For most people, flying in business class or first class seems unobtainable. However, for some, considering which to fly on is a common occurrence! This got me thinking, which is actually better?
A while ago, we covered which was better between first class and on a private jet. Today, we thought we’d look at which was better: flying in business class or flying in first class?
Business Class vs First Class: Price
Unless you are rich or work for a large company flying in business or first class seem unobtainable to most people. However, when it comes to flying, price is always one of the largest factors.
Business Class
Naturally, this depends on the airline and route. However, generally speaking, business class is the cheaper of the two, by around 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of first class tickets. Although, this does depend on the airline and route.
On many routes, usually shorter haul routes such as London to Paris, there is no first class on many airlines, mostly in Europe. Instead, “first class” is designated as business class, with lower pricing.
For many frequent flyers in economy class, they will often be upgraded to business class for free on select flights. This means that they will pay economy class prices for business class seating.
Depending on the airline and route, business class can be quite cheap or relatively expensive. On the low end, usually low demand routes, business class can cost as little as $300, or well over $3000 for high demand routes!
First Class
For the most part, first class is the more expensive of the two. On most routes and airlines, first class can cost anywhere from 30 to 50% more than business class tickets on the same airline and route.
Similarly to the disappearing first class on short haul routes on some airlines, others have done the opposite. On many of the same routes, just with different airlines, you have either first or economy class.
For many frequent flyers in business class, they may be upgraded to first class free of charge. Essentially, receiving a first class seat for the price of a business class one.
The price of a first class ticket depends on the route and airline. On the low end, first class tickets can cost as little as $300. On the high end, first class tickets can cost as much as $10,000!
Business Class vs First Class: Comfort
When it comes to booking a business or first class ticket, comfort is always a main factor. Whilst it will differ based on which airline and aircraft you fly on (such as a 757 or 767), here is what it (usually) is…
Business Class
Up until recently, business class was just economy class with fewer seats and free high speed internet etc. However, recent years have seen business class being seriously developed by most major airlines.
Today, business class seating on most major airlines is the same, or larger than the seating in first class. Many of these seats also turn into a bed for long haul routes, such as London to New York or London to Sydney.
Business class also comes with free, high speed WiFi as a standard. There are also, usually, more flight attendants per person in business class than there is in first class, although this isn’t always the case.
As with both first class and economy class, there is in flight entertainment. The in flight entertainment available is generally the same, although sound and visual quality is usually better in business class.
First Class
Just as with business class, there is high speed WiFi and plenty of snacks and drinks available. Depending on the airline, there may even be a bar available on the aircraft, serving beverages from coke and lemonade to wine and beer!
On many long haul flights in business class, the seat turns into a bed. On many long haul flights in first class, you have a small room to yourself, which contains a seat and a bed. Just like your house would!
Sometimes, depending on your ticket and flight, you may even have a double bed. This is occasionally paired with your small room, although this really depends on the airline you’re flying on.
As with business class, there is also in flight entertainment. Just as how business class entertainment is better quality than economy class entertainment, first class entertainment is better quality than business class entertainment.
Business Class vs First Class: At The Airport
Depending on which class and airline you fly on, you will receive different different services at the airport you fly from.
Business Class
Business lounges are designed to be quiet, relaxed spaces for people to work and/or relax. With that being said, they are often much larger than first class lounges in the same airport, although do have more people.
Whilst most business class lounges are different, depending on the airport and the airline you are flying with, there are several constants. Most of these lounges have free high-speed WIFI which can be accessed by anyone in the lounge.
Another common thing in business lounges is their abundance of complimentary snacks and drinks. Depending on the time of day and airline, some of these snacks may be freshly baked (such as croissants).
Typically, there are several airline employees in the lounge to help you with anything you need. These airline employees will also call out which gate you need to be at, for your flight, with some even walking you down there!
First Class
For many airlines, especially many old airlines, business class and first class are in separate lounges. Despite this, there isn’t really much difference between the two, at least not on the surface…
Both lounges have large, comfy seats, high-speed WiFi and an abundance of free drinks and snacks. However, first class lounges are often more like hotels, with single rooms per passenger/group of passenger.
In some cases, you won’t even go to the same terminal as those in business or economy! And these lounges? Often far away from the tarmac, so first class passengers are chauffeured to the aircraft in luxury cars!
There is also the chance to meet celebrities and other famous people in these lounges, which isn’t as common in business class. Those celebrities that don’t want to fly private will often fly first class, staying in these lounges!
Business Class vs First Class: Experience
Many people book business class or first class tickets, do it for the experience. Whilst it will often vary based on the airline and aircraft you fly on (such as the 737 or 747), there are some recurring themes…
Business Class
Business class is generally more relaxed. People will probably wear suits, but are generally more interested in working than socializing. It is probably the quietest of the three main classes.
Food and beverages are tailored to the traveling business executive, using the aircraft as his/her personal office. Very rarely is alcohol served aboard, although, if requested, flight attendants will provide it.
The food aboard is generally better than the food served in economy class, akin to what you’d find in a restaurant. This food is generally quick and easy, making minimal mess, so that the passengers can eat the food quickly and resume their work.
Business class seats themselves often contain a large table, fit for not only a laptop but also a phone and/or an IPad of some description. This allows the passenger to sit and work without straining themselves too much.
First Class
First class is served first and foremost by airline staff. If you are flying in first class, and you have an issue or a query, airline employees are told to prioritize you over other passengers.
