How do people afford first class?

[Anonymous]

There are just some rich people who pay for it. Growing up my parents always flew first and left us kids in the back. Very sad for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are just some rich people who pay for it. Growing up my parents always flew first and left us kids in the back. Very sad for us.

But did they ever leave one of you behind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get why people even do this – it’s like 10 hours of your life at most for a long flight. Is that worth $10,000?

I get spending a lot of money on a house where you spend the majority of your time, but first-class flights make no sense to me.

PP here who actually posted prices. I fly business class a lot, and I've never spent $10k or close to it. My next work trip to Asia came to about $4,500 and I'll be sitting in planes for a bit more than 20 hours. That's worth it productivity-wise to be able to work and rest well on the flights.

BUSINESS CLASS IS NOT FIRST CLASS. stop writing about business class, the post and question is about first class

Right but most US airlines no longer offer first. Call it what you want but generally on US based, even for international, the highest is some name for business

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I each come from generational wealth. We're very lucky.

Check your privilege.

I checked, and yep, thankfully it’s still there.

[Anonymous]

Points.

[Anonymous]

From Dulles, there are fewer than 10 international flights with first class seating:
BA to LHR
EK to DXB
LH to MUC and FRA
AF to CDG
Etihad to Abu Dhabi
ANA to Tokyo

All the other international flights -- between 75 and 100 depending on the season, offer only business class. That includes all US airlines, Air Canada, Turkish, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels, Copa, EgyptAir, SAS, Ethiopian, Iberia, IcelandAir, ITA, KLM, Qatar, Royal Air Maroc, TAP, Virgin, Westjet, and Volaris -- offer business class as their highest international level of service.

So.. was OP referring to the literally handful of flights where first class is offered, or the vast majority that offer only business class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get why people even do this – it’s like 10 hours of your life at most for a long flight. Is that worth $10,000?

I get spending a lot of money on a house where you spend the majority of your time, but first-class flights make no sense to me.

PP here who actually posted prices. I fly business class a lot, and I've never spent $10k or close to it. My next work trip to Asia came to about $4,500 and I'll be sitting in planes for a bit more than 20 hours. That's worth it productivity-wise to be able to work and rest well on the flights.

BUSINESS CLASS IS NOT FIRST CLASS. stop writing about business class, the post and question is about first class

Right but most US airlines no longer offer first. Call it what you want but generally on US based, even for international, the highest is some name for business

It's not most, it's all. No US airline offers international first class.

[Anonymous]

Not first class usually business class, but we either use points for some of it or save and go less frequently. For family trips it is essential as we have two boys who are too small for economy. We like the new economy premium that has just been introduced. We will save some money if those are available. Economy plus is just doable for shorter trips as long as they are on the aisle.

[Anonymous]

Points are still money! I don’t get why you all feel like “points” are not paying.

[Anonymous]

I have never flown first/business domestically, unless the client paid for it. I have been flying business to Europe with my kids because:
- I can afford it
- I have been flying solo, so having a well-rested children is important to me.

[Anonymous]

My husband used miles to upgrade me once. I didn’t pay, but if you had seen me sitting there you may have thought l did. I wonder how many of the seats are result of last minute miles-based upgrade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Points are still money! I don’t get why you all feel like “points” are not paying.

It’s a lot less if you just upgrade on the go if available (i.e. No guarantee of having a spot)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get why people even do this – it’s like 10 hours of your life at most for a long flight. Is that worth $10,000?

I get spending a lot of money on a house where you spend the majority of your time, but first-class flights make no sense to me.

PP here who actually posted prices. I fly business class a lot, and I've never spent $10k or close to it. My next work trip to Asia came to about $4,500 and I'll be sitting in planes for a bit more than 20 hours. That's worth it productivity-wise to be able to work and rest well on the flights.

BUSINESS CLASS IS NOT FIRST CLASS. stop writing about business class, the post and question is about first class

Right but most US airlines no longer offer first. Call it what you want but generally on US based, even for international, the highest is some name for business

Not true. United offers first on their 777 and 787 aircraft. I have booked first and gone IAD to DEN, and other west coast flights. There are Pod seating (reclines to a bed) on these aircraft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get why people even do this – it’s like 10 hours of your life at most for a long flight. Is that worth $10,000?

I get spending a lot of money on a house where you spend the majority of your time, but first-class flights make no sense to me.

PP here who actually posted prices. I fly business class a lot, and I've never spent $10k or close to it. My next work trip to Asia came to about $4,500 and I'll be sitting in planes for a bit more than 20 hours. That's worth it productivity-wise to be able to work and rest well on the flights.

Good God we are talking about first not business!

[Anonymous]

Well, for starters, it's way cheaper than flying private.