I recently took a flight and decided to fly First Class for the first time. While most people may not find this a big deal, some family members questioned why I would spend the extra money on this “unnecessary expense.” At first, I became defensive, but then I realized that I don’t owe anyone an explanation for how I spend my money.
This got me thinking. Everyone has the right to spend their money in a way that brings them joy, whether it’s on streaming services, daily Starbucks fixes, buying new clothes, gambling, self-care like getting hair done or massages, smoking, going out to dinner and a movie, purchasing art or other collectibles, or anything else. For my wife and me, flying First Class is something we choose to spend our money on.
One of the reasons I love flying First Class is that it helps me manage my anxiety about flying. I used to worry about what group I would be assigned to if there would be enough space for my carry-on, and who my neighbors would be if I traveled alone. But with First Class, I get to board early, enjoy incredible service, sit in large, comfortable seats with ample legroom (which is great for someone like me with long legs), and enjoy better food served on porcelain plates with real silverware and glasses. Plus, I can have as much to drink as I want (within reason) since alcohol is included. There’s also a private restroom for First Class passengers, flight attendants, and pilots and a curtain separating First Class from the rest of the cabin.
However, there’s one thing that bothers me about flying First Class. I once saw a comedian talk about how he worked hard to go from the last row to First Class so he could board first, but First Class doesn’t. People with disabilities, families with small children, active military personnel, and members of airline loyalty programs like United Airlines’ 1K Club board before First Class. While I have no issue with people with disabilities or 1K members boarding before First Class, I have seen cases of families with older children who can walk just fine, getting in line with the pre-boarding group for families with small children. I also think that active military personnel should board after First Class to show respect for their sacrifices.
Despite this, I am still grateful for the opportunity to fly First Class when I can. Even though I’ve seen 30 to 50 people board before me in First Class on some flights, I still appreciate the experience. I would fly First Class again, as it’s worth the extra money. If you haven’t flown First Class before, I encourage you to try it if you can, and I promise not to judge you for it. After all, we all deserve to treat ourselves in a way that brings us joy.