traveling alone, I don't get a lot a value out of an upgrade. I will get to test this soon. I'm flying the 14 hrs Dulles to Cape Town on Economy Plus on my own.

 

[Zorba]

Could I add one thing for those (US) people looking to test out the Economy vs Business class? If you can, book Business from the US to Europe, but Economy from Europe to the US. Typically, you fly late afternoon or Red-Eye to Europe but afternoon back home mid-day. Personally, I get the biggest leverage sleeping to Europe but I am awake most of the flight home.

 

[Koolau]

Could I add one thing for those (US) people looking to test out the Economy vs Business class? If you can, book Business from the US to Europe, but Economy from Europe to the US. Typically, you fly late afternoon or Red-Eye to Europe but afternoon back home mid-day. Personally, I get the biggest leverage sleeping to Europe but I am awake most of the flight home.

I have thought of that for our round trip "home" from the Islands. TO the Islands is day time and Economy Plus is enough comfort. From the Islands is always over night. BUS would be nice though our last trip east was "okay" in Eco Plus. Couldn't sleep much but seats were "acceptable."

 

[NoiseBoy]

Could I add one thing for those (US) people looking to test out the Economy vs Business class? If you can, book Business from the US to Europe, but Economy from Europe to the US. Typically, you fly late afternoon or Red-Eye to Europe but afternoon back home mid-day. Personally, I get the biggest leverage sleeping to Europe but I am awake most of the flight home.

Agreed. Last year I upgraded my premium economy flight from Chicago to Europe to business because I had a late-night hobby gig the night (morning) before my flight out. Having the lie-flat bed really came in handy and the upgrade was worth it. But, as you point out, flying home from Europe is almost always a daytime flight and I'm just not going to fall asleep even when they darken the cabin, so a seat in the PE cabin is fine for me. I will sometimes put in the lowest bid possible for an upgrade to business, but I rarely win a seat.

 

[explanade]

You’re still changing a lot of timezones so by the time you arrive home in the Us it’s still daytime but back in Europe it’s night and that is the clock your body was on.

 

[livingalmostlarge]

I have officially given up. Short trips sure I'll do economy but if the price difference is less than $100 I'm paying it. Like memorial Day weekend the price difference was $100 more for domestic first than economy main cabin pick your seat.

 

[bonvoyage]

I have officially given up. Short trips sure I'll do economy but if the price difference is less than $100 I'm paying it. Like memorial Day weekend the price difference was $100 more for domestic first than economy main cabin pick your seat.

When you say that you have "given up", do you mean that you no longer feel reluctant to pay for a seat in the premium cabin?

 

[ImaCheesehead]

This is terrible, but it’s only been since my husband died last year, and I have already done it a few times.

It’s only half the price now, plus I only have one person to make the money last for.

 

[Golden Mean]

I have officially given up. Short trips sure I'll do economy but if the price difference is less than $100 I'm paying it. Like memorial Day weekend the price difference was $100 more for domestic first than economy main cabin pick your seat.

Seems like a no-brainer at that price difference. I've not seen such a small difference. Usually I see something like $600 for economy and $2100 for first. We still do it though. I'd rather travel less and enjoy the flight.

Our last 2-3 trips, flying was about twice the cost of lodging and car rental.

To answer the OP; we started doing 1st class last year. Just cancelled my SW card too.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

What made you start finding business or first class? Was it hitting a certain age? Was it hitting a search engine portfolio number? Was it making a certain amount of money? Was it retirement? Was it a bad flight? How often do you fly business versus first? Is it always or does it depend on the flight itself and the cost?

I'm trying to convince my mom and I need to think of better things to tell her other than spend her money.

I was never inclined to inquire for pricing upgrade; hence, always fly coach.

 

[Pointby2]

My employers never let us fly business class, probably because they were all domestic flights. Plus we only flew for business 4-5 times a year. So we never had tons of points or the chance for free upgrades. If we fly it's always out of pocket.

DW had a terrible flight where a large person took half her seat and crushed her until they let us move. Since then (2023) we've flown business. To Scotland, China, NYC, and Antarctica. We'll also fly to Paris in business.

 

[RetiredHappy]

It helps that we are germaphobe, because there are fewer people around us in business class.

 

[livingalmostlarge]

When you say that you have "given up", do you mean that you no longer feel reluctant to pay for a seat in the premium cabin?

yeah I don't worry anymore. I look at it and peek at the difference but usually now I'll pay.

