Memory Lane: Best Trip in First Class?
 

Note: this thread subject is mislabeled. I meant to have it read: "First flight in first class, not "Best" flight...".

Inspired by the interesting stories in the thread about first flights, how about first flights in first class?

A couple of people indicated that when they were upgraded (one investment banker was upgraded by his/her traveling companion, and one person was bumped into F on full flight), it was an indelible experience.

Well, the same is true with me: I was 16 years old returning to Boston from a summer in France, when I got to CDG all of about 30 minutes before departure to find one only TWA ticket agent still open at the check-in counters. Well, after scolding me for arriving so late, she preceded to hand me a FC boarding pass, and instructed me to hurry on my way! I had no problem making the plane. It was a 707 with about 3-4 rows in first class, plus a little lounge area which could hold maybe two people along the left side just inside the door. I remember being amazed at the total flight experienced. The stewardesses were so nice and didn’t seem to care at all about my young age, so I had more than my fill of champagne and liquor, caviar, and everything else. I was in heaven (or close thereto) and hooked for life on FC.

Well, now that I knew about this sort of thing, I then put myself to the test. About a week later, our family (all 7 of us) was going to LA for a couple of weeks before school started. This was right when advance seat assignments were starting to appear (must have been 1975)...and so I reserved multiple window seats, maybe 4 of them in a row for the 7 of us.

When we got to the airport, the BOS-LAX flight (an AA DC-10) was overbooked, and of course our pre-assigned seats were gone, and they were going to have to splinter the whole family throughout the DC-10. Instead they upgraded us all, so that they could keep up together!

One of the advantages of the DC-10's at the time was that the seats could swivel together, so that 4 of us could dine together.

To make a long story short, we did the very same thing on the way home! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thus began my very successful practice of intentionally arriving late for overbooked flights. This strategy worked well until FF upgrades arrived on the scene, and so the F cabins are/were as fully booked as coach; they also subsequently instituted policies where they would release seats 10-20 minutes before flight time, when reduced these opportunities. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif


[This message has been edited by nologic (edited 09-02-2001).]

UA HNL-KIX, I was the only one in F. For my "convenience" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif they put the Dom and its ice bucket on the tray table of the seat next to me. Same deal on UA KIX-GUM the next morning...

I must have been 9 or 10 years old, flying on a direct flight to Dallas to visit my grandparents. It was the first trip I'd been sent off on by myself. My grandfather had a ton of frequent flyer miles from business travel, and he used some to get me a roundtrip ticket in first class.

I really don't remember much of the trip at all, except that I had to dress up (this was back in the very early 80s, and my parents insisted) and the food was 'yucky'. All that fancy food just wasn't doing it for me. I do remember that the stewardess was nice enough to get me some 'normal' food from the back, where they had sandwiches or hot dogs or something for children meals.

I guess the experience was a little wasted on me at that age...

I started to travel for business in '94, and made AA Gold. My first upgrade was DFW-YYZ, on a flight with a half dozen co-workers. I boarded early, got settled in with my pre-departure drink, and sure enough, when coach starts boarding, my boss (who traveled less) walks by on his way to the back of the bus. The look on his face when he saw me was priceless.

My first trip in first was waaaayyy back in 1997 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif on a BA from LHR to JFK, they had a promo that offered o/w in first on a f/f business ticket, needless to say I was thrilled and had a great time, when I boarded I had a feeling I was not dressed right but it turned out most of the fellow pax were dressed even more casual than I was, since then I have always tried to be in first when I do long haul...

my 1'st was in 1967[or so]. i was commuting ,iad-sfo every week, it was a slow time for business [& for 1'st class] the cost to upgrade from full fare coach [ there wasn't any other fare ] was $ 15. i treated myself one friday. the seats were comfortable, the drinks were free & i enjoyed it. however, i concluded that paying $3/ hour wasn't a good value, & didn't do it again during that period.

