Executive Class

[chipper612]

Due to our budget we have always travelled coach when flying to Disney World and like to feel we have a good deal but if you have flown Executive Class on an airline was it worth the extra money and how would you compare it to coach?

Maybe someday ... if we win the lotto

 

[bavaria]

It all depends on the airline, routing and times. 'Worth' is a variable term.

Alaska Airlines business class $100 more than economy on a redeye 5 hour flight - definitely

Lufthansa 14 hour flight to Germany - 20,000 more Aeroplan points - definitely worth it

United $300 to upgrade from Economy Plus to Business on a 4 hour flight to Chicago? no

Business and First Class vary dramatically from airline to airline and aircraft to aircraft. I consider several items carefully before I use my upgrade certificates, miles or money to upgrade. Generally, if it's a long haul flight and I have early meetings or a short vacation, I would consider it. But I also consider the product! For example, I would take Lufthansa business class to Germany in a heartbeat; within Germany it's a waste of money, IMHO.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Due to our budget we have always travelled coach when flying to Disney World and like to feel we have a good deal but if you have flown Executive Class on an airline was it worth the extra money and how would you compare it to coach?

Maybe someday ... if we win the lotto

Because you're asking about Executive Class, I assume you're asking about Air Canada. I've never flown in Air Canada's Executive Class. But I've flown in first class on numerous airlines in the US. So I'll answer based on my experience with first class. Executive Class is Air Canada's name for first class, just as Hospitality Class is Air Canada's name for economy or coach.

First class to other continents is spectacular. Even business class to other continents is spectacular compared to most first class in North America. But if you're talking about flights to Orlando from within North America, first class is better than economy, but not spectacular. The seats are wider. There's more legroom. You get more attention from flight attendants. You usually get a meal or a snack (but nothing great), except on really short flights. Meal and beverage service uses real glass and real dishes. And alcohol is free.

The difference in fare between economy and first class is usually ridiculous. A flight that might be $200 in economy can be 6 to 10 times as much in first class. That's not worth it.

There are exceptions. I'm looking at a potential flight to the southwest USA on American this month. The cheapest economy is almost $700 roundtrip, but there's a promotional first class fare for a little over $900. That's worth it!

Frequent flyers who have achieved "elite" levels (by spending way too much of their lives on airplanes) can often get free or inexpensive upgrades. There are other ways to wind up in first class, such as with frequent flyer awards.

My advice is to save your money unless you can get first class for a relatively small difference in fare (which is seldom the case). Go to nice restaurants instead. Get a better hotel room. Enjoy luxuries on vacation. Think of your flight as transportation.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have flown first class and business class both internationally and within the US and in my opinion, if you're travelling on your own dime, it's not worth the extra cost for travel within the US. On international flights, it's worth every penny!

It is worth it to spend a bit extra to be seated in an airline's premium coach seats, such as United's Economy Plus. Lots more legroom than regular coach.