When it comes to booking a premium flight ticket, two options invariably come to mind: business class and first class. The level of hospitality including convenience and comfort differentiates a business class or first class flight from an economy class flight. This difference reflects in their airfares too.
These two so-called premium travel categories create confusion at times for new customers. If you are no different, and want to know the difference before going with
first or business class flight deals, we have got the answer for you.
1. On the Ground Services
Pickup and Drop Facilities:
Experience the difference in comfort much before you board your first class flight. Some air carriers provide chauffeured pick-up and drop-off facilities to nearby passengers holding first-class flight tickets.
Check-In To Baggage Claim:
First class passengers enjoy priority check-in and boarding facilities. Upon landing at their destination airport, they also get checked bags first.
Facilities and Convenience at the Airport:
Presence of superior quality Wi-Fi and power outlets with USB ports, clean restrooms with lots of privacy, luxury bathrooms with exclusive bath products, etc., proves your decision of shelling out extra money correct. In addition to hand wash creams, restrooms at certain airports are packed with dental products, combs, and even shoe polishing stations.
Food and Drink Offerings
The first class experience starts on the ground itself. Though lounges are available in airports around the world, premium airlines like American Airlines, go the extra mile to augment the experience of their passengers. They partner with the vendors offering airport clubs, bar service, snacks, free Wi-Fi and more. First class passengers gain privilege regarding access to the amenities available in the lounges over their business class counterparts. For instance, American Airlines passengers with first class air tickets who are enrolled with its AAdvantage® program get access to its Flagship® First Dining experience on qualifying international or transcontinental flights.
Qualifying international flights
Flights between the U.S. and:
-
Asia
-
Australia
-
Europe
-
South America
Qualifying transcontinental flights
Non-stop flights between:
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New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
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JFK and San Francisco (SFO)
However, the United Airlines goes ahead of its American Airlines. If you happen to travel through its transcontinental flights between New York/Newark and Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco, and Boston and San Francisco, you can experience an elevated level of boarding, in-flight and arrival experience. The carrier makes that experience uniform across economy plus and business class.
2. In the Air Services
Seating Comfort
It’s true that the sitting arrangement of a business class flight is much spacious than that of an economy class flight. However, it’s no match to that of a first class flight.
|
|
Business Class |
First Class |
|
Seat Width |
16 – 24 inches (short-haul)/19-27 inches (long-haul) |
17 – 25 inches (short-haul)/18-30 inches (long-haul) |
|
Seat Pitch ( legroom) |
|
29-50 inches (short-haul)/60-83 inches (long-haul) |
|
Type of Seat |
1.Recliner Seats
2.Angle Lie-Flat Seats
3.Flat Bed Seats
4.Suites
|
1.Recliner Seats
2.Angle Lie-Flat Seats
3.Flat Bed Seats
4.Suites
|
Description of Seats
Recliner Seats
Just like recliner sofas, the seat’s back is inclined backward to provide comfort. However, they do not offer the significant reclination of the Lie-flat and Flat Bed Seats.
Angle Lie-Flat Seats
While airlines often market these seats as having 180 degrees of recline, in their fully reclined position they are slightly angled and do not lay completely horizontal. Passengers often find these seats to be extremely comfortable for relaxing and working, but not conducive to sleep when in the fully reclined position because of the awkward angle.
Flat Bed Seats
When fully reclined, these seats are entirely horizontal, creating a bed that is fully flat. These seats always receive high accolades for being comfortable both as seats and beds.
Suites
These seats offer the utmost in privacy and comfort. Each suite is essentially its mini-cabin which includes a fully-flat bed, and television.
Free Entertainment
There is little difference between the two when it comes to in-flight media entertainment services. In both business and first-class flights, passengers have access to on-demand TV services through seatback TVs installed. A power outlet is offered too for laptop or phone charging with every seat.
3. Customer Loyalty Benefits
With business class flights, you earn mileage perks or directly miles that you can redeem towards your future flight. In addition to perks, traveling with first class flights, you earn bonus points. Airlines often extend their miles programs with their partnering hotels, car rental providers, travel agents offering vacation packages and other vendors. So, you may also use your mileage perks or bonus for booking a hotel room, car rental or vacation package. If you are a member of American Airlines AAdvantage® program, you may exchange your earned perks or bonus points with gift cards, purchasing magazines or other items from your favorite stores including Macy’s, Target, The Home Depot, and Sears.
4. Customer Service
This is a no compromise zone. There is little or no difference at all between the quality of assistance offered across business and first class flights. Air carriers strive to deliver a personalized airport experience available for your departure, connection or arrival.
Departure assistance
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Customized help with your departure check-in and security.
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Curbside meet and greet
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Expedited security screening
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Premium lounge access
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Gate escort and pre-boarding assistance
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Priority re-accommodation during delays
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Car service coordination
Connection assistance
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Arrival gate meet and greet
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Admirals Club lounge access
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Gate escort and pre-boarding assistance
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Priority re-accommodation during delays
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Assistance with connections on other airlines
Arrival assistance
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Arrival gate meet and greet
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Escort to baggage claim
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Escort through Customs and Immigration for international arrivals
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Lounge access
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Coordinate baggage attendance
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Car service coordination
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Escort to car service
5. Airfares: Business Class Vs First Class Flight
Now you have got the answer as why you pay a significantly higher price for first class flight tickets over the business travel airline tickets. Let’s see how big or small could be the price difference by checking cheap first and cheap business class flights.
|
Route |
Business Class |
First Class |
|
New York City to Dubai |
$2,065 |
$7, 197 |
|
New York City to Vancouver |
$2195 |
$1333 |
|
New York City to London |
$1,286 |
$6,526 |
We have found the above fares for round-trip flights with March 1 as the departure date and March 15, 2019 as the return date as on December 06, 2019. The difference in the cost is easily noticeable. The airfares of business or first class flight tickets also affected by events and festivals. Use our flight booking engine to know about cheap business class flights or cheap first class tickets from your nearest airport.
