First Class in consulting

Those guys don't travel first class.

Is it top 3 firms that travel first class only?

No one travels first class that I'm aware of. People who travel a ton often get very high status, and when you have high status and book very close to when you need to depart a byproduct of consulting you are more likely to get upgraded.

This is for domestic travel, international travel you are allowed to book first class if the trip meets certain thresholds I believe, but this is just anecdotal evidence.

I remember sitting next to an Accenture partner in coach on a flight from Chicago to DC. And the guy had a backpack, not a briefcase. Not sure what was up with that.

Just fly enough to make Diamond and buy late enough for M or H fare, you will be flying first class no time. Or fly off times (like Tuesday or Saturday) with Gold status. But you are not buying First class for domestic 3 weeks out for any firm.

It's all about the mileage status and upgrades. Delta upgrades Diamonds three days in advanced, so even on an X-fare ticket you can get upgraded easily. I am a gold and am surprised the few times I do not get upgraded on even award tickets.

It's all about the mileage status and upgrades. Delta upgrades Diamonds three days in advanced, so even on an X-fare ticket you can get upgraded easily. I am a gold and am surprised the few times I do not get upgraded on even award tickets.

I was on the same flight each week for quite some time and there were floods of Accenture folk also on that flight.

I know this because I saw most of those fancy schmancy Accenture backpacks go by me in First as they hoofed it to the back. ;)

This questions is all based on policies and level. Each firm has a length threshold that if surpassed allows you to bump up. For instance, longer than 6 hours, you get to book business class at any level but partner/MD. Upgrades abound in management consulting as people travel so much, so it's not usually a huge issue what ticket you book.

MD/partners usually have lax rules if they have them at all. If the partner wants to charge the client for them to fly 1st class everywhere, that's usually their prerogative.

Just checked my policy (not in consulting though) but I fly 1st class on any trip over 6 hours and anything international. I would assume MBB and 2nd tier firms are similar to that?

since you are on the road every week, you usually end up with decent Airline status, either on United, American or Delta, so you get the upgrade. Most firms (either consulting or banking) only allow Economy tickets, unless it's overseas or some other circumstance. Some clients will only pay for Coach tickets, which is funny at times since some last minute First class tickets can be cheaper than coach tickets, but you still need to buy the coach ticket or you won't get reimbursed.

Any flight over 90 minutes. (MBB)

My roomie is Analyst level at McKinsey and flies Economy.