Which is better first class or business class?

Traveling by air is a unique experience, especially when you travel in a luxury airplane environment offering you all the conveniences you need to have a super comfortable flight.

Sometimes the difference between business class and first class can be a bit obscure and indefinite one as business class becomes increasingly better. When we think of these travel classes we instantly get the idea of luxury travel with fancy services in our heads.

Both travel classes offer wide variety of luxury services designed to make the customers’ flights as comfortable and memorable as possible. Some of the advantages both travel classes share are less waiting on the ticket line at the airport, less waiting to get on board,  priority luggage handling, airline lounge access and other services.

Both travel classes offer premium quality flight service and a large number of extras like upgraded seats, plenty of legroom and wide armrests, a rich choice of alcoholic beverages, high quality food options.

They also offer advantages like early boarding time, priority check-in, lounge entry, fast-track security screening, privacy, special customer care by highly qualified flight attendants. In general both travel classes offer ultra comfortable  seating which allows the customers to get a good catch-up sleep while they are traveling.

Let’s see what is each type of these travel classes

Business class

Business class offers comfortable seats that are placed close to the front zone of the plane. Thanks to their upgraded extras seats on business class offer  customers more comfort during long-haul flights. The only difference is that they cannot full recline such as the seats on first class flights.

The common standard for business class seats is 34-87 inches of seat width. Business class flights also offer additional amenities like pillows, blankets which makes long flights more cozy and bearable.

Besides priority boarding, most airline companies offer business class flights which include pre-flight drinks, restaurant – quality meals on board and a mini bar. Speaking of the quality of the food on business class flights we can say its quality is decent. But if you are picky about food then it may not suit you.

 Some companies also offer discounted lounge pass and a specially designed quieter cabin. As the market demand for business class flights grows,  business class seats are truly becoming increasingly better. They are spacious, offer plenty of legroom and wide armrests.

 Forget about the plastic here, all of the foods and drinks are served in real glasses and plates and the forks in business class and knives aren’t fake.

Customers who choose to travel with business class get also different in-flight entertainment opportunities offered by large built-in flat TV screens. Some airplanes feature entire bars in their business class section offering cocktails and different snacks.

Some companies also have free chauffeur-drive service available for business class flights. The service includes pick-up and drop-off to those customers who live not too far from the airport.

Another great service you can get by choosing business class is a designated airport lounge where you can relax and enjoy free drinks and snacks while waiting for your flight. The business class lounge area also features comfortable chairs. At this lounge business class passengers get high-speed Wi-Fi which offers the opportunity to get some work done too.

Business class unlike first class is a travel class accessible to a larger number of customers mainly because of its affordable prices. It is budget-friendly but it doesn’t compromise much the offered level of comfort. If you want to travel in style and keep your travel expenses in check, this type of travel class will suit your needs.

First class

First class offers all of the perks that business class have but with the addition of a couple of more.

One of the biggest differences between first class and business class is in the seats and the configuration of the cabin which varies from airplane to airplane.  The seats on first class can be turned into beds while the business class seating cannot.

First class flights offer an abundance of services that are designed to meet all the needs of the customers that include unlimited drinks and foods menu.

Although business class is experiencing great improvement in its offering first class still takes the first place when it comes to luxury level air travel. Here we aren’t  talking about seats, but entire suits that offer more privacy to the customers depending on the type of airline.

Business class seats are a combination between an airplane seat and a fully flat double bed the position of which can be changed. The high level of comfort is also enhanced  by the enclosed pod each seat is fitted with and this creates added privacy for each customer making them feel as if they are traveling in a personal apartment.

Another extra that is offered by first class flights is that passengers can be provided with their personal terminal and enter the plane through it instead of the main terminal.

Besides having a quiet private lounge zone, first class flight customers can be even chauffeured with a Mercedes or Porsche to the plane.

First-class passengers can be even provided with slippers and pajamas and even get the opportunity to take in-flight showers. Extras like these definitely make any customer feel as if at home.

The food and drinks on first class are top notch. The dishes available on first class flights are prepared under the supervision of famous Michelin star chefs and they are certainly worth the high price of the ticket for first class.

It’s important to know that first class and business class services are pretty much similar and they overlap when it comes to domestic flights. But if you are looking for international flights, there is a difference which type of travel class you will choose.

When it comes to seating types, they pretty much vary depending on the airline company and aircraft model. When it comes to international flights, first class is unsurpassed in its premium quality level in comparison to the other travel classes.

The last obvious difference between the two travel classes is of course is the  price. First class tickets can cost up to five times more than business class tickets.

There isn’t much difference related to the pre-boarding lounge of first class and business class. The differences between the business class and first class  lounges aren’t stark.

Both first class and business class wait lounges offer exclusive access. Airport lounges can vary from company to company. The only difference between the two types of airport lounges is that business class lounges just offer a peaceful spot to grab some snack and drinks and even work on a laptop, while first class lounges offer customers also personal transport to the airplane and even separate terminal.

Which travel class you will choose really depends on your personal preference for level of comfort and budget size of course. If you cost-efficient air travel and still have proper extras that make your flight comfortable, then business class is a suitable option for you. If you are not willing to make a compromise with your level of comfort, you are used to luxury and you own a sufficient budget, first class is the best option for you.