I flew the other day from Atlanta to Paris and was lucky enough to get first class. I’d heard stories from friends/colleagues about how great it was, but nothing really prepared me for how … pleasureable … the flight was. The recliners, the personal tv’s, the food (I’m talking restaurant-quality! And real ice cream sundaes!), the constant pampering by the flight attendants, were all enough to keep me awake the whole flight, even though it would have been easy enough to lay back and get some real sleep. But how could I waste such an experience by sleeping through it? I honestly didn’t want the flight to end, and this was what was so strange for me. I love planes and I love flying, but I absolutely detest the coach cattle cars. Usually I can’t wait to get the flight overwith. But this time I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So, anyone else fly first class, either regularly or because of a fluke? Was I imagining how great it was?
I’ve gotten to fly First Class twice-- once because the airline screwed up and wanted to make it up to me, and another time because I was very nice to the ticketing agent when everyone else was screaming at her (the Christmas spirit really abounds at airports!). So both were flukes, but such wonderful flukes!
The food was excellent, the service impeccable, and I was physically incapable of kicking the seat in front of me (and I am a tall girl)! I felt kind of guilty through both trips, because there I was, getting such amazing service, when I hadn’t paid for it. But not guilty enough to move. Aahhhh.
Mr Nim and I unexpectedly got bumped up to first class on a transatlantic flight last summer. First time for both of us. It was great!! Lovely menus and food, lots of leg room, relatively few people sharing the bathrooms (i.e. no lines). Our tickets cost £400 each and the guy next to us paid over £3000… sweet.
I’ve flown first-class once, with my son, who was 3 at the time. The flight was oversold and there were no seats in coach (which was what we had purchased), but there were several seats in first-class left, so she let us sit there (especially because I was quite nice to her and didn’t get all pissy). There were four 2-person rows with only one seat taken, so the stewardess asked if anyone would be willing to move to a different seat so that my son and I could sit together. I’ve never seen middle-aged white businessmen get so f***ing mad over having to move. What a bunch of jerks. My son and I got nasty looks the whole flight, and it wasn’t because he was crying, loud, or anything.
Mr Elbows and I were bumped to first class once returning from Asia, for the trans Atlantic, Amsterdam to Toronto leg of the journey.
It was very wonderful, especially since we’d already done two legs in cattle cartage. I was stunned at how large the seats were. I’m not a large being but these were enormous overstuffed affairs.
Gundy, I can see why they’d be a little pissed at having to move. This by no means implies their behavior is excusable, but I think it’s understandable, at least. It’s the same reason that Beadalin (and me, too) felt a little bit guilty at enjoying the perk without paying the price. These guys drop large chunks of change for these seats and probably don’t like accomodating those who don’t, but get to sit up there nonetheless. Hell, the guy next to me barely said a single word to me the entire flight. That’s the only thing I can say is better about coach–I usually meet friendly people there.
My adivce to you is next time this happens, poke and prod your kid 'til he is crying and loud, just to piss the snobs off.
Nimune, what airline? I’ve heard British Airways is great, but I’ve only flown coach on them, and IMO, it was pretty much the same as coach anywhere else. I wonder what first class is like with them.
While we’re on the subject…sort of (sorry for the mini hijack Flyboy).
My wife and I are flying to London this summer for a belated honymoon. Any suggestions on how to possibly get bumped up? I’ve heard all the “Be very nice to the ticket agent” tips, but anything specific that anyone can share?
Here’s the best I can offer, from the little I know:
Get there early, and when you check in, ask about first class. I know to do this, but I almost never do.
Join the frequent flier programs, and flash your card when you ask about first class. I know someone that does this and every now and then it works.
Also, book your flight for a busy time (i.e., not a red-eye), then when you check in, be sure to hang out around the gate desk so if they ask for volunteers to get bumped, you’re at the front of the line. Flexible travel plans really help.
Oh, you’re right, and I quite understand that. It really sucked that the guy had to give up his window seat, and I apologized to him/thanked him profusely - for something that wasn’t even my fault. He was still quite rude to me. If he wanted to get mad at someone, get mad at the airline - it was their fault.
Oh, you’re right, and I quite understand that. It really sucked that the guy had to give up his window seat, and I apologized to him/thanked him profusely - for something that wasn’t even my fault. He was still quite rude to me. If he wanted to get mad at someone, get mad at the airline - it was their fault.
The airline had just gone into Chapter 11, and the economy was in the tank, so there were only about a dozen people on the plane. They let us all sit in First Class.
It was only about a 2 - 2 1/2 hour flight, so there was no meal and no sleeping. Still, I couldn’t complain .
What I’ve never quite understood about first class, on the flights I’ve been on anyway, is that they board them first.
The result of this is a knot of slow-moving businessmen (I generalize from the handful of flights I’ve been on, and it’s always been slow-moving businessmen there, or at least slow people who happened to be wearing suits), blocking the aisle as they painfully divest themselves of overcoats and carry-ons. But coach they board from rearmost sections working forward–there are still slowings of traffic from that, of course, but it does work faster.
I got bumped up once, and you know what? I found it embarrassing.
While I was glad to be on the flight (I was bumped because they made a mistake on my reservation, and it was that or get on the next plane), I found the experience silly. I ride planes to get somewhere quickly - not have a gourmet dinner. I can only see that kind of service as wasting time.
Boarding the plane ahead of other people, and having to sit there while they struggled past me into Coach was mortifying.
Some of you may remember my recent thread about Southwest Airlines in which I talked about this a bit. I can honestly say I would NEVER pay for first class, and would prefer not to be bumped again. However, I confess I would accept it if not doing so meant I would miss my flight.
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