Flying First Class As A Christian (Is It Wasteful?)

Flying first class as a Christian can be complicated. It is wasteful? Is flying coach more of a savvy steward move? Regrettably, Christians are quite judgy towards the actions of others. Flying first class as a Christian is another judgment minefield. When is flying first class as a Christian appropriate? Is it ever? Let’s dig into the Good Book and see.

Flying first class as a Christian is perfectly fine in the proper circumstances. Understanding the value of one’s time is a good starting point. Calculating an honest difference between first class and coach is vital. There are pros and cons to flying first class.

You Will Always Have The Poor — Jesus

John 12:3-6 Mary then took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who intended to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the proceeds given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he kept the money box, he used to steal from what was put into it.

It’s easy to think we know what’s best with another person’s money. That’s what Judas did with Jesus. Mary presented an expensive and personal gift to Jesus. Judas judged it as wasteful. Jesus judged it as lavish and appropriate. He eventually told Judas that the poor will always be around. Here’s a great article on practicing radical generosity.

There are times when every cent should go towards a specific endeavor. Sometimes funds can be diverted for other, seemingly less noble, causes. We live in the age of grace.

Flying First Class As A Christian — Automatic Upgrades

A few years ago I was flying pretty much every week for work. I knew the American terminal at O’Hare as well as the Metra train schedule. On a few occasions, I was automatically upgraded to first class. Not too often but enough to know that I enjoyed it. The upgrade happened because I had a frequent flyer membership.

Apply to every frequent flyer program that you think you will use. I primarily fly American. I’ve needed to fly Delta and United on occasion. When I fly those airlines I still leverage my frequent flyer membership.

When you are blessed to get upgraded to first-class enjoy it.

Flying First Class As A Christian — Using Points

Another way to obtain first-class tickets is to use mileage points. Points are accrued for each flight. The longer and more costly the flight the more points one accrues.

One can also accrue points by using an airline credit card. Dave Ramsey would lose his ever-loving mind on this option. Your secret is safe with me. Plus, disagreeing with Dave Ramsey won’t send you to hell.

Benefits of Flying First Class

There are several benefits to flying first class. Are the benefits worth the added cost? That’s a personal decision.

Flying First Class Benefit #1 — Space to Work

Full disclosure. I’m a fun-sized guy. Even at 5’7″ I find working in coach nearly impossible. When flying first class I can write. In coach, I am unable to do so.

My most frequent flight is from Chicago to Las Vegas. That flight is nearly four hours long. We recently had a flight from Phoenix to Detroit. That one was a bit longer.

How much are your hours worth? I can write a solid article in about an hour. I can edit a chapter of one of my books in an hour. Imagine that I can write two articles from Chicago to Las Vegas and two articles on the return flight. If each article earns $25 each month for a year that would be about $1,200 in revenue.

Or I could watch the Lord Of The Rings (again) in coach. In a middle seat. With a crying baby next to me.

Flying First Class Benefit #2 — Superior Service

Flying in an airplane is an amazing experience. What once required days of driving can be done in a few hours. Many people believe that only pretentious people fly first class. Eighty percent of the world’s population has never flown in an airplane.

Before casting a stone at first-class flyers, consider the 6 billion people who have never stepped foot on an airplane.

Flying coach, which I do the majority of the time, is convenient but not fun. It’s cramped. The flight attendants are responsible for the safety of about 150 people. They don’t have the time to treat each person well.

In the first class section, the ratio is about 12:1 instead of 75:1. This is not an indictment against the flight attendants in coach. They are given a near-impossible job yet do it well.

Flight attendants in first class have much more time to serve the passengers and treat them well — which they do.

Flying First Class Benefit #3 — Bags Fly Free

Okay, I know that bags fly free on Southwest. I don’t fly Southwest, though. Often tickets on Southwest are a similar price to American. When traveling alone I never check a bag. However, when flying for a family vacation, bags need to be checked.

American Airlines charges $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second. United charges $35 and $45 respectively. Every airline, except Southwest, charges for checked bags in coach. Frontier and Spirit even charge for carry-on bags (YIKES!).

Also, airlines prioritize first-class bags when they’re picked up at the final destination. I’d rather not spend precious time watching everyone else’s luggage make laps on the conveyor belt.

Flying First Class Benefit #4 — Priority Boarding

Overhead space on most flights is precious. I’ve had the misfortune of getting my carry-on bag put in the back of the plane while I’m in the middle of the plane. Getting to that bag when deplaning is a pain in the posterior — especially when making a connecting flight.

Boarding on most airlines is done by frequent flyer status. American, Delta, and United (at least for now) board by frequent flyer status. Southwest Airlines differentiates itself in this area. Some love it. Others hate it. Those who fly often typically get prime overhead space. Those who fly infrequently are rolling the dice.

Flying first class eliminates this issue. There is plenty of overhead space and it’s reserved for those in first class.

Additionally, deplaning is a much smoother process. I’ve been stuck in row 36 on more than one occasion. Anxiety begins to enter as the time ticks away. If you’ve ever flown through the DFW airport you know the feeling. Missing a connecting flight is a terrible feeling.

How Much Does It Cost To Fly First Class?

Flying first class can be financially prohibitive. My employer never pays for me to fly first class because of the cost. Does that make it a settled fact? I don’t believe that it does.

My time is valuable. I love to keep stress at bay. Time can be quantified. It’s tough placing a dollar value on stress though.

On average, a first-class upgrade costs $525 round trip. Is that a good value to you? In certain situations, it is for me.

Flying first class is a treat and a blessing. When the cost fits our budget we take the plunge. Don’t let others shame you into flying coach. Coach, for 80% of the world is bougie.

Count the cost.

Don’t go into debt to fly first class or coach.

Practice fearless generosity.

Have some fun.