Seems like a no-brainer at that price difference. I've not seen such a small difference. Usually I see something like $600 for economy and $2100 for first. We still do it though. I'd rather travel less and enjoy the flight.

Our last 2-3 trips, flying was about twice the cost of lodging and car rental.

To answer the OP; we started doing 1st class last year. Just cancelled my SW card too.

When you are tied to kids school schedules the dates you want to travel are always "premium" so the economy tickets are expensive. When the kids were younger we would try and flex days. An extra day before and after would help with the cost of economy. Now the kids are older and refuse to miss school so tickets literally are the premium pricing for economy and that translates to not much more for better seats. I still occasionally look wistfully at the flex days and think hmm...even the premium seats are cheaper

 

[Koolau]

My employers never let us fly business class, probably because they were all domestic flights. Plus we only flew for business 4-5 times a year. So we never had tons of points or the chance for free upgrades. If we fly it's always out of pocket.

DW had a terrible flight where a large person took half her seat and crushed her until they let us move. Since then (2023) we've flown business. To Scotland, China, NYC, and Antarctica. We'll also fly to Paris in business.

It would be tricky, but why haven't the airlines placed at least some restriction on passenger size? Even when I was heavier, I never encroached into the next seat, but I've been seated by a large person who literally spilled over the arm rest. Very unpleasant and embarrassing. I'm sure someone would scream some brand of discrimination, but seriously...

 

[livingalmostlarge]

It would be tricky, but why haven't the airlines placed at least some restriction on passenger size? Even when I was heavier, I never encroached into the next seat, but I've been seated by a large person who literally spilled over the arm rest. Very unpleasant and embarrassing. I'm sure someone would scream some brand of discrimination, but seriously...

How would the airlines ever ask that question.

 

[explanade]

I think some airlines do force some people to buy 2 tickets?

Southwest Airlines will require “plus-size” passengers to buy an extra ticket starting towards the end of January.

 

[Koolau]

How would the airlines ever ask that question.

Easy to ask. Not sure anyone would answer truthfully. Could have a "test seat" much like they have the little cubby where you can try out your carry on bag to see if it's small enough to qualify as carry on. Of course, everyone ignores that as well (in the USA).

Do I think this will ever happen? No. But really, when you are covered with your seat mate's extra rolls, that's abuse not to mention unpleasant.

Forget I brought it up.

 

[oiseux]

I think some airlines do force some people to buy 2 tickets?

Southwest Airlines will require “plus-size” passengers to buy an extra ticket starting towards the end of January.

Wow, I thought they had already instituted that. It will be long overdue. Once I was in a later boarding group on SWA and I was on the aisle, the last row of a completely full flight. Then, boarding late was a super-sized person (probably 400 to 500+ lbs) who had to head back to our seat. He had to squeeze into the middle seat. The poor skinny young guy at the window had to turn sideways with his face plastered against the side of the plane, arms outstretched to the side. I was leaning fully into the aisle. The guy was very apologetic and the attendants were very accommodating, but I should have taken a picture (kind of rude, though I know).

 

[Koolau]

Wow, I thought they had already instituted that. It will be long overdue. Once I was in a later boarding group on SWA and I was on the aisle, the last row of a completely full flight. Then, boarding late was a super-sized person (probably 400 to 500+ lbs) who had to head back to our seat. He had to squeeze into the middle seat. The poor skinny young guy at the window had to turn sideways with his face plastered against the side of the plane, arms outstretched to the side. I was leaning fully into the aisle. The guy was very apologetic and the attendants were very accommodating, but I should have taken a picture (kind of rude, though I know).

You wonder what would have happened if three such guys unluckily got assigned to the same row!

 

[FIYes]

The problem is that the seats keep getting smaller and the people keep getting bigger. DH is a big guy, not obese but 6’2” and broad shoulders. On one flight he was stuck in a middle seat between two obese people. I was a few rows away. Had I realized his situation I would have traded with him since I was in a row with two average size people. This was a flight where we were unable to check in early and I was put on standby even though the flight had been booked months in advance.

Even with average size people that middle seat is not comfortable. I usually end up in the middle seat since I book the aisle for DH and the window for me in hopes that the middle seat stays empty. It usually is not empty and I offer to trade with the middle seat person.