C L S E F G W

A=Ambiance

I will fly close to 200 segments this year, over 100 of which have been on propeller planes. With all the rushing around involved in travel, I just enjoy the relative peace and quiet that exists in First and/or Business when available.

I know that I am taking the risk of coming off as something of an elitist here, but I usually (not always) have more sophisticated, interesting seatmates in the premier classes than in coach. The FA's are also a lot less harried, which just puts them in a lot better mood.

It takes almost all day for us to fly from SEA to almost anywhere on the East Coast, so having at least palatable food on the flights is a necessity.

Having said all that:

A - Ambiance
S - Service
C - Comfort
F - Food
W - Wine
E - Entertainment (The map)
L - Legroom. I'm not very tall
G - Ground Experience. I can't think of any differences that are dependent on the class one flies.

C,L,S,E,F,W,G

C,F,L,A,S,W,G,E

Legroom is important to me, but rarely has there been insufficient legroom in the premium cabin. However, there are larger differences between the airlines in terms of seat comfort/features.

I expect to see much better catering when I fly in F. I will definitely not be pleased if some sort of light meal is not offered on a flight over an hour in length. I'll often take a glass of wine, but it doesn't have to be an expensive brand...just palatable. Good coffee is also important.

In-flight entertainment has never been a huge priority for me, although I appreciate the newer options, such as mini-DVD players and "live satellite TV." I usually don't like the main screen feature and/or, the screen is too far away/too small. Some PTVs are also too small, and many only offer a few channels.

I agree with Punki about ambiance, at least in the sense that the cabin needs to be clean and attractive. Obviously, with so many people travelling on upgrades, you can't expect too much from your fellow passengers, but I think the F/As should try to offer more professional service up front.

By Ambiance, I meant the general aura of peace, goodwill, cooperation, and civility, displayed by both passengers and crew in premium.

My experience has been that there is a much higher likelihood that people will behave like gentlewomen and men in premium class than in coach. Perhaps it is simply that they (persons in premium class) are for the most part more frequent fliers and have a better sense of what to expect and how to deal with the unexpected.

Probably a little more wine and space for both bodies and luggage has a great deal to promote graciousness as well.

Of course, even in first/business I have witnessed people who didn't understand the concept of waiting or sharing overhead bin space or stowing their gear in the most economical way possible. On our flight last week from ORD/SEA there was a totally clueless couple who took up one entire overhead bin for their poorly stowed gear and yelled at a dead heading pilot who attempted to rearrange it to accomodate his bag. Their gear was "too fragile" to be rearranged. The pilot behaved with great grace and dignity.

It occurred to me that who ever gave them the upgrade should have also given them lessons on Flying in First.

LCEF

C L S F W G E

I added in the final responses (now that the thread has been idle for a few days).

The order did not change from the preliminary.

1. C - Seat comfort (width, adjustability)[204 points]
2. L - Legroom [164 points].
3 S - Service, pampering [117 points]
4 F - Food [114 points]
5. G - Ground experience (check-in, lounge) [86 points]
6. E - Entertainment [63 points]
7. W - Wine [55 points]

The biggest disagreement was about legroom. The most agreement was about comfort.

Sorry, Punki, I had to ignore "A" since I couldn't figure out how to rate it with the others. (I'm not sure how an airline could control ambiance, other than by interviewing customers in advance!).

Note to airline marketing people: You're welcome.

Thanks for putting us to the test, opus17. I hope the airlines are listening???

If not too late to vote - can I ask for a hand recount?

L C G F S E W

By L, I mean seat pitch.

I agree with Punki, Ambiance is the key. By ambiance I mean less snotty nose kids, coughing their germs everywhere; kicking the back of my seat; dropping their cutlery; running backwards and forwards to the toilet and generally getting on my pip.

Ok, just had a really bad flight... had to vent. Aaahhhhh that felt good.


Nick

CL .... GS ... EF ... W

(don't drink on longhaul flights except for one Bailey's near landing westbound)

[This message has been edited by ElmhurstNick (edited 11-24-2000).]