I might fly 4-5 times a year, so upgrades are out. Things are good enough for me that when I do need to fly, I go first (esp. with A/D/_UP fares), for all the reasons mentioned here. I'm sure that my spend (mid-4 figures) is dwarfed by all but the most trick-using of even mid-tier flyers. Couple that with the fact that >3 out of those trips are business and deductible, it's worth it to me.

(Are you also "BaylorGirl" who just asked this question in another forum?)

Are there any US-based airports where they have first-class priority lines but no access to those lines for elites? I've never seen it.

The space and seat comfort are the biggest things for me, although on the international flights where it really matters, I've only ever gone in business, not first.

I'm a college professor, so it's always a coach fare when I fly - but that doesn't mean I'll sit there if I don't have to.

First class fares, especially overseas, can be totally absurd. Most of the people who "pay" them are taking advantage of the generosity of anonymous stockholders. They, in turn, usually don't know they're being that generous - and don't care, as long as the stock price keeps going up and the dividends keep coming in. I'm not going to pay them. Most of the other folks in the front cabin don't, either.

As previously posted, frequent flyers on many airlines can move up a class at no financial cost. I'll do that whenever I can. Neither my religion nor I believe that there is any benefit to needless suffering in this life.

(That said, within the past few weeks I flew from Providence, R.I., to southern Mexico and back in coach. We survived.)

Most of the people who pay for first-class tickets are anonymous stockholders who don't know their money is being used that way and would be upset if they did, but in the final analysis don't care as long as the stock price keeps going up and the dividends keep coming in.

That's who keeps a lot of high-end hotels in business, too.

I just did 10 days in Italy with carry-on only.

Weeklong business trips are also easy to do carry-on only. Pants are fine in the suit-case, and I wear my jacket on the plane.

I don't do any manuals--pdf for me. Or ship before-hand. Or Kinkos at my destination.

Hmmm. Could veggie_lover==greenery?

There are lots of reasons not to travel in coach.

I don't travel in coach longhaul because I'm unwilling to suffer and be squashed into a seat for any period of time.

I've also been involved in long travel marathons where you seem to go airplane -> meeting -> airplane -> different meeting -> airplane -> yet another meeting.

Being productive during those long hours on the planes was well worth it. I've seen entire deals re-written inflight

There are people who are effectively commuting back and forth between North America and Asia. It's hard to find good people willing to do that every other week if they have to sit in coach. Effectively such costs become immaterial to the costs of NOT having the right person in the right place at the right time.

Steve

At least one, apparently...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=400112&page=3

Hawaiian Airlines pays for my First Class travel. We fly enough to get free u'g's to F. Pay for Y; fly F. That's the way to roll!

When I'm travelling long-haul for pleasure, the flight is part of the travel experience. I want the whole experience to be relaxing and comfortable--not going to happen if I start the trip off by cramming myself into a coach seat. I won't walk up and throw down $15,000 for a ticket, but I can usually get a first-class fare within my budget.

[QUOTE=FCfree;9157217]
Northwest and Continental are the best on this -- giving FREE, UNLIMITED first class upgrades, space available, once you become SILVER or better.

I guess the qualifier "space available" would cover the instance where NWA simply did not OFFER any first class style seats or service on the plane--as is the case with some of their transpacs--if not all, I believe.

But I bet by now the OP has "gotten the message"-- and a pretty consistent answer to her question.

I can afford it so I pay for it. Why put up with the stress of trying to upgrade if it isn't necessary?

Interesting. So there are some! Another reason to avoid Florida, I guess.

I think coach vs. premium cabin is more like crowded stinky subway (or EL as we call it here in ORD) ride to airport vs limo or maybe you can say coach:business:first is to subway:taxi:limo

My company pays for business class (or 2 cabin F) so that I can work more efficiently while travelling. If its longhaul, they get the added benefit of me being much more productive upon arrival. Its really hard to open a laptop up in coach and actually get work done unless you're really short or in an exit row.