You'll enjoy 1st class. The one time I was upgraded to 1st class, I really did enjoy it, so much more so than coach, which is what I normally fly.
The flying is what I am afraid is putting me off from traveling internationally. Domestically I can still travel coach, but, when it comes to international flights, I am going to have travel business class, and that is so much more expensive than coach.
Yeah, I normally fly coach, the flights are not exactly the highlight of my trip. Especially on ten hour overseas flights. The seats aren't exactly comfortable and if you're anything other than a stick figure it can be pretty close quarters. At least for me it's damn well near impossible to sleep in coach. Most times I'm just managing to fall asleep then the pilot makes a change (course/altitude/etc) or the attendants start moving through the cabin to serve a snack or breakfast. Last year I actually lucked out a bit coming home from Italy, the seat next to mine either hadn't been sold or was a no-show, so I had quite a bit more room to stretch out. That flight went nice and quick because of the extra room. Back in 2013 when I went to NYC there was a whole row that hadn't been sold so as soon as I could I hopped back into that row before anyone else could claim it.
If I go overseas next year I think I'll have enough mileage built up on American that I'll be able to at least fly one way first class. Hopefully both ways. If it's just one way I'd chose to come back on first since flights home take slightly longer and it'd be a nice way to end a trip.
