Why Is First Class So Popular?

First class airline tickets typically come with a smorgasbord of benefits and perks, which can greatly enhance the travel experience. These perks can begin from the moment a passenger sets foot in the airport, with priority boarding and security procedures. While onboard, passengers may enjoy gourmet meals, complimentary drinks, lie-flat seats, larger screens, and better lavs, to mention but a few upgrades from economy. Even after landing, first class passengers get to deplane first.

Sometimes, first class passengers are also given souvenirs to take away, such as designer blankets and hygiene goody bags, allowing the experience to continue after leaving the destination airport. While the first class experience comes with a hefty price tag, it remains popular among flyers. This article examines what first class passengers receive for their money, and why it may be worth it to them. It will also describe the best ways to obtain a first class ticket without paying the sky-high full price.

First Class Benefits On The Ground

While exact first class packages may vary, there are some common luxuries that passengers can expect with the experience. Before takeoff, passengers can often expect the following benefits to be provided at the airport, where available:

Exclusive airport lounge access: First class passengers gain free access to lounges, often featuring luxury hospitality brands found in high-end city areas, and offering gourmet sit-down meals. These days, some lounges grant access to customers as a perk of owning a particular credit card, and some offer entry to anyone for a flat fee. However, some airlines offer exclusive access to first class customers only, and they serve as a retreat from the noise of the airport.
Priority boarding and disembarking: First class passengers are often given the option to board and leave the airplane first. There's no rule saying they have to board first, if they prefer not to, but getting to sit down earlier and sip a drink while the rest of the passengers board the plane can be a big plus.
Faster security lines: Airlines sometimes offer dedicated TSA security checkpoints for first class customers, allowing them to skip the long lines that others have to deal with. Spending less time standing and waiting can be a big perk, particularly for customers with medical conditions.
Additional checked luggage: First class packages often include extra allowances for checked baggage, allowing customers to bring everything they might need. This eliminates the stress of weighing bags and deciding what is absolutely necessary to bring.
Fast-track immigration process: Once the plane has landed, some airports and airlines expedite the security process for first-class customers, allowing them to get to the front of the queue. For customers with commitments to keep, such as business meetings, this can be a valuable perk, as it reduces the time taken in the airport overall.
Dedicated check-in services: Checking in luggage and picking up boarding passes can be a much more streamlined experience, thanks to the check-in counters staffed specifically for first class customers. Like other dedicated first class airport processes, these save the customer time overall, giving them more time to relax in lounges or shop while waiting to board.

Of course, access to these perks is dependent on availability at the airport, and the airline from which a first class ticket is obtained. Smaller regional airports and low-cost airlines are less likely to offer all of them, and some airlines will offer slightly less impressive perks for domestic flights. At bigger airports, the best perk might be lounge access, especially for hungry customers. As a recent example, American Airlines unveiled new menu items for their highly rated Flagship lounge earlier this year.

First Class Benefits In The Air

First class customers will notice the difference before the plane even pushes back from the gate, as there is much more overhead storage for carry-on bags due to there being proportionally fewer passengers. As soon as carry-on baggage is stowed, the first of many complimentary alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks may be served, allowing passengers to start relaxing and hydrating straight away. These days, first class seats are often luxurious private cubicles, with privacy screens, additional shelves and outlets, and clever tables, making them ideal for customers who need to work on the fly.

As mentioned earlier, customers are also often given 'goody bags', that contain handy items for staying fresh, comfortable and organized. CNBC recently published a flight review of the Delta Air Lines first class experience, called Delta One. On their flight, the author was given a bag containing the following:

A pillow and duvet.
A bottle of water.
Noise-canceling headphones.
A separate pouch containing a pen, toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, and lip balm.

One of the best perks, however, might be the seats. In the case of Delta One, the seat was wider than economy, offered more legroom, and could recline through 180 degrees, becoming an adjustable bed. Some packages also offer items like pajamas or mattress pads to sleep in maximum comfort. First class customers also have access to dedicated bathrooms and extra comfort items, like hot towels.

As mentioned in the video above, there is a separate, high-quality meal menu typically offered to first class customers, and there may be the option of having flight attendants bring all the courses at once, allowing the customer to eat quickly and get to sleep straight away. This can be handy for avoiding jet lag on long-haul flights with time zone differences. If a passenger goes to sleep and misses a meal service, attendants on the Delta One example were also happy to serve meals at irregular times.

