Apologies if this has been asked before. But after a long 14 hour flight from SYD to LAX in coach, I fantasized about what the trip would be like in first class. It was dreadful in the back of the bus, needless to say.

I've flown United's P.S. service from LAX to JFK in Business which is quite nice, (especially given I didn't have to pay for it). But for an average bloke like myself, $12K USD (plus or minus) for Qantas' First Class seems rather outrageous, even for a family of decent means. Int'l Business at $4K USD seems a little easier to stomach. I'm sure the price only goes up when you go on something like Emirates or one of the deluxe airliners you see on these forums.

But having never flown Intl' First, what commands such a price difference? Are there unicorns and personal chefs up there, or? I realize they're lay flat beds, which must be nice. But for a difference of $8K per ticket, I'd rather fly business and buy a Rolex in the duty free shop with the difference. (hypothetically speaking).

Are most of these seats just elite status flyers who have been upgraded, or? Who really spends that kind of money, unless I'm just totally missing the obvious? *Sure if money is no object, why not... but?