I’m a big fan of doing everything possible to maximize first & business class flights. I love all the minutiae of the experience, and I’ve written in the past about what I consider the perfect premium flight lengths to be.
Along those lines, a reader asked me a question that I think I’ve never addressed, so let me answer that here. In particular, I’m curious if my approach differs from that of others.
In this post:
If you can only take one flight in first class…
If you can only splurge on international first class in one direction of travel on a long haul flight, how do you go about deciding in which direction of travel to have that experience? That’s what OMAAT reader Aaron asked me:
For most of us, the chance to experience first class is probably a bucket list experience. And even when this opportunity arises, most people probably will have enough miles for first class one way (and business class on the return). So that being said, would you prioritize that first class segment to be on the outbound (i.e. departing from an airline hub) or on the return (i.e. from an outstation back to the hub)? Putting aside any sentiments of starting a holiday strong or saving the best for last, in which direction do you think would be the best experience – from a ground experience, soft product, etc?
Does it make any difference based on the airline? Or even does it make any difference on what the destination is (thinking about for example flying out of Japan, where catering is super strong and good quality, versus perhaps flying out of another country where catering is good enough).
The above probably could also apply to business class as well, as that can certainly be a treat for many also. Would love to hear your thoughts!
How I would approach this premium flight scenario
I like these kinds of questions, so thanks, Aaron! Often I’ll fly an airline in just one direction, so if I have the option, I try to be strategic about the direction of travel in which I have an experience. Here are the first thoughts that come to mind:
- Personally I always like to splurge on the outbound flight of my trip rather than the return, since I’m excited to be heading somewhere fun, and it lets me start the trip off on a high note (I know this was specifically not part of the question, but I’m mentioning it anyway!)
- You’re generally going to have a better experience flying from a carrier’s hub than to a carrier’s hub, in terms of check-in, ground services, lounge access, catering, etc., so that would be my priority
- I also generally prefer to splurge on daytime flights where I intend to be awake most of the time, and/or on westbound flights, which take a little longer, due to the jet stream, so that there’s more time to enjoy the experience
Everyone can decide on the relative value they place on each of those factors, but that’s my general approach. Let me add a couple of caveats:
- If you’re the type who likes to “save the best for last,” then of course it could make sense to save the special flight for the return, so you have something to look forward to
- The above assumes that you’re not flying economy in one direction; I say that because some people may find more value in flying in a premium cabin on an overnight flight where they can sleep, and then flying economy on a daytime flight, where lack of sleep isn’t as important
I can only speak for myself, but my desire to fly the best product for the outbound portion of my trip generally takes priority over wanting to fly an airline out of its hub. If I’m being perfectly honest, one factor here is that first class often has great alcohol.
I’m not much of a drinker at home, though I do drink a bit when I travel. I’m much more likely to enjoy the alcohol selection when I’m starting my trip, while by the time I return home, I typically have little desire to drink. While I’d say that catering is a little better out of a carrier’s hub, the difference isn’t consistently huge, and in some cases, you may even find better outstation catering.
That’s not always going to be the case, though. Just to give one example of an exception, if I were flying Air France La Premiere first class, I’d absolutely want to do so on a flight departing Paris, rather than one arriving there, so that I could enjoy the full departures experience.
It’s a case where departing from a hub is more important than at other airports. In fairness, that’s also the world’s best first class ground experience, so…
Bottom line
If you’re going to splurge on a special flight, I think there’s a general thought process it makes sense to follow. If you can only fly an airline once in first class, you’re typically best off doing so from the carrier’s hub, rather than to the carrier’s hub. You’re almost always going to have an all-around better experience that way.
However, it’s not the only consideration. I also think it’s worth taking into account whether a flight is daytime or overnight, and whether you’re starting or ending your trip. Personally I have a strong preference for having the best flight early on in my trip, since I think it’s a great way to start a vacation, though I imagine others will disagree.
How does your approach differ from mine?
Generally speaking the leg of the flight from the hub city will be better than from the outstation on the return
I totally agree having been fortunate to upgrade to the Air France La Premiere CDG - SIN in April 2025.
Maybe I will try the Swiss First Class on May when heading to HKG.
