Is first class worth it?
Dec 17, 2018, 6:03 am
#61
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Tom in New York City today
Dec 17, 2018, 10:23 am
#62
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as an aside, it would be hard to match that on AA today, given the large fleet of 8F 319s inherited from US
Dec 17, 2018, 12:03 pm
#63
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SJC,SFO, SEA, PDX, SAN, SNA
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If you don't need to be loyal to AS, I'd look at Hawaiin Airline, they're the only one known to still serve a meal in economy.
I came back from HNL to SJC last night about 5 hrs flight. I flew with the family and was offerred to be in first class free upgrade on the way there for myself only and I denied it.
Depending on when you go, I recommend flying out mid week, tuesday/wed and returning the same. Your chances of the flight not being full is very high. We had half a plane on the way ther and was lounging out in the main cabin. Full flight last night but I thought it was ok. Being in F would have been better for sure but I wouldn't pay for it. I'd pay an extra $100pp for the for the F seats but not $250pp. If you're a relatively large person then the seats might be worth it but if you're an average size adult I think you'll do fine in the main cabin.
I came back from HNL to SJC last night about 5 hrs flight. I flew with the family and was offerred to be in first class free upgrade on the way there for myself only and I denied it.
Depending on when you go, I recommend flying out mid week, tuesday/wed and returning the same. Your chances of the flight not being full is very high. We had half a plane on the way ther and was lounging out in the main cabin. Full flight last night but I thought it was ok. Being in F would have been better for sure but I wouldn't pay for it. I'd pay an extra $100pp for the for the F seats but not $250pp. If you're a relatively large person then the seats might be worth it but if you're an average size adult I think you'll do fine in the main cabin.
Dec 17, 2018, 1:05 pm
#64
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Posts: 7,132
I think you mean a "free" meal in economy. I recently sat in Y on a HA flight, and the two meals we had were completely inedible for us. Yuck! Strongly suggest one bring their own food with them.
Dec 17, 2018, 1:08 pm
#65
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SJC,SFO, SEA, PDX, SAN, SNA
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Posts: 560
I can't imagine it being any worse than the $9 sandwhich I paid for on AS. Cold and dried yuck!
Dec 17, 2018, 1:38 pm
#66
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Hi everyone,
My wife and I are going on a much needed vacation from LA to Maui (6 hour flight) in March. It costs $250 more per person each way to fly first class. I was thinking about just doing it for the flight to Maui and booking coach on the return flight. Money is not the issue for me but more so the value. I heard that first class on Alaska Airlines is not impressive.
Do you think it is worth it?
My wife and I are going on a much needed vacation from LA to Maui (6 hour flight) in March. It costs $250 more per person each way to fly first class. I was thinking about just doing it for the flight to Maui and booking coach on the return flight. Money is not the issue for me but more so the value. I heard that first class on Alaska Airlines is not impressive.
Do you think it is worth it?
Dec 17, 2018, 3:40 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Posts: 7,132
Dec 17, 2018, 7:54 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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once more, with feeling, I give y’all “Newton’s Law of the Online Forum” — for every self-proclaimed expert opinion, there is at least one equal and opposite self-proclaimed expert opinion
in other words, everyone has a different value proposition for what “worth it” means, and therefore no single opinion is THE authoritative opinion
in other words, everyone has a different value proposition for what “worth it” means, and therefore no single opinion is THE authoritative opinion
Dec 17, 2018, 7:56 pm
#70
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Dec 17, 2018, 9:08 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: BA Gold; AS MVP
Posts: 292
For me, at least, it isn't even a question - the air transport experience has devolved (at least in my opinion) to a true hassle to get oneself from point A to point B. First class, even domestic, at a minimum, allows for reasonable legroom such that your knees aren't touching the seat in front and you aren't battling over armrest space (ugh!) and overhead compartment space. Like others have said, if $250 each way, isn't a stretch for you, I would simply do it. I would select Hawaiian from LAX, however, to experience something more special than narrow body domestic F. Lie-flat seats with a 70" pitch or so (6 across, staggered) versus a 36-38" configuration on a smallish narrow body - not even comparable. So, in a nutshell, fork out the extra $500-600 apiece on Alaska for a marginally special experience OR if you really want to experience International business class hard product for an extra $100 or so, fly an Hawaiian A330. Nice cabin and very good service for a 5-6 hour flight.