Is first class worth it?
Dec 13, 2018, 11:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
Is first class worth it?
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?
Thanks,
Robert
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?
Thanks,
Robert
Dec 13, 2018, 11:17 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
To me, the bigger seat and extra space is definitely worth $250 on a five hour flight. But you'll have to decide for yourself 
Dec 13, 2018, 11:37 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
This is incredibly subjective. If the money is really not an issue for you, then why not? On the other hand... what would impress you? Very few US carriers fly anything noticeably above the mean to Hawaii from the West Coast. (And when they do, it’s usually because they subbed in an internatially configured plane for ops reasons.)
The first time I took an old friend on a trip in AS F, she had never flown anything but no-extra coach, and she was very impressed. The last time my husband and I took our final, domestic leg after connecting from a Cathay First award he was... less impressed, but still happier than if he’d been in coach.
Alaska First is more expensive and more nice than coach. Whether $250 is a good value for more room in a better seat, a meal with a dessert, a digiplayer, and an always-full drink for 6 hours is a call you and your wife are going to have to make for yourselves.
The first time I took an old friend on a trip in AS F, she had never flown anything but no-extra coach, and she was very impressed. The last time my husband and I took our final, domestic leg after connecting from a Cathay First award he was... less impressed, but still happier than if he’d been in coach.
Alaska First is more expensive and more nice than coach. Whether $250 is a good value for more room in a better seat, a meal with a dessert, a digiplayer, and an always-full drink for 6 hours is a call you and your wife are going to have to make for yourselves.
Dec 13, 2018, 11:37 pm
#4
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,313
Dec 13, 2018, 11:45 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I don't think AS has great F but $250 is a reasonable upcharge if you can easily afford it.
I will usually go up to about $300 extra, each way (I make that trip a fair bit). I especially value F for the return trip (I usually take red-eyes so I like to sleep). But that's just me... totally your call.
I will usually go up to about $300 extra, each way (I make that trip a fair bit). I especially value F for the return trip (I usually take red-eyes so I like to sleep). But that's just me... totally your call.
Dec 14, 2018, 7:46 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
OP has answered the question. "Money is not the object." If it is not the object, F is better than Y. Whether it is worth the additional fare is a purely subjective matter which is "not the object".
All depends on how much you value your comfort.
All depends on how much you value your comfort.
Dec 14, 2018, 10:07 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,158
I personally do not find the ex-VX F seats very comfortable for sitting in — the seat pan is really long (and I’m 6’ tall), so there’s basically no back support. So I generally would not pay $250 extra for it regardless of financial circumstances. But if you need extra legroom (I assume you don’t qualify for Premium seat upgrades) or, more importantly, width, then it’s probably worth it. The food and extra service are forgettable at best.
Dec 14, 2018, 10:12 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
Thank you for the replies. Honestly, I could care less if I were in coach or first class. I am a small guy and sleep like a rock so I would not notice the difference. I am only considering this for my wife. Both of us have only flown in coach in the past and I wanted to make this a special experience for her now that we have the means. I know the extra $500 for the both of us is not much but my frugality is the issue. I guess I will bite the bullet and book the flight.