Not everyone can afford the luxury of traveling first class. This opportunity is not limited exclusively to champagne and comfortable seats: it is necessary to adopt certain behaviors from the precise moment you set foot in the airport to arrival at your destination. Read on to learn how you should behave in preparation for future travel, whether you are a passenger who has never been in first class and doesn't want to be overly deferential, or whether you are a luxury travel regular who wants to avoid looking like contemptuous.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: First Class Lounge
Step 1. Socialize with people
Once you have completed the security checks, you will be able to access the waiting room reserved for first class passengers. In this place, you can socialize with other people, talk about your destination and hear experiences. You may meet prominent business executives or VIPs.
- Many people who have traveled first class have become friends with a famous person and been invited to a prestigious party or event.
- The first class lounge is notoriously quiet, as few people travel this way.
Step 2. Be polite to the ground attendant who will greet you upon your arrival
Ground attendants in the lounge are highly trained and well trained professionals with excellent communication skills and hospitality towards passengers. They will help you go through all the necessary steps from check-in to boarding. Be courteous and respectful, avoid being demanding and making too many claims.
If you can remember his name, you will make a good impression. The assistant will surely learn yours, so give him the same courtesy. In the lounge you will be assisted by a stewardess or ground steward, while in flight you will find others. Don't be offended if you don't connect with your first assistant. However, you will hardly not be blown away by the great service that will be offered to you
Part 2 of 6: First Class Boarding
Step 1. Be on time
It is important to behave as composedly as possible. Show that you are a respectful and worthy person by arriving on time and taking a good attitude during boarding. Relax in the lounge as well. The ground assistant will approach you when the time comes to board and accompany you to the seat you are entitled to.
- If you are close to boarding, avoid showering or ordering large meals. If you have to make a long layover or wait for a long time, you can instead afford to relax. You should prepare to arrive at the gate at least 30-45 minutes before boarding time.
- Remember that being late for boarding means wasting time for the entire airline, from economy to first class. Since first class passengers are the first to board and sit down, it is important to show respect by arriving at the indicated time, so that the procedure is handled smoothly and you can arrive at your destination without delay.
Step 2. Try to be humble
No need to rush: since you've been assigned a specific seat, be polite by letting other passengers board or sit before you. It is a sign of respect and makes it clear that you are a distinct person.
Step 3. Thank your ground assistant
Before embarking, it is important to say goodbye and thank him, you will probably not see him again. If you feel like it, tip him for his service to show your gratitude before moving on to the next stage of the flight.
Part 3 of 6: In Flight
Step 1. Be nice to the flight attendants
The hostesses and stewards who will make your trip easier are experts in the hospitality sector and consummate professionals, not just flight attendants. Be especially kind to them and show off your good manners. They will do whatever they can to help you, so treating them with respect is a basic rule of courtesy.
Step 2. Get to know other people
You will probably have passengers next to you. Although you have your own space to enjoy the flight, introducing yourself to people close to you is a sign of kindness and respect. This could spark interesting conversations that will make time fly.
You can learn a lot from others, especially first class passengers, who are probably very successful in life
Step 3. Smile kindly
When traveling in first class, smile at the flight attendants and other passengers to show that you are comfortable. Most people in first class are known to be friendly and enthusiastic because of the relaxed atmosphere in the cabin.
Step 4. Don't overdo the alcohol
Most flights offer a private first class bar with a wide variety of drinks. You will likely have several types of alcohol available, but it's important to be sober and avoid getting drunk. It's nice to be able to remember the experience, rather than ruining it by raising your elbow.
Step 5. Try to be understanding and respect others
Some people are lonely and prefer to socialize as little as possible. A passenger who respects the needs of others, without forcing or pushing them to interact at all costs, is highly valued. But if you are a loner who prefers to avoid socializing, respect people who want to make friends. If someone is introduced to you, respond politely, although you can easily say that you prefer to feel comfortable listening to music or watching a movie.
Step 6. Choose light conversation topics
When talking to a stranger or making new friends, it is important to talk about general topics, avoiding topics that require elaborate answers regarding political issues and the like. If you are talking to someone for the first time, ask superficial questions, such as the destination and the reason for the trip.
Part 4 of 6: Dealing with VIPs and Executives
Step 1. Try to keep your feet on the ground
It is well known that in the first class it is possible to meet famous people. If you see one or are given the opportunity to talk to him, treat him as if he were a perfectly normal person. This is usually the way VIPs want to be treated.
- If you show yourself down to earth and relaxed, you will put yourself on the same level as your interlocutor and you will not get overwhelmed by euphoria.
