Has anyone here *never* been in Business or First?

[Jenelle]

Reading all of these posts, I feel like I am the only one who has never travelled in Business or First Class!

I have QP membership and that is the closest to luxury I get... anyone else here who is forever destined to be stuck in economy with me? LOL

I'd love to do MEL - JFK in Business at least... would be so so nice. I'll keep dreaming...

 

[xa-coupe]

I have only been in business once and that was pure luck on an upgrade. I have never even looked into the first class cabin.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I did a lot of economy flying before my first business or first class flight.

 

[Mwenenzi]

First Yes--> no

Have only flown in first once and that was not really first. Before Easter did a QFF points upgrade economy to bus on QF25 MEL-AKL (that goes on to LAX). Ended up in a 3 class aircraft operated as 2 class. The entertainment system would not boot up - normal on that aircraft. The pointy end first cabin had was half full of MEL AKL pax only. Suspect it was empty on AKL-LAX leg
Did earn QF Plat by chugging around Oz in dash 8’s and 737’s on discount economy tickets.

 

[Fifa]

I tried to upgrade with QF to FRA using points but business was full.
We were, however, lucky on the way back and got business from Hong Kong to Sydney and was it worth it!!!

Excellent value paying for the flight and using points to upgrade but I wouldn't have known without the help of the Frequent Flyer community on these boards.

A big THANK YOU to you all.

And by the way we made AA Platinum on that trip just before the changes and are now reaping the benefits - I've flown domestically quite a few times lately and love to be able to use the QF lounges. Later this year we are taking the family to New York (and other places) and are looking forward to trying out more lounges and receiving bonus AA mileage.

One day I would like to lash out and do a DONE4 and will make the most of the mileage because of all I have learnt here.

 

[JohnK]

I have never flown in first although I did get to sit in a first class seat for around 1/2 hour once. Thanks tanewi.

Most of my longhaul travel is economy and I was lucky enough to have an op-up to business class SYD-BKK-SYD. Some short haul flights have been in business class.

 

[Shano]

0 First
1 int'l business op-up (row 1 on 2 class 744, pre skybeds)
1 int'l business points upgrade
2 int'l business paid (LHR-BCN return on BA - doesn't really count)
3 domestic business op-ups
7 domestic business points upgrades / upgrade credits
All the rest in Y

 

[oz_mark]

I have had a few upgrades to business (op-ups and uc-ups).

As for first, I once got to sit in the cabin for takeoff (shame they put back in Y after the plane was airborne)

 

[Ikara]

The original question seems to imply that there are other ways of flying other than First or Business. Next you'll be telling me that there are actually passengers behind those curtains at the end of Business. I just assumed that was where they stowed the cargo! Damn.

JB

 

[straitman]

The original question seems to imply that there are other ways of flying other than First or Business. Next you'll be telling me that there are actually passengers behind those curtains at the end of Business. I just assumed that was where they stowed the cargo! Damn.

JB

Comments like this could reinvent the term 'The peasants are revolting' :mrgreen:

Take it how you like :!:

 

[roryg]

To use Shano's template:

1 Int'l First op-up - BA
3 Int'l Business paid - BA
2 Int'l Business op-up - BA
1 Int'l Business points upgrade - Qantas
3 Premium Economy - BA
1 domestic Business points upgrade - Ansett

All the rest in Y - not that I'm a great flyer, compared to many here, unfortunately!

 

[NYCguy]

No economy since 1996.

 

[serfty]

Reading all of these posts, I feel like I am the only one who has never travelled in Business or First Class!

I have QP membership and that is the closest to luxury I get... anyone else here who is forever destined to be stuck in economy with me? LOL

I'd love to do MEL - JFK in Business at least... would be so so nice. I'll keep dreaming...

Jennelle, don't give up, just fly when it's busy ...

My first eight flights as a QP member/FFer were basically weekly commutes between MEL and SYD - 30th Nov - 24th Dec 1994.

My only status was what you today rfer to as a QP NB.

On my 8th flight on Xmas eve I was given a J BP in row 4. (They had 12 F seats and 24 J seats in those old Airbuses). I was so stunned, I sat in the wrong seat on boarding.

 

[simongr]

When I first read this thread I thought I felt some empathy as I hadnt flown much in J before last year - a couple of points upgrades to J but then I remembered my trips around Europe back 1999 - that was in J for some of the flights (although club europe isnt exactly a skybed) and I was surprised at how much J flying I had done - mind you before I moved here I hadnt really done that much flying and most of my flying here was actually on Rex and other flights around regional australia.

Jenelle - if you get MEL-JFK in J as your first business class flight then it will certainly be something to savour - good luck getting there

 

[codash1099]

Do you count first in the days before business class? If so, I've had one trip in F. Otherwise, quite a few in J but most in whY.

 

[kamchatsky]

Never flown Business or First Class .... ever.

Was supposed to fly business to US between 2002 - 2004 when company decided to change policy so that only certain groups of people get to fly Business ........

