First-class air travel is distinguished from economy or tourist class travel and business travel by a higher level of service and comfort and a much higher price tag. Perks that are unavailable or an additional charge in other classes are included in the price of a first-class airplane ticket.
First-class seats are most often situated at the front of a plane, and there are a limited number of these seats available for sale. On long first-class flights, seats have 10 to 30 extra inches of leg room as compared to business class and one to two extra inches of seat width (from armrest to armrest) compared to business class seats. In the space that would be used for at least three economy seats, there are only two first-class seats. Additionally, first-class passengers are provided with additional space for stowing their carry-on items, sometimes even a closet area for hanging up coats or other clothing.
Apart from the extra space and priority location at the front of the plane, first-class seats offer more fully reclining seats, electric seat controls, laptop power ports, larger personal TV screens and more viewing possibilities, free premium food and beverage service (often including alcohol), more privacy, a separate first-class lavatory, a higher staff-to-passenger ratio for increased service, and toiletry and amenity kits, including pajamas, slippers, and eye masks, as well as higher quality blankets and pillows. First-class passengers are the first to board and get off a plane, which can save passengers time. Furthermore, a first-class cabin is regarded as the ideal zone on a plane to network and make business contacts.
Seats are wider and recline further, allowing first-class passengers to sleep or rest more comfortably, especially on long flights. Different airlines offer different seats. For example, recliner seats recline further than seats in business or tourist class and offer additional space and comfort but do not fully recline. Lie-flat seats recline flat but at an angle. Flat-bed seats are horizontal when fully reclined, like a bed. Suites are seats confined in a mini-cabin, which includes a flat-bed seat, a work station, and a television and offers the ultimate in privacy and luxury.
First-class passengers are allowed more carry-on items, as well as more checked luggage. On Delta Airlines, for example, first-class passengers are permitted up to three checked bags at up to seventy pounds each at no charge whereas economy passengers have to pay for any checked baggage on domestic flights and are limited to one checked bag weighing up to fifty pounds on flights to Europe. Likewise, on United Airlines international flights, first-class passengers are allowed two checked seventy pound bags, and economy passengers are again limited to one fifty pound bag.
First-class tickets are much more expensive than economy or even business-class tickets. Some airlines have stopped offering first-class tickets on short-haul travel in favor of offering a more reasonably priced business-class ticket. The best way to reduce the cost of first-class airfare is to use frequent flyer points accumulated from mileage credit programs, hotel reward programs, or frequent flyer programs. Ideally, all the points you collect will accumulate to the same program. Timing is also an important factor when considering buying a first-class ticket. Low season tickets are cheaper.
