US internal first class is not the same as full-fat intercontinental first class on a flag carrier. (It's barely up to regular business class.) I do know a guy

US internal first class is not the same as full-fat intercontinental first class on a flag carrier. (It's barely up to regular business class.) I do know a guy who was booked JFK-LHR in business class in the 90s and whose flight was overbooked; BA offered free first class upgrades to anyone who was willing to travel on the next departing flight with seats so he volunteered, and was most surprised to get home two hours early!