Before you fly first class, low-cost and economy flights are a necessary evil, but they get the job done.
You get used to the yelling, the sale of merch and lottery tickets, the clapping when you land, and the screaming babies. It’s almost like a right of passage.
And then you make it. You finally get to a stage in your professional life that affords you to fly in comfort.
1 – It’s a measure of the person you are becoming
Flying first class or business class for the first time is an indicator that you’re making progress in your life.
You are now someone who’s worthy of preferential treatment because of your value. No matter if you paid for the flight or your company did, the value is clear.
Flying first class means you’re being chauffeured to the plane or you have direct access straight to your lounge; you don’t board like everyone else, this is a perk reserved for the elite of society – or those of us willing to pay for it.
2 – It’s a celebratory experience
You start your journey with champagne because it’s a celebration of how far you’ve come and what awaits you once you land at your destination.
The air hostess smiles just a little bit wider. You are meant to relax and take it easy. You get a warm towel the moment you take your seat.
The headphones come with noise cancellation, and you get a storage compartment so you can kick off your shoes.
Flying first class means comfort from the moment you board.
3 – The staff gives you the attention you deserve
The thing about first class is that your experience comes first.
If you ask for it, the next glass of champagne comes immediately after you finish your first.
They learn your name and keep in mind your preferences throughout the flight. They’re polite and never in a hurry.
4 – Airplane food comes with an a la carte menu
Once you take off flying first class, you’ll receive your menu with everything you can try.
Flying first class or business class disproves the myth that altitude messes with your taste buds.
The food tastes amazing because they make sure to overcompensate for the salt, or simply because it’s not cheap refrigerated casserole meals stuck in a microwave.
95% of what you eat in first class is freshly cooked for you that day before you board the plane and only plated once you’re in the air.
When the food arrives, the hostess sets up the table for you with a tablecloth and everything.
The wine pairings are actually on point, and ohh… Did I mention there’s caviar, lobster, and steak?
Flying first class on select airlines, you even have your snack cabinet for in-between meals.
5 – You’ll never look at flights over 5 hours the same again
Do you know how people say it’s the journey, not the destination? There are only a few places more relevant than air travel.
When flying economy, you can’t wait for the flight to be over to get where you’re going, because you feel cramped and semi-miserable all the way through.
As humans, we’re ok with mild discomfort for short periods of time, so it won’t make that much of a difference for short flights.
But if you’re flying direct from Miami to Brisbane, the story is going to be quite different.
Once you experience the level of comfort of flying first class, it’s a really hard decision to go back to economy class.
6 – Lying flat and sleeping is the closest thing to teleportation
There’s no such thing as being bothered by other people reclining their seats in first class or even in business class.
Your entire universe is in your little pod.
You control what happens there. The seat can be adjusted in multiple positions to fit your needs.
The biggest change you experience is turning your seat into a bed. In business class, you do it yourself with the push of a button.
Flying first class means someone comes and makes the bed for you, believe it or not, with fresh linens, a pillow, and a blanket.
If you’ve got a cabin, there’s enough room for you to slide into your PJs right there, without the need to go to a bathroom.
Overnight flights are the best. Just lie down comfortably and go to sleep. You’ll wake up in 4-5 hours with just a few minutes left until your destination.
7 – Travel isn’t about getting from point A to point B
Life is terribly busy these days, so having 6-8 hours to yourself is actually a luxury few can afford.
Watching a full-length movie – or more… Reading a book, playing a video game, or, in the case of modern airlines, watching live sports are all extraordinary options.
The fact that you can do it comfortably makes an even bigger difference, and you actually look forward to it.
At this point, wifi is non-negotiable so you can catch up with your favorite series undisturbed by the urgencies of your day-to-day life… The world can wait until you land.
8 – You’re surrounded by other successful or interesting people
If you’re flying business class or the first-class seats don’t come with separate pods, you will likely have people around you.
All of them are either wealthy, celebrities, or work for prominent companies.
Since you’re stuck in an airplane for this long, you may or may not choose to engage in conversation.
This proves to be an extraordinary opportunity for networking and sharing insights.
