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There are no differences in flight times between business and first class, but passengers who sit “upfront” often remark that their flight felt faster, thanks to the added comfort. Even flight attendants prefer to travel first class. Wendy Sue Knecht, a former Pan Am flight attendant who wrote a memoir about her experiences, says she has “always preferred to work upfront…More time to schmooze and I loved surrounding myself with elegance.”
Key Takeaways
- Differences between business class and first class exist, but they’re not as pronounced as those between economy and first class.
- In Asia, first-class lounges are on a different level, but in most airports, the wait is fairly similar for business or first-class lounges.
- First-class passengers might have a seat that turns into a bed or even their own private apartment.
- Business-class might offer more legroom but doesn’t offer a private space.
- The food and drink in business class are typically at a restaurant level, but first-class dining might be at another level with an award-winning chef setting the menu.
More Money, More Amenities
Although the differences between first class and business class are not as significant as those between economy and either first or business, there are still some variables to consider when choosing your travel. In general, first-class costs about twice as much as business class. But that can vary significantly by route and airline.
Ben Schlappig, a consultant and travel blogger who flies an average of 400,000 miles a year, said he almost exclusively sits in first and business class and has noticed the business class section improving dramatically.
“Overall, we’re seeing more airlines eliminating first class and instead installing great business-class service, given that the market for first-class is pretty limited,” Schlappig says. “Nowadays, business-class seats are better than first-class seats used to be. Meanwhile, some of the first-class seats we see nowadays have out-of-this-world products like double beds, showers, or even apartments in the sky.”
Waiting Times
You might expect that some of the perks of business- or first-class travel would kick in on the ground—in the pre-boarding lounge. For the most part, you’d be mistaken. The lounges, both in first class and business, vary from country to country.
“The best lounges are in Asia, followed by Europe and Australia,” Schalppig says. “Some first-class lounges in the U.S. are improving, especially the ones operated by foreign airlines. For example, there’s a fantastic Qantas first-class lounge at LAX.”
Lufthansa in Frankfurt offers an exclusive lounge for first-class passengers, who can skip the main terminal. Those passengers are then driven to their plane in a Porsche or Mercedes. Other amenities can include spa treatments, nap rooms with beds, and food by renowned chefs. By contrast, business-class lounges provide a quiet space to work and relax, with fast Wi-Fi, comfortable chairs, snacks or buffet food, and occasionally shower cubicles.
The major differences between first class and business class are the seats and the service, but differences vary among airlines, routes, and airplane models.
Comfort Levels
Business- and first-class services offer a range of improvements and luxuries to help you get a good night’s sleep and privacy. The best source of information on the configurations for any flight you are considering is seatguru.com. To decide between business- and first-class, consider the following before you buy your ticket: Will your seat turn into a bed? What’s the configuration of the cabin? How close will you be to other passengers? Will you have a double bed, your own “apartment,” or a seat and a bed combined?
Airline pilot and Ask the Pilot blogger Patrick Smith says many carriers outfit their planes according to market demand. “An airline may have three or four different configurations in its 777 or A330 fleets, with specific planes dedicated to specific markets,” he says. “Take Emirates as an example. First class on Emirates doesn’t differ much from plane to plane. Business class does.”
First-class amenities generally supersede business-class amenities on international flights, rather than domestic ones, but research first to make sure that’s the case.
Food and Drink
This is one of the two categories where business class and first class differ the most. “Business-class food is restaurant quality, but dining in business class is rarely an experience,” Schlappig says.
In first class, customers of many airlines may have food prepared under the auspices of a famous chef. However, Air France—rated No.1 for in-flight food by the Robb Report—offers menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs for both its premiere (first class) and business travelers.
When it comes to a drink with dinner, on Singapore Airlines, according to the UK-based Telegraph website, there are “certified air sommeliers who specialise in knowing which wine goes well with each dish on the in-flight menu served to you while you’re above the clouds.” Business-class on Emirates and Korean Air have onboard bars where you can chat with your fellow passengers.
What Is the Difference Between First Class and Business Class?
The differences between these two classes of airline travel vary quite a lot among airlines, airplane models, and international vs. domestic travel. That said, first class provides more service and better, more spacious seating, at a minimum. Beyond that, first class dining tends to be a cut above business class, and first class airport lounges, especially in Asia, tend to offer more perks, such as chauffeured rides from the lounge to your plane and spa treatments.
Is First Class Worth It Compared to Business Class?
It may be, especially on an international long-haul flight, because you’ll get more amenities and services in first class than you will in business class. These can include a more spacious suite, premium meals and alcohol selections, an onboard shower, and more attentive service. But keep in mind that the cost will typically be even more than the price differential between economy class and business class, which is already pretty steep.
How Many Different Flight Classes Are There?
Generally, there are four: economy, premium economy, business, and first class, with the price and level of service increasing with each type of seating. Most, but not all, airlines have all four classes. Also, different airplane models may be configured differently, so it’s always a good idea to check your options before you purchase a seat. A seating map for the airline and specific airplane model will tell you what you need to know.
Business class is a big step up from economy, with wider, more comfortable seats that either recline or lie flat; better food, sometimes served on china; and often airport lounge access.
The Bottom Line
The gap between what you get with a first class airplane ticket vs. a business class one has been narrowing in recent years, with airlines providing more service and perks for business class passengers. But airlines, jet models, and routes contribute to differences between these two seat classes and what’s on offer, so be sure to check with the airline you intend to fly with to find out what’s included. That said, flying first class still tends to afford the greatest luxury, if you can afford it.
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