How To Decide Which First & Business Class Flights To Splurge On?

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.

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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?