Domestic first class options??????

[KPeterso]

No experience with first class. But I have flown the LAX-MCO many times (usually at least twice a year). Typically in Economy, but a few times in Comfort+. I have tried all the various airlines and Delta has been the best by a large margin. Every flight has had seatback entertainment with many options of shows to watch or live tv. And the WIFI has been great on both my phone or IPad. Delta has become my top choice for the route. I have had both UA and AA that did not have the screens for the long flight and sometimes my IPad did not want to cooperate with their systems.

 

[Minnie1222]

How exactly would that be illegal? You can totally book a flight in Emirates to fly from LAX to DXB and DXB to MCO. But a business seat would run like 14000$

Agreed. I don't think it's illegal if the passenger flies to Dubai, hangs around the airport, then catches a flight back to the States. Good luck explaining to custom though.

 

[EACarlson]

Agreed. I don't think it's illegal if the passenger flies to Dubai, hangs around the airport, then catches a flight back to the States. Good luck explaining to custom though.

It wouldn't be an issue if the flight back was to LAX, that's a round trip. Under ICAO regulations, by going somewhere else, it's cabotage.

 

[Lesverts]

It wouldn't be an issue if the flight back was to LAX, that's a round trip. Under ICAO regulations, by going somewhere else, it's cabotage.

In general, if you ever did something this absurd you'd have to book each section separately or as a multi-ticket. This would necessitate being out of the country for around 24 hours given distances involved. You would get a strange look but beyond that nothing. There are much more common instances where you would exit and re-enter a country at different places and it is not an issue.

I have flown from Toronto to Vancouver via Chicago once. I got a weird look by customs but beyond that. Nothing.

 

[Minuet888]

Wow, this has been.......a LOT of information. I didn't know about all the different types of aircrafts. So that has been helpful. My son is over 18 but no he can't help others getting out the exit row and him last, he would get scared and hold his ears.
I will look into the AA one and a couple of the other ones.
Yup, there is no lounge access. We already pre-board with our son and get through a special private TSA area, but the free checked luggage definitely helps!

 

[kylenne]

Delta is the only domestic FC I’ve done besides Mint and I enjoy it as a taller person. I rarely book it outright though and typically snag a cheap upgrade just before my trip. No, it’s not a true premium experience like international biz class unless you’re flying the prestige transcon routes but the little comforts are nice and I do enjoy those gluten free honey mustard pretzels. Mainly I do it for the leg room because I can’t fly regular economy on anything but JetBlue with my legs.

Delta’s free WiFi is only bested by JetBlue’s I find, I have easily gotten single digit boarding groups for Cosmic Rewind on both while in the air.

 

[EACarlson]

I have flown from Toronto to Vancouver via Chicago once. I got a weird look by customs but beyond that. Nothing.

If this was done on any non Canadian carrier, this is illegal as cabotage and the US airline that did it could be held liable by the ICAO for doing so.

 

[japanese maple]

We had United first class this past trip - domestic. It was an Airbus A321NEO. We found it quite nice. Good seats, very roomy, seatback video screen. Was able to choose food ahead of time and it was actually pretty good! I was able to have two free glasses of white wine - generic, but got the job of relaxing me done. Also enjoy it just being the two of us in a row, guaranteed aisle and window.

Biggest perk was the two free checked bags of up to 70lbs instead of 50. We had to pack for cold and warm, then was also able to add some souvenirs on the way home.

Would we do every time? Probably not, but if we had the extra cash I would again.

 

[jec6613]

To correct a couple of incorrect statements. You will not get lounge access with domestic first on any of the airlines from LAX-MCO. Wifi seems to be much better on Delta than on the other two, and it's included. No you can't fly one of the middle east airlines through DXB just to get the suites or apartment, that would be illegal, there are also domestic airlines that run the suites, but generally from LA only to NY or DC, then you'd still need to get from there to MCO.

You do gain lounge access on Air Canada (and I'm sure others), which will route you LAX-MCO no problem. And 14 CFR Part 212 specifically allows routings such as LAX-DXB-MCO, it's not considered cabotage and hasn't been since 2006. Airlines frequently discourage it because flying in and out of the US is expensive, but in some cases the only way to fly to certain parts of the US (mostly Pacific islands) for part of the year.

Also, see above, AA 2091 does run the AA business class product LAX-MCO occasionally.

 

[jec6613]

It wouldn't be an issue if the flight back was to LAX, that's a round trip. Under ICAO regulations, by going somewhere else, it's cabotage.

No ICAO regulation prohibits it (nor does the ICAO have any regulatory power to enforce such things in any event) and in fact specifically outlines it as a freedom that signatory nations may sign on to, and the US government specifically permits the flights. Your understanding of how this works dates to the Cold War.

https://www.icao.int/pages/freedomsair.aspx
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/CFR 14 Part 212.pdf

 

[EACarlson]

You do gain lounge access on Air Canada (and I'm sure others), which will route you LAX-MCO no problem. And 14 CFR Part 212 specifically allows routings such as LAX-DXB-MCO, it's not considered cabotage and hasn't been since 2006. Airlines frequently discourage it because flying in and out of the US is expensive, but in some cases the only way to fly to certain parts of the US (mostly Pacific islands) for part of the year.

