How to 'travel' in F, F etiquette
#16
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: AA PLT, AA 1MM, Marriott GLD
Posts: 473
OTOH, "sharing" the F product with friends in the back of the plane is just not OK.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,508
Are there any actual airline published rules on the matter of visitors in 1st class and allowing unwashed Y passengers to visit?
The way I see it, I own that F seat for the duration of the flight. If I want guests coming in to say hi, I can allow them up there. And if I want to switch seats or let someone take a picture in my seat, it's my prerogative.
What I don't really understand is why anyone else cares what I do with my seat. As long as nobody is taking away your seat, it's really none of your business what I do with mine. Most of the time on a flight, whether in 1st or coach I am either asleep or have headphones on watching a movie. I really couldn't care less what the guy next to me is doing.
The way I see it, I own that F seat for the duration of the flight. If I want guests coming in to say hi, I can allow them up there. And if I want to switch seats or let someone take a picture in my seat, it's my prerogative.
What I don't really understand is why anyone else cares what I do with my seat. As long as nobody is taking away your seat, it's really none of your business what I do with mine. Most of the time on a flight, whether in 1st or coach I am either asleep or have headphones on watching a movie. I really couldn't care less what the guy next to me is doing.
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
Are there any actual airline published rules on the matter of visitors in 1st class and allowing unwashed Y passengers to visit?
The way I see it, I own that F seat for the duration of the flight. If I want guests coming in to say hi, I can allow them up there. And if I want to switch seats or let someone take a picture in my seat, it's my prerogative.
What I don't really understand is why anyone else cares what I do with my seat. As long as nobody is taking away your seat, it's really none of your business what I do with mine. Most of the time on a flight, whether in 1st or coach I am either asleep or have headphones on watching a movie. I really couldn't care less what the guy next to me is doing.
The way I see it, I own that F seat for the duration of the flight. If I want guests coming in to say hi, I can allow them up there. And if I want to switch seats or let someone take a picture in my seat, it's my prerogative.
What I don't really understand is why anyone else cares what I do with my seat. As long as nobody is taking away your seat, it's really none of your business what I do with mine. Most of the time on a flight, whether in 1st or coach I am either asleep or have headphones on watching a movie. I really couldn't care less what the guy next to me is doing.
But you don't own the seat, and you certainly don't have any ownership of the F cabin itself to decide to start inviting people up into it. The F cabin is exclusive space, and those whose names are not on the manifest as such should not be up there.
#20
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SMF
Posts: 64
I've seen a photo on an airline website, showing a couple dining together at one seat. I tried to find it just now, but couldn't locate it quickly. It was either an international business or first class seat, with an ottoman. One sat on the ottoman and the other in the seat, the table was set for two. I could be remembering it slightly wrong, but it was certainly two people in one seat or suite doing something. This is the image that came to mind reading the OP.
I agree with most of the sentiment regarding exclusivity, except the idea that the paying first class passenger couldn't request their spouse come up to sit with them for a little while - assuming it's one designed like that in the mystery photo. Unless you see the person come in or have paid close attention to everyone else sitting in the cabin, you won't know any different anyway.
Also, it's a bit of a stretch to take the OP and what I'm saying as "inviting people up into it".
As B747-437B alluded, a politely assertive or dignified request to the flight attendant could probably, on some airlines in some circumstances, have the desired result. And in my opinion, should.
Though it is just my opinion, I suppose. I mostly wanted to mention that photo I'd seen, not meaning to make this go back-and-forth.
I agree with most of the sentiment regarding exclusivity, except the idea that the paying first class passenger couldn't request their spouse come up to sit with them for a little while - assuming it's one designed like that in the mystery photo. Unless you see the person come in or have paid close attention to everyone else sitting in the cabin, you won't know any different anyway.
Also, it's a bit of a stretch to take the OP and what I'm saying as "inviting people up into it".

