Business Class vs. First Class: What's the Difference?

25.01.2024 - 23:07 / cntraveler.com / Gary Leff

As many airlines are reducing indulgent first-class offerings to incorporate more business-class seats on their planes, it can be hard to tell exactly what the differences are between the two front-of-plane cabins.

The main point of confusion for many travelers is that first class on domestic US flights can look completely different than the over-the-top first-class cabins offered on international flights, especially ones in Asia or the Middle East.

Most planes that fly domestic routes within the US only offer two cabins, typically branded as economy and first class (very rarely does a domestic flight offer business class). Contrary to what some travelers may assume, domestic first-class cabins are actually a less-elevated experience than most international business-class seats. But when it comes to long-haul international journeys, the differences between business class and first class become much more pronounced.

To start, first class cabins aren't available on all international routes. “The number of airlines offering first class, and the number of seats each airline offers, has declined in recent years. There are a limited number of markets that can sell it for the premium required to make money,” Gary Leff, aviation expert and author of the industry blog View from the Wing tells Condé Nast Traveler. “The markets where this is viable tend to be long haul between major business centers, like New York and Los Angeles, London and Paris, and Tokyo and Singapore.”

The two cabins can appeal to different customer bases, too. Most people don’t consider “buying up from business class,” says Leff. Instead, many international first-class flyers are “trading down from flying private” because flying a jet solo across the Atlantic isn’t the most economical—let alone sustainable—option when it comes to stopping for fuel.

Here, we break down business class vs. first class to help you decipher when that award ticket or upgrade (or downgrade, depending on where you’re coming from) is actually worth the price.

First class is the crème de la crème of international air travel. The most obvious differences compared to business class are a greater sense of privacy, more decadent meals, and incredibly personalized service.

“First class means more space and a smaller cabin, so greater privacy. Food and beverages are generally elevated (possibly including wine and spirits that retail in the hundreds versus around $30 in business class),” says Leff. “There should also be elevated bedding and amenities.”

First-class cabins have a lower ratio of flight attendants to passengers compared to business class, meaning passengers receive more customized service options, Leff tells Traveler. For example, first class flyers may be