Who can afford First Class prices?

[Anonymous]

People are so weird and irrational about money.

I grew up with a private plane (piloted by a parent). I think my parents have flown "cattle class" 2-3 times in the last decade, and whined and moaned the whole time. But they would never, ever dream of paying anything more than the cheapest coach fare when they have to fly commercial. Of course, they almost refuse to go anywhere that requires a commercial flight.

I think they should sell the stupid private plane and fly first class, but noooo, for them, self-piloted is the only way to go and they look down on the commoners who have to fly commercial. They invent all kinds of justifications for their bizarre takes, about value of time, freedom from TSA harassment, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most business class people use points now a days.

We went to Japan recently and paid cash about $10,000 per person. Too long a flight for us old people to do premium economy.

Any flight over 5 hours we pay or use points for flying business or first class. But luckily we can easily afford to do that. Do I think it is a waste yes. Business isn't always fabulous it's mostly about lay flat seats and getting some rest.

My sister has traveled all over the world in economy her thought is the plane still gets her there just like me.

Just a personal preference.

Trump will make these costs rise exponentially by next spring.

Whew man, the idea of paying enough money that could get me a car for 24 hours of time is just, hard pill to swallow!

+1. Just fly economy plus and book your lodging from the night before so you can crash on arrival. It’s a far better value. Smart rich folks don’t set fire to their money.

You don’t know any smart rich folks. Their time is worth a lot more than a few thousand dollars to buy business class instead of economy.

Neither do you. Smart rich folks aren’t buying business class seats. Their companies are. Or they are using miles.

Every partner I work with at my firm is booking cash business class flights for their family vacations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most business class people use points now a days.

We went to Japan recently and paid cash about $10,000 per person. Too long a flight for us old people to do premium economy.

Any flight over 5 hours we pay or use points for flying business or first class. But luckily we can easily afford to do that. Do I think it is a waste yes. Business isn't always fabulous it's mostly about lay flat seats and getting some rest.

My sister has traveled all over the world in economy her thought is the plane still gets her there just like me.

Just a personal preference.

Trump will make these costs rise exponentially by next spring.

Whew man, the idea of paying enough money that could get me a car for 24 hours of time is just, hard pill to swallow!

+1. Just fly economy plus and book your lodging from the night before so you can crash on arrival. It’s a far better value. Smart rich folks don’t set fire to their money.

You don’t know any smart rich folks. Their time is worth a lot more than a few thousand dollars to buy business class instead of economy.

Neither do you. Smart rich folks aren’t buying business class seats. Their companies are. Or they are using miles.

Every partner I work with at my firm is booking cash business class flights for their family vacations.

Except the one you are responding to -pp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most business class people use points now a days.

We went to Japan recently and paid cash about $10,000 per person. Too long a flight for us old people to do premium economy.

Any flight over 5 hours we pay or use points for flying business or first class. But luckily we can easily afford to do that. Do I think it is a waste yes. Business isn't always fabulous it's mostly about lay flat seats and getting some rest.

My sister has traveled all over the world in economy her thought is the plane still gets her there just like me.

Just a personal preference.

Trump will make these costs rise exponentially by next spring.

Whew man, the idea of paying enough money that could get me a car for 24 hours of time is just, hard pill to swallow!

+1. Just fly economy plus and book your lodging from the night before so you can crash on arrival. It’s a far better value. Smart rich folks don’t set fire to their money.

You don’t know any smart rich folks. Their time is worth a lot more than a few thousand dollars to buy business class instead of economy.

Neither do you. Smart rich folks aren’t buying business class seats. Their companies are. Or they are using miles.

What point are you trying to make exactly? What is it about buying premium class tickets that has you all hot and bothered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most business class people use points now a days.

We went to Japan recently and paid cash about $10,000 per person. Too long a flight for us old people to do premium economy.

Any flight over 5 hours we pay or use points for flying business or first class. But luckily we can easily afford to do that. Do I think it is a waste yes. Business isn't always fabulous it's mostly about lay flat seats and getting some rest.

My sister has traveled all over the world in economy her thought is the plane still gets her there just like me.

Just a personal preference.

Trump will make these costs rise exponentially by next spring.

Whew man, the idea of paying enough money that could get me a car for 24 hours of time is just, hard pill to swallow!

+1. Just fly economy plus and book your lodging from the night before so you can crash on arrival. It’s a far better value. Smart rich folks don’t set fire to their money.

You don’t know any smart rich folks. Their time is worth a lot more than a few thousand dollars to buy business class instead of economy.

Neither do you. Smart rich folks aren’t buying business class seats. Their companies are. Or they are using miles.

What point are you trying to make exactly? What is it about buying premium class tickets that has you all hot and bothered?

I don’t have a problem with buying premium class tickets. I have a problem with people making ridiculous assumptions about “smart rich folks”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People are so weird and irrational about money.

I grew up with a private plane (piloted by a parent). I think my parents have flown "cattle class" 2-3 times in the last decade, and whined and moaned the whole time. But they would never, ever dream of paying anything more than the cheapest coach fare when they have to fly commercial. Of course, they almost refuse to go anywhere that requires a commercial flight.

I think they should sell the stupid private plane and fly first class, but noooo, for them, self-piloted is the only way to go and they look down on the commoners who have to fly commercial. They invent all kinds of justifications for their bizarre takes, about value of time, freedom from TSA harassment, etc.