Before the flight, first class is boarded first, followed by business class and then economy. Here, flight attendant serve first class passengers wine, champagne or other alcoholic beverages before takeoff.
During the flight, caviar is served to those in first class, by flight attendants. First class is also very social, with passengers wining and dining with one another for the duration of the flight, often at the first class bar.
In flight meals are generally looked down upon by passengers in economy and even business class. But in first class, they are designed by a Michelin star chef, and are absolutely delicious!
Business Class vs First Class: Practicality
Both first class and business class are designed to be practical for different types of people. However, their levels of practicality will differ depending on which airline and aircraft you fly on (such as the 777 or 787).
Business Class
Business class was designed to be practical for the business executive on the go. As such, it has been tailored to provide the most effective use of space, whilst also being profitable for the airline.
Due to who flies in the class, lighting is set to be dim but also bright enough for the executive to see their computer screens with minimal strain to their eyes.
WiFi is also high speed, as it is likely that the business executives with have numerous open tabs on their computer. The seats are also designed for people to sit on for extended periods of time, without being uncomfortable.
Whilst in flight service is common in business class, it is done in such a way that is not intrusive. Instead, it is done in such a way that allows the executives to work, but also eat and drink comfortably at the same time.
First Class
Similarly to business class, first class is tailored to the celebrity or high net worth individual going on vacation. As such, it uses a lot of open space for these individuals to socialize with one another.
The rooms and/or seats are also designed to use up a little space as possible, whilst also maximizing space inside. These rooms are also decorated in order to seem more homely and grand.
In flight service is done in such a way that allows these people to socialize. On the airlines where a bar is not present, it is common to see passengers walking around, stood having a conversation.
Instead of asking these passengers to sit down in their seats as they would in economy class, flight attendants serve them! The only times that they will ask them to sit down is when the “fasten seatbelts” sign is on.
Business Class vs First Class: Opinions
As usual, I interviewed several different groups of people, asking them the question: Business class vs first class: which is better? Here’s what they had to say…
Pilots
For many of the pilots I interviewed, they were not as conflicted as they have been in other comparisons. Almost every pilot I interviewed said that they preferred first class, because they do everything with first class.
Deadheading is quite a common phenomenon in the airline industry. Whilst most of the time, deadheading employees will sit in a jump seat. However, if no jump seats are available, they will sit in first class, free of charge.
During long haul flights, pilots and passengers alike need to eat. For the vast majority of pilots on the vats majority of airlines, they don’t eat economy or business class food, they eat first class food.
For a lot of the flight, pilots aren’t actually flying. Instead, they are doing other things with the aircraft. Occasionally, they will interact with the passengers, more often those passengers in first class.
Passengers
I managed to interview several passengers, who had flown on not only in business and first class, but also in economy class too. Naturally, this yielded a plethora of mixed results…
For the majority of passengers who flew in first class, they naturally said they preferred first class. They stated that despite first class’ high price, its amenities both on the aircraft and before the flight, justify that price.
Likewise, the vast majority of business class passengers I interviewed, preferred business class. I quite like how one of them put it:
It’s like first class, minus some of the more expensive amenities and cheaper. But instead of whining babies, you have keyboards clacking and nondescript business talk between colleagues!
Economy class is where things became divided. Many of them preferred first class, saying that it is the best way to fly commercially. Others, preferred business class as they saw it as more obtainable in their lifetimes.
Avgeeks
As usual, I interviewed several avgeeks about flying in either business or first class. As usual, this resulted in a near 50-50 split, with some preferring business class and others preferring first class.
Many of the avgeeks I spoke to had flown in business class, saying that it was more value for money than first class was. A great deal of them said it had the best parts of first class, without the issues in economy, for a reasonable price.
With that being said, several other avgeeks I spoke to had flown a couple of times in first class. They admitted that whilst business class was nice, first class was better, especially for a long flight.
Many of them, both who preferred business class and first class, agreed that if it weren’t for frequent flyer programs, it would all be hypothetical for most of them! They fly so much, that they get free upgrades!
The Public
When I compare things like this, I rarely cover what the public thinks of it. However, over the past few years, the existence of business class and first class have come into question, due to the aviation industry’s affects on the environment.
A small amount of people I asked about this responded with an answer of either business class or first class, with the majority responding with the latter. This was mostly due to how idyllic first class is portrayed to be in the movies.
With that being said, the vast majority of the people I asked had a different response: economy class. Whilst there were several different reasons as to why many of them said this, it mostly had something to do with the environment.
Many members of the public don’t see the point in either class if it harms the environment for our children. A few of them told me about petitions to ban both business and first class as well as private jets!
Summary
Personally, I prefer private jets. If I had to choose between first class and business class, I’d choose business class, simply down to the fact that I usually work when I’m flying, and that’d be easier in business class.
All in all, it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking to squeeze every penny out of your trip, and/or work throughout it, I’d be inclined to buy a business class ticket.
However, if you’re looking for a good time, or something to fill your social media with, I’d be inclined to choose first class. If you’re looking to socialize with people just like you, and drink expensive wine, first class is for you.
All in all, both are better than flying in economy. However, you’ll have to have the extra point or extra cash in order to pay for either a first or business class ticket, as neither are particularly cheap!
Business class vs first class: Which would you rather fly on? Tell me in the comments!
Featured image courtesy of Midland Airport via Flickr.