1st class 1st timer?
 

flying 1st class (northwest)wondering if i still need to get to airport as early to check=in.

I would as you still need to get through the security lines. It doesn't get you preference through them. Plus you get on the plane first so I would want to be there at the same point.

I would still check in early in order to spend some time in the First Class Lounge before your departure.

If you are flying first class domesticaly, you do not get access to the lounge.
First class tickets will get you access to the Elite line to check your luggage and make sure they put priority tags on your checked luggage. supposedly that will make them come out first on the carousel.

Otherwise, be there at the normal time you would be there. First may also let you jump the security line some depending on how the airport you are flying out of handles it.

williamscb13, the airport in my city has only domestic flights except 1 or 2 charter flights/day to Mexico. There is a first class lounge at my airport and I find it difficult to believe that lounge is only for the few people going to Mexico each day. Maybe that's the rule at international airports, but I doubt it applies across the board.

Bless your heart honey.

Nothing in this world worse than going back to coach after FC.

Lounges are not just for those people flying first class. There are people who specifically join the lounges, and that will get them access to whichever club they belong to no matter which airline they are flying.

However, to be admitted to a Northwest Lounge, you must be flying business/first internationally, belong to the club or have a platinum American Express Card and be flying on Northwest that day for entry, but merely having a domestic (u.s.a.) first class ticket will not allow you access to the lounge.

I do not know the rules for the lounge at your home airport, but for the Northwest Worldclub, those are the rules.

And do we even know if the OP is flying from an airport that has a lounge?

Go at the same time. First will be a shorter luggage check line - but you still have to go through security (which, in my experience is what takes all the time).

But- that may differ at your airport - how bad are the security lines THERE usually.

If you are not checking in at a kiosk then you will save time because the checkin line is shorter. If your airport has a "premium passenger" line thru security then you would be able to use it and that will save time.

Make sure you board the plane first. Apparently, there is a mandate that those in First Class must board first so that all who pass know that they - THE FIRST CLASS Passengers - are superior.

You are also obligated to admonish those in steerage who dare urinate in your FIRST CLASS LAVATORY.

Get there at the same time you always arrive...
If anything happens and you have not BOARDED the plane 10 minutes prior to arrival, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR SEAT.
I have taken many 1st class seats from someone who already checked in that got stuck in a long security line!

We always arrive early just like we do when we fly coach - have fun! I don't get to do it very often, just when we rack up enough FF miles. My husband gets upgraded a lot for business, but for me it's still a thrill - the leg room alone makes a big difference on a long flight.

NW does not let you use the lounge unless you are flying overseas or have elite status..or join their club. You also get to use the lounge if you've just arrived from an overseas flight on a business class ticket.

I love 1st class, but would never pay for it. My husband's company flew us from London to Singapore last year 1st class on Singapore Air. WOW!! So, that's how the other half lives. I was actually glad it was a 13 hour flight!