I'm not sure this was my first trip in first class, but it was my first international and the earliest one I remember.

Connecting in Zurich going from Milan to Boston, I spent a bit too much time shopping and got to my gate late. The rigid Swissair gate agent scowled and said "We have given your seat to another passenger." When I apologized and asked if there was any way I could get on the plane, she said, meaning every word of the first five with the utmost seriousness, "Yes, but I am sorry. You will have to fly in first class."

I managed to indicate that this would be acceptable under the circumstances, took my boarding pass and got on.

Like swag's boss, mine boarded and saw me as the FAs were peeling me grapes and pouring me champagne or whatever they did. Then he walked through first and business on the way back to his coach seat. (He traveled more than I did, but not enough to earn upgrades in those days of few FF programs.) He never asked how I got there - he wasn't much of a communicator. I didn't stay with that company long.

As a kid, we never flew first - except to Hawaii on United. We'd head over with my aunt's family and between both families we'd take up a big chunk of first. I believe my mother and aunt did it because of the mai tai's :-), but I can't report on those because I was too young...

However, someone in the family always won the "guess when we'll be halfway there" contest - which made us kids really excited even though the prize was bad champagne (which the adults had to then lug to the hotel)

Funny thing - we mostly flew American or other carriers - but to Hawaii...it HAD to be United...

My first flight(s) in first were as a 19 year old college student. I had a friend who worked in Special Services for Delta and he would always upgrade me when I was flying between Lubbock and DFW for school holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, Easter, etc). I always took this for granted and never realized how lucky I was until I started flying for business.

I used to love the look of envy when my school friends (and invariably, the flights to and from Lubbock around school breaks were all Texas Tech students) would board to see me sitting in F. As a typical college student, I always managed to find a way to consume as many drinks as possible on the flight.

It was truly a sad day for me when American, Delta, and Continental all quit flying jets to Lubbock... Southwest was the only carrier left. That was when I started making the five hour drive home instead of flying.

As I recall my first first class flight was on a Delta DC-9, luncheon flight from ATL-ORD. I paid the difference between coach and first which was about ten dollars. I recall feeling great sitting up front. There were only 2-4 passengers riding up front. However, in addition to the flight attendant, there were four trainees. They had nothing to do but serve champagne. It was a Great Flight!!!

My first FC gig was in '85. My girlfriend and I were flying cross-country to visit with her sibling and parents for five days. Four days sounded better to me; and the little witch bought off on the concept of our taking an overnight bump and a $700 voucher each.

Turned out that they did not need us to bump, and we wound up styling and profiling in first. Worked out great; albeit I still would have preferred four days in ATL as opposed to five.

My 1st trip in 1st was an Eastern Airlines DC9 flight from PNS to ATL when I was 12 years old. My sister and I were travelling to ATL to visit my father and coach was oversold. I guess that they figured it wouldn't cost them anything -- liquor wise -- to upgrade 2 unaccompanied minors.

nologic - I've always thought that the first was the best! I remember getting upgraded on a late-evening transcon. Curling up in the "huge" seat under a blanket with my feet propped up on the bulkhead, sipping on Chardonnay and watching the movie. Many first class flights later, that was indelibly the best! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

Long ago - 1982 I had purchased a ticket which turned out to be an award ticket on CO. Standing in the business line - that's what I had purchased - the agent in First Class called me over. Turned out my ticket was in First Class on the 747 when CO had them. Great flight and a great introduction to New York with that great view landing at Newark.

My other memorable flight was a Christmas Day on UA from LHR-SFO on the old 747-200. I got an upgrade - and was the only passenger in First. The crew enquired if I minded if the Captains wife joined me (dare anyone to say NO), and we had the most wonderful flight all the way! I think I put on 20 lbs!

Well, I have two. My very first was a family vacation/professional meeting to Keystone, CO in about 1997. On the way home the flight was over sold. After boarding began they asked for volunteers. My husband HAD to get home, so he thought. My two boys and I were picked for the bump and it was our best ever. I remember asking FA to get the housekeys to my husband and we couldn't even say goodbye.