Lucky, I normally assume that flying from an airline's hub would always mean a better catering experience than an outstation. Have you ever flown a major carrier from an outstation with better catering than you've had from their hub?
At a hub you will generally not have direct boarding from the lounge.
At an outstation, you generally will.
Being constrained on time off of work without much flexibility, I end up just taking what's available.
One year I was lucky to get ANA's The Suite from JFK-HND and The Room HND-ORD on the way back.
The next year was Old ANA J ORD-HND, then UA Polaris KIX-SFO followed by B6 Mint SFO-BOS
This year I booked Icelandair JFK-ZRH with cash, Swissair J ZRH-NRT with miles, looking for a return flight from...
Being constrained on time off of work without much flexibility, I end up just taking what's available.
One year I was lucky to get ANA's The Suite from JFK-HND and The Room HND-ORD on the way back.
The next year was Old ANA J ORD-HND, then UA Polaris KIX-SFO followed by B6 Mint SFO-BOS
This year I booked Icelandair JFK-ZRH with cash, Swissair J ZRH-NRT with miles, looking for a return flight from Japan to the US, but if I can't find anything reasonable with miles, I might just book ANA J with cash since the trip will still be within budget.
For me, I prefer to do business class on the overnight flight portion (regardless of when in the trip it is) and then first class on the day flight portion.
This is basically so I can have the better experience when I'm awake and "lounging" around.
I really like this kind of posts where you go through readers questions and interrogations on everything travel. Keep 'em coming :)
Great topic!
To offer bit more nuance on the home hub vs outstation issue.. it depends on which outstation (and which hub!). For instance, would I fly QR F from HKG? Although I don't love the fact that HKG QR check in desks are dead strict on opening at T-3h, I would absolutely say yes to even a couple of hours in the Pier F lounge. (Bonus if onward travel from DOH is J...
Great topic!
To offer bit more nuance on the home hub vs outstation issue.. it depends on which outstation (and which hub!). For instance, would I fly QR F from HKG? Although I don't love the fact that HKG QR check in desks are dead strict on opening at T-3h, I would absolutely say yes to even a couple of hours in the Pier F lounge. (Bonus if onward travel from DOH is J or F and you'd get to enjoy Al Safwa as well!)
More practical reasons would be flying on work trips (Y company policy) with colleagues. Not a good look to upgrade or use miles to book yourself into J or F... Better save it for the leg where one can opt to travel out earlier to "prep for the big presentation" or "wrap up the client follow up"!
Personally, I never expected to have survived into my final retirement. Therefore, I have a much revised outlook presently. As there are no pockets in shrouds, we are no longer looking to prioritise comfort and convenience over cost.
Over a year of studying the likes OMAAT has helped enormously to come to that conclusion. My thank to Ben and the proletariat, for aiding me in my quest.
Lufthansa Group: splurge
Skyteam: take the bus
I look at it by "what is the best product I can find with points in each direction of travel" when I want to travel. I find there is not often an instance of "I don't have enough points to splurge on both of these amazing products I found availability for the whole trip."
Since my trips usually are starting and ending in the US, in general I find that there is better award availability...
I look at it by "what is the best product I can find with points in each direction of travel" when I want to travel. I find there is not often an instance of "I don't have enough points to splurge on both of these amazing products I found availability for the whole trip."
Since my trips usually are starting and ending in the US, in general I find that there is better award availability and better products coming back to the US, and leaving the US oftentimes it is "take what you get, sometimes what you get isn't as great."
I can dream about my "ideal splurge flight" all I want (probably something with Emirates or Etihad with a shower). But if it is like a "pie in the sky" fantasy that most likely won't happen, I'm wasting my time lusting over it beyond simply answering. It's like imagining what you'd do if you won the lottery.
@Ben, are we talking cash or points? Foreign carrier or domestic? (I presume we're talking about an inter-continental flight, not a cross-country flight from, say, SFO to NYC.) As others have pointed out, it's often less expensive to fly in First returning TO the U.S., rather than flying FROM the U.S. Also, invariably, if one is flying TO the U.S. on a foreign carrier, one generally does fly from a hub -- as in your...
