[asciimike]

Flying up front is vastly different from being in the back, especially on a premium fist product (Lufthansa or ANA in *A, or Cathay, Emirates, Qatar, etc.). I used to fly to India for business and I could always score a first upgrade BLR -> FRA, which meant I could use the LH first class terminal (separate building) during the layover back to the states. 200+ bottles of whisky, a cigar room, an entire leg of jamon iberico, bathtubs where you could grab a bottle of champagne off the wall and drink while you lounged, dedicated customs, and a Porsche to drive you directly to your departing aircraft. I wouldn't pay O(10k) for a ticket, but it's a pretty good time when you can upgrade it.

[ethbro]

It seems like there are two divergent characteristics that lead to the differences of opinions on this.

1) Has someone ever flown in a premium class on a non-US carrier?

2) Has someone taken advantage of the end-to-end amenities? E.g. premium lounges, etc.

Personally, first class on American is an order of magnitude worse service than business on ANA or Cathay. So I could see someone saying "What's the point?" if they primarily fly domestics.

[yibg]

Big difference between domestic and international too. United international business class is pretty good (not Cathay, Ana etc first class good but on par with day Cathay business class) lounge and all are pretty up to par I think.

[asciimike]

Definitely. Domestic is generally meh. UA Polaris has stepped up their game for sure. Bedding is A+, lie flats in 1-2-1 are better than LH (which is still 2-2-2 or 2-3-2, though if you're stuck on a 2-4-2 772, I'd take the LH flight), and the Polaris lounges offer premium alcohol and decent food. Inflight food and beverages (same liquor as the rest of the plane) aren't as good, and service is still a joke compared to any non-US carrier though.

[morsch]

The world we live in is really fucked up.

[FDSGSG]

Why?