How to fly first class on every trip: Travel hacking tips revealed

Ben Schlappig, 25-year-old master manipulator of frequent-flier programmes, is spending his VIP life airborne. Ben Wofford takes to the air with a hero of the secretive, obsessive subculture known as the Hobby

Schlappig gets the first-class treatment. Photos: Ben Schlappig
Schlappig gets the first-class treatment. Photos: Ben Schlappig

The boarding procedure has barely started at Chicago O'Hare airport and Ben Schlappig has already taken over the first-class cabin. It's Valentine's Day and, on Cathay Pacific Flight 807 bound for Hong Kong from the United States, he's passing out designer chocolates to a small swarm of giggling flight attendants. The six suites in this leather-bound playpen of faux mahogany and fresh-cut flowers comprise the inner sanctum of commercial flight that few ever witness. They're mostly empty now, save for two men in their 20s who seem even giddier than the flight attendants. The two stand to greet him. "This is so cool!" exclaims one, and soon Schlappig is ordering champagne for everyone.

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