- Be yourself and behave normally. If you meet a singer or another artist, don't ask them to show off their art or anything else so that you can keep a good memory. While you are on vacation, it is possible that this person is traveling for business purposes.
Step 2. Let the other person lead the conversation
If you know and chat with a famous person, remember that he has probably talked and talks to many people in his life, especially about himself. Let him ask questions and lead the dialogue. If you want to ask him something, make sure you don't overdo it, and avoid bringing up personal or non-personal arguments.
Step 3. Politely ask for autographs
Understand that this person may be tired, nervous, or eager to take a nice, quiet flight to their destination. If you are an irritating fan and want to get everything you own signed, you will make a bad impression and the flight attendants will probably urge you to distance yourself.
- Try to ask only for an autograph and, if given the opportunity, a photo.
- If you don't know each other or don't have the same status, avoid asking him to add or follow you on social networks. If you are an executive or famous person yourself, invite your publicist (if you have one) to approach his to make him a proposal.
Part 5 of 6: Eating
Step 1. Order your food correctly
Traveling in first class has many advantages. One of these is the opportunity to savor haute cuisine dishes at an altitude of 10,000 kilometers. However, at dinner time try to order dishes you know. It would be horrifying to discover that you are allergic to certain ingredients just when you want to enjoy the experience to the fullest.
- Since there will only be one registered nurse on board, you risk not receiving full medical care should you have food problems.
- Postpone the opportunity to savor seafood and other such dishes in a hotel or restaurant once you reach your destination. On the plane, you prefer salads, sandwiches, soups or a plate of appetizers, sharing them, if you like, with the person next to you.
Step 2. If you have special requests, please contact the company
Airlines are now used to offering a wide variety of foods. The same tourist class allows you to choose between different types of menus, but in first class it is even easier to adapt the food to your tastes or needs. Contact the flight attendant to ask them to verify that the recipes meet your dietary needs.
If you have an allergy (for example to dried fruit), ask the flight attendant to contact the chef to find out if he can prepare a dish by substituting the offending ingredient. The professionals who work on board are selected with extreme care and their goal is to meet the needs of passengers flying first class
Step 3. Compliment the chef personally
Once you've delighted your taste buds with some of the finest dishes on the planet, congratulate the chef. This humble gesture will be appreciated by the other passengers, and the chef could offer you a dessert or invite you to try his latest creations.
First class chefs are generally friendly and relaxed people who like to chat, especially about gastronomy. If you have any knowledge on the subject or want to know more, after dinner it is frowned upon to introduce yourself and chat with the chef on board
Part 6 of 6: Concluding the Journey
Step 1. Show that you enjoyed the trip
At the end of the journey he tries to thank all the people who made this experience unforgettable. Thank your flight attendant by calling him by name and wish him a good day. It would be even better to tell him what you particularly liked during the trip.
- A contented person is viewed very positively and, in the rare event that you find the same flight attendant on the return journey, they will remember you.
- In some cases it is possible to get to know the pilot. Squeeze his hand warmly and thank him wholeheartedly for the beautiful flight. Knowing that his passion has such a positive impact on people will brighten his day.
Step 2. Get all your stuff
Remember not to leave anything behind, except a nice smile and a lot of education. Before landing and disembarking, check that you have not lost any personal items under the seats, armrests and so on.
Step 3. Try to do charity
It is possible that on the plane you will find forms for making donations to a sponsored charity. If you don't have one in the armrest or pocket in front of you, ask the flight attendant for it. It's a nice gesture and certainly won't go unnoticed.
Step 4. Write a review
You can express your gratitude by visiting the airline's webpage or review site to talk about your experience, inspire other people to travel first class, and offer useful information to professionals who wish to submit their resume.
Advice
- Try not to leave your things in plain sight - they could steal them from you. Always keep an eye on alcohol, cell phones and wallets.
- If it is a night flight and passengers want to rest before landing, speak softly. Sure, the cost of the ticket is steep, but some people just want to rest and prepare for arrival.
- Respect the personal spaces of others and their right to privacy.
- Flight attendants are not private waiters. They have no problem meeting the needs of passengers, but it is better to behave in a friendly and grateful manner rather than proud and demanding.
- Listen to instructions from flight attendants should an emergency arise.
- For personal safety reasons, it is advisable to notify the airline of any serious medical conditions, in order to inform the nurse or doctor on board.
- Speak politely and avoid swearing when addressing other passengers in first class. If you fly with a partner or friend with whom you have a habit of using colorful language, try to respect others by keeping your voice low, so as to avoid offending them.