How Much Does First Class Cost?

The most obvious difference between first class and economy is the price, but the actual cost of a first class ticket can vary greatly depending on a few factors. Mainline flag-carrying airlines will typically have more to offer than regional or low-cost airlines, but the price is likely to increase significantly in exchange for these benefits. Domestic flights, regardless of carrier, typically have less to offer, and passengers may be disappointed to find that they do not get a lie-flat seat, but a reclining one instead.

The timing of a ticket purchase can also significantly affect prices. Prices can often be tied to availability, so booking several months in advance may be cheaper than booking closer to the date of the flight. However, last-minute ticket purchases can also be cheaper than normal, and customers can inquire about upgrades as late as check-in on the day of travel. If there are unsold first class spaces available, this can be a great way to snag a cheap upgrade.

Air France One Way Seat Class Price Difference Example (2024)
Class	Date, Time	Route	Duration	Price From
Economy	Sept 14, 15:20–11:10+1	Los Angeles to Paris (LAX - CGD)	10 hours 50 minutes	USD 1,180
First-Class	Sept 14, 15:20–11:10+1	Los Angeles to Paris (LAX - CGD)	10 hours 50 minutes	USD 18,606

As seen in the example above, which was researched by NerdWallet in May of last year, first class tickets can be as much as almost 16 times more expensive than economy. While the La Premiere first class product is famous for its luxury, the cost truly is eye-watering. For many passengers, that sum of money would be much better spent on a house deposit. It could even buy a house outright in some places. For others, the prospect of spending nearly 11 hours in a cramped seat may well justify the large price difference.

Do Flyers Think First Class Is Worth It?

For some, being able to nap comfortably, having a full meal, unlimited snacks, and easy access to beverages of their choice can make all the difference. In a conversation on Reddit's r/americanairlines thread from a year ago, some interesting cases emerged where first class was very much worth it to some real customers. For example, a customer with a large frame found the increased seat width made it worth the cost:

"I have ridiculously broad shoulders. This is not a brag, bc I am an old man now and it just sucks to sit for three hours with your hands in your lap and your shoulders hunched in order no to touch/bother your neighbor. Funny thing about getting older: Money is worth less and convenience and comfort are worth more."

It was understood by flyers that the majority of people in first class were not paying the full price for the fare, and most in first class were expected to have upgraded or purchased the ticket through points or miles. However, people who needed to work also found first class to be invaluable:

"Another way to justify it might be for work. People might be working on a plane. First class gives you the space to do that. 100k a year comes out to like 50/hr so it is reasonable for someone to take a first class seat just if it gives them access to work a few more hours. [...] At the end of the day, I think most people aren’t paying those crazy prices and the ones that are can certainly afford it."

Another customer also brought up the important factor of medical needs. For elderly passengers, long-haul flights, in particular, provide a particular challenge: "Fly longer than 6 hours and it’s a medical necessity for a person of my age." Older passengers are also likely to have a higher income and more disposable funds than younger passengers, so the first class option may suit them well: "Funny thing about getting older: Money is worth less and convenience and comfort are worth more."

What Are The Best Ways To Get A First Class Seat?

There are several ways to get a first class seat without paying full price. In the NerdWallet example above, they also researched a first class Lufthansa flight from Houston to Frankfurt, which was priced at USD 12,707. That same flight was available for purchase using 87,000 Lufthansa Lifemiles, with around USD 22 in taxes and fees, which was a better value than cash, especially considering that credit card points from American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou points, Bilt Rewards, and Capital One Miles can all be transferred to a Lifemiles points balance.

Utilizing an airline loyalty or status program can also multiply points significantly, and some airlines routinely offer upgrades and other perks to frequent flyers. Flying during off-peak times, such as midweek, and in quieter months such as January and February, can also save money, as availability is better. It is also a good idea to ask about discounted upgrades and whether there are unsold first class seats as the date of the flight approaches.

It can also occasionally be cheaper to book separate one-way tickets in first class with two different airlines than to book a return flight. Also, sometimes airlines make mistakes and publish cheaper fares accidentally, which they must then honor if sold. Signing up for newsletters and alerts from sites such as Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, and Jet2, will allow passengers to take advantage of erroneous fare prices posted. When a first class ticket can be obtained at a discount, it starts to become a much more tempting prospect, even for the thrifty traveler.