Business Class vs First Class – the main differences

You know you’ve made it when you board a plane and turn left, leaving the rest of your fellow passengers to traipse off grumpily to Economy. There’s no denying that you’re in for a premium experience, but you still might find yourself asking: what’s the difference between Business Class vs First Class? While both are noticeable upgrades from Economy, there are still plenty of subtle differences between the two that all seasoned travellers should know about.

What to expect from a Business Class flight

When flying Business Class, it’s important to bear in mind that what’s on offer varies greatly depending on which airline you’re flying with and whether you’re flying domestic or international. In the UK and the US, airlines generally use the term ‘First Class’ when referring to the highest cabin available on a domestic flight, while on many other international flights, the highest cabin is referred to as ‘Business Class’.

That being said, non-UK and US airlines tend to regard First Class as their top offering, particularly on long-haul international flights, so it’s worth double-checking with the individual airline before booking.

Business Class flights were created with business travellers in mind, meaning they usually offer a significantly more private and comfortable experience compared to Economy, with spacious lie-flat or angled seats, an elevated meal service, and priority check-in and lounge access on the ground.

What to expect from a First Class flight

First things first, it’s important to differentiate between domestic First Class and international First Class – domestic First Class doesn’t tend to be as expensive or luxurious as Business Class or international First Class, which is the absolute pinnacle of luxury when it comes to flying.

Only a relatively small number of airlines offer a First Class cabin, but many of these offer private suites in the sky for the ultimate in privacy and relaxation.

The food and drink offering is taken up a notch from Business Class, with gourmet menus created by Michelin-starred chefs paired with fine wines. The experience on the ground is a whole lot more premium too.

Some airlines will offer their First Class passengers VIP chauffeur service to the airport where they’ll find a dedicated check-in and special First Class-only lounges. Naturally, the offering differs from airline to airline, so it’s always worth doing your homework to find out who offers what – when you’re paying such a premium price tag, you want to make sure you’re getting the best experience possible.

The 6 main differences between Business Class vs First Class

When it comes to Business Class vs First Class, though the offerings differ from airline to airline, there are a few key areas that separate the two. Here are the main things to look out for when trying to choose between flying Business Class or stumping up for that ultra-premium First Class ticket.

And if you want to make sure you find which flights offer Business Class or First Class on KAYAK, you can find in your search results page the Cabin Class filter. Simply select the cabin class you prefer and see the results update in real-time. Piece of cake!

1. Ground experience and lounge access

When you book a ticket for one of the premium cabins, the experience starts at the airport. Business Class travellers can usually expect priority check-in and boarding, as well as access to a dedicated Business Class lounge that features complimentary buffet-style food, a bar, and, on occasion, shower cubicles. First Class passengers, meanwhile, can expect a greatly elevated experience, which in some cases means a chauffeur service to the airport, a dedicated First Class check-in counter and a First Class lounge, which usually features spa treatments, restaurant-quality food and nap rooms with beds.

2. Seats

When it comes to differentiating between Business Class and First Class, one of the main markers is the amount of privacy you get.

While Business Class seats are much more comfortable than Economy seats, usually lying fully flat so they can be turned into beds, First Class seats take that a step further. They’re often enclosed in their own private suites, with a seat and a separate bed made up of fine linens. Some even have their own showers.

3. Service

Do the math – if the average Business Class cabin has around 50 seats and the average First Class cabin has only 10 seats, which one do you think is going to get a more personalized level of service? While in Business Class, service is still designed above all to be efficient, in First Class the focus is on each individual passenger. That means you can often eat whenever you like, rather than when the flight attendant shows up with your meal, and can even request specific dishes to be made.

4. Food and drink

While those who are used to flying Economy would hardly rate aeroplane food among their top meals, it’s a whole different ballgame when you get to fly in First Class.

Here the food has often been masterminded by Michelin-starred chefs, and it shows. Multi-course meals are served on china with silver cutlery, often accompanied by top champagnes and fine wines. While the Business Class food is also good, it’s nowhere near the same level as First Class.

5. Amenities

Plush amenity kits are available to both Business and First Class passengers and usually include a selection of face creams and skincare products from beauty top brands, as well as other miniature treats like perfume, lip balm, and aftershave. First Class passengers often receive slightly more luxurious amenities, including items like premium pyjamas and noise-cancelling headphones.

6. Price

In general, you can expect a First Class ticket to cost significantly more than a Business Class one. Those private suites, fancy amenities and five-star levels of service come with a hefty price tag. You should expect a First Class ticket to cost at least double the price of a Business Class ticket on a long-haul route.

How this guide was created?

I’ve been a travel journalist for 15 years and during that time I have hopped on and off more planes than I can count, experiencing everything from cramped long-haul stints in Economy to ultra-luxurious trips in First Class and all-expenses-paid private jets. This guide pulls together all the knowledge I’ve gathered during those excursions, as well as extensive research into different airline cabin policies and fare classes.

Some of our favourite Business Class tickets

• Business Class flights from the United Kingdom
• Business Class flights to Europe
• Business Class flights to Asia
• Business Class flights to London
• Business Class flights to the United States

Business Class vs First Class FAQ

Disclaimer: Information and prices are correct as of 21.09.2023 and may vary with time.