The ultimate way to fly
First class flights
Private suites, gourmet dining and personal service, at fares our specialists work hard to bring down.
Facilities and comfort
What you get when you fly first class
First class is the most private and personal way to fly. Only a handful of seats sit at the very front of the plane, so the crew has time for every guest.
Your own private suite
A wide seat in a private space, often with sliding doors, a wardrobe for your jacket and a large screen. It feels more like a small cabin than a seat.
A real bed in the sky
Your seat turns into a fully flat bed. The crew adds a mattress pad, a proper duvet and pillows, and many airlines give you pyjamas and slippers too.
Restaurant-style dining
Eat what you like, when you like. Menus are often designed by top chefs, with premium champagne and wines, and on many airlines a caviar course.
Exclusive lounges and fast airport
Private check-in, fast-track security and the airline’s best lounge, often with sit-down dining and spa services. Some airlines even drive you to the plane.
Also often included: chauffeur transfers on some airlines · extra checked baggage · luxury amenity kit · priority boarding and first bags off · onboard showers or bars on select aircraft
Side-by-side comparison
Business class vs first class: which is better?
The short answer: first class is better, but business class is better value. Both give you a flat bed, lounge access and priority at the airport. First class adds more space, more privacy, finer food and a far more personal service, usually for two to three times the price of business class. For most long flights, business class gives you around 80% of the comfort for a fraction of the cost. First class is worth it when you want the very best, for a special occasion, or when the fare difference is small.
| What you get | Business class | First class |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Wide seat with lots of legroom, usually with direct aisle access | A private suite, often with closing doors, a wardrobe and room for a guest to dine with you |
| Sleeping | Fully flat bed on most long-haul flights | Wider, longer flat bed with a mattress pad, duvet and pyjamas |
| Privacy | Good. Some newer seats have a door | Excellent. Only a handful of suites in the cabin |
| Cabin size | Usually 20 to 80 seats | Usually 4 to 14 seats |
| Food and drink | Multi-course meals and good wines | Dine on demand, chef-designed menus, top champagne and often caviar |
| Service | Attentive, shared across a bigger cabin | Very personal. Crew often greet you by name |
| Lounge | Business class lounge | The airline’s best first class lounge, often with a restaurant and spa |
| At the airport | Priority check-in, security and boarding | Private check-in areas, and on some airlines a chauffeur to or from the plane |
| Baggage | Extra allowance included | The highest allowance, and your bags come off first |
| Where you can fly | Almost every long-haul route | Only on some airlines and routes |
| Typical price | The best value way to fly flat | Often two to three times the business class fare |
| Best for | Business trips, long flights, arriving rested at a sensible price | Special occasions, VIP travel and anyone who wants the very best |
Choose business class if…
- You want a flat bed and to arrive rested, at the best price
- You travel often for work and cost matters
- Your route has no first class cabin
Choose first class if…
- It’s a honeymoon, milestone birthday or trip of a lifetime
- Privacy and personal service matter most to you
- We find you a first class fare close to the business class price
Not sure which is right for your trip? Call +1-850-502-5028 and we’ll price both for you, side by side.
First class for special occasions
Honeymoons, milestone birthdays, VIP guests or simply the trip of a lifetime. Tell us the occasion and we’ll recommend the airline and route that make it unforgettable.
Business class or first class? Your questions answered
What is the main difference between business class and first class?
Space, privacy and service. Business class gives you a flat bed and great food. First class gives you a private suite, a better bed, dining on demand and a crew that looks after only a few guests.
Is first class worth the extra money?
If you want the very best, or it is a special trip, yes. If your main goal is to sleep well and arrive rested, business class does that for much less. We often find first class fares closer to business prices than people expect, so it is worth asking.
How much more does first class cost than business class?
Usually two to three times more, and sometimes more on the most luxurious airlines. The gap depends on the route, the airline and how early you book.
Which is better for sleeping on a long flight?
Both have fully flat beds on most long-haul flights. First class beds are usually wider and come with a mattress pad, duvet and pyjamas, and the cabin is quieter because there are fewer people.
Do all airlines have first class?
No. Many airlines now fly only business class on long routes. First class is mostly offered by a smaller group of airlines, often on flights to and from their main hubs. Tell us your route and we will check what is available.