Jamie Davis Smith
I travel often and have only flown economy. However, faced with long-haul flights from the East Coast of the US to Hawaii, I decided to spring for first-class tickets.
I was traveling without my family, so I thought it might be my only chance to see what it's like at the front of the plane without shelling out for multiple tickets.
After looking at different itineraries, I picked a round-trip flight on Alaska Airlines that cost over $2,000. I'd never flown with the airline before, but I excitedly hit buy on the nonrefundable first-class tickets.
I thought the luxury experience would be worth the investment. Instead, in my opinion, what I got wasn't much better than economy.
Jamie Davis Smith
My first incorrect assumption what that my first-class ticket would automatically get me access to an airport lounge. I thought this would be especially nice since my itinerary included a layover in each direction.
Unfortunately, there weren't Alaska lounges at any of the four airports I flew through during my trip, and you have to be an Alaska Lounge+ member to access any of the airline's partner lounges.
To make things worse, I assumed the first-class seats would be as nice as those I've seen on other airlines. My heart sank when I learned that Alaska Airlines' first-class seats don't recline much and don't have seat-back screens.
I'd been looking forward to a deep recline to help me sleep and zone out while watching movies and catching up on emails throughout my 18-hour travel day.
At this point, I wondered if it would've been better to fly economy on a different airline, but it was too late to change my ticket.
Jamie Davis Smith
When I boarded my first flight, I was cautiously optimistic.
I was glad to see my first-class chair was noticeably bigger than a typical economy seat. Plus, it had plenty of padding to make it more comfortable.
Unfortunately, the seats reclined even less than I expected. I also didn't get a pillow or an amenities kit, just a blanket, which is what I'm used to on longer economy flights on other airlines.
Jamie Davis Smith
I packed a tablet with a big screen so I could watch movies and TV shows through Alaska's app, which seemed to have a pretty good selection. However, there wasn't a tablet holder on the seatback for either of my flights there.
Because I had only one tray table, I had to choose between watching movies or using my computer to catch up on emails. Given the limited space, things got even tighter when the food came out.
I also had to pay an extra $32 ($8 on each leg of my flight) for WiFi.
Jamie Davis Smith
When it was time to eat, I was hoping for a hot meal. I left my house at 4 a.m. without breakfast and was starving.
I waited to see what would be on my tray, only to discover that because I had not selected a meal in advance (which I didn't know was a thing), I was stuck with a snack box and a couple of mediocre sides.
I got the same snack box (sans entrée) on my second flight, leaving me hangry when I landed.
As I deplaned, I longingly thought about the delicious food I had on a recent Turkish Airlines flight in economy.
Jamie Davis Smith
When it came time to board my first flight home, I was happy to see that the plane was nicer.
This time, I had a tablet holder on the back of my seat so I could watch from a comfortable distance and save some tray space.
The seats didn't recline more than the other plane, but they did have footrests. My flight left at 11 p.m., and I was so tired that I dozed off easily.
Unfortunately, I was soon disappointed again when I boarded my connecting flight. The plane was an older model without a tablet holder.
I had at least preordered a meal for this leg, which was better than the snack box.
Jamie Davis Smith
I can't totally blame Alaska for my underwhelming first-class experience.
If I had done some research before booking, it would've been much clearer that the airline is known for its no-frills planes. However, it still felt like I was paying first-class prices, so I think some disappointment is appropriate.
I won't be flying first class on Alaska again, but I hope to have a real, luxurious experience on another airline in the future.
Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
When it comes to flying, I usually just take my seat in coach.
However, while purchasing a Neos flight for my September trip to Sicily, I noticed it would only cost me an extra $200 to upgrade from coach to premium economy.
Since my flight was overnight and fairly long at eight hours, I decided to book it.
Here's what my experience was like flying in premium economy with the private Italian airline.
Allison Tibaldi
I arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 2:30 p.m. for my 5.pm. flight and headed to the dedicated check-in for premium-economy passengers, where there was no wait.
Unfortunately, Neos doesn't participate in TSA PreCheck. Although it was annoying to have to remove my shoes, the general TSA line moved fairly quickly.
I was really excited that my premium-economy ticket allowed me to access the swanky Air France Lounge before my flight.
Allison Tibaldi
It was spacious, with dozens of tables and comfortable seats. The complimentary buffet had an array of hot and cold dishes, including an entire salad bar.
A pour-it-yourself bar was stocked with complimentary wine and hard liquor.
Allison Tibaldi
The lounge WiFi worked like a charm so I was able to catch up on email as I noshed.
Allison Tibaldi
Neos doesn't have a business class, which makes premium economy its most upscale service. So, premium-economy passengers were the first to board, and the process went smoothly.
The plane was a 787-9 Dreamliner with a 2-3-2 seat configuration and 28 premium-economy seats in the front.
I found plenty of overhead space for my carry-on and sat in an aisle seat in a row of three. A pillow, blanket, and a toiletries bag with socks, lip balm, and hand lotion were waiting for me when I sat down.
My leather seat had an adjustable head and footrest, a touchscreen I could use to watch movies, and a USB socket for charging my personal electronic devices.
Shortly after I sat down, a flight attendant offered me a choice of water or prosecco. An hour after takeoff, they handed me a hot towel.
Not long after, I was served a bowl of warm nuts followed by a first course of smoked salmon on a bed of lettuce sprinkled with olives and yellow baby tomatoes with rolls.
Allison Tibaldi
I appreciated that my meal had some nice touches: a tiny bottle of olive oil, individual salt and pepper shakers, and a linen napkin.
For the main course, I could choose between pasta or fish. I selected the latter, which was white and flaky and served with whipped potatoes.
A complimentary glass of Sicilian white wine from the Etna region paired well with my meal. Chocolate cake was on offer for dessert.
After dinner, I still had six hours of flight time left. I put on my eye mask and tilted my seat back as far as it would go — although it wasn't a full recline, it was comfortable enough to allow me to sleep for four hours.
I woke up to the smell of coffee brewing and had a tasty in-flight breakfast of yogurt, cut-up fruit, and a warm croissant.
We arrived in Palermo on schedule just after 7 a.m.
Overall, my premium-economy experience was worth the extra $200.
I got a spacious seat plus a host of perks that made my flight much more enjoyable. Although I'd hoped for an even roomier seat, I was still pleasantly surprised with the upscale service, excellent dinner, and access to an airport lounge.
I wished I had booked a premium-economy seat for my daytime flight home. If the price is right, I'll book premium economy the next time I fly Neos, too.