Differences between First and Business Class in Emirates Airlines
First and business class travel facilities are available with A380 and Boeing 777 of Emirates Airlines.
Here is the comparison between the First and Business Class Flight Experiences with A380.
1. First Class VS Business Class Emirates Airlines: On the Ground Experience
A.Reaching the Airport Chauffeur-Drive Service
Chauffeur-drive service is available to both first class and business class passengers. The service is available in more than 70 cities. To avail the service inform the airlines 48 hours ahead of your flight departure.
B.Check-in & Boarding
|
Facilities |
First Class Check-in |
Business Class Check-in |
|
Smooth Check-in from the car |
Available |
Available |
|
Direct Boarding from Lounge |
Available |
Available |
C. Relaxing and Rejuvenating in the Lounge Lounge
|
Facilities |
First Class Lounge |
Business Class Lounge |
|
Private spas equipped with towels, luxury toiletries and hairdryers |
Available |
Not available |
|
Private Concourse |
Available |
Not available |
|
Food & beverages |
Available |
Available |
D. Shuttle Services
Emirates Shuttle services are also available in the UAE, Japan, US, Canada, Slovenia and Croatia. Minimum connecting time required is 2 hours for inbound and outbound passengers.
2. First Class VS Business Class A380 Emirates Airlines: In-Flight Experience
|
Facilities |
First Class |
Business Class |
|
Private Suite with privacy doors |
Available (minibar, snacks, wide screen TV with thousands of on-demand channels, Wi-Fi, etc.) |
Economy arrangement upgraded adding more legroom and privacy to it. |
|
Lounge Area with Cocktail bar, snacks, sofas and 55-inch LCD TV screen |
Available |
Available |
|
Spa and Shower |
Available |
Not available |
Difference between First and Business Class in American Airlines
1.First Class VS Business Class American Airlines: On the Ground Experience
A. Chauffeur-Drive Service: Not available to any passenger
B. Lounge
|
Facilities |
First Class Lounge |
Business Class Lounge |
|
Check-in |
Private check-in with access to an expedited security line |
Not available |
|
Boarding & De-Boarding |
Speed through security and boarding at the airport and get your checked bags first when you land. |
Speed through security and boarding at the airport and get your checked bags first when you land. |
|
Lounge (Chef-inspired meals, cocktail bar, wine table, expansive seating, shower suites) |
Available |
Available |
2. First Class VS Business Class American Airlines: In-Flight Experience
|
Facilities |
First Class |
Business Class |
|
Private Suite with privacy doors |
Available (minibar, snacks, wide screen TV with thousands of on-demand channels, Wi-Fi, etc.) |
Economy arrangement upgraded adding more legroom and privacy to it with compartments designed in “S” fashion. |
|
Lounge Area with Cocktail bar, snacks, sofas and 55-inch LCD TV screen |
Available |
Available |
|
Spa and Shower |
Available |
Not available |
Difference between First and Business Class in British Airways
1. First Class VS Business Class British Airways: On the Ground Experience
A. Chauffeur-Drive Service
The service is labeled as airportr. You just have to call the airlines or visit the website of airportr.com to book a cab for pickup and drop. The service provider will pick up you along with your baggage from any London address. You don’t have to worry about the check-in of the baggage as the vendor is there to take care of it.
|
First Class |
Business Class |
|
Available |
Not Available |
B. Lounge
|
Facilities |
First Class Lounge |
Business Class Lounge |
|
Check-in |
Dedicated check-in desks to save time and add convenience |
Not available |
|
Priority boarding |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Complimentary work and entertainment zones |
Yes |
Yes |
|
The Concorde Room (day bed and en suite for added privacy, *pre-flight dining with menu designed from Executive Head Chefs Frank Coughlin and Errol Figueroa) |
Yes |
Private rooms not available |
|
Spa (Elemis Spa – soon to be resumed) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dedicated Helpdesk |
Yes |
Yes |
*Pre-flight dining is available only if you are departing from London Heathrow after 8pm and on selected overnight flights from New York JFK, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington, Toronto, Chicago and Boston departing after 6pm local time.
2. First Class VS Business Class British Airways: In-Flight Experience
First Class is available on British Airways‘ Airbus A380s, Boeing 747-400s, Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-9s and on some of their Boeing 777-200s.
Business Class is available on all Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Boeing 747-400, Airbus A318, Airbus A380, and selected Airbus A321 aircraft.
|
Facilities |
First Class |
Business Class |
|
Private Suite with privacy doors |
Yes |
Separate cabin to sit, fuel (made out of seasonal ingredients), relax, and sleep |
|
Food and beverages (3-course menu) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Sleeping comfort |
A comfortable chair that unfolds to become a fully-flat bed (198cm (6ft 6in) |
A comfortable chair that unfolds to become a fully-flat bed 183cm (6ft) |
|
Liberty London amenity kit (selected Aromatherapy essentials) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Luxurious lounges and spa treatments |
Available |
Available |
We have covered important details regarding the difference between the business and first class flights as well as similarity. To know more, or book your cheap first class or business class flight tickets, feel free to contact us..
