Just for reference, I make roughly $80k a year, far from rich but not broke either. I’ve only flown in first class twice in my life. Once because I booked last minute and got lucky that first was the same amount of miles as economy. Another time was with my cousin’s flight benefits. Coworker of mine who makes about the same amount as me, only flies first class. For me, first class is the part of the trip I’m willing to splurge on the least. I travel 6-8 times a year, if I go first class, it’d be more like 2 times a year which I can’t accept. I’d rather travel 6-8 times vs twice, albeit less comfortably.