Also, see above, AA 2091 does run the AA business class product LAX-MCO occasionally.

Air Canada is not a domestic airline, and they will not route you LAX-MCO. 14 CFR 212 specifically allows routings like LAX-DXB-MCO as an approved charter service, not as a scheduled service.

No ICAO regulation prohibits it (nor does the ICAO have any regulatory power to enforce such things in any event) and in fact specifically outlines it as a freedom that signatory nations may sign on to, and the US government specifically permits the flights. Your understanding of how this works dates to the Cold War.

https://www.icao.int/pages/freedomsair.aspx
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/CFR 14 Part 212.pdf

You are correct it is not ICAO regulation, it is US Federal law https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg...partA-subpartii-chap417-subchapI-sec41703.pdf
$2,500 per person civil fine is my understanding.

 

[Minnie1222]

Besides the possibility of rule violations, it's also a lot cheaper to book an international round trip than 2 one-way trips.

 

[Donna M]

I found it interesting to read the comments from EACarlson and jec6616. Does anyone else think, "Oh, there's someone in the business who has the correct information." Then to read another contributor sounding just as intelligent giving contradictory information.

 

[Goldelpack]

Flying from LAX to MCO
3 of us.
Wanting to do it big for our 25th anniversary but when looking at domestic first class tickets I was highly disappointed. It looks like the same coach seats just slightly bigger? I looked at the big three, Delta, American and United. Plus most airlines have gotten rid of the seat back entertainment and you have to use your own devices and are at the mercy of their wifi working.
Does anyone have any advice for a nice flight and "doing it big" flight? Honestly not finding anything.
What do you guys use when traveling first class?

Firstly I just read through this thread and realized except in the 1st few replies pretty much nothing that has anything remotely answering your question. cabotage? Flying on 6 carriers from 4 countries to get a lounge? (ok, that's an exaggeration, but still)

I only have experience with Delta of the 3 you mentioned. When I fly alone (which is 70% of the time) I buy ticket as early as possible and pay for reserving the window seat in the row directly behind where Comfort Plus is located. I also request a free upgrade to Comfort Plus - and more often than not, get it. During Covid, I did upgrade and pay for 1st class - but for me it wasn't all that big a deal as the perks are mostly wasted on me (food, beverages, alcohol) If those are what you're looking for, and the increased price isn't ridiculous - you do get larger seats - but that's not to say it's going to make any difference on your flying. Regardless of the relative space around you, padding on your butt, and extra food - you are stuck inside a long tube with forced air. On Delta, I've had good experience with their wifi - but I usually rely on my KINDLE for entertainment. If you're flight is relatively smooth, non turbulent, and relaxing - it's probably a matter of timing and weather.

 

[sam_gordon]

I buy ticket as early as possible and pay for reserving the window seat in the row directly behind where Comfort Plus is located.

I suggested it earlier, but assuming you have status, I HIGHLY suggest booking exit row seats. With status, they're free, AND you get the same leg room as C+. Yes, you'll be further back in the plane, but the extra leg room is SO worth it!

 

[Minnie1222]

I think the OP is looking for a private pod on a domestic flight. I can ascertain that Jetblue has private pods on some longer flights such as Boston to LAX.

All the seats with the side-facing arrangement have doors. For the forward facing, only the single seats have doors.

We're flying to LAX next month on a side-facing plane, please let me know if there are specific questions.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I think the OP is looking for a private pod on a domestic flight. I can ascertain that Jetblue has private pods on some longer flights such as Boston to LAX.

All the seats with the side-facing arrangement have doors. For the forward facing, only the single seats have doors.

We're flying to LAX next month on a side-facing plane, please let me know if there are specific questions.

OP wants to go LAX-MCO. We've already determined this is not even an option on that route.

 

[Minuet888]

I suggested it earlier, but assuming you have status, I HIGHLY suggest booking exit row seats. With status, they're free, AND you get the same leg room as C+. Yes, you'll be further back in the plane, but the extra leg room is SO worth it!

You mean the emergency rows? We can't do those. My son is autistic (and pre-boards) and he wouldn't be able to assist in the event of an emergency.

 

[sam_gordon]

You mean the emergency rows? We can't do those. My son is autistic (and pre-boards) and he wouldn't be able to assist in the event of an emergency.

I knew you couldn't. I was suggesting to @Goldelpack in case he didn't read the whole thread. Its all good!

 

[Goldelpack]

I knew you couldn't. I was suggesting to @Goldelpack in case he didn't read the whole thread. Its all good!

Since I'm barely 5ft tall I leave that seating benefit to others. But again going back to original question .. First class domestic isn't all that awesome