You’ll save time in first class.

Flying first class saves you the hours—or, in some cases, days—you would have spent recovering from jetlag. Most first class seats on international flights lay fully flat, so they are more like a bed than a seat. Further, many first class seats have elements that make them a more private space, such as walls and sliding doors. The most luxurious first class seats even include showers. All of these touches mean you can rest up while on the plane, so you will be alert and ready to take on that boardroom meeting the minute you land.

You’ll get more done in first class.

Working on the plane is easier in first class. Have you tried typing on a laptop in coach? It’s impossible. There is little space, and the tray tables in coach are often smaller, meaning you’re more likely to knock over your work than actually get any of it done—especially when the person in the seat in front of you reclines all the way back the minute your flight takes off. If you are flying domestically on Delta for example, your first class seat will have 8 extra inches of legroom compared to the main cabin, and more built-in outlets. These luxuries will cost you a little more, but if they keep you productive for the hours you’re in the air, you could very well turn a profit by choosing first class over economy.

You’ll make business connections in first class.

You can pay $2.35 million to have lunch with Warren Buffet, or you can pay $300 to bump up from domestic to first class and similarly network. On one fated flight, a friend of ours from Vermont made a seat-mate connection that resulted in a million dollars worth of business annually. Sure, you won’t know ahead of time who your seatmate will be, but it’s almost a guarantee that this person is a professional—after all, they probably opted to sit in first class for the same reasons you did. As a bonus, this professional just might be interested in killing a few hours talking shop over in-flight beverages. 

So, next time you’re deciding if first class is “worth it,” consider the profits you could lose out on by flying coach.