The internet is very vague in saying while business class can prove to be much more comfortable than econ, first class will offer more leg room, better service and *celebrity* chef menu items.
Just wondering if anyone has had the opportunity to do one or both of the upgrades- if so- your thoughts.
~Lexi
As a commercial pilot, first is not worth the money. If you have the money to throw away, do it. If you get a free upgrade, do it. If you're paying out of pocket yourself because you "want to relax on your vacation".... take a longer vacation or go somewhere nicer with your money instead.
When I'm deadheading or flying for free by taking advantage of the perks of working in aviation, I often get offered to be move to a higher class and I rarely take it. First off, it's better business sense to make a customer feel special and hope they fly with us more often. But secondly and more relevant to your question, as a frequent flyer and therefore not a nervous one, I usually just sleep, watch the movies or read a book. My legs don't get cramped on a 13 hour flight because there's no leg room, they get cramped because that's what happens when you sit for hours at a time. First class won't change that other then the fact that I can maybe recline. But if I'm reclined, I'm probably sleeping, and if I'm sleeping, I might as well sleep in coach since I don't feel the cramps when I'm dreaming of boning Kate Beckinsale anyway. The leg room really doesn't bother me but people around me might, and if I'm sitting beside a mom and her 3 year old, I'll take the upgrade just to know I actually will be able to sleep. But other than that, what's the benefit?
The upgrade to business is a good choice though, especially since they can often be really cheap (I've seen upgrades regularly for as little as $22). Better attention, usually at least one free drink if not limitless ones, no line ups for toilets, etc. First class is a status thing. I might suggest doing it once in your life just to say you did, but I'd suggest doing it on one of the airlines that really goes above and beyond for first class, like Lufthansa or Emirates. Emirates out of Toronto means A380 which means you could buy a car for the price of the ticket if you look at going all the way with a suite. But Lufthansa... You could do Lufthansa. In Europe, you'll have a gate about as often as you just deplane on the tarmac and walk into the terminal, but first class means a chauffeured limo instead of to walk. Most places Lufthansa flies you also get a free chauffeured town car to take you to your hotel. I usually ask mine to stop off at a bank to get some spending money (I always just withdraw from an ATM when I arrive), a chemist/pharmacy to pick up the misc toiletries that I hate packing or have run out of, and a newspaper stand to get myself familiar with what's happening locally. If I arrived late, maybe a liquor store to get a bottle of wine to go with whatever I have for dinner. Of course, I'm usually not hungry, thanks to Lufthansa's amazing first class meals. Mind you, their coach food is decent too.
In any case, I don't recommend flying first just to fly first. Do it for an experience, which means treating it like any other: once you know what airline you're flying with, find out what types or aircraft you'll most likely be in and then read about their services at your destination and look at images of their first-class trips. If you're going to pay for it, make sure you get your money's worth. For most airlines, especially the domestic ones, it's really not worth it.
