Can someone be kind enough to tell me the differences between the First Class and the Business Class on Northwest. I am planning a trip to the Far East and can't decide whether it is worthwile to go F. Does NWA offer fully reclined seats (180 deg) on F or it's just like the domestic F? Any info is highly appreciated.

Just purchase an Asia ConnectFirst fare! You get automatically booked into first class. The only catch is that seats must be available and you must make a connection.

First class seating is not like the current sleeperseat-type in other airlines. I'd say the seats recline to around 150-160 degrees. There's about 60 inches of legroom on the B744s.

IMHO, I'd pay C/J fare to fly on NWA's first class, but never full F fare. If I ever fly on a full F fare, I'd want to fly on SQ.

"Can someone be kind enough to tell me the differences"

Many have wondered!

Thus, WBC, or the wonderful NWA/KLM "World Business Class!"

I'd almost surely just go BC myself!

I have flown numerous times in both WBC and FC. In my opinion, the difference is not enough to make me spend my money. I believe the seat pitch on WBC is 47-50" and FC is 61". Have a good trip!

-RKG

I found that the FA's bother you more in 1st class with food, water, drinks, etc.

In WBC, you get to sleep more!

I would echo the others. The FC area is quieter and roomier, and the seats recline more than BC, but are not the fully reclining sleeperseats. The menu appears to be the same, but is served on china directly onto your foldout table, rather than on a tray. The FA:Passenger ratio is better so you usually get better service, although the amenity kits are the same. Northwest FC may be worth the BC fare, but not full FC fare.

I agree with all the others. I've flown both, on award tickets.

I have used mileage to fly both classes to Asia. I'd say save the miles and go with WBC. The food is exactly the same.

FC is much better if you are on 747-200 with the FC upstairs -- very quiet. The food is similar to BC but you get more courses and better service -- but if you are paying for the difference it is not worth it -- using miles and/or upgrade it's fine.

smith, I agree with trd, older is better. FC upstairs on the 747-200's is preferred to FC downstairs in the nose of the 747-400's.

The 200's seats recline almost 160 degrees. The seat pitch is 70" for the three row FC configuration and 80" for the two row configuration. Anyway, with the aircraft in cruising mode, the aircraft is angled several degrees from the horizontal. If the seat were reclined 180 degrees, your head would be lower than your feet! It seems to me the angle of the aircraft in cruise and the max recline of the seat makes it just about horizontal.

The 200's have only 8 or 12 seats in first compared to 18 for a 400, so there is more convenience with the restroom.

The FA seems to have more time as she/he is not usually pitching in to help serve other sections of the aircraft.

The only drawback is for window guys like me. In row 87 of most/all 200's with three rows of seats in FC, there is no window! Just turned down an upgrade to first on a flight when I was told only 87A or 87K was available.

Thanks everyone for their input. I think I'll stick to business class.

[This message has been edited by smith (edited 08-13-2000).]