According to the Travel Insider, a typical Boeing 747 has 14 seats in first class, 79 seats in business class and 265 seats in economy class. First class is financially out of reach for many travelers, but it's not always immediately clear whether business class or economy class is a better option.
Originally, there were no class divisions on airplanes. All passengers sat together in the same (fairly uncomfortable) cabin. Over time, airlines applied the same approach to air transport that had been applied to train and ship transport. They split the cabin into two compartments, one of which carried a smaller number of passengers with extra space and amenities. The other compartment was designed to carry a larger number of passengers with less elegance but a more affordable price tag. The less-expensive section of seats was called coach, or economy class.
In 1979, Qantas Airways introduced a new class of seats called business class. Business class seats were intended to provide some of the amenities of first class travel at a price slightly higher than economy-class tickets.
Economy-class seats are usually the least expensive seats on the plane, making them a popular choice for fliers who are footing the bill for their flight themselves instead of writing it off on an expense report.
The price of a business class ticket is usually much less expensive than a first class ticket. In some cases, it is much more expensive than an economy class ticket, but in some cases, the difference between the two classes may be as little as $50.
Economy class seats usually offer the smallest space on a plane. According to Inside Flyer magazine, the average seat in economy class offers just 31 inches of seat space, an amount calculated to comfortably seat an "average" man between 5'10" and 6 feet, who weighs less than 210 pounds.
Business class seats generally offer about eight additional inches of seat space. In many cases, this is the same seat space that is available in the first class cabin.
If you're sitting in economy class, you may receive few amenities. On many airlines, there are no meals in economy class. Some airlines offer economy class beverage service; others do not. Alcoholic beverages are usually available for purchase. Some airlines offer food, beverages and amenities such as headphones for in-flight purchase. Economy class passengers must wait at the longest lines for airport check-in.
Business class passengers enjoy complimentary drinks, including alcoholic drinks, on most flights. On many flights, business passengers also get complimentary meals or snacks. In the airport, a special check-in line is available for business class travelers.
Economy class is a popular place to redeem frequent flier miles because it requires the smallest number of miles to merit a flight.
Business class flights generally require between 25 to 65 percent more frequent flier miles for the same flight, according to Insider Flyer magazine.
