Longtime lurker, first-time poster, with a question for the (amazing) collective wisdom of flyer talk...

I've gotten to the point in my travels that I'm willing to pay to fly First-- if it means I can escape the chaos of (over-full) upgrade lists, the narrow coach seats, the snacks, plastic cups, and baggage scrum in the back.

But here's the thing: are there any airlines with first-class service worth paying for? Most of my travel is domestic, so Virgin America comes to mind. But their limited route network is no help to me. I've also flown Delta, Continental, and United (on upgrades) in the front cabin, only to be entirely unimpressed. If you ask me, upgrades generate a lot of hubbub among frequent flier types like us for only very marginal difference.

Is there *anywhere* these days that provides good food, good wine, and good, comfortable service to paying domestic/US customers? Anything I'm overlooking? Like I said, I'm willing to fork out the money, I'm just not sure who to spend on...

(And to tag on a speculative question, what is it going to take for airlines to improve their soft and hard products in domestic first? Honestly, the way things are right now, it's embarrassing for the price the legacy carriers charge...)

Thoughts and advice welcome.

Not worth the money. Free upgrades are fine-- watch the 1k's swarm the monitor to see if they get upgraded! No way, IMO, worth $100's of dollars an hour for average comfort seats and microwaved turkey sandwiches...oh yeah, and a bag of sun chips.

No.

Domestic F is actually a sort of super-coach for elite customers who tend to get it for free. It doesn't justify its asking prices for non-elites, which hardly anybody pays. Aside from VX F, and possibly the UA p.s. transcon service LAX/SFO-JFK, there is no genuine premium class service in the US.

Whether it's worth it or not is something that only you can judge. Are you actually paying out of pocket or is an employer (or, if you are the owner, is it tax-deductible business travel)?

I fly in F (A + corporate discount) on 2+ hour domestic and that is common among my peers. It is hardly AF or BOAC F from back in the day, but the fact is that the seat is 50% wider and there is more pitch. There's generally real glassware and the food is anywhere from passable to good.

Given that the TCON xIAD is essentially 6 hours, I hit the ground running and since time is $, it's worth it.

On the other hand, if it came down to laying somebody off vs. flying Y or paying a kid's tuition vs. F, the answer would be easy.

First rule of FlyerTalk: never pay for first class.

Second rule of FlyerTalk: NEVER PAY FOR FIRST CLASS.

I have paid for an upgrade at the gate. No way would I pay a full fare FC domestically.

AA flagship JFK-LAX

hawaii - currently lieflat, flatbed coming
puerto rico - ive seen US offer flatbed

cant recall - what kind of seats in UA/AA flagships?

i agree though, better to save for international J/F especially when there are great deals
(on foreign carriers rather than domestic carriers)

I now choose the upgraded equipment with flatbeds, whenever possible. I also select flights based not only on flatbed equipment but likelihood of upgrade. I only buy coach, but the category of coach differs based on how full the flight is.

I also try and book in the bulkhead of reclining exit row, just in case I don't get upgraded.

a few years back, we got F tickets DCA-hawaii and backcost each $1700(that was a big premium). i think. the first shock, no lounge. the wine would have cost $5 a bottle in the grocery. no decent wine store would carry the stuff. seats were decent, 37". thje food was decent. probably comparable to a fast food.

I personally would go in the upgrade lottery for domestic and when flying internationally upgrade - or use SWUs or use your miles to upgrade. International is worth it especially on an eastbound TATL redeye IMO.

I fly up front or I stay home. If I have to pay full price, then I pay full price.

Domestic first class has become commoditized thanks to businesses cutting back on their travel budgets.

It's only a matter of time before international first class meets the same fate. Give it 10-20 years.

US carriers vs foreign carriers, including sovereign funds

ignoring leisure? 2(+) SQ suites are cheaper than sizable business jet with bedroom

Even domestic F is better than any coach seat. By a long way.

But if you are going to cash out for it, make sure you do it on a flight long enough to make it worthwhile. Don't spend the money to take a 45 minute flight in F. Do at least a transcon.

Even on daytime (westbound) flights? I'm more than happy to use upgrades on redeyes, but don't really see the need for flatbeds when I won't be sleeping.