Have you ever flown first class - how was the experience?

I've been lucky enough to fly 1st and business class quite a few times. On domestic flights, you normally get a bigger seat with lots of legroom and complimentary drinks and food on longer flights.

The best 1st class I've ever been on was Cathay Pacific to and from Asia. You get your own partitioned compartment with full flat beds, large screen tv's with audio video on demand and Bose noiose cancelling headphones. You also get down comforters, a designer amenity kit and a designer sleep suit that are yours to keep. You are served champagne and hot appetizers when you first board the plane and delicious 4 course meals with the finest wines, champagnes, cognacs, etc.. You also get dedicated check in and boarding, as well priority baggage handling and lounge access. The lounge in Hong Kong had private day rooms with jacuzzis, tv's and lounge chairs and they had fantastic hot food buffet in a beautiful private setting.

It's a great way to fly as long as someone else is paying for it or you are using frequent flyer miles. Otherwise, as great as it is, it's hard to justify the cost.

It really depends on the type of aircraft then the airline. Most 2 class aircraft such as 737, 757, A320, etc where you only have 1st class and coach, first class is not that great, no foot rest, only a little more recline than coach and no layflat config.

For the wide body planes 767, 777, A330 etc where you have 3 class, 1st class, business and coach typically both business and 1st have layflat seats, depends on airline, but generally business class on a 3 class aircraft is better than 1st class on a 2 class aircraft.

By far the best 1st class on any plane is on the A380 with Singapore Airlines are the first class suites:

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/...

Continental, Newark to Lima - an 8-hour flight.

When I went online the day before the flight, they offered me an upgrade to first class for $200.

The seats were bigger and more comfortable. The leg room was amazing - first of all, there's a leg rest! and when I put it up, there was still space between my feet and the seat in front of me, and I'm 5'8".

The food was amazing - several courses, with choices. Wine with the meal.

I desperately wished I would be offered the same option on my return trip, which was a redeye flight, but alas, it was not to be. I ended up back in cattle class with a little girl seated next to me who at first didn't want to go to sleep and then turned out to be a restless sleeper, arms and legs flung into me all night long.

I flew first class Virgin Airline, and it was a red-eye. They have flatbeds, which is great, and each seat has its own little private compartment. Plus, on any airline, I forgot which one I went on, but the upstairs is really great. You get extra special service and complete privacy.

It was ight.

You get the best and everyone gets the rest. It is comfortable :D