coach v. first class

melambka44

We're weighing the choice between coach and first class for our honeymoon flight. Is the difference in coast worth the difference in the flight? This may be the only time we ever concider flying first class.

MandaK12

I would say it depends on how long you're going to be on the plane and how it will affect the rest of your budget. Personally, unless I'm going halfway around the world, I'd prefer to fly coach and save my money for other experiences on the honeymoon!

acaponi87

I have never paid for 1st class so I'm not sure what it costs. However due to overbooking/messed up flights FI and I have been bumped up to 1st twice in the last year. If they are looking to move people ask about it. Usually they'll over some sweet deals. When we went to Puerto Rico last year they asked for people to move flights..we got bumped to 1st and we each got vouchers for future flights ($450 a piece) AND our flight got in earlier than our original. 1st is nice but I'd never pay for it. At least if it costs what I think it does.

alithebride

how long is the flight? what's the price difference? and did you price business as well? and sometimes there are enhanced coach seats. which airline?

sweetcanadian1979

It usually costs a ton of money & not worth it, with that being said if i was going to hawaii which is almost half a day from here i would try to fit it in, that is too long in a tiny seat, but if it was just a couple hours, not a chance. 

christikao

Personally I don't think it's worth it for domestic since you don't really get much for the price. I like JetBlue or Virgin America for domestic since you get a lot more for your money. 

Nina0528

I personally don't think it's worth it. I've been on 9 and 13 hour flights in coach and didn't have a problem with it. I'd rather save the money and spend on the rest of the trip. We did, however, get bumped up to the "economy extra" section on the way home from our HM. It wasn't first class but the extra perks were nice. Probably not something I would pay for in future, though.

hz80408

Ditto pp's questions. Plus, have you flown before? Do you do well flying, etc?

I was upgraded to business once during a 2 hr flight and it was nice; but at the same time I've done a 15hr American Airlines direct flight in coach and didn't have any issues

Hilraythebride

I don't think its worth it no matter how long the flight is.  I flew from Philadelphia to LAX then from LAX to Australia and that flight was like 20 hours.  I was fine with my seat in coach.  Depending on the airline and if it makes long trips like that a lot, there will be great ammentities in coach.  When I flew Quantis there was your standerd blanket and pillow, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mask for sleeping, awesome meals, cadberry hot cocoa, and a screen on every chair that had movies, games and stuff.

melambka44

We're flying to mexico. We have both flown before and we're fine with it. We've both been to Europe flying coach. I think we'll go with coach and hope for an upgrade. Thanks for the opinions!

Maggie0829

I have flown first class a few times (been upgraded on business trips).  While it was nice to actually drink from a real glass and not have to pay for anything extra (like snacks and alcohol), there really wasn't anything extremely different about the flight...maybe a slight bit more room but since the guy in front of me was a d*ck and put his chair all the way back into my lap I didn't have that much extra room to enjoy.

The only time I would ever pay for first class is if the flight was an all day affair, I made millions of dollars, and I could reserve one of those first class suites, with the chair that turns into a bed, my own tv, etc.  Like such...

Summer2011Bride

I think it depends on the length of flight. When we flew 8+ hours to Hawaii on our HM, we did first class. But really we did it because FIL travels a LOT for work and graciously donated miles to us, so we only had to pay a small fee to use them to upgrade. Had he not done that, we probably would've sucked it up in coach too. We were lucky in that we got bulkhead on top of it so we could stretch our legs totally out in front of us.

I have been on 4-5 hour flights in coach and it was fine. I made sure to get up and stretch my legs a few times to beat the cramped feeling, but it was doable. Normally I'd rather save the money for other things on trips.

Tandra&Devin

I've done a lot of domestic flights in coach and never minded.  When I went to London, though, we flew overnight in coach and I felt so terrible the next morning.  The price tag might make it a pretty tough decision, but if I was promised some extra room I'd be sorely tempted. 

I'd say it's just like any other vacation splurge.  If you don't mind taking away from other things money-wise, then go for it

Snippylynn

I think Business would be a more... obtainable.... option.  I think First is probably overrated for the experience, but I'd be okay with paying for business class-- especially as we usually fly overseas.  Going TO the US we aren't worried so much, but on the way back to Europe, when you want to sleep, I'd prefer to have business seats AS LONG AS they are on the right airline.  US airlines are bunk. European, Asian, Middle Eastern-- totally worth it.

[Deleted User]

I agree with Snippy. 

Jells2dot0

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_coach-v-first-class?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:1b5dc86e-01b8-47fa-bfb7-4f1a10160f51Post:a566b49d-6fda-41e5-af70-407ff0bffbe8">Re: coach v. first class</a>:
[QUOTE]I think Business would be a more... obtainable.... option.  I think First is probably overrated for the experience, but I'd be okay with paying for business class-- especially as we usually fly overseas.  Going TO the US we aren't worried so much, but on the way back to Europe, when you want to sleep, I'd prefer to have business seats AS LONG AS they are on the right airline.  <strong>US airlines are bunk. European, Asian, Middle Eastern-- totally worth it.
</strong>Posted by Snippylynn[/QUOTE]

This. I am actually someone who falls on different sides of the spectrum. I have flown coach to Tahiti and Europe, but have also flown business class to the Indian Ocean, Tahiti, and Fiji. I used miles to get to the Seychelles, but I've paid for business for both Tahiti and Fiji. I fly in first class domestically all of the time, usually via free upgrades, but I have paid for it before. So, I believe I have a good perspective on the value. However, whenever anyone on here asks this question, I have to say that it really depends on your priorities. As snippy mentioned, getting that good night's sleep is really nice when flying internationally to Europe or Asia. I also have a back problem and my doctor recommended I fly in business/first to help my back make it through the trip. So, to me, it's SO worth the extra money to be comfortable. However, I'm fortunate enough to be able to have the money or miles to accomplish that and still take the trip I want. If it at all interferes with the quality of the trip, I'd rather put the money into the hotel room or activities. Each person is different, though. I say, if you can afford it and it's something you really want to do, then go for it. In most cases, though, the tickets are close to double or even triple, and it isn't worth the extra nights you can add on with the money saved.

mica178

Different airlines have completely different coach experiences.  Korean Air has huge seats in normal economy and pretty decent food.  I would happily fly coach again to Asia on Korean.  Actually, most of the Asian airlines have good everything, although some of them still really pack in the seats, so you need to read the reviews carefully.  On the other hand, a lot of the American airlines really run their coach like the cattle section and cram in so many people, it'd be hard to be comfortable for a longer flight.  I remember going to China on United and feeling uncomfortable; I can't imagine my husband on that flight with his wide shoulders and long legs.

I love business and first class, but as PPs mentioned, the tickets are usually 3 times more expensive, so I'd only upgrade for long flights on the more questionable airlines.

bridetobemo

personally on a short flight I wouldnt splurge for first class, I flew to Hawaii, 9 hours, straight from Chicago, in coach and being 6' 1" I'll be honest it kinda sucked, but I wouldnt have paid the extra money to fly first class!

Karen's MOH

I'd rather pay a little extra for a better airline, like JetBlue or Virgin, than pay two or three times as much for first class. It's just so expensive. If I had miles to put towards it I might. For our honeymoon we flew half way around the world, about 24 hours travelling each way, and we did it in coach. It wasn't great, but Cathay Pacific has OK sized seats and individual TVs at each seat, so it was fine. We never would have been able to pay for first  class. I figure you can easily pay for and extra day or two at your location to recover after the flight