International First Class and Business Class are both premium cabins, but there are important differences between the two, including the experience on the ground, on-board food and alcohol options, and the seats themselves.
Below, we will compare business class and first class on international flights.
Basics of first class and business class on international flights
International airlines may offer up to four different cabins.
For example, Air France's Boeing 777-300 has a four-class cabin. Row 1 is first class, rows 3 to 20 are business class, rows 23 to 26 are premium economy, and rows 28 to 52 are economy class.
An easy way to think about the differences between international first class and business class is to use the ranking of airline cabins above, from the most luxurious (first class) to the most basic (economy class).
Even if an airline offers an international first class product, it usually doesn't do it on all routes.For example, you can fly qatar airways Although it offers first-class flights from Doha, Qatar, to Cairo, Egypt, the airline does not currently offer first-class flights between Los Angeles and Doha.
Main difference
The difference between international first class and business class varies by airline, plane, and route. However, there are some fundamental differences between the two.
More upscale dining and alcohol options
The main benefit of flying first class is that you get more sophisticated food and alcohol options on board. For example, Emirates offers first class passengers caviar, meals on demand (instead of fixed meal service times), and Don His Perignon, none of which are available in business class.
smaller cabin
First class cabins are smaller and more intimate than business class cabins. First class cabins are often much smaller than business class cabins. In the Air France Boeing 777-300 example above, there are 58 business class seats, but only four first class seats.
A smaller cabin means you get more attention and faster service from the flight attendants, and it also means a more relaxing experience because you'll be less disturbed by other passengers. Masu.
More space and privacy
The exact difference between first class and business class seats varies by airline and aircraft, but international first class seats are generally more spacious and offer more privacy than business class seats.
First class seats on Japan Airlines' A350-1000 are more than twice as wide as business class seats on the same plane.
better ground benefits
First class passengers receive special benefits before their flight. Dedicated First Class lounges, efficient check-in, and priority boarding are just a few of the ways you can save on First Class tickets.
For example, if you fly Emirates First Class via Dubai, you can also get a complimentary massage in the First Class Lounge.
🤓geek tips
The exact benefits of first and business class vary by airline and route, so we recommend researching what first and business class offers on international flights before booking any cabin.
Airlines operating international first class
While most airlines that fly internationally offer a business class product, it's less common to find first class options on international flights.
Below is a list of airlines that offer first class international flights on at least some routes.
How to find a first class seat on an international flight
The easiest way to find international first class flights is to Google Flights Then click on the “First” cabin option highlighted in blue below.
Is it worth booking first class instead of business class?
International first class fares can be significantly higher than business class. For example, if you buy a one-way ticket on Lufthansa from New York City to Munich, Germany, a first class ticket will cost more than $15,000, compared to $5,600 for a business class ticket.
We generally do not recommend booking international first class over business class if there is a significant difference in price. However, it may be worth jumping into international first class if:
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If you were able to book or upgrade first class with the appropriate points.For example, if you are using alaska airline miles, Cathay Pacific's first class reservations to Asia cost just 20,000 miles more than business class reservations. This is because the two airlines are affiliated. oneworld alliance.
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If the airline offers a reasonable cash upgrade offer. Airlines may offer passengers the opportunity to upgrade to First Class at a lower price than if they had booked First Class directly. We recommend checking your reservation online for upgrade options and asking the agent at check-in for the price of a first class upgrade.
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Special occasions such as honeymoons and milestone birthdays. If your budget allows, it may be worth splurging on a first class ticket for your special occasion.
conclusion
The international first class experience offers many benefits over business class overseas, including more spacious seats, premium food and alcohol options, and exclusive experiences and lounges on the ground.
The exact benefits offered to first and business class passengers on international flights vary by airline, aircraft and route, so be sure to research before booking your ticket.
First class tickets on international flights can be significantly more expensive than business class tickets, so unless you're on a budget, it may not be worth flying first class.
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