Does anyone know how long a stopover can be and still be authorized first class. For example going to europe from point A in the US to B in Europe layover for 36 continue to point C in Europe. All in the same reservation can it all be first class?

check out 8c4d

...or 8A4b - when a higher class of service is authorized

Thanks. But neither section addresses my question.

I don't think you can be in first class after the layover - unless your deviation plans resulted in a shorter-than-legal layover. Then it would be seen as a continuous duty period and you could get first class.

After a 36 hour layover, it's new duty period and the DH has to be over 5 block hours to get FC. ANC trips with a DH to or from NRT usually go through SEA with a layover there. The legs between ANC and SEA are always coach while the legs to/from NRT are in first.

which is exactly what section 8A4b addresses - only 3 cases where first class is authorized (or a higher class than coach) - new duty period after a legal rest (36 hours) = have to meet 1 of the 3 criteria all over again

I think 8c4d and the other section quoted does:

Travel claimed as a deviation expense must begin or end within
3 days of the scheduled assignment to/from which the pilot is
deviating (e.g. scheduled deadhead, trip or R-day) and must
proceed to the intended destination of the deviation with no
greater than a 24 hour delay enroute, domestically, and a 48
hour delay enroute internationally

I would say that is exactly your scenario with respect to the amount of delay time allowed, as for your first class on the second leg I would say that the class rules apply for that "duty period". The problem becomes if you can't book a single ticket with first on the long leg and coach on the short. It may require you booking 2 tickets, if you look at bid pack pairings with layovers between deadheads they apply the class rules to each duty period, not the total travel time.

Call your FOA and ask?

There's really nothing to ask an FOA about.

He never said he was deviating, so the 8c4d really doesn't apply. I got the impression he has a scheduled deadhead with the parameters he listed and was wondering why the second leg was in coach.

AFWMD11's contract reference was correct and provided all the info necessary to answer the question. He just needed a little pilot speak and a real world example. I think we've all found one section or another in the contract to be a little challenging to interpret depending on our current level of sleep deprivation.

roger that, obviously did not read it the way you did and in your interpretation you are obviously correct. I have never seen a 36 hour layover between scheduled deadheads! I would like to though

My fault for not mentioning that this is on a deviation. I am aware of all of the parameters that need to be met to authorize a higher class of service. However the only reason I even asked was because when I booked my ticket through global travel it was booked all in one reservation including the 36hr layover. I knew the ticket was first class on the first leg, but it wasn't until I hung up that I realized it was booked that way all the way through. Guees I should call back and make sure the second leg is booked in coach. Thanks for the replies.