Business Class V's First Class

[Longisland000]

Hi There,

I just had a quick question. I was speaking to some friends the other day about the difference between a first class and business class ticket on an airline. I understand that some airlines offer different services. My wife has flown first class once as an upgrade, and she told me that the only big difference from Business class she could see was that there was a lot more space around her seat. She flies business class all the time through her work.

I have never flown first class myself. But I know that the difference in price is enormous. I also heard that not all large international airlines offer first class? Is this true? Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[kermatu]

You are right - every airline is different and offers different services. Even the same airline can offer different First (F) or Business (J) services depending on the route and aircraft used.

I think it's fair to say F is becoming rarer. A reason for this is that the J product has improved significantly across a number of airlines - individual seats / suites with aisle access and fully lie-flat beds, which used to be a F exclusive feature.

I don't fly F often. Too expensive and the difference from the J product on most of the major airlines as your wife noted above isn't sufficient to justify in my case. F certainly will have larger seats/beds and private suites. Some airlines the F product is effectively a room, not a seat. Food can be better (eat any time, caviar and lobster etc), and alcohol again is usually a notch or two up from business.

Have a look at some trip reports here for info. Airline Trip Reports

 

[Longisland000]

You are right - every airline is different and offers different services. Even the same airline can offer different First (F) or Business (J) services depending on the route and aircraft used.

I think it's fair to say F is becoming rarer. A reason for this is that the J product has improved significantly across a number of airlines - individual seats / suites with aisle access and fully lie-flat beds, which used to be a F exclusive feature.

I don't fly F often. Too expensive and the difference from the J product on most of the major airlines as your wife noted above isn't sufficient to justify in my case. F certainly will have larger seats/beds and private suites. Some airlines the F product is effectively a room, not a seat. Food can be better (eat any time, caviar and lobster etc), and alcohol again is usually a notch or two up from business.

Have a look at some trip reports here for info. Airline Trip Reports

Thanks for your info, very helpful and informative.

 

[drron]

There is no easy answer.We have done quite a few F trips on awards or upgrades.On some airlines the F experience well and truly beats the J experience on the same airline.on others not so much.
We also now travel some paid F segments.But that's because the F fare is lower than the competitor's J fare.
As well there are definitely some j products that are as good or better than some F products.
so it really depends on the airline you are flying,the region you are flying and whether it is International long haul,medium haul or short haul segments or if you are talking about domestic sectors.

 

[AIRwin]

Not to forget there may be dedicated F lounges if one does not already have access by virtue of status...

 

[boomy]

Business class focus on the hard product. These days most flagship airlines offer fully flat beds on long haul routes.

First class focus on the soft product. In addition to wider more comfortable flat beds some airlines offer dedicated ground services, exclusive lounges, personalised onboard service and top notch F&B.

 

[Longisland000]

Business class focus on the hard product. These days most flagship airlines offer fully flat beds on long haul routes.

First class focus on the soft product. In addition to wider more comfortable flat beds some airlines offer dedicated ground services, exclusive lounges, personalised onboard service and top notch F&B.

Okay, thanks for the info. It is interesting to read your comments as to what your extra money for first class buys you. I have only flown business class once last year with Qatar from Sydney to Doha and I thought it was amazing. I think if I ever upgraded again, I would be very happy to go with business class.

 

[boomy]

Okay, thanks for the info. It is interesting to read your comments as to what your extra money for first class buys you. I have only flown business class once last year with Qatar from Sydney to Doha and I thought it was amazing. I think if I ever upgraded again, I would be very happy to go with business class.

Qatar is good example of an excellent business class product. In fact the new Qsuites which soon start service to Sydney look even better than their first class! Unfortunately most airlines business class products are not as good as Qatar’s.

Generally speaking business is more than enough to get you from A to B in comfort. First is an indulgence which makes travel more fun and luxurious but as all fine things in life, it comes at a price

 

[Lawrage]

First - Business I think of like staying in a 5 star vs a 4 star hotel. Most of the time its just better but there are always exceptions.

