So, I flew to Japan about a month ago and for my connection from vancouver to osaka i was bumped up to first class because the seat they assigned me(17D) didn't exist. In fact, all of row 17 was non-existant because they had used the space to add a little cubby/workspace for stewardesses. I can only assume they did that to all of their 767s.

I went back on orbitz and checked my seats for the return flight. It's the same model of airplane with the same carrier. I changed my seat to 17H in hopes that I would be bumped to first class again.

So, what are the odds that I get lucky like that again? Does anyone know enough about planes or fly enough to give me a reasonable answer? If this works again it will be flipping sweet!

7/19/2008 11:00:25 AM

You're going to get bumped off the damn flight this time.

7/19/2008 11:02:43 AM

^ This is a reasonable assumption, should the rest of their seats be full you will get bumped right off that flight.

7/19/2008 11:05:13 AM

I have weighed that option as well. I have decided that it's worth the risk. However, you have to see this first class in order to appreciate the magnitude of this decision. I didn't have a seat. I had a freakin' bed! This wasn't some big fluffy chair with lots of room. I was laying flat, covered up with a blanket, etc.

[Edited on July 19, 2008 at 11:12 AM. Reason : air canada ftw]

7/19/2008 11:11:29 AM

What are you doing in Osaka?

7/19/2008 11:17:06 AM

^^

so you've never seen first class before? they show you what it looks like on their webpage.

the bed makes it MUCH easier to sleep. i never sleep well on international flights, unless i'm lying down.

7/19/2008 11:26:45 AM

i've seen first class before, just never seen one this nice. I've never been on an international flight before now so maybe that has something to do with it. Most international flights are larger planes which i assume would lead to nicer accomodations in first class?

[Edited on July 19, 2008 at 11:33 AM. Reason : ^^Visiting different missionaries all over Japan. Observing their ministries.]

7/19/2008 11:32:21 AM

^
yep international flights are outfitted differently. the accommodations are sweet. i like the power plugs at every seat, entertainment center, wireless internet, the works.

[Edited on July 19, 2008 at 11:38 AM. Reason : i've never used the phone though.]

7/19/2008 11:37:39 AM

Yeah, I tried to sleep some but only got about 3 hours. I was just outta my comfort zone I guess. It was a 10 hour flight from vancouver to osaka.

BTW. If you've never been to Japan, make plans to come but save money and stay at least 3 weeks or so. You really need to get around and see different places. So far I've been to osaka, kobe, okinawa, aomori, and now i'm in ushiku which is a small town next to tsukuba. For a westerner it's just a different experience altogether. I've enjoyed practically everything here. The only things I'm not fond of are japanese style toilets and nato.

7/19/2008 11:52:13 AM

Quote :

"I'm not fond of are japanese style toilets and nato. "

Haha. Most of foreigners hate Natto. And I don't even use Japanese style toilets. I usually use "American type?" toilets....but actually they are way better than toilets in the States. I heard that Madonna imported them from Japan.

You've been to many cities in Japan that I've never visited. haha.
The fuel surcharge is crazy expensive lately, but it's really worth to visit Japan someday.

I'm in Chiba right next to Tokyo.

[Edited on July 19, 2008 at 12:10 PM. Reason : ]

7/19/2008 12:10:34 PM

son of a bitch, when i fly international i'm def hitting up first class now

7/19/2008 2:12:49 PM

which airline are you flying?

7/19/2008 2:22:12 PM

^

Quote :

"air canada ftw"

7/19/2008 2:23:42 PM

^crap, missed that. I flew United first class from Hong Kong to Saigon this summer, and it was pretty nice. First class is definitely worth it if you're on a long flight, and if you can afford it.

7/19/2008 2:30:09 PM

Quote :

"I have weighed that option as well. I have decided that it's worth the risk. "

Considering the duration of the flight, I think you've got a good plan. I would do it.

7/19/2008 4:38:22 PM

Well, that plan failed. Too bad cuz I really coulda used the sleep first class would have provided for me. I didn't sleep a freakin WINK! That's a 10 hour flight that left at 5:30pm. Now I'm sitting in vancouver with NOTHING to do and a 12 hour layover. WTF?! Tried to sleep on some chairs, that failed. The chairs are tilted at a 45 degree angle. They are designed to be uncomfortable. Bunch of zombies walking around here with nowhere to go. I've had no sleep

8/12/2008 5:29:45 PM

When you're tired enough, you'll fall asleep using your carryon bag as a pillow.

8/12/2008 5:36:42 PM

I've got to get some sleep on my next flight or i'm toast. Thought about going to the gym here in teh airport to kill some time, but obviously I chose tww. But I don't have any gym clothes unpacked so it's moot. Good lawd this is boring.

8/12/2008 5:39:58 PM

what's a Japanese toilet? do they have those toilets where you have to squat?

8/12/2008 5:41:58 PM

I've flown to Germany probably 10 times over the years, all in coach. I'm not sure what I would do if I had the chance to go over in first class.

8/12/2008 5:42:37 PM

^^yes, you have to squat over it. I refused to use one. One time I thought I would have to but i managed to find a handicapped restroom. phew.

^if you're anything like me you'd probably shat yourself

8/12/2008 5:50:40 PM

i took a toronto -> hong kong in first and back in june/july

holy balls awesome

8/12/2008 5:52:25 PM

once you go black first class, you don't go back

1st class DCA to CDG and then HKG to KTH! Oh yeah!

8/12/2008 5:55:54 PM

How are you supposed to text people and read a magazine while you're squatting?

8/12/2008 5:56:57 PM

^Forget any of that! How are you supposed to prevent shitting on yourself? There is a splatter factor here folks!

[Edited on August 12, 2008 at 5:59 PM. Reason : ]

8/12/2008 5:58:23 PM

8/12/2008 6:03:41 PM

coming back from hiking, one of the adjustments is that I can't just squat anywhere, I have to go to this special room

8/12/2008 6:03:54 PM

8/12/2008 6:04:51 PM

That's pretty close to what I rode in. Actually no but it's similar in setup. If that is a 10 my seat was an 8. Geez that is a pretty awesome seat.

8/12/2008 6:08:26 PM

wow that's awesome! snacks and a little goodie bag too

8/12/2008 6:09:21 PM

^^^ bummer that my seat on my trip to london will look nothing like this

[Edited on August 12, 2008 at 6:10 PM. Reason : .]

8/12/2008 6:09:52 PM

first class is ftw

8/12/2008 6:17:46 PM

hm. so that's why first class was like $5K for a trip to Germany

8/12/2008 6:23:16 PM

That is 1st on Emarites (sp?) cause the flights are like 20 hours long or some shit.

Business Class is still up there....but not like that.

8/12/2008 6:26:26 PM

^x7

WOW. I wish my LA->Sydney seat looked like that. That flight was rough.

8/12/2008 6:38:42 PM

yeah the flight from philly to toronto to hong kong and back first class was $9,600



air canada



i just booked a first class flight to Seoul in september... hope i end up going... its on contingency now

8/12/2008 7:31:21 PM

I was stretched out in first class coming back from germany when I had to piss

I try to get up and both my legs are fast the fuck asleep

I had to go really bad so I couldn't wait for them to wake up, so I stumble down the aisle grabbing the outer armrests for support

Folks look at me funny, and they won't serve me any more liquor since they thought I was shitfaced

8/12/2008 7:35:08 PM

ugh, jet lag ftl.

8/14/2008 8:32:14 AM

First Class is baller.

8/14/2008 9:48:30 AM