+1. I have a friend who is a pilot for Netjets. She told me the costs of the different fractional memberships. It makes no financial sense for personal use you are content with first/business class to fly that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are so weird and irrational about money.

I grew up with a private plane (piloted by a parent). I think my parents have flown "cattle class" 2-3 times in the last decade, and whined and moaned the whole time. But they would never, ever dream of paying anything more than the cheapest coach fare when they have to fly commercial. Of course, they almost refuse to go anywhere that requires a commercial flight.

I think they should sell the stupid private plane and fly first class, but noooo, for them, self-piloted is the only way to go and they look down on the commoners who have to fly commercial. They invent all kinds of justifications for their bizarre takes, about value of time, freedom from TSA harassment, etc.

+1. I have a friend who is a pilot for Netjets. She told me the costs of the different fractional memberships. It makes no financial sense for personal use you are content with first/business class to fly that way.

It depends on how much you value your time really. Private saves a lot of time if you had to connect otherwise, and still saves a lot of time even if it was a direct flight.

2 of my last 4 flights (United and Air Canada) were delayed, so not only did I spend the usual necessary time at the airport, but then another 1-2 hours due to delays. There are people who value that time and want to avoid wasted time like that. Imagine drivng up to Leesburg Airport, parking just in front of the terminal, walking in and walking onto your flight, with bags in hand. Much less hassle and time spent.

[Anonymous]

Was once told the real gulf between FU money and the merely well off is private planes. It completely changes the travel experience.

To those claiming rich people don't pay cash for business or first, the proper response is to laugh. When you are rich and your wealth is growing faster than you can spend, of course flying business is NBD. And most rich people saw nothing but major wealth gains in the last 30 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was once told the real gulf between FU money and the merely well off is private planes. It completely changes the travel experience.

To those claiming rich people don't pay cash for business or first, the proper response is to laugh. When you are rich and your wealth is growing faster than you can spend, of course flying business is NBD. And most rich people saw nothing but major wealth gains in the last 30 years.

Yep if you’re talking about midsize / heavy private jets specifically.

The Cessna’s as entry level and King Air’s as a step up will get your working wealthy in the door of flying private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most business class people use points now a days.

We went to Japan recently and paid cash about $10,000 per person. Too long a flight for us old people to do premium economy.

Any flight over 5 hours we pay or use points for flying business or first class. But luckily we can easily afford to do that. Do I think it is a waste yes. Business isn't always fabulous it's mostly about lay flat seats and getting some rest.

My sister has traveled all over the world in economy her thought is the plane still gets her there just like me.

Just a personal preference.

Trump will make these costs rise exponentially by next spring.

Whew man, the idea of paying enough money that could get me a car for 24 hours of time is just, hard pill to swallow!

+1. Just fly economy plus and book your lodging from the night before so you can crash on arrival. It’s a far better value. Smart rich folks don’t set fire to their money.

You don’t know any smart rich folks. Their time is worth a lot more than a few thousand dollars to buy business class instead of economy.

Neither do you. Smart rich folks aren’t buying business class seats. Their companies are. Or they are using miles.

What point are you trying to make exactly? What is it about buying premium class tickets that has you all hot and bothered?

I don’t have a problem with buying premium class tickets. I have a problem with people making ridiculous assumptions about “smart rich folks”.

OK. Every rich person who buys business class tickets on their own dime is stupid. Are you happy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most business class people use points now a days.

We went to Japan recently and paid cash about $10,000 per person. Too long a flight for us old people to do premium economy.

Any flight over 5 hours we pay or use points for flying business or first class. But luckily we can easily afford to do that. Do I think it is a waste yes. Business isn't always fabulous it's mostly about lay flat seats and getting some rest.

My sister has traveled all over the world in economy her thought is the plane still gets her there just like me.

Just a personal preference.

Trump will make these costs rise exponentially by next spring.

Whew man, the idea of paying enough money that could get me a car for 24 hours of time is just, hard pill to swallow!

This. 90% of my decisions are made based on this. I have an hourly "me rate". If I can make more to do Y in X amount of time than it would cost me to pay someone/service to do Y, then I am paying to have it done. If I can get somewhere go right to work as opposed to going to hotel to catch up on sleep, I am going to pay the extra to have a comfortable flight.

+1. Just fly economy plus and book your lodging from the night before so you can crash on arrival. It’s a far better value. Smart rich folks don’t set fire to their money.

You don’t know any smart rich folks. Their time is worth a lot more than a few thousand dollars to buy business class instead of economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most are definitely NOT 12k. Just searched for a 10 day trip Dulles to Rome late September. $3600 roundtrip business on Swiss Air.

Still a lot, admittedly, especially for say 4 people, but not even close to 12k/person.

Wrong, I just looked, it is $12,800 per person from DCA all the way through 2026

Ok ChatGPT, you’re taking a flight from DCA to Rome? Direct?

[Anonymous]

So no one flies first? A lot seem to fly business or claim they are Martyrs and fly cattle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So no one flies first? A lot seem to fly business or claim they are Martyrs and fly cattle

So-called "first" is just very rare anymore internationally for us Americans who fly American carriers. It's usually a premium cabin. As long as it has a lie flat bed with decent bedding, and I can grab some booze, which together is really all I care about, it is "first" to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So no one flies first? A lot seem to fly business or claim they are Martyrs and fly cattle

More and more carriers removing first class cabins all together.