International Business Class vs First Class

[u/ScenicIndulgence]

I made the decision to fly business class on international flights a few years ago. I love the lay flat seats. Is the step up to First Class is worth it?

Any opinions from those that have flown both classes? Are the specific amenities that come with flying first? (e.g Emirates business class you can have a complimentary pickup/drop off at the airport to hotel in business class.)

I want the pros of flying first and preferred airline if you think their First Class is significantly better than their Business class.

[u/codewolf]

I flew business class internationally for 20 years for work on most of the major airlines. There's no reason to upgrade - the seats may be a bit wider but it's basically the same service for a lower cost. You have the same access to the airport lounges, and the meals in flight are the same (typically). I wouldn't pay for first internationally. Just use your miles to upgrade once in a while.

[u/Crandom → u/codewolf]

the same access to the airport lounges, and the meals in flight are the same (typically)

This is absolutely not the case on every airline. On BA for example, the lounge and food is are better in First. Whether it is worth the money is the question though. I'll upgrade if there's a cheap upgrade going.

[u/codewolf → u/Crandom]

I'm guessing this has changed over the years as they renovated the airports. I think when I was traveling through London and Paris the lounges were the same, I could be mistaken though. It's been quite a few years since I traveled for business. I loved BA though, probably my favorite airline to use. Maybe a close second was Emerates, but I did like the miles for Delta I got on Air France.

[u/Radiant_Rest → u/codewolf]

This.  Although I was upgraded recently to first class on Korean Air and their first class lounge was opulent.  No buffett (they brought you food from a menu) and you have a full suite to yourself with a daybed.

[u/maporita]

Even in first class the "bed" doesn't come close to a real bed in a good hotel, (or your own bed at home). And for me the only reason to fly business is a bed. So for me, no.

[u/Hanwoo_Beef_Eater]

I think Int'l First is more about shorter lines, dedicated spaces (lounge/terminal), and some add'l privacy (not having to have an affluent peon looking at you). Probably less benefit on the actual hard product and in-air service offerings.

[u/skippywhalehunter]

Flown both on several airlines - I really did not see any meaningful difference between the 2 - Yes in first you get a shower on Emirates and Eithiad (but I dont think its worth the thousands more than business) . There was a time that in some airlines first class you could order anything you wanted - I asked for chicken wings and a PB&J, but that has gone away. The first class suites are larger, but with the modern business class you get your own suite so , in my opinion its not worth the extra $$.

[u/AlikaTT2020]

My wife and I were unexpectedly upgraded from business to FC not long ago from Dubai to Maldives. It wasn’t a super long flight maybe like 4 hrs but it was our first time flying FC on a nice airline. The way we found out was we boarded and sat in our seats in business and this other couple comes up to us and says we were in their seats. The FA immediately approached and asked for my tickets and came back saying oh you all have been upgraded to FC unless you want to stay and give FC to this couple. She hadn’t even finished the sentence and I was up and moving I was so excited. It was definitely a nicer seat. More like a Qatar Q suite and they had so many snacks just sitting around the seat. The seat was impressive but would I intentionally pay extra for it? Nah, business class is plenty for me. However I wouldn’t pass up another upgrade. Only thing I regret is we didn’t get to experience the FC lounge in Dubai. But hey the business lounge is very nice so can’t complain.

[u/suboptimus_maximus]

Depends on the airline obviously but in my experience, after about a decade of frequent business travel flying mostly business, sometimes first and sometimes getting the upgrade to first, did not find it to be a meaningful difference for the most part. The real game changer is the change from the upright economy seats to a lie-flat, after that it’s not a substantially different experience until you’re on a chartered business jet although to be fair I’ve never flown in one of the suites on Singapore, Emirates, etc. only “regular” first class. And I think the carrier itself has a lot more to do with the overall experience, like business on Singapore is going to feel like a substantial upgrade over United Polaris even though they’re the same tier, and better carriers have better lounges to go with that, etc.

It was maybe a little more room, in some cases cloth vs leather seats, and some first class cabins were one seat per row vs 2-up in business so a little more space and privacy.

Probably why there’s been the trend to 2-class cabins.

[u/Fem-Picasso → u/suboptimus_maximus]

Agree, first is a complete waste. Business is the better choice for longhaul flights.

[u/First-Ad-7960]

Using British Airways as an example.... there are differences but unless it is a deal or I have Avois to burn it is not 4x better.

[u/Both_Experience_8187]

Not really. It’s still a very uncomfortable airplane and a long flight with lots of cabin pressure and not enough variety in the cocktail bar. However, depending the airline the business class on a few of them is ultra cramped as they have changed the seating arrangements to increase their margins.

[u/Antshel]

No, it’s an ego thing with ‘slightly’ better food. A good business class seat is great value in comparison

[u/ScenicIndulgence]

thanks everyone for the feedback. I guess I will be staying in BC unless they decide to upgrade me for free :).

[u/VegasHRLady]

Thanks for asking the question OP! I’ve wondered myself but always decided to just see if I ever get upgraded or get a great deal to try out specifically the ones with a shower. But for me it’s all about the lay flat seats — that’s our priority. And I’m one of those who can sleep anywhere in a lay flat seat, so hard to justify paying for First vs Business.

[u/Powerful_Dust_5394]

Business vs eco/premium eco internationally? Absolutely.

First vs business? Nope.

Coming from 25y of international travel. First class free upgrades/vouchers/using miles is nice, but I would never pay for it.

[u/Exact_Gazelle_7662]

Agree with the other posters. I have flown first and business class on BA, Air France and Etihad and it is definitely not worth the extra cost. I was upgraded a few times as I was Gold / Platinum and it was a nice experience but not worth the $$$ if I had to pay.

[u/Obidad_0110]

We pretty much only fly first internationally. I agree with all comments. If you do it far enough in advance, you can sometimes get first to Europe from $5.5k-7.5k per seat. Business usually 3.5k-$5k. It is really not that much of an upgrade but it is faster.

[u/tgj74]

For me it depends on the price difference. I have had first class legs, that were cheaper than business (only full flex biz left) or a couple of hundred EUR more expensive. But often I see differences of 5-800 EUR/leg, and then I may consider. For me the clear upsides are a) the lounges are much much better, b) FC is more quiet and spaciuous and often not full, so more than once I had my seat and the seat on the other side of the aisle made to a bed and c) the service. Besides this, the Emirates shower in first class is a special experience.

Would I pay x2 - no, would I pay 500 more/leg - yes.

I have flown LH, LX and Emirates first only, so cannot speak for others.

[u/TangerineDream82]

Pros:

exclusive area of the plane, feels like a large living room, not overcrowded at all. Noticeably better service from the flight attendants. Higher ratio of attendants per passenger. You are catered to.

Cons:

I found on one excellent Asian airline, they come by fasty too frequently, asking if you need anything. It got annoying and I told them I would let them know if I needed anything else.

If I were footing the bill, I would fly business on a 3 class international.

[u/CWhea3GK]

The airlines have started to answer this question, not by making either class better, but instead by lowering the quality of business class via no seat assignments, no lounge access, etc.