@Ben, are we talking cash or points? Foreign carrier or domestic? (I presume we're talking about an inter-continental flight, not a cross-country flight from, say, SFO to NYC.) As others have pointed out, it's often less expensive to fly in First returning TO the U.S., rather than flying FROM the U.S. Also, invariably, if one is flying TO the U.S. on a foreign carrier, one generally does fly from a hub -- as in your example of Air France from Paris -- so if I'm limited to one direction, I am more likely to fly in First at the end of my trip if flying a foreign carrier. There are possible exceptions, of course, such as having a great pre-flight lounge here in the U.S. and then a great Arrivals Lounge available upon landing.
Of course, I'm more likely to fly in J in both directions rather than one direction in F.
Prefer outbound in premium class!
The carrier hub is a nice idea - never think like that though.
Have enough miles or $ for both ways business or business (miles) / premium economy ($)
Also depends on whose economy. Not all economy seats are equal.
But sometimes ends up being what I have or don't have miles for a particular destination. As not all alliances go to all destinations. Or maybe only a...
Prefer outbound in premium class!
The carrier hub is a nice idea - never think like that though.
Have enough miles or $ for both ways business or business (miles) / premium economy ($)
Also depends on whose economy. Not all economy seats are equal.
But sometimes ends up being what I have or don't have miles for a particular destination. As not all alliances go to all destinations. Or maybe only a hub city, but not connector (Which I want to be on the same PNR / miles ticket)
I've never splurged for First International. Business Int'l - dozens of times.
The choice whether to splurge or not comes down to the value proposition. If it's a long-haul flight, I'll go out of my way to hunt for F/J days/times at the best price, cash or redemption, then build the trip around that. Also depends if you're looking just for you, a couple, or the whole family.
Domestic: upgrade to F when upgrade from extra legroom economy does not exceed $1.00 per minute.
TATL: book PE from the east coast.
TPAC: book J for any trip from the east coast exceeding ten hours.
Wow, down to the minute. That's dedication. Exact!
As Ben pointed out one time, there are attractive fares for the Etihad Residence if you originate in Cairo and other outstations. Qatar has good business class out of Kathmandu, Etihad used to but not presently.
If you're going between the East Coast and the UK, even an inside room on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 beats any airline's offering. Price is often not much more than airline economy.
I wasn't aware the QM2 can also get you there in <8hrs
Generally for me other than a short flight on the 321ceo with row 11 all flights. In general if you wait and monitor the app most upgrade offers are reasonable. A 2 hour MIA to CLT flight can easily turn into a three hour ordeal. Rather be comfortable, and maybe being served a drink.
Yup, in an fun twist, often CLT rubs us the wrong way...
While I do enjoy good premium airline products and will happily do a detour to avoid the likes of BA or LH for long-haul journeys, I never lose sight of the fact that airlines are public transport providers. Travelling in first class won't reduce the risk of your departure getting held up by the delay of that connecting flight with the 18 kids and 4 teachers on a school trip, and it certainly won't make...
While I do enjoy good premium airline products and will happily do a detour to avoid the likes of BA or LH for long-haul journeys, I never lose sight of the fact that airlines are public transport providers. Travelling in first class won't reduce the risk of your departure getting held up by the delay of that connecting flight with the 18 kids and 4 teachers on a school trip, and it certainly won't make you immune from delays upon arrival at an airport in a jurisdiction where fast track passport control services aren't permitted (unless of course you're a govt crony, UN employee or similar)... and you'll still need to share the toilet with other people and eat reheated food that has been cooked hours before it reached your plate.
If you want to enjoy the culinary excellence of a Michelin-starred restaurant and/or a bed that's 2m wide and comes with a world-class mattress, you can realistically choose between experiencing it all on the ground and commissioning private flights. Paying €15k (or a huge amount of miles) for a ticket on a scheduled flight in no way guarantees you'll receive VIP treatment.
Lucky enough to find two F awards (EK and CX) for travel this year, both on the trips home, and from the airline hubs, so I'm really looking forward to the ground and air experience for both. I won't be slumming it on the outbound flights (different airlines to different destinations), so IMO I'm happier it worked out that way.
If you are going to splurge, splurging may be cheaper from certain destinations. Flying back to the US from Cairo, Bangkok, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal and others will be cheaper then flying from the US. So if it’s economy one way and business the other way, business is likely to be cheaper on the return.