This was on DL. THey put us up at a nice hotel in DEN. The bellman drove us in a Lincoln to a drugstore to get a few supplies and then to an amusement park (Elitches?). Next morning he drove us to the Denver Mint. We had several meals on DL and flew out first class that afternoon. Luckily, even tho I wasn't nearly as experienced back then, I asked for First when doing my negotiations. Plus the vouchers back then were ones you could trade for a very expensive domestic trip.

Second was my first international. Booked about 9 months out SAT-LGW on no revenue tickets using miles to upgrade. On the wait list til a few days before departure. I must have checked the web site hundreds of times to see if we'd been upgraded.

Finally, we cleared and the air travel was heavenly to us (we had all been in coach the year before). Now my husband will not go international or to Hawaii unless I can finagle a first class ticket. I have flown other times in first, but not enough where it doesn't feel really special each time I do.

[This message has been edited by paradocs (edited 09-03-2001).]

BA back in '96 LAX-LHR. They had just installed the flat beds and 'cause I didn't fancy anything off the menu for breakfast, the flight attendant made me some scrambled eggs on toast - umm, just like being at home... that's what its all about.

Great topic - This is a little sad but my first FC experiance came on SR from BOS-ZRH when I was about 4months old..... been hooked ever since.

My best FC experience was giving my mom a AS/BA Business Class award SAN-LGW in Dec '97. They upgraded her to first, she was totally excited and in 7th heaven. The cabin attendants were very nice to this little 67 yo woman who asked for her picture taken in her little suite. The best part was her friends that picked her up were all concerned she would be exhausted from her journey, but she had slept like a lamb and was ready to hit oxford street to shop that day.
She had the best time showing her friends the menus, her sleeper suit and still uses the amenity kit bag for her travel toiletries.

My father, who I offered the same trip to, and declined and has never turned me down since. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

AHA!!!...somebody else who remembers the lounge! I'm not completely crazy then!
I've been telling friends about this for years, but couldn't find any pictures or diagrams to prove it with so nobody would believe me. I remember sitting in this space flying with rels years ago on one of my very first flights

I'm glad SOMEBODY else out there remembers this.

Anybody know where I could find photos of this? ---I've looked everywhere!

JD

Yes, the " 707 lounge"...a bench all of about 2 seats wide with a table in front of it...quite a luxury.

Those were the days. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Found a great picture of the 707 lounge:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=141368

Enjoy (wink wink)

My first and only 1st class experience was on a business trip to the Middle East. I flew BAH (Bahrain) to RUH (Riyadh) on a Saudi Arabian Airlines MD90. The flight lasted all of 50 minutes, and they still served a meal (I had lamb, I think), but no alcohol!

The most unique experience of that flight was female flight attendant uniforms. Instead of the black abaya worn by women in Saudi Arabia (due to Islamic law), flight attendant wore a blue and yellow robe (similar to the abaya) and had a blue scarf covering her head (her face was not covered). You do not see this type of uniform in the USA.

The FC experience was not really that special, since I just flew business class from IAD to BAH on UA and BA just a couple of days before. I enjoyed that business class experience better.

My first time was back in '90. I was 19 and on my way to Europe for a study term in Italy. My dad figured he'd escort me over there and take care of some business at the same time. Since PanAm was about to go under (for the first time) he decided to blow all his frequent flyer miles on first. Boy, were my eyes as big as saucers! The caviar, the champagne, chocolates, edible food, comfy seats. I was in heaven.

Alas, I was so smitten with the ride that I did not sleep. Upon arrival in Paris, I met up with a friend from school and we were dropped off at the Gare du Nord for our train to Amsterdam. Being somewhat groggy and very tardy, we sprinted for the train and managed to board as it was pulling away. Of course, we had about 1000% more luggage than I carry now. Once settled, we breathed a sigh of relief - until the conductor told us that the car we were seated in only went to Brussels. What a fire drill we had at the next station trying to change cars (for some reason the doors were locked between cars). By the time we reached Amsterdam I felt like death. Slept forever.

