This used to be a meal flight -- it was an exception to the 900-mile rule, but it was nevertheless a dinner flight. Has that changed?

The big drawback to trying F is that OP may find that they like it too much and can no longer bear to travel in the back.:)

I checked with AA and no, no meals are served on this flight—free drinks and snacks.

Yes, unfortunately. These meals never came back after COVID.

I agree. I would absolutely take the upgrade for $68.

$68 would be a no brainer if you were checking bags.

4F is the seat of shame and bone spurs

It might have originally been going to ALB, and no one wants to see ALB from the air.

I don't understand what checking bags have to do with it. It's still a low price for First Class

The point is one bag is $40, two bags are $85. But they're included with first class. So the upgrade is actually money saved if you were checking two bags, and it's a trifle even if you were just checking one.

Every time I say "eh, maybe it's not worth it" and I end up in coach, I am reminded how much it sucks compared to first class. Not that first class is anything special, but for me the value is in avoiding the chore that is economy travel -- the waiting forever to get seated and get off the plane, the bigger struggle for bin space or elbow room or leg space, the larger quantity of people everywhere. All that.

stick with the night flight if you are ok with timing. I prefer flights later in the day.

I prefer row 1. It’s nice to avoid a reclined seat in front of you. Also nobody has to talk to their seat mate. A simple hello is adequate.

I've never had an issue with laptop space on non-bulkhead seats; the exception being the LUS a320s where the recline is so much greater than the pitch).

I had my laptop broken by an overzealous idiot shoving stuff into the overhead bin. That was the end of the bulkhead for me.

I don't have an issue with my personal laptop. However, our corporate laptops have large screens that make them effectively unusable on planes. Those above a certain title used to get smaller laptops, but they stopped issuing those as a cost savings measure.

You nailed it. It just makes the trip so much easier and less stressful. Throw in a glass of wine (or two) and a hot meal (when offered) and it typically seals the deal for me (as I no longer have status, I have to pay every time). Whenever I do sit in the back, I usually kick myself for not paying for the upgrade. :mad:

Did you make him pay for the laptop? Did the airline compensate you? Just wondering.