I’ve talked to CEOs, authors, and on my last flight, the head of infectious diseases in New York. All of them have been quite interesting conversations.
9 – You relax in luxury lounges
The first-class ticket grants you access to exclusive lounges in airports… The luxury kind where you can shower, get a massage, and have your own premium version of duty-free shopping
They have an all-inclusive buffet or restaurant. These are perfect during layovers or before flights.
Actually, if you’re a medium to high-net-worth individual, your bank will grant you several perks just to keep banking with them.
This may vary from bank to bank, but if you do any sort of private banking, and have a black or platinum card, they usually provide you with what is called a priority pass.
It’s like a credit card that gives you access to almost all the airport lounges in the world.
This isn’t an ad or anything, but you can actually buy it for around $500 directly from their website.
Honestly, if you travel often, it’s worth the price, but make your bank pay for it nonetheless.
10 Privacy is key
This is the biggest difference between business and first…
You get a lot more privacy flying with first-class tickets. You can choose to keep the doors open or closed.
The cabin you’re in is like a miniature hotel room.
You have a touch display that allows you to call for service or book time in the premium bathroom.
11 Sleeping kits & large bathrooms
Most sleeping bags on first-class flights are designer.
The pajamas are super comfy; the socks smell of lavender or mint; the toothbrush is nice enough to bring home, and all the consumables are the kind you’ll find in a 5-star hotel.
Unless you’re flying first class, changing into your pajamas will have to happen in the airplane bathroom.
If you’ve ever been in one, you know it can be both a sticky and stinky situation—but not here.
Just a few people use it, and the staff goes in and cleans it after every visit.
The newer planes allow you to even book shower time. Honestly, you almost forget you’re in an airplane and not in a hotel.
12 Most people flying first or business don’t pay for the ticket themselves
Business class refers to the fact that your business is paying for your ticket.
The cost of travel is tax-deductible, so if your business is doing well, why not spoil yourself?
There are very few individuals who pay for tickets out of their own pockets.
Actually, here’s a travel hack you should know: It’s cheaper to upgrade to business class or first class at the airport than it is to book it right away.
Usually, only half of the first-class tickets sell beforehand, so the airline is incentivized to give you a nice discount; you might get a $2,000 ticket for only $600, but it’s subject to availability.
13 It’s a feeling that you will always remember but never relive
The first time you fly first class, it’s an experience. You get chills.
You know it’s just a flight, but you can’t stop grinning. It’s thatamazing.
Especially if all flights have been low-cost for you in the past.
The bad thing is, you will never get to relive this exact experience again, since now you know what to expect. It’s funny how your mind adjusts to the new standard.
14 Everyone should experience luxury to see what it’s like
Take it for a spin. Save enough money and get yourself a business-class ticket just to see what it feels like.
Once you do, you will realize that this level of comfort is not only attainable but also within your reach.
It will motivate you to push harder, work harder, and be smarter about your choices.
15 It’s even better if you’ve earned it
The experience of flying first class is amazing nonetheless.
If your partner or suitor surprises you with a premium flight, you still enjoy it fully.
But there’s a subtle difference between deserving it and earning it yourself. You might deserve it, but it tastes better when you pay for the meal yourself.
For those of you who remember your first business class flight, what do you remember feeling?
I16 – t doesn’t change who you are
Sure, the comfort feels nice, and all the pampering and attention to detail are well received, but it doesn’t change you.
You don’t feel different, you’re now just a more complex version of yourself.
People think that leveling up in life is altering—like an Eve turning into either a Vaporeon or Flareon – but that’s not it.
Your understanding of the world around you and of yourself changes.
In reality, leveling up simply allows you to % the percentage you know about yourself, so I encourage you to do it.
Most people will never fully know themselves, because they’ll never immerse themselves in all kinds of situations and environments.
Don’t be one of those people. Work for yourself and try to experience the luxury life has to offer, including flying first class when you can.
Before you fly first class, low-cost and economy flights are a necessary evil, but they get the job done. 
Before you fly first class, low-cost and economy flights are a necessary evil, but they get the job done. 