But I learned some valuable lessons: First is better http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, sleep on the plane, travel light and mind all signs and placards!

My first time in Business Class was to Europe with my Brother on AA (ATL-ORD-LON). On the way back, we were able to sit in up front. Of course, after a month or so of backpacking around Europe, we did not look like average people that should be up there. We were both so excited, neither of us slept, we watched 3 movies, enjoyed the drinks, and enjoyed a heck of a time. However, the best part of the trip back was that behind us sat none other than the one and only George P. Burdell. Needless to say, it was a great trip.

My first time in First Class was on an Eastern Airlines DC-9 in the mid-70s. My sister and I were traveling alone for the first time from Syracuse, NY to Fort Myers, Florida to visit our grandparents. My parents only bought dirt cheap tickets (in fact they probably sent us alone because they couldn't afford to go along). Nevertheless, after we took off one of the stewardesses (as they were still mostly called then) came back and brought us up to sit in First Class, in seats 1A & 1C. I was sure I was the most excited ten-year-old on the planet, although I think my eight-year-old sister could have cared less.

I'm imagine the stewardess upgraded us so she could keep an eye on us, and she ended up chatting with us while squatting in the aisle on many occassions throughout the trip. I still remember that she had braces!

One of the highlights was having that linen placemat laid down on my tray table and having food served to us on china! We were not by nature unruly children anyway, but I can tell you that we were certainly on our best behavior throughout that flight!

Now, as for my kids, we were all bumped up two years ago on a widebody dinner flight from ORD-MIA.

My kids were 3 and 5 at the time.

Even thought we got sundaes, they couldn't have cared less. In fact, we were given middle seats, and one of my kids was crying because she couldn't see out the window, and none of the people with window seats would trade, so I spent much of the flight at a window seat in coach. Oh well.

Again, last eyar, we were all bumped up to F on our MIA-BOS return...no crying this time, but at 5 and 7, they still didn't care.

I wonder at what age it starts to make a difference?

My first time? On board a TWA 747 flight (TW 760) between LAX and LHR. The service was out of this world. I remember that we had soup course as one of the meal courses. The Chateaubriand was actually carved in front of you and the amount of space was tremendous.

My first US domestic F flight was on a TWA 727 between LAX and SAN. They zipped the drinks out and because of the flying time of about 10 minutes we poured them all into plastic so we could go one drinking during landing!!

My first time, and it did make an impression and a difference, was when I was 9 years old on a trasantlantic flight.

For my daughter it started to make a difference when she was 7. She started to say that flying with Dad was better than flying with Mom (Mon and Dad are divorced - Mom goes coach, she normally flies business with Dad). She started to get curious about first class -always asked about the beds, so I dediced to treat her, and flew with her when she was 9 (last year) on Swissair beds accross the pond. Boy she loved it! This year (now she is 10) she was flying from MAD to SIN with her Grandma. She was resigned to fly on coach with her. She jumped of joy when she found that their seats were on business class. She is becoming a bit too used to flying in front with me and is thus becoming demanding. I am making an effort to make her understand that she should be happy and feel lucky for being able to fly business and/or first from time to time and that the norm is to fly coach and should not feel bad about it. I do not want her to grow up taking things for granted and becoming too pretentious.


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The trouble with resisting temptation is..... that you may not get another chance.

