Hi, newbie here. I am flying from austin to either seattle or bellingham in a couple of months. I really want to fly first class for the first time, however, I have no idea which airline to pick. I have been on some flights where first class was basically coach, but in the front of the airplane. Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

First Class these days on US airlines is not very exciting. Since Alaska is the only airline that flies nonstop from Austin-Seattle, that would be my choice. They have a 6:40PM dinner flight to Seattle. You'll get a wider seat, reasonable edible meal compared to other US airlines and Wifi (for a nominal fee), free checked luggage and Priority check-in and security. If you are going to Bellingham, you could either take a Alaska connection from Seattle or simply rent a car at SEA and drive the 90 minutes. Probably get you to Bellingham at about the same time. Alaska is also the only domestic airline where an First Class ticket will get you lounge access in Seattle on your return.

Welcome to FT!

Your choices probably are DL, UA(CO), or AA/US, with all requiring a connection. I would start by looking at schedules and prices, then investigate aircraft types (which can matter more than the carrier). If a FC meal would be part of the experience for you, check which times offer meal service on one or both segments. Don't expect lounge access, but you should get elite check in and security lines and priority boarding. You'll probably be entitled to at least one free checked bag.

I forgot AS and didn't realize that AS flew to AUS. This is a good suggestion, although IMO the AS aircraft interiors tend to appear old. Would this plane have AVOD?

How do you find if the flight is with a new airplane? Also, I am okay with a connecting flight for a better experience. A friend suggested flying virgin first class to san fran, then connecting up to seattle. What do you guys think? Or is it best to just fly direct via Alaska?

How do you get lounge access? Where is this lounge you speak of? Can you just pay to go in?

Thanks for the tip! What are your thoughts on flying Virgin First from austin to sanfran, then connect up to seattle? I read that there was a really nice virgin lounge in SFO.

Your Alaska First Class ticket gives you free entrance. In Austin, you can use the American Airlines Admirals Club across from Gate 13. In Seattle, the Alaska Airlines Board Room is just after Central security. Complimentary (cheap) drinks and some basic snack items. Relax there until you go to the gate to board.
Alaska Airlines Board Room access

Not sure about the AVOD. AS hands out digi-players on longer flights but AUS-SEA is probably not one of those routes, but I'm just guessing here.

I am willing to have a connecting flight for a better experience. What are your thoughts of flying with virgin to SFO, then connect up to seattle? Or is the experience the same as if it was just aus - seattle with alaskan air? I see that virgin has a really nice lounge in SFO. Thanks

IIRC the SFO Virgin lounge (Clubhouse) is for international VA (or VS) flights. AFAIK it would be in a different area of the airport than the terminal Virgin America uses for its domestic flights.

I think you're confused about first class. There is "imitation" first class, which is on most two-class flights within the USA. What is called "first class" in the USA is simply called "business class" everywhere else in the world. And even within the US, there are vast differences in the experience between first class on different planes.

The only flights that have a really better experience domestically in first class (or even in business class) are those that fly two-aisle planes with much better seats upfront (able to go lie-flat, as they're designed for international travel) and/or certain LAX-JFK and SFO-JFK transcons. If you're going to spend big money to experience first class, I suggest you hold off for a longer flight where you can experience that better first class.

On SEA-AUS, you're not likely to find it unless you create a circuitous routing to get you on one of those 2-aisle planes. That would probably require starting out really early, as AA only flies DFW-LAX 2-aisle planes in the morning IIRC, and you'd have to connect AUS-DFW first. But you'd have to fly AUS-DFW-LAX-SEA just have a chance at one leg on these planes with a much nicer first class. (Booking with AA or AS, as the AUS-DFW-LAX would be on AA but the LAX-SEA would be on AS. AA and AS are partners, so no problem booking a combination AA/AS flight.)

You might only find practical to do in one direction. It would cost less to pay for first in one direction and economy in the other. It would make more sense to fly the AS non-stop in the other direction, since coming from SEA you probably can't get to LAX early enough to connect to the last two-aisle LAX-DFW plane in that direction.

The problem with your plan is that AFAIK no domestic airline flies these two-aisle planes within the US except between their own hubs on certain routes (to feed into international longhaul connections at the second hub). DL hubs to a degree in SEA, but I don't know if they run two-aisle planes from SEA to anywhere in the US. No one flies two-aisle planes to AUS, it's too small a city for that.

Virgin would definitely provide a much better experience. Seat will be much nicer with a lot more recline and leg room. Food would be marginally better as well. Connecting will considerably increase your travel time. Perhaps one way on Alaska and a return on Virgin.

Virgin (VX) F pax can purchase a day pass of $40. Indeed, the lounge is in the International Terminal and a royal PIA to go to and from... including two trains and re-clearing security when you return for your VX flight. If you have a long connect time and need a lounge, I'd suggest buying a $50 day pass to the SFO Admirals Club which is in Terminal 2, the same terminal as Virgin flights.

OP wants a better experience than Y. OK, so it's no Singapore or Emirates, but there is no reason not to buy F on this route and be comfortable if he/she can afford it.

BA does.

I understand the domestic first class from austin to seattle isn't a luxury suite, however, between the airlines that fly from austin to seattle, What would be your top pick? AA? delta? Virgin? Alaskan air? etc....I will definitely have to plan an international trip sometime to experience true first class. Thanks!

Ignoring time, connections and convenience, my ranking would be...

1. Virgin
2. Alaska
3. Delta
4. American
5. United

Thanks guys for all your help!!! One last question, How do you know/research if the plane for your flight is new or updated?