Flying First/Business Class on your own dime

[SField]

Have paid. For leg room only. Unless you're flying an asian carrier, the food and other things really aren't that special.

Isolation from everyone is nice. Not that everyone that flies is a barbarian, but flying these days is becoming increasingly more barbaric. The line ups and the fanny packs, the sweating and the constant smell of someone's colon in economy is enough for me to part with quite a bit of money if I don't have enough points. These days I don't fly nearly as much as I used to, and have not been using a miles card (which is absolutely idiotic), so I will be paying for most of my hops. To LA and NYC it's easy to get business for a reasonable sum.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I've used a "business only" airline for personal transatlantic flights twice. It was about twice the price of a coach seat but with two babies on our lap, having more space and fully reclining seats was the right thing to do.
2x coach is pretty cheap for business class, isn't it? I haven't priced it in years, but I thought most were a lot more than that. I'll have to suggest it to people flying over there.

 

[Redwoood]

Originally Posted by SField

Have paid. For leg room only. Unless you're flying an asian carrier, the food and other things really aren't that special.

Isolation from everyone is nice. Not that everyone that flies is a barbarian, but flying these days is becoming increasingly more barbaric. The line ups and the fanny packs, the sweating and the constant smell of someone's colon in economy is enough for me to part with quite a bit of money if I don't have enough points. These days I don't fly nearly as much as I used to, and have not been using a miles card (which is absolutely idiotic), so I will be paying for most of my hops. To LA and NYC it's easy to get business for a reasonable sum.

I sure hope you mean cologne, or things have gotten much worse since the last time I flew coach...

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by iammatt

2x coach is pretty cheap for business class, isn't it? I haven't priced it in years, but I thought most were a lot more than that. I'll have to suggest it to people flying over there.

Yes - pricing is not bad at all - may be a little higher than 2x, maybe 2.5x. The whole experience feels obviously less "exclusive" than flying in a multi-cabin plane but the comfort and service is very similar to an average US or Euro airline in business class.

 

[Mblova]

I wish I could afford flying business. At 6'2, it's tough being seated in coach, especially when people recline the seats. I've had to endure 13hour nonstop flights in this manner and did not get 1 single hour of sleep.

 

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by gdl203

That's a false dichotomy
I am going to spend money eating out, on cabs, shopping, etc. regardless if I am at home or on vacation.

 

[farfisa23]

I fly transcons 1-3x per mo - LA/SF - NYC. It costs me 15k miles with United as a 1K, totally worth it. I get work done, feel refreshed and ready to go.

 

[Gewehr]

On train I do go for business class all the time.

 

[dbc]

Perhaps an occasional upgrade to business on frequent flier miles now and then, but not when my carrier of choice is Singapore Airlines and Business/Suites is insanely priced. For me anyway.

 

[blackjack]

I recall reading obnoxious-sounding advice in an article from one of those "Tony Robbins-type"/Amway gurus how they always fly first-class on their personal account... how they meet the movers & shakers and end up doing deals that more than justify the exorbitant cost. Sounds like screwed-up bullshit reasoning to me - and pleasantly surprised to see no one has posted it on this thread (yet).

Accident reports seem to indicate the back of the plane being statistically safer than the front in the event of a crash. However, not according to this photo:

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by blackjack

I recall reading obnoxious-sounding advice in an article from one of those "Tony Robbins-type"/Amway gurus how they always fly first-class on their personal account... how they meet the movers & shakers and end up doing deals that more than justify the exorbitant cost. Sounds like screwed-up bullshit reasoning to me - and pleasantly surprised to see no one has posted it on this thread (yet).
When I elect to fly in the front cabin ... it's not to meet people ... it's for the space and, hopefully, the peace and quiet.

 

[Redwoood]

Originally Posted by RSS

When I elect to fly in the front cabin ... it's not to meet people ... it's for the space and, hopefully, the peace and quiet.

tough luck, RSS, because there are people there who want to meet you...

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by Redwoood

tough luck, RSS, because there are people there who want to meet you...
That's when I pretend not to speak English and/or put on the sleep mask.

 

[jgold47]

I just bought a first class ticket on one leg of a flight to chicago next week because 1) it was the time I needed (no other seats for sale in coach) and 2) it was only $50 more than coach (if I had taken an earlier flight).

This was a business ticket, but given the same scenario on a personal ticket, I might consider buying the first class ticket.

 

[Redwoood]

Originally Posted by rich_202

nah...I think he meant colon. Ever flown Air Canada?

Actually, last time I flew AC, it was a trans-atlantic flight, and I remember how impressed I was with the clean and modern interior, touch-screen media centre, etc.
No colon smell that I can recall.