My first time in first was on UA HKG-SFO (or somewhere in the U.S.) over 15 years ago. I was around 12 years old and we had booked three award business seats and my dad was on a business trip. We had pre-assigned seats to sit together on the upper deck of the 747 and when we checked-in they offered to upgrade two of us to first. My dad first said no because he wanted us to sit together but I was so excited that he gave in and took the seats. I remember he wasn't too happy with the seats because it was second to last row and last row was smoking (back in the days when you still had smoking rows). My mum and younger sister were happy in their seats upstairs. I think our seats were just behind the 1L door. All I remember was that it was the first time I tried caviar and loved it! A few years after that I took Virgin's upper class and then a few years after that I started traveling first more regularly on international trips! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Once the beds came out I got hooked and after that I have traveled on first over 70% of my international trips.

Although this is not really a "First" experience I would argue that international "Business Class" on a 2-class airline would work also?!

My first experience of that was with SK in December last year. I was doing a weekend trip to Las Vegas from Denmark and had had almost zero sleep the night before. I started in CPH but my flight to the states would leave from ARN going to ORD. Even though sleeping through the entire 1-hour flight CPH-ARN I was close to dead when arriving in ARN and just wanted to sleep and get out of my misery. I arrived at a crowded gate where boarding had already begun. Somehow I managed to get upgraded with only 3 (15.000) coupons inspite of the rules stating 4 i.e. "20.000." My plan had been to argue that they had failed mailing me all four coupons (truth was I only had enough miles for 3). This is what I did and appearently I looked so wasted that the gate agent took pity on my at once.

It was just pure heaven. I had a free seat next to me. Would I like some juice? Sure, yes. Also, because I was so wasted I really did not mind what I would otherwise (and now with more experience pick up on). I asked a male FA to take my coat and he first asked where I was seated - then when he found I was seated in Business his changed totally. Really all the crew on this flight were so nice to me. A very nice flight.

I remember my first class experience when I was about 17 or 18 years old. I was traveling from Hawaii to the Mainland on a United Airlines 747.

This was back before deregulation and I was able to upgrade my ticket for $100.00. I did not know what a treat that $100.00 ended up being.

The First Class cabin was down stairs in the front and upstairs there was no such thing as business class. I remember the lounge upstairs with the swivel chairs and the bartender in the front corner by the circular staircase.

Downstairs movies were showing and I remember the galley stocked with Chips, Cookies and Candy. The flight attendents popped popcorn for the movie.

I miss those days ...... It has never been the same after that. I did not get to fly first class again until after deregulation.

Alfred-- sigh

As this topic is off topic for MilesBuzz, it will be moved to Trip Reports since that is where it most logically fits. Please remember the forum descriptions when posting.

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Ok, but why is s similar thread still open in AA:

"Your First Flight--Do You Remember?:

That's where I got this idea, because a couple of people talked about their first upgrade...and it seemed an interesting topic in and of itself.

I was in 10th grade, heading to Sao Paulo as an exchange student, about 14 years ago, on Varig. The father of the host family, who travels to the US and Europe frequently on business, called ahead and upgraded me with miles. I didn't know until I arrived at the airport. After check-in we were directed to the lounge (I don't know whether it was a First, or Business Lounge). My parents seemed to enjoy the lounge, though I didn't realize the implication of a First Class ticket, nor did I realize 'everyone' didn't get to go to the lounge.

I remember the cabin as being very, very spacious. When I sat down I was given an amenity kit, and some slippers. They showed movies with a projection TV sitting on the floor of the F cabin in the center. Food was prepared to order. It was GREAT!

Unfortunately, he (perhaps) forgot to call about the return trip to the US, so I was back in Coach in a midle seat. Wow, what a difference. I believe that was the trip that made me the upgrade-hungry traveler I am today.

Not quite "first class", but it impressed me at the time ... I was traveling from Boston to Melbourne, Florida to do some work at the Kennedy Space center in 1975. I was ticketed on Eastern in coach, connecting in Tampa. The flight was late leaving Boston, and I missed my connection in Tampa by 5 minutes, the last flight of the day. A gate agent apologised for not holding the connecting flight for me, and asked if I really needed to get to Melbourne that night. I explained that I did as I had a meeting at the Space Center first thing the next morning. He went off, and came back about 10 minutes later and told me that they had chartered a plane for me. Within 30 minutes I was in the air as the only passenger on a Beechcraft Baron! Imagine the chance of this happening these days.

