Airlines:Is business-class the same as first-class?

[jimmysgirl424]

deleted

[Myra]

Business class usually has less leg room and is less comfortable, but the level of service is pretty similar.

[Jazz]

Most (all?) airlines only have two classes of service for domestic flights -- i.e. economy and business/first. I haven't flown AirTran, but typically the difference between business and economy is that business has wider seats, more leg room, and meal service (if the flight is long enough, which Baltimore-Las Vegas should be).

[DelSol]

According to AirTran's website:

"business class

Welcome to the nation's first and only affordable Business Class. Stretch out in two-by-two seats that offer more legroom, more room in the seat, and all the room your elbows could ever want. You'll even get drinks on the house."

Sounds like first class to me. My ex-boss flies AirTran all the times and loves them and they are cheap (which she loves).

Personally I have never flown with them so I can't tell you from personal experience.

[STLwed]

Most (all?) airlines only have two classes of service for domestic flights -- i.e. economy and business/first

Exactly. They decided to call it business, but it's like first class. Domestically, only a few transcontinental carriers have flights that actually have 3 classes of service (coach, business and first).

This is for domestic only. For international, there is a distinct difference between business and first. International business is like domestic First (or business as it's called in this calse). International First is a huge step up. One I'd like to take someday though! I'm already spoiled by international business.

:)
Liz

[Secret_Squirrel]

International First is a huge step up. One I'd like to take someday though! I'm already spoiled by international business.



What is the difference between 1st and Business? I flew Northwest Business Class from SEA-BKK and I can't imagine a huge step up from that!

[udsweetpea]

I've flown AirTran's business class before. It's super comfy and has lots of leg room. I only upgraded because they offered it for $50 when I checked in.

[jimmysgirl424]

deleted

[STLwed]

What is the difference between 1st and Business? I flew Northwest Business Class from SEA-BKK and I can't imagine a huge step up from that!

More room, more entertainment options, better service. I know it's hard to imagine it's better than business but it is. If you ever have to walk through it on your way in/out of a plane you'll see it. They often get individual "pods" for lack of a better word. The seat converts to a fully flat bed. Often they have a little work table. Of course, it varies by airline. Try going to www.seatguru.com and looking at the american airline configuration for the 777, configuration 1, and you'll see a little bit of what I mean.

Like I said, I've never flown up there, just walked through, and that made me jealous enough!

:)
Liz

[hockeybrat]

What is the difference between 1st and Business? I flew Northwest Business Class from SEA-BKK and I can't imagine a huge step up from that!


When I worked at British Airways, Business Class (Club World) had the cradle beds but when I left, they were switching to sleeper type beds.

In First class, they had more private cubbies for sleeping.

Both classes of service had dining on fine china and silverware (this was pre 9/11 so that might have changed) and specialized service. For First passengers, the crew to passenger ratio was about 1 for every 3 or 4 passengers whereas for Club, it was 1 for maybe 10 (can't remember the exact ratios).

Also, the price difference was about a couple grand between Club and First. If it were me, I would have been perfectly happy in Club class :)

[Secret_Squirrel]

More room, more entertainment options, better service. I know it's hard to imagine it's better than business but it is. If you ever have to walk through it on your way in/out of a plane you'll see it. They often get individual "pods" for lack of a better word. The seat converts to a fully flat bed. Often they have a little work table. Of course, it varies by airline. Try going to www.seatguru.com and looking at the american airline configuration for the 777, configuration 1, and you'll see a little bit of what I mean.

Like I said, I've never flown up there, just walked through, and that made me jealous enough!

:)
Liz


Hm, I wonder if Northwest just calls it World Business Class.

This is what it looked like:
http://www.nwa.com/services/bustrav/wbc/images/wbc_sleeping.jpg

We had first class check in, first class lounge, free socks, slippers and toiletries and free booze. Plus, the little screens with movies and games.

It was a very comfortable 17 hour flight. :D

[STLwed]

Secret_SquirreL - that looks similar to what I had for business class on a Qantas 747 - very nice. You're right - international business usually checks in in the first class line (very rarely do they have 3 lines to allow a separate business class check in - only at large international hubs), and you always get the amenity kit, real food and napkins (and up to 6 courses I counted once!). Usually there is only one airport lounge to combine business and first, but occasionally there is a separate business and first lounge (seen it in LA, Melbourne, Heathrow). But, there is a higher class (scary - I know!).

Some things from the Qantas website about international first:
You will also receive a complimentary First sleeper suit to maximise your comfort and reduce the crush on your clothes.

Generous First Class baggage allowances give you plenty of room.

We offer dedicated international First lounges in Auckland, Bangkok, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Singapore and Sydney.

Then relax with your cosy duvet, soft lambs wool blanket and oversized linen pillow and enjoy the best flights sleep you ever had.

Yeah, I could live with that! They also get even more movies/entertainment choices than business (which is more than coach).

Often the international carriers have nicer amenities than the US-based carriers also. Try to fly Qantas, Lufthansa or British Airways and you'll see a real difference. Not every US based airline offers international first, but a lot do (AA and United I know for sure).

:)
Liz

[Secret_Squirrel]

Not every US based airline offers international first, but a lot do (AA and United I know for sure).

Yeah, that's it - I just checked and Northwest doesn't offer International First Class anymore (neither do their partners, KLM and Dutch Airways). It was replaced with a roomier and more luxurious business class than they had before. It was good enough for me :)