First class (aviation) facts for kids
First class is the most luxurious way to travel on some passenger airplanes. It offers much more comfort and special services than business class, premium economy, or economy class. Think of it as a super fancy hotel room in the sky!
Long ago, all airplanes had just one type of seating. But in 1955, an airline called TWA changed things. They introduced two different levels of service on their planes. This was the start of having different classes for travelers.
On today's large airplanes, first class usually means a small number of special seats. These are often found at the front of the plane. They give passengers lots of space, privacy, and top-notch service. Sometimes, first class is even called a "suite" because it feels like a private room.
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The History of First Class Travel
Early airplanes were not very comfy. Passengers often sat in open cockpits! As planes got better, airlines worked hard to make flying enjoyable. Flying was very expensive back then. Only a few people could afford it.
As planes grew bigger, airlines realized something important. If they offered cheaper tickets, more people would fly. In the United States, a group called the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) controlled ticket prices. At first, they only allowed one price for a flight.
But in 1952, the CAB slowly started allowing different prices. Then, in 1955, TWA came up with a new idea. They offered different levels of service for different prices. This led to planes having two classes. The better class was called First Class. The other class was often called Coach Class.
What's Inside First Class?
First Class Seats and Space
First class seats are very different from regular seats. Some are large, reclining seats with extra legroom. Others are like private rooms, called suites. These suites might have a fully flat bed, a workstation, and a TV. Privacy dividers often surround them.
On international flights, first class seats can be huge. They might offer 147–239 cm (58–94 inches) of space for your legs. The seats can also be very wide, from 48–89 cm (19–35 inches). For shorter domestic flights, the seats are still big. They might have 86–173 cm (34–68 inches) of legroom.
Some first class seats are so big that a guest can sit facing you for a short chat!
Special Features and Entertainment
First class passengers usually have their own private bathrooms. Larger planes might even have more than one. People in business or economy class are usually not allowed in the first class cabin.
You can often watch movies, TV shows, or play games on your own screen. These screens are usually large and built into the seat. On long flights with top airlines, first class can feel like a five-star hotel. Some even have a small mini-bar!
The Rise of Business Class
Since the 1990s, many airlines have changed their first class sections. Some have removed first class entirely. Instead, they have made their business class much better. Newer business class seats often have flat beds. This means the gap between first class and business class has become smaller.
Also, first class seats take up a lot of space. They are usually double the price of business class. But they can take up more than twice the room. Because of this, some airlines now offer business class as their highest option. However, some airlines, like Garuda Indonesia, are bringing back first class on their new planes.
Amazing First Class Suites
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As business class gets fancier, some airlines are making their first class even more amazing. They are designing them as true "suites." For example, Singapore Airlines calls its top class on the Airbus A380 "suites." They even say it's "A class above first."
These suites have a separate bed that folds out from the wall. The bed is about 2 meters (78 inches) long! Windows are built into the doors for privacy. If you're in a middle suite, you can even combine two suites to make a double bed!
Other airlines, like Emirates, also have suite-like first class. Their seats can turn into a bed with just a push of a button. Etihad Airways introduced a super luxurious "Residence" suite in 2014. It has three rooms: a bedroom with a double bed, a living area, and even a shower!
First Class on Domestic Flights
North American Domestic First Class
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In North America (like flights within the US, Canada, or Mexico), "domestic first class" is often like a regional business class. It's usually not as fancy as international long-haul first class. However, on some special long flights between New York City and California, it's different.
Airlines like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue offer a very special service on these routes. For example, American Airlines has a "three-cabin first class." This is a true first class with lie-flat seats. It's much more comfortable and expensive than their regular two-cabin first class.
Some discount airlines, like Southwest Airlines, don't have first class at all. They usually have only economy seats. Some might offer a few rows with extra legroom for a small fee.
European Domestic First Class
Years ago, first class was available on flights within Europe. These seats were often arranged with four seats across. This was wider than the six seats across in economy.
During the 1980s, European airlines mostly stopped offering first class. They switched to having six seats across the plane. This allowed them to be more flexible. They could change how many seats were for business class depending on the flight route. Today, some airlines like Turkish Airlines still have wider seats in their premium cabins. But they sell them as business class, not first class.
