First class
 

We are flying first class to Hawaii next week on Continental. It is our first time.

Anything we need to know so we don't look like fools---- or basically just every other time we've flown-- just up front?

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Thanks...
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Nothing you need to know. :)

Glad to see you are concerned about looking like fools. Too often pax in F have no reservations about looking like fools.

it does not bother me at all ^

Do people in first & economy have to act/dress differently? Is there a stigma associated with dressing down and possibly "looking like a fool" in F?

You will have complimentary President's Club access.

Have a great trip!

David

The days of dressing up for first are long gone, seeing as that you have the concern of looking like a fool your normal clothing choice should be fine. Enjoy your first time sitting in the front.:D

From where?
 

Where are you flying from? Is it the IAH or EWR flight? And are you connecting from another city...it's not clear from you IP.

Know that the IAH flight (the first one) is packed with folks continuing onto Guam later...

behave as regular as possible. don't get wasted, enjoy your time and relax. there is no specific rule book besides standard behavior you can expect at any time.

Go ahead and take advantage of the opportunity to board first. (usually 45 minutes before departure on your flight) The overhead space fills up quickly, and even though the overhead space in FC is supposed to be reserved for FC passengers, that doesn't stop people in coach from using it if nothing else is available. So don't wait until everyone is on the plane. Also, when checking your luggage, make sure they put a "Priority" tag on to increase the chance that you'll get it earlier at baggage claim. If you're wearing a sports jacket or coat, the flight attendant will offer to hang it up for you and return it just before landing. And it there isn't a blanket on your seat when you board, you should request one when they take your drink order.

Some of us disagree. It is not a first-class experience when you sit next to someone in a spandex gym outfit who smells bad (yes, it happened to me).

Agreed, i usually wear a three piece suit and a top hat (in the winter only). I don't understand how someone can get on a plane in Spandex. Imagine if the flight attendants did this! :cool:

Are you flying from IAH or EWR? If so, it's modified BF service on a 764. You can check out the menu on the CO website. And don't worry about looking foolish. Eat. Drink. Be Merry. And enjoy the service while it lasts as UA's F service to the islands is definitely quite inferior even on the 777.

Ahem...

Not true. Sure flying domestically, it can be a little more relaxed.
I frequently go directly from band rehearsals to the airport and I will be in nice shorts, a nice summer shirt, and boat shoes.
But white tee shirts or sleeveless shirts (for men) are in really bad taste when flying.

And sandals are just plain stupid on any aircraft.
If you need to get off that plane in an emergency, you better be wearing shoes.

Long, over ocean flights up front are a different story. The better dressed you are the better the experience will tend to be. Class, taste, style, and impeccable manners are the ticket.

I've never enjoyed a flight where I was wearing a suit. Especially trans-atlantic.

Put me in jeans, give me anything other than "Everybody Hates Chris" to watch, a biscuit or two, and I'm happy as a pig in poo.

To the OP: enjoy your flight and your vacation. Don't worry about a thing. :-:

I wear mine in the summer too and....

always bring my pimp'n cane

Last week, I actually wore shorts and flip flops on a flight for the first time ever. However, it was on an AA Eaglet ATR-72 ANU-SJU so it didn't count. The next day I dressed up for my CO flight in F: faded blue jeans, cowboy boots and a long sleeved dress shirt that I actually ironed all by myself at the Caribe Hilton. When you fly F or BF on CO, it's gotta be special. :cool:

Thank you for the responses (most of them anyway). Maybe my question should have been what options will we have that we nornmally wouldn't that we should take advantage of? I will not be in a suit or spandex-- somewhere appropriately in the middle.

We are flying from Cincinatti to IAH-- that leg is not first class.

Well, you'll be on a 764 IAH-HNL with the "modified" BF service. During your connection in IAH (if you have time), your boarding pass and ID will get you into the PC. I recommend the complimentary Bloody Marys in the PC.

Enjoy the trip!
 

Last year I flew EWR-HNL in the modified BizFirst on the 767. I am with the posters that dress up a bit - I don't wear jeans, shorts, or similar when I am up front - always business casual or slacks, button up shirt, & a sports coat. I agree that a 3-pc suit is not comfortable to travel in, but one should step up their game a bit.

I found CO's service exceptional. Since this was about a 12-hour flight we had 2 full meal services (we left at 1:45PM so if I recall we had snacks and cocktails for the first 2 hrs, then they served a very nice dinner, then a supper-type mini-meal about 2 hrs before arrival.

