First Class Etiquette
 

I was finally upgraded on a long flight, and it'll constitute my first time sitting in Delta mainline first class on an appreciably long flight. I'm curious what the norms are regarding the snack basket and drinks. In economy, obviously, you take your one drink and then sit the rest of the flight, but is it different in first class? Is it considered normal to have multiple drinks throughout the duration of the flight? Is it acceptable to use the request button as a way to get the flight attendant's attention to ask for another drink? Finally, how much can be taken from the snack basket before it looks selfish?

I know I sound like a serious noob right now to all you veteran PMs and such, but please help me; I don't want to waste the opportunity I have.

Congratulations on the upgrade! You can have as many drinks as you want (unless the FA believes that you are intoxicated and should not be served any more), you can have what you want from the snack basket, just be reasonable and don't empty it, and yes, it is OK to use a call button, but usually FAs are around often enough and will ask you whether you want your drink refilled themselves. Just relax and enjoy!

Yes and yes. Two snack items seems to be the norm, although I have grabbed more of the small items such as peanuts and pretzels with the comment that I have missed a meal and am starving.

A good FA will repass the snack basket at least once or pass it both before and after the meal, plus also ask at the end of service whether you want anything else before landing.

A good FA will also voluntarily keep the glasses filled, although if she seems to disappear, you should ring the call button if you cannot get the FA's attention. A bigger problem sometimes is keeping track of how much alcohol is being served to you, which can be dangerous if you will be driving upon arrival.

On a several hour flight such as DTW-LAS or IND-LAX I can easily down half a dozen of whatever happens to strike my fancy that day. Feel free to do the same, assuming you can hold that much liquor. Know your limit and that's all you need to worry about. Don't be "that guy" who got drunk and annoyed the other passengers.

Eat as much as you need from the snack basket, just don't take so much that you are denying to others. There are extra snack basket supplies in the galley so unless you are a serious glutton you aren't in danger of denying to others.

Welcome to the high life.

While two maybe the norm, since they hand out single twix bars, I like to take two single twix bars and one other item to make up "two".

You don't need to be shy but as others have rightly said, there needs to be some restrain.

Exactly....and some FAs will explicitly give everyone a first choice of about two items and then offer seconds to the starving. When lunch is served, again if I'm starving or don't like the choice, I'll ask the FA if there are any unwanted and unopened packages of potato chips at the end, either from unwanted meal choices or from leftovers.

When I read the title, I thought we had another DYKWIA moment in FC:)

I take 1 or 2 things from the snack basket. I generally request refills as the FA passes. I avoid the call button. Maybe its just me, but unless the FA is neglecting the pax, I find using the button for a drink or snack item to be rude.

Politely disagree. On a transcon flight, I'll very often sleep through the first two hrs of flight. When I wake, meal service is over, FAs are often relaxing, and I need coffee. That's what the button is there for. This is especially true on flights to Europe. Cabin is dark, almost everyone is sleeping, and FAs won't be circulating. Much less rude to ring, than climb over the stranger next to you in order to procure a snack.

Also, if the seat belt sign is on, there isn't much choice but to use the call button, assuming that the turbulence isn't so bad that the captain has ordered FAs to suspend service. The call button is there to be used within reason, although I do first try to catch e FA's eye or say excuse me as they pass through the cabin.

Thank you all for the advice; I'll at least be able to pretend I've been in first class before. My flight leaves in 40 minutes, so if you have any last minute drink recommendations, please say them. Otherwise, I'll give an update after I'm done flying today.

Great thread! I too thought this was a DYKWIA situation, but thought I'd check it out and get angry on a Sunday morn - pleasant surprise.

I am never apologetic about what I need to be comfortable, but I don't generally use the call button unless someone else is sleeping next to me. On TATL or TPAC, if I wake up hungry after missing service, I generally get up and find the FAs at the galley and get what I need. If I plan on sleeping, I do my best to grab an aisle seat as well.

First rule, though, just act cool and like you belong. After that, if you are polite and respectful to FAs and other pax, nobody will write a thread on here about the noob who acted entitled, haha.

If you want to look as if you have been in FC before, do not put your coat into the bin. A FA will come to take it and hang it in the closet except on RJs.

I will make sure to avoid being a DYWKIA. Regarding my coat, I was planning on keeping it on, or is that the ultimate sign of a neophyte?

huh, I sometimes put my jacket in the bin if there is room above my backpack ... and I fly FC quite often. I sometimes also wait for an FA to stop by and hang it up, but it's not like this is 'mandatory' FC behavior.

Not at all. My wife keeps her coat almost every time. You can get a blanket if you choose.