Once I flew SYD-LAX/SFO-ORD in a week in Economy for work, and work the next day. Very tired believe me.

Dunno if upgrade to business using points is worth it for me since I am only a Bronze and I have buckley's chance of getting an upgrade .......

Maybe When I am rich one day I will consider Business/First class ..... Even though I still cannot justify the price ATM vs service provided.

 

[Optics]

Maybe When I am rich one day I will consider Business/First class ..... Even though I still cannot justify the price ATM vs service provided.

That's an interesting statement, that I would like to understand more (for purely selfish reasons ).

I always fly Y domestically, except for the occasional UC or points upgrade. However, luckily the company always flies me J for international trips (never paid for a J trip myself). I have not flown Y internationally for about 10+ years. However, in September I am taking the family to California on points, and there is just no way possible to get 4 J award seats on the same flights, so will be doing it in Y .

I would really like to find out what the conditions and service are like in Y on a long haul flight, so I know what to expect. I understand there will be less legroom, although I have booked the furthest forward bulk head row, but what about the food and drinks etc? How often can you get your wine glass refilled (or do they just give the small bottles)? I imagine there is not a lot of difference in the IFE (smaller screen, I think), so that is a plus.

I honestly am not trying to be elitist (as I said, it is only the company paying that gets me into J), but rather am just asking so I know what to expect. I am more worried about SWMBO, although she has never flown J before (and boy does she let me know :!: ), but is a bit worried about just how draining it will be on her and the kids.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, thanks .

 

[Happy Dude]

Having been the beneficiary of at least 6 intl op-ups (including one into F on MH), I have formed the view that only fools or companies pay to fly business or first.

 

[trooper]

Optics.. it depends who you are flying with...

My trips (normal "Y" until last year) are always SYD-LAX return... attending competitions in my sport all around the USA...

I have done that trip 13 times now I think.... 3 or 4 with United, ONCE with QANTAS (never again! Trip was organised by someone else!) - and the rest with Air New Zealand. (via AKL natch!)

I always enjoyed the better seat pitch in AirNZ "Y".. (I know airlines can play games with such things but to me it feels MUCH better than QANTAS "Y".. YMMV of course) and the service was always reasonable - I don't drink much onboard but I've never felt they were being stingy!... I have no hesitation going to the galley if I want something (come to think of it I have NEVER pushed the call button.. Hmmmmm) so the (more recent?) help yourself concept that seems to be widespread now suits me fine...the new IFE is bloody good IMO!

I always ask for 65H or similar on their 747's (aisle of TWO seats right down the back - often get the other seat empty) Doesn't help much for a family of 4 I know! If you are anything like me you WILL feel like S#%& at the other end... I don't think a trip that long in Y is ever going to be any different!

Last year started flying in AirNZ's "Y+" and, while it really is NOT worth nearly twice a discount Y fare (AUD$3600 for next year - got my next trip at the old price - ) .. I like it.. and you only live once...

Put in for a Standby BP upgrade coming home in march... and was staggered to actually get it! (Hadn't even hit Silver then!!! How'd I get it??? maybe flying from LAX on a Tuesday helped???)

So ONE in Business for me.... lie flat bed and all... Mmmmmmmm:mrgreen:

Have a great trip... and report back!!!

 

[Optics]

Optics.. it depends who you are flying with...

My trips (normal "Y" until last year) are always SYD-LAX return... attending competitions in my sport all around the USA...

I have done that trip 13 times now I think.... 3 or 4 with United, ONCE with QANTAS (never again! Trip was organised by someone else!) - and the rest with Air New Zealand. (via AKL natch!)

I always enjoyed the better seat pitch in AirNZ "Y".. (I know airlines can play games with such things but to me it feels MUCH better than QANTAS "Y".. YMMV of course) and the service was always reasonable - I don't drink much onboard but I've never felt they were being stingy!... I have no hesitation going to the galley if I want something (come to think of it I have NEVER pushed the call button.. Hmmmmm) so the (more recent?) help yourself concept that seems to be widespread now suits me fine...the new IFE is bloody good IMO!

I always ask for 65H or similar on their 747's (aisle of TWO seats right down the back - often get the other seat empty) Doesn't help much for a family of 4 I know! If you are anything like me you WILL feel like S#%& at the other end... I don't think a trip that long in Y is ever going to be any different!

Last year started flying in AirNZ's "Y+" and, while it really is NOT worth nearly twice a discount Y fare (AUD$3600 for next year - got my next trip at the old price - ) .. I like it.. and you only live once...

Put in for a Standby BP upgrade coming home in march... and was staggered to actually get it! (Hadn't even hit Silver then!!! How'd I get it??? maybe flying from LAX on a Tuesday helped???)

So ONE in Business for me.... lie flat bed and all... Mmmmmmmm:mrgreen:

Have a great trip... and report back!!!

Thanks for the response, although not for telling me QF Y is not good , as that is what I am flying. Oh well, just have to settle for feeling like s#@& when we get there, at least the holiday will be worth it .