The video on demand was great; the FA's were attentive and pleasant. The seats while not flat bed were 150 degree recline so they were quite comfortable.

My advice - take advantage of the relaxation! It's a long flight - the FA's will take care of you well. Dress nicely (don't overdo), be pleasant, and enjoy Hawaii - it's beautiful. It's even nicer when after 12 hrs in the air you arrive somewhat rested and relaxed already. Have fun!

What do you mean by "modified?"

Here's what I came up with:

If you have jackets, coats or similar, keep them draped in your lap. The FA will offer to hang them up for you. Very common newbie move to stuff the coat in the overhead.

When they take your meal order (since this will be quasi-BF service), you only have to select your entree and choice of salad dressing. Everything else is standard. Your dessert (sundae) choice will be requested later, if you care to indulge>

Yes, most people think it is OK to use the hot towel to refresh your face (at least I do). You should get this as part of your service.

Baileys goes great with your coffee (if you are so inclined).

Enjoy!

Hey, I had just washed that outfit!

;)

Pessimist.:td:

Many years ago earlier in my career flying JFK to LHR, I would regularly get BA u/g's to Club World because I was dressed in a suit. No elite status whatsoever.

Those were they days . . .

Use the Terminal E club - two levels and very nice. Upstairs is much more quiet and typically less occupied.

Very similar.

Less elaborate appetizer - usually one cold seafood item (BF typically offers several hot apps).

Similar salad/breads

Identical but fewer choice of entrees (meat, chicken, pasta options, but no fish option as in BF this month ).

No cheese/fruit/port course (my fave).

Ice cream sundae as with BF (but BF usually has another dessert choice)

Here's the June menu IAH - HNL:



menu

To Begin

Roasted nuts with your preferred cocktail or beverage

Appetizer

Chilled shrimp with seafood cocktail sauce

Salad and warm bread

Mesclun salad mix and romaine lettuce with tomato and feta cheese

Offered with honey Dijon dill vinaigrette dressing

Freshly baked garlic bread and assorted rolls with butter

Main Courses

Grilled Steak

Char-broiled Sterling Silver® tenderloin steak with Asiago broth,
brown butter gnocchi and fresh green asparagus

Roasted Breast of Chicken

Served with a spicy grill rub and mustard barbecue sauce
accompanied by steamed jasmine rice, pickled cabbage
and fresh garden vegetables

Pasta Bowl

Vegetable filled mezzaluna pasta with creamy Gorgonzola sauce
and sautéed fresh vegetables offered with grated
Parmesan Reggiano cheese

Dessert

Vanilla ice cream with your choice of toppings

Refreshment

Will be offered prior to arrival

Fresh Brew® gourmet roasted regular and decaffeinated coffee
made exclusively for Continental Airlines or tea with your
choice of milk or lemon

But no bar. :-:

Eh? There's a bar in the Terminal E PClub. At the "back" of the club on the second floor.

ETA, nevermind. I see you were saying there's no bar on the third floor. That's correct.

Put Marisa Miller in that spandex gym outfit and I wouldn't care how long the flight was :D

Right. A little exercise never hurt anyone (or take the elevator if you are among the more sedentary).

And it's quite nice to look down on all that late model Boeing equipment.....:cool:

I sincerely hope BF survives. I like it a lot better to the islands.

Same here. UA's domestic F to Hawaii was rather disappointing in many ways when I flew it recently. It's not awful, but those some long flights to have a standard domestic F seat and service.

But the service at C North is better. From my experience, I'd call it the best in the system.

I think the vast majority of the UA flights to the islands feature the domestic F seating (two class 777 & 763 & 757 aircraft). Every once in awhile they'll fly a 744 on the route (such as ORD-HNL) but this has happened very rarely in the past. Of course, CO is now flying 738/739 aircraft LAX/SNA-HNL/OGG and these feature the domestic F seating as well. Some posts have mentioned that UA "made" CO use 737s between the west coast and the islands but I kinda wonder about this.....any comments?

These comments have been offered by one person. The rest of the folks here understand that it might actually be more about profitability and the CASM/RASM spread on that route versus others where the 76s and 752s can be used.

Roger that.....and I appreciate the clarification.

Foods in FC
 

I spend quite a bit of my time looking like a fool, but I enjoy it more in FC.