As B747-437B alluded, a politely assertive or dignified request to the flight attendant could probably, on some airlines in some circumstances, have the desired result. And in my opinion, should.
Though it is just my opinion, I suppose. I mostly wanted to mention that photo I'd seen, not meaning to make this go back-and-forth.

#21
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 133
I've seen a photo on an airline website, showing a couple dining together at one seat. I tried to find it just now, but couldn't locate it quickly. It was either an international business or first class seat, with an ottoman. One sat on the ottoman and the other in the seat, the table was set for two. I could be remembering it slightly wrong, but it was certainly two people in one seat or suite doing something. This is the image that came to mind reading the OP.
#22
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: BA silver, Hyatt PLT, AA EXP, US silver, ICH RA, CO PLT
Posts: 957
I normally go to the bathroom while they do this. If I'm having a sleep I tend to brush my teeth beforehand ... sometimes the FA is chatty and it's fine to hang around ... sometimes it just feels a bit awkward!
Amenity kits are definitely things to keep. Slippers and pyjamas are also acceptable to keep though I can't imagine many people want more than one or two pairs in their drawers at home.
I think you can use their star alliance gold/business lounges but often their first class lounges are reserved for people travelling with them (certainly the case with LH first class terminal etc).
It's a controversial one and is likely to evoke the most passionate response from others on this board. Generally I think people frown upon it but I guess the real arbiter is the FA ... if they're happy then go ahead.
Enjoy the flight!
Amenity kits are definitely things to keep. Slippers and pyjamas are also acceptable to keep though I can't imagine many people want more than one or two pairs in their drawers at home.
I think you can use their star alliance gold/business lounges but often their first class lounges are reserved for people travelling with them (certainly the case with LH first class terminal etc).
It's a controversial one and is likely to evoke the most passionate response from others on this board. Generally I think people frown upon it but I guess the real arbiter is the FA ... if they're happy then go ahead.
Enjoy the flight!
#23

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Tit, Hilton Diamond, AMEX Plat
Posts: 6,825
I've seen a photo on an airline website, showing a couple dining together at one seat. I tried to find it just now, but couldn't locate it quickly. It was either an international business or first class seat, with an ottoman. One sat on the ottoman and the other in the seat, the table was set for two. I could be remembering it slightly wrong, but it was certainly two people in one seat or suite doing something. This is the image that came to mind reading the OP.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Home
Programs: Virgin FC, Qantas, Golden Circle, Sofitel, Hyatt, Starwood, Nectar, and my Tesco Club Card
Posts: 1,695
I thought the general rule on most airlines was that passengers of all classes are supposed to remain in the classes for which they are assigned.
#26
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: BA silver, Hyatt PLT, AA EXP, US silver, ICH RA, CO PLT
Posts: 957
Funny the second poster of this thread warned this might happen, why don't we drop the subject of visiting a pax in F?
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 47,505
Perhaps we can agree that if it's not against an airline's rules, and if it's okay with the FAs, then it is permitted. Still, there are those who think this should not happen even if it is permitted. I'm not one of them, but I'm not going to try to change anyone's mind about this.
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,452
Along with the "Kids who won't get off my lawn," and "People who play that rock-n-roll music too loud" threads, it certainly will get some passionate responses.
It probably won't get as ugly as the "Who moved Bingo back 15 minutes - Now I can't eat dinner at 5pm!" discussion, but it will be close.

#29
Join Date: May 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,674
What if, hypothetically, the entire F cabin was occupied by just one party (a solo traveler, a couple, or a family)? Would it be OK for visitors to come up and visit that one party, since there would be no one else to disturb?
#30
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 808
I flew the famous Delta "first" LAX-HNL yesterday, what I really missed with that cabin is that the cabin is not bigger. Y gives you the room to walk around. The service was great and as for the predeparture drink the default was mai tai, but people requested other things as well and that was okey with the FAs. But then again Delta domestic "first" is more like economy extra on intercontinental flights.