What to expect in First class....

[budbeerlady]

Dd will tell you its all the cookies and chocolate milk you can eat! And once you do it, you never want to go back to coach again. I like the wide seats, our luggage has never ever been first down to claims yet.

 

[uva185]

Thanks for the welcome. I agree. One of the huge perks is every time I fly to London Heathrow, my luggage is waiting for me once I clear customs vs. me waiting on my luggage. Oversees, the priority tag seems to really mean something.

Definitely! One reason its easier for them to manage priority bags overseas is they are loaded into bins so they can dedicate a whole bin as "priority" and make sure that one reaches baggage claim first.

For domestic flights not all bags reach the plane at the same time and its harder to organize priority bags.

I really enjoy the baggage handling for LH F, not only does the bag come out first but they will pull it aside or deliver it to its own baggage belt.

That said when flying US Airways F my bag is usually one of the first 20 bags to come out....sometimes even the first! That's always nice!!

 

[crashbb]

Depending on the types of tags they use, you can save the "Priority" tags to re-use on future flights when you aren't flying First Class

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was just coming to post what you did; it is a running joke on Flyertalk.com amongst posters on most airlines that the priority tag either means nothing or means that those bags get loaded first and deplaned last.

The last time we had enough points to fly Business Class on Air Canada from YYZ - MCO was in December 2004, our checked bags obviously got tagged priority and when we got to baggage claim at MCO they were already out on the carousel. However when flew back home from MCO - YYZ our bags and everyone else who was in Business Class did not come out right away.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I suppose I could have been more specific.

MSP-ORD 737
ORD-RNO (Reno) 737

RNO-DFW 757
DFW-MSP MD-88

Unfortunately, for these flights, first class is not worth the difference in price from coach. Flying internationally is a different story.

 

[lulubelle]

What about from LAX-MCO on American?
We will get a meal, right?

I am using Westin timeshare points that we are unable to use in 2010 for our flights. The only non stop flight back is only available in first class (25K points). So we are going coach out and first back.

Does it matter which seats you get? Does the first, second or third row have an advantage? Left or right? Any other tips? Thanks!

 

[bavaria]

What about from LAX-MCO on American?
We will get a meal, right?

I am using Westin timeshare points that we are unable to use in 2010. The only non stop flight back is only available in first class (25K points). So we are going coach out and first back.

Does it matter which seats you get? Does the first, second or third row have an advantage? Left or right? Any other tips? Thanks!

Avoid the bulkhead ie row 1 as usually there is no storage and all your carry on have to be in the overhead bin before/during takeoff and landing.

www.seatguru.com

 

[uva185]

What about from LAX-MCO on American?
We will get a meal, right?

I am using Westin timeshare points that we are unable to use in 2010 for our flights. The only non stop flight back is only available in first class (25K points). So we are going coach out and first back.

Does it matter which seats you get? Does the first, second or third row have an advantage? Left or right? Any other tips? Thanks!

AA serves meals from front to back on even numbered flights and back to front on odd numbered flights. (Remember FEBO -- Front Even, Back Odd)

The first row can sometimes have reduced legroom and other times have great legroom. The last row can sometimes have reduced recline.

As bavaria linked, www.seatguru.com should be your new best friend.

 

[lulubelle]

Thanks for the info and the link.

 

[MAH4546]

Unfortunately, for these flights, first class is not worth the difference in price from coach. Flying internationally is a different story.

AA still has extensive meal service, even on shorter flights.

What about from LAX-MCO on American?
We will get a meal, right?

I am using Westin timeshare points that we are unable to use in 2010 for our flights. The only non stop flight back is only available in first class (25K points). So we are going coach out and first back.

Does it matter which seats you get? Does the first, second or third row have an advantage? Left or right? Any other tips? Thanks!

If you want a real first class experience, forget the non-stop flight. See if you can get a saver award for 25k that connects in Miami. Route yourself on one of the Miami flights that is operated by a 767-300ER or a 777-200ER. You will not only get a meal, excellent ice cream, and baked on-board cookies, but you will also get Bose noise canceling headsets (on the 767), on demand personal televisions, and a 180-degree lie flat bed. The Orlando non-stop has none of that.

 

[YenSid1222]

Bose Headphones on a triple 7 as well.

737 and Super 80 First Class seats are very similar. However there is no entertainment system on a Super 80. 737 has video screens on the bulkhead and the ceiling above the aisle.

757's on AA are slowly being retrofitted with new seats, but that just began so more than likely you get the old brown leather seats.

 

[MAH4546]

Bose Headphones on a triple 7 as well.

Not on domestic flights, however, unless flying First Class on a 3-class operated flight.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

Many years ago my father got sick and I had to fly first class (only seat left) in order to get to the hospital.

Since i was heading straight to the hospital in a warm climate, I dressed casual. When I walked up to the plane to board, they were already boarding and the gate attendant (without looking at my ticket) stated to me rudely to "pick up your breakfast sandwich from the cooler at the gate for coach".....i gave him a hard look and said "I assume that in FIRST class a meal is served?"

Well, we did have a nice hot breakfast...unfortunately it was cheese omlets and I am allergic to cheese, so I got cornflakes and a bannana. My husband was so upset to hear that the only time I got in first class all I got to eat was cornflakes . But hey, the chairs were nice and roomy and lots of leg room and I was glad for a little quiet since I was stressed because of my father.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

we fly 1st from DFW-MCo all the time andyou can expect to be HOOKED !

My DH wont fly in the back of the plane anymore , I can tell you he really likes the tiny forks they give you to eat your breakfast

We were so happy to be in 1st class with my Grandbaby 18 mo because we needed the room . We sat in the 1st row and we did not like it at all , becuase of having to get up to get the baby's bag