Flying these days has become a big ordeal.   Airlines are over crowded, and beginning to treat passengers as more of a nuisance.  Service has gone down, while extra charges and fees have gone up.   If you are flying plan to do your homework and know in advance, all the added fees.   Compare airlines.  Just because a ticket appears cheap, that airline may have lots of hidden suprises.  Be prepared.

[caption id="attachment_192" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="MOA Plane"][/caption]

I have found a lot of times, it’s worth the extra charge to go first class.  If you have never flown first class there is a huge difference.   First off, there are no added fees, all things are included.   You can check bags at the airport, and not pay the added $25-50  each away.   They serve you drinks, give you how wash rags, and most of the time a breakfast, lunch or dinner.   If there is a movie on the flight, your headsets are complimentary.  They also mark your luggage so it comes off first or priority.

The last flight I was on,  I heard annoucements of added fees for the passengers in the back.   I believe it was $3-8 for a “snack box”.   Headsets were $2,  there were extra charges for all sorts of things.  As of this writing Delta still gave a drink  free, however, I’ve hears US Air and some others started ripping off passengers for $2-3 for a drink.

Another plus I’ve noticed when flying first class, is if there is a delay, you get an apology letter in the mail from the airlines, along with bonus air mles for being inconvenienced.    About 2 or 3 years ago,  I wrote down on my wish list, that one of the things I wanted to do was go first class.   Last year we decided to just bite the bullet and do it.

While it does not make the security hassles any easier, they do send you to a shorter line.   They also seem to treat you better, and with more respect.   I guess they want to keep you coming back since you’re paying them double for your spot aboard the plane.

I love traveling, and seeing new places so flights are one of the things that go along with it.  Might was well  sit in the bigger seats and make the trip more comfortable if you can afford it.   We’ve found it’s well worth it.

The only airline I know of that does not have first class is Southwest.  They added a “business class” or a way to pay $10 extra for them to check you in.  That way you get on first and get first choice of which seat you sit in.   When I can’t find a first class, or a hub direct flight where I’m going, I pick Southwest.

Pick a place to go,  and try a first class trip and enjoy.   This comes with a warning….once you go first class you’ll never want to go back.

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Filed under: Travel and Vacations

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