Generally speaking it's the little things. A much more personalized service, seats are a bit larger, less people and more space in the cabin, better amenities on board and a larger in-seat TV. Dedicated lounges at some airports and showers on some flights. Better food and drinks on-board.

When traveling solo business is perfect for me and on some flights (a recent SIA a350 as an example) it is as good as some F flights.

 

[Denali]

Havent flown F but considering my last Etihad flight had at least 40 J seats and with people coming and going to the bar, it felt busy and at times the 'vibe' of the cabin felt hectic. Whereas I sat in VA & SQ J seats and it felt like a bubble and I didnt notice a single other pax, inc hubby who was happy to enjoy 12+hrs without hearing my voice.

I hope a F cabin is a lot more calm, with less people. As we are a self funded couple, it will have to be a free upgrade to find out and dont see that happening in our lifetimes.

 

[Cynicor]

Havent flown F but considering my last Etihad flight had at least 40 J seats and with people coming and going to the bar, it felt busy and at times the 'vibe' of the cabin felt hectic. Whereas I sat in VA & SQ J seats and it felt like a bubble and I didnt notice a single other pax, inc hubby who was happy to enjoy 12+hrs without hearing my voice.

I hope a F cabin is a lot more calm, with less people. As we are a self funded couple, it will have to be a free upgrade to find out and dont see that happening in our lifetimes.

Thought about getting into Lifemiles once? I think most of us in F are self funded, but a lot are doing it on the cheap

 

[boomy]

Thought about getting into Lifemiles once? I think most of us in F are self funded, but a lot are doing it on the cheap

Exactly right! All my overseas F travel is self funded, never cash, always on points which is usually a small fraction of the real cost.

 

[Dr Ralph]

and she told me that the only big difference from Business class she could see was that there was a lot more space around her seat.

That's not my experience, but it will differ between airlines.

As just some of the significant differences between business and first class I would note:

1) Food
2) Drinks
3) Luggage allowance
4) Lounges

 

[dk4]

Just because an airline markets its product as "First Class", doesn't mean it is in the same league as what another airline calls First Class.

For example, British Airways:

They market what I consider a very excellent Business Class seat (and Business quality on-board service) as "First" on intercontinental flights, but unfortunately for them, it is not too far removed from what Virgin Australia (for example) markets as "The Business" on domestic J flights to/from Perth!

Then you get airlines like Singapore and Etihad, which offer a semi-enclosed personal space with a separate bed and seat as their top level products, that is so far beyond what airlines like British Airways class as "First".

So you can't judge a product by its name these days - as others have noted, you need to look further at specific reviews (if you don't use a good, knowledgeable travel agent).

Even within a single airline, they may be hosting various different generations of seats, which they have installed over the past decade, and marketing the whole lot as First (or Business) when there are significant downsides to the older product compared with the newer!

Buyer Beware is the best advise I think, when it comes to airline product marketing using the terms "Business" or "First" Class.

 

[get me outta here]

Also, a good idea to see which plane variant is being offered on the flight you are looking at. I go points in J. But, if it is too hard to get J, I'd happily bump up to F on a long sector esp if say > 14 hours. I really like F lounges too. Mind you, it is easy to eat too much btw lounges and good on board food.

 

[drron]

But when that BA F segment is cheaper than QF J then I will go with BA F.

 

[jase05]

Have never been in F and I doubt that will change soon. We are pretty much impulse travellers so that’s not really conducive to getting reward flights even though I’ve got points up my sleeve. I really need to lift my game by the sounds of it

 

[Eija]

So many variables between First, Business, Airline, Plane, Route etc.etc. Do you have anything specific in mind?

 

[Longisland000]

So many variables between First, Business, Airline, Plane, Route etc.etc. Do you have anything specific in mind?

I was just interested in the difference between first and business for long-haul flights, like Sydney to Dubai, or the other way around.

 

[amaroo]

I was just interested in the difference between first and business for long-haul flights, like Sydney to Dubai, or the other way around.

IMO, F = day flight ..... J for the rest.

For example, I'll fly F to DFW, LAX, .... but I'm more than happy to come back J due to very late departure.