I recently purchased a ticket from IAD to LAX for travel in mid July; leave on a Thursday and return that Monday. Initially looked at direct flights r/t coach fare at around $850 (traveling with friends). I'm returning alone from LAX to IAD so I looked at United First (P) for return segment, and the total price was $914! About $65 more to return from LAX to IAD in First Class, but with layover (only about 90 minutes) in SFO instead of direct. Direct from LAX to IAD would have been over $2000 total.

Original Itinerary (Thu - Mon):

Coach Direct r/t IAD - LAX $850
Coach Direct IAD - LAX, First Class LAX - SFO - IAD $914
Coach Direct IAD - LAX, First Class LAX - IAD $2000

Anyone have similar itineraries? I know layovers tend to reduce the ticket price, but apparently even more so for First class in this case!