First time first class, a few questions

maxiesmom · Apr 24, 2015

I know it won't be anything fancy, as we are only on short Delta flights. One from Grand Rapids, Mi to Atlanta, and then on to Orlando. But am I right in that we get free wine? That is what I am getting from the Delta web site. The site also mentions wi-fi. Is that free in first class too?

And as far as Sky Priority goes, is that usually a separate line at security? The site mentions something about "accelerated security and baggage handling".

lost*in*cyberspace · Apr 24, 2015

Yes, you'll get free alcoholic drinks. I don't believe the wifi is free, even for first class.

Usually there is a dedicated security line for elite frequent flyers and first/business class for all airlines. TSA Pre is still faster (if you have this). They should tag checked bags priority; sometimes they are offloaded faster, sometimes not.

You're right not to expect too much, but it is better than economy.

Gracie09 · Apr 24, 2015

lost*in*cyberspace said:
Yes, you'll get free alcoholic drinks. I don't believe the wifi is free, even for first class.

Usually there is a dedicated security line for elite frequent flyers and first/business class for all airlines. TSA Pre is still faster (if you have this). They should tag checked bags priority; sometimes they are offloaded faster, sometimes not.

You're right not to expect too much, but it is better than economy.

Pretty much this. Be sure to order your first drink when you sit down so you can enjoy it while waiting to take off

DebbieB · Apr 24, 2015

They typically pass a snack basket on flights too short for meals. You get your choice of several items - cookies, pretzels, peanuts, sometimes fruit. If you have a coat or jacket, they will hang it for you.

schoen · Apr 25, 2015

it is really much nicer. You can check 3 bags for free. I like this option as it allows me to travel on the plane and in the airport with lightweight bags, and my husband can bring his clubs easily. The seats are much more comfortable, and they will usually have a small bottle of water waiting for you when you board the plane. Flying out of GR the expedited security will not be terribly useful for you (LOVE GR airport!). I am fairly certain that MCO does NOT have a separate security line for business class, I can tell you with certainty that they did not this past October. We have had good luck with Delta pulling our bags first, so less time at the baggage claim. You won't have free wifi, but you will have access to their OnDemand content on your device, so you can watch movies/TV shows using wifi, but only through Delta's website. I recently used that on a flight to Mexico and it was great. This service is available to everyone, but all of the content is free in 1st class, some of it has a cost associated with it that economy class seats have to pay (like $6 for a movie). Not ALL planes are equipped with this technology. I just flew to MSP on a smaller plane and it was not wifi equipped, but if your plane has wifi you can access their content. You will also get off the plane 1st.

lost*in*cyberspace · Apr 25, 2015

schoen said:
.... You will also get off the plane 1st.

Really? I haven't found this to be true on US carriers, except when the exit doors are only located at the front of the plane (although when flying first recently on Asiana and ANA, with an middle plane exit, the FAs held back economy passengers until all first class passengers were off the plane).

schoen · Apr 25, 2015

lost*in*cyberspace said:
Really? I haven't found this to be true on US carriers, except when the exit doors are only located at the front of the plane (although when flying first recently on Asiana and ANA, with an middle plane exit, the FAs held back economy passengers until all first class passengers were off the plane).

Delta always seems to, I am no expert, but every time I have flown first we have gotten off the plane first, and I have had to wait patiently for 1st to get off when I have been seated in economy.

beccasmom · Apr 25, 2015

Every bit of extra room is heavenly. That alone makes it a treat for me, free drinks or not!

shoes99 · Apr 25, 2015

We are going on the Panama Canal Eastbound in October. I just purchased flights from EWR to SNA (Disneyland)
and HOU to EWR. We will have 3 checked bags and only 2 are free with the explorer card. I priced out HOU
to EWR on our return flight and it was $75 extra per person each to fly FC one way. This didn't make sense at the
time so I booked it. The 3rd checked bag was going to cost us $35.
We are flying coach from EWR to SNA, and if we wanted to purchase Economy
Plus from EWR to SNA it is $100 each. FC was way more. So bottom line,
we are flying FC on our 3 1/2 hour flight back to EWR after our Panama Canal Cruise. Its a surprise
for DH, who has mobility issues and will appreciate the slightly bigger seat and more room.

jec6613 · Apr 25, 2015

lost*in*cyberspace said:
Really? I haven't found this to be true on US carriers, except when the exit doors are only located at the front of the plane (although when flying first recently on Asiana and ANA, with an middle plane exit, the FAs held back economy passengers until all first class passengers were off the plane).

With domestic US routes, which are primarily on 737, A320 or smaller aircraft, there is only the front exit. The middle of the aircraft has overwing exits only.

On larger aircraft such as the 757 and all widebodies, there is the possibility to be disembarked through the 2L exit (this is NOT in the middle of the plane, it's still quite near the front) some economy passengers will be intermingled. On US carriers on international itineraries and aircraft, they are usually flown on widebodies where 2L is situated between the first class and business class cabins. 2L usage is still the exception except on the 747 and A380, as it requires the gate to be either oversized, or dedicated to widebody aircraft.

All else being equal, I'll take a 2L boarding every time so that the economy passengers don't bump my knees, but I usually don't get them, except at MIA.

MillauFr · Apr 26, 2015

Most of the domestic flights I have been on really can't be called "first class" in my opinion. Its is really economy +. Although, I was on a United flight this summer and the plane was configured for international flights. They seats that extended to lie flat beds and the tvs had hundreds of channels. There was tons of room. It really was first class.

jec6613 · Apr 26, 2015

MillauFr said:
Most of the domestic flights I have been on really can't be called "first class" in my opinion. Its is really economy +. Although, I was on a United flight this summer and the plane was configured for international flights. They seats that extended to lie flat beds and the tvs had hundreds of channels. There was tons of room. It really was first class.

Domestic first class has considerably more room than premium economy, particularly in the width department, where a 19" width is considered a large premium eco seat, domestic first class is usually 25" or wider. There's also 6" more legroom than E+, in my experience (AA's 763's being the exception, those have massive legroom).

You also get fed and watered and extra checked bags. Plus, L48 domestic flights are almost always under 4 hours, so unlike my upcoming 14 hour flight followed by a 9 hour flight, a lay-z-boy recliner's worth of space is plenty.

shoes99 · Apr 26, 2015

shoes99 said:
We are going on the Panama Canal Eastbound in October. I just purchased flights from EWR to SNA (Disneyland)
and HOU to EWR. We will have 3 checked bags and only 2 are free with the explorer card. I priced out HOU
to EWR on our return flight and it was $75 extra per person each to fly FC one way. This didn't make sense at the
time so I booked it. The 3rd checked bag was going to cost us $35.
We are flying coach from EWR to SNA, and if we wanted to purchase Economy
Plus from EWR to SNA it is $100 each. FC was way more. So bottom line,
we are flying FC on our 3 1/2 hour flight back to EWR after our Panama Canal Cruise. Its a surprise
for DH, who has mobility issues and will appreciate the slightly bigger seat and more room.

Update: My exact flights coach one way and FC one way went up to $762 each from $438. In addition, when you are flying back after a cruise the 1:30 and 2:30 flights seem to fill up faster as people want to get
home. I'm done checking now. I'm happy.

First time first class, a few questions

maxiesmom

The Mean Squinty Eye Works

lostincyberspace

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Gracie09

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DebbieB

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schoen

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lostincyberspace

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schoen

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beccasmom

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shoes99

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jec6613

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MillauFr

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jec6613

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shoes99

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