Business class vs. first class: What’s the difference?

Many forms of public transportation feature different levels of travel comfort. Typically, these levels are known as economy or coach, premium economy, business or executive, and first class. 

Both business class and first class are premium categories of air travel. But they offer different experiences to travelers. 

What you’ll learn:

• The features of business class and first class differ depending on route, airline and aircraft. 

• A business class flight generally offers more space, priority check-in and boarding, and an accessories kit.

• A first class flight might offer a private suite, fine food and drinks on demand, and other personal touches.

• Cost is a major factor when deciding whether it’s worth upgrading a flight to business class or first class.

There’s no single set of criteria that qualifies a travel experience as business class. It depends where you’re flying, which type of plane you’re on and which airline you chose.

Some international flights have a business class and a first class. In that case, business class might offer a class of service that falls somewhere between economy and first class. 

Other international flights don’t have a first class, and business class is the most premium offering. On longer flights, it can be very luxurious. But on shorter flights, say between European countries, it might be only slightly better than flying economy. 

In general, here’s how business class might look compared to economy:

• Comfort: More legroom, a larger seat that’s angled or lies flat, and more privacy. You may even have a private suite.

• Food and drink: Higher-quality meals with a wider selection of free drinks and nicer flatware.

• Service: Priority check-in and boarding and extra baggage allowance.

• Lounge access: Access to a business lounge with free food and drinks, quiet spaces to work and other extras.

• Amenities: Access to in-flight entertainment or more choices than economy and accessory kits.

• Cost: Could cost thousands of dollars more than economy.

As with business class, there’s no one definition of first class that works across every route, aircraft and airline. One major factor is the difference between domestic and international first class.

If you’re flying within the U.S., chances are your plane only has two classes: economy and first class. Though it’s the top cabin, there’s not much fanfare associated with domestic first class. Here’s a general look at what it might include:

• Comfort: Recliner-style seating with more legroom than economy.

• Food and drink: Plated meals for flights longer than a few hours and free drinks.

• Service: Priority check-in and boarding, more baggage allowance than economy and complimentary upgrade for fliers with elite status.

• Cost: More expensive than economy but not as expensive as international business class.

Not every international flight has first class. More and more, business class is replacing first class as the premium travel category. But where it’s offered, first class remains the most luxurious way to fly.

Every airline does things a little differently, and it depends which model of plane you’re on, but here’s how an international first class flight might look:

• Comfort: Separate bed and seating areas, private suites with doors, and mood lighting. You may even have access to a shower.

• Food and drink: Personalized service and an elevated menu and fine wines that you can order at your convenience.

• Service: Priority check-in, boarding and luggage handling, extra baggage allowance, and a higher ratio of flight attendants to passengers. You may even have a personal escort from home, through the airport, aboard the plane and upon arrival.

• Lounge access: Access to a dedicated first class lounge featuring everything from fine dining to spa treatments.

• Amenities: The highest level of entertainment options, luxurious amenity kits and elevated bedding.

• Cost: The most expensive of all the classes.

Many domestic flights don’t have a business class, and many international flights are replacing first class with business class. So comparing business class and first class can be tricky. 

You can check online with individual airlines about the experiences they offer and what’s included. But here’s a general idea of the differences between business class and first class on an international flight:

In business class, you’re likely to have a seat that reclines fully flat to a bed, with some privacy and storage room. In first class, you might have a separate seat and bed in your own private cabin, possibly with a door.

Both classes should serve multicourse meals and high-quality beverages. First class may just beat out business class in sophistication and choice.

Many airlines offer lounge access to business class and first class travelers. Food and drink quality may be higher in a first class lounge. On board, first class passengers may be addressed by name and attended to more closely. Business class service may not be as personal or attentive.

In-flight entertainment options are probably the same in business class and first class, but the screens may be bigger in first class. Business class passengers may have to pay for Wi-Fi, and first class passengers may get it free. Bedding should be plush and comfortable in both cabins, but first class passengers may receive free pajamas and enjoy higher-end products in their amenity kits.

Both classes should receive priority check-in, luggage handling and boarding. Business class passengers may get an allowance for two free checked bags, and first class passengers may get three. First class passengers will be the first off the plane upon arrival, followed by business class passengers.

First class can be significantly more expensive than business class. For example, when booking through Capital One Travel, a sample American Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Heathrow, London, cost about $3,000 in business class and $13,000 in first class as of July 18, 2024.

No one can answer the question of whether you should upgrade to first class except you. It’s a personal decision, with your budget and financial situation at the heart of it. 

If you determine that a first class flight is within your means, you can consider a couple more factors to make sure it’s a worthwhile choice for you:

• Flight duration: Will you be in the air long enough to justify the extra cost and make the most of the extra benefits?

• Route, aircraft and airline: Where are you going, with which airline and on what type and age of plane? These factors can significantly affect the service you receive. 

You can also look into the possibility and price of buying an economy ticket and upgrading it to first class later—as late as at check-in or the departure gate. In many cases, that can be cheaper than buying a first class ticket outright. You may even be able to pay for the upgrade with your credit card miles.

If you’re traveling business class or first class, it’s safe to assume your experience will be a step up from economy. But exactly how much of a step up depends where you’re going and on which type of plane. 
Whichever airline class you choose, a Capital One Venture X card can reward your travels in many different ways. The many benefits include a $300 annual travel credit and unlimited complimentary access to the Capital One Lounges and network of participating partner lounges.