The Honest Answer
Is a $20,000 first class flight “worth it”? Probably not – if you’re paying cash. But the experience? It’s genuinely incredible. Here’s how to think about the value equation.
I’ve seen this question asked hundreds of times: “Is first class worth the price?”
The honest answer requires separating two different questions:
- Is first class an amazing experience? Yes, absolutely.
- Is first class worth 10-20x the price of economy? Almost never.
Let me explain.
What $20,000 Actually Gets You
On a typical long-haul first class flight (say, New York to Dubai on Emirates), you’re paying for:
- Private suite (vs. 17″ seat width in economy)
- Lie-flat bed with real bedding
- Onboard shower (Emirates A380)
- Multi-course gourmet meals and unlimited champagne
- Chauffeur service to/from airport
- Priority everything (check-in, boarding, bags)
- Lounge access with full amenities
The Math Problem
Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
| Route: JFK – Dubai | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Price | $800 | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Flight Time | 14 hours | 14 hours | 14 hours |
| Cost Per Hour | $57 | $357 | $1,428 |
You’re paying an extra $15,000 for 14 hours of comfort. That’s $1,071 per hour more than business class – which already has lie-flat beds.
When First Class IS Worth It
Despite the math, there are scenarios where first class makes sense:
When you’re redeeming miles, first class often costs only 30-50% more than business class. The “value” equation changes completely.
Honeymoons, milestone birthdays, bucket list trips. The experience itself is the destination.
If you need to arrive fresh for a $100M deal, $20K is rounding error. Most executives don’t pay this themselves.
If $20K is genuinely inconsequential to your finances, why not? Life is short.
When It’s NOT Worth It
- You’re stretching financially to afford it
- You could use the $15K for experiences at your destination
- Business class is available (90% of the comfort, 25% of the price)
- You’re on a short flight (under 6 hours)
The Better Question
Instead of “Is first class worth it?”, ask: “What’s the best use of this money for travel enjoyment?”
$20,000 could buy:
- 4 business class flights (same lie-flat bed)
- Round-trip business class + a week at a luxury hotel
- An entire two-week trip to multiple countries in premium economy
- First class on points + $15,000 toward your destination experience
The Points Strategy
The smartest approach: use points for first class, save cash for everything else.
When you book Emirates first class with 100,000 Alaska miles instead of $20,000 cash, you’re getting:
- The full first class experience
- ~20 cents per mile value (excellent)
- $20,000 still in your bank account
My Verdict
First class is an incredible experience that everyone should try at least once. But paying full cash price rarely makes financial sense when business class offers 90% of the comfort.
The play: earn points through credit cards and everyday spending, then splurge on first class without the guilt. You get the experience without sacrificing your travel budget.
The TL;DR:
- First class is genuinely amazing
- It’s rarely worth 10-20x economy price in cash
- Business class offers 90% of the comfort at 25% of the price
- Using points changes the equation completely
- Try it once for a special occasion – you won’t regret it
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