Flying First Class
Enjoying the Airline Experience from the Front Cabin
A description of the experience and benefits of airline first class travel.
Flying on commercial airlines can be a frustrating, annoying experience. Flying first class is a way to enjoy superior comfort and service. The price can be high, but the benefits are considerable.
The first class experience begins even before you board the plane. Many airports have separate lines for security that can be used by first class passengers, as well as frequent flyers.
On boarding, airlines will board first class passengers first, giving them time to relax before the crush of coach passengers board. On some planes, coach passengers walk through the first class cabin, and can observe that drinks are already being served before the flight takes off.
Boarding first enables passengers to stow baggage in the empty overhead compartments. The ample storage area in front area is reserved for first class passengers.
Seating in First Class
The seats are wide, with extra padding for comfort. The general rule is that two first class seats are as wide as three coach seats. There is an area to place items next to the seat, as well as a tray that unfolds from the side.
Flight attendants will usually take coats and jackets and hang them nicely in a closet, keeping them neat and out of the way, in contrast to coach, where they stay on the lap or are jammed into the overhead storage.
More flight attendants are assigned to first class. A flight with 200 coach passengers may have four attendants, with one primarily dedicated to the 16 first class passengers.
Meals in First Class
First class passengers receive premium service and selections:
- Mealtime begins with a warm, wet towel to clean your hands, as in the finest restaurants.
- Free, unlimited drinks are served as soon as the plane reaches a safe altitude.
- Instead of the complimentary peanuts that might be served in the back, first class gets cashews.
- On flights with meals, first class usually has a choice of an entrée with soup, served on china with real flatware, not plastic. As opposed to the small wrapped candy bar, served in coach, first class might get cake, pie or mousse.
Other Benefits to First Class
The primary benefit is the extra room, and the guarantee of no middle seat. The front cabin is usually quieter, as fewer families are in first class. First class occupants receive free headsets for movies and are allowed to exit the plane first, giving passengers a head start on baggage or connections.
Is it a Good Idea to Pay for First Class?
The cost of first class seating is a considerable jump from coach, and the financial benefits of free drinks and a better meal are fairly small. On a long flight, the extra room and quiet are more valuable, and may be worth the increased cost.
The best bet is to sign up for frequent flyer programs and hope for an upgrade, which is fairly common. Airlines reward all flyers with miles, but on a long flight, one of the best rewards is the comfort and pampering of a first class cabin.
