How many times have you had to walk enviously past those rich/business/lucky people sitting in first class on your flight on the walk to the economy section of the plane? Yeah me too! Having to sit in confined space with kids crying, knees being crushed by the seat in front of you, and of course wonderful strangers snoring on your shoulder. I had the opportunity to hang out with the other half on my way to Tokyo, Japan.
Yeah, sitting up front is basically everything you think it is. Leg room? Check! Good food? Check! Bigger TV? Check! Noise cancelling headphones? Check! All in all, it’s by far the best flying experience I’ve had on a long haul flight. Generally if you were to book this seat ahead of time, you would be paying somewhere in and around $10,000+ for a return airfare to Asia. But what many people don’t know is that if there is spaces open at checkin, generally airlines will allow you to upgrade for the leg of the flight for roughly $800. I know it still seems steep, but once you fly first class….well you don’t want to go back to economy EVER!
From the solitary pod, like something out of a movie. Where flight attendants wait on you hand and foot pretty much. If the reclining seat that becomes a bed isn’t enough, the food is actually better than some restaurants I’ve been to. Complimentary glass of champagne as you arrive to your seat, no one sharing your overhead compartment, no weight restrictions on your luggage. Ah the good life!
Now would I book first class every time I went somewhere? Absolutely not! Unless I won the lottery and money was no object [guess I better start hookin’ or something]. But for people who are over 6 feet tall and are en route to Asia or any flight 10+ hours, HELL YES it’s worth every damn penny! Your knees will thank you later.