My first time experience with 1st class was in about 1983 on a TWA L-1011 (with international configuration) from STL to PHX.

I had been flying for business about 2 years, almost exclusively on TWA. I knew nothing about elite status, upgrades, etc. I thought that everyone sitting in 1st paid a lot more for their tickets, and thus must work for a much better company. I was traveling with a co-worker and both of us were dressed in a coat and tie. We had already boarded, and were sitting in exit row coach seats (I did know enough to ask for those.) A gate agent came on board and asked for our boarding stubs. He then said that he had some people that he needed to put in those seats. I protested, saying that I went out of my way to obtain those seats. He then said he was going to put us in 1st class.

I remember that I never drank so much wine or champagne on an airplane flight. It was the greatest experience. I then began to learn the ropes of elite status and how to sit in 1st as much as possible. Thank you TWA.

[This message has been edited by Paul3456 (edited 09-07-2001).]

10 years ago I was booked discounted Y on LH morning flight for the regular weekend visit of my parents (I was studying abroad). Since I had a party the the night before I decided to skip sleeping and go to the airport directly from the party. Arriving at the airport 15 minutes before the flight in the most unlikely condition to get upgraded (drunk, tired, oldest clothes and smelling like a pig - someone poured a pint of beer on my lap).

Went to the check-in and got a Y BP. Whined about not getting a seat in the smokers section - in a very drunken voice - but polite and funny. Agent who found that I was the first person this morning that gave him a smile and made him laugh took the Y BP and handed me a FC in the smokers section. I was so surprised (and drunk) that I didnt even thank him.

On the plane I was the last to board and happily took my seat. One row in front of me a member of the German gouvernment (secretary of finance) was sitting with his 3 security men. They gave me the most weird look when I stumbled into the plane and took my seat right behind them.

For the whole flight I was drinking champagne (no one else did at that time of the day) and smoking like hell. The security men talked in a low but understandable voice about what a shame it was who was allowed into FC these days. I just giggled and enjoyed myself. I even thought about chatting up the secretary of finance for a nice debate of the economic situation (I was studying economics afterall !) But I wasnt drunk enough to dare after all the looks I got from his security.

Oh yeah --- wild, wild college years. The thing I learned is that there is no strict dress code for upgrading - but I wouldnt take this as an advise ;-)

Stephan

[This message has been edited by paulusst (edited 09-07-2001).]

My first FC trip was back in 1979. I was on my way from Stockholm to Melbourne via I don't know where anymore. I had just spent my compulsory 24 hours stopover in Singapore (life's tough sometimes) and got to the airport.

I knew I had a problem with my ticket even before I left, I was waitlisted on Qantas from Singapore to Sydney, but the travel agent advised me to check at the aiport. I did, and of course coach was full. I started with the old "but I have to be in Melbourne for an important meeting tomorrow, that's the only purpose of my trip" (which was true - honestly). The agent wouldn't/couldn't do a thing for me, but after some more discussion the supervisor came over and asked what the problem was. After repeating my situation, he took the ticket and left. He was back with an FC boarding pass and wished me a pleasant flight!

Oh yes, it was pleasant! Lobster and champagne for dinner is all I remember of the meals. I watched the sunrise over the Outback from the upstairs lounge and was politely called back downstairs by the purser when it was time to land.

After that it was difficult to go back to coach, but fortunately PanAm had some pretty good upgrade policies in the 80's and 90's so most of my trans-atalantic and US transcon lights were in first.

/Pete

Mine was on my 10th birthday on a 747 heading to Anchorage. I was sitting right in the nose. My father (an ATC) was sitting in one of the jump seats in the cockpit. I sat in the other jump seat for part of the time. Ahhhh, the good old days!