Flying Coach vs. Flying First Class: Financial Differences

When planning a vacation, take into consideration how much luggage you bring! I know that airlines are starting to charge for all checked luggage. What I didn't realize was the difference between these charges for coach passengers versus those who choose to fly first class.

This is taken straight from the NWA Checked Luggage Policy on their Web site:Coach Class:

For tickets purchased on/after July 10, 2008 for travel on/after August 28, 2008, each ticketed passenger is allowed one (1) piece of checked luggage for a fee of USD $15 each-way and a second pieced of checked luggage for a fee of USD $25 each-way. Third and subsequent pieces will be assessed a fee of USD $100 per piece each-way. Customers seated in First Class may check up to three bags free of charge. Luggage in excess of these special free allowances will be charged a fee of $100 per piece each-way.

OK, let me get this straight. If you fly fist class, you get up to THREE bags for FREE. But if you're flying coach, you have to pay $30 for even one piece of luggage?

I understand that 1st class passengers are paying more for their tickets, but I always thought they were paying for the luxury of the segregated seating section with the posh seats, extensive leg room, complimentary drinks, etc. I didn't realize they could potentially get up to $280 worth of luggage allowance for FREE (first piece is $30 round trip, second piece is $50 round trip and third piece is $200 round trip, according to the coach class policy).

After doing a price comparison to fly coach versus flying first class, I was kind of shocked at the differences. I've never flown first class so I wasn't sure how much it really costs in the grand scheme of things. I searched for a flight from our hometown to our destination on the days we are flying. For coach it came to $313.50 per person round trip. For the same exact flight to fly first class (or business, since it was the same price) it came to $1,329.50 per person round trip. That's a difference of $1,016 per person just to fly first class instead of coach!

Now I know WHY I've never flown first class. Extra leg room and free baggage are NOT worth an extra $1,000+ more per person. I wouldn't have even paid for first classes when we went to Hawaii and had roughly 16 hours of flying and airports. No way.

I guess paying $30 to check one suitcase for our vacation is alright. The price comparison really put things into perspective for me. They can have their (up to) three free checked bags. I'll take my coach seat and packet of peanuts and be glad I'm not paying another $2,000 to sit in luxury for the three hours we are in the air.

Now let's just hope we can pack for two people for a whole week in ONE suitcase without exceeding the weight limit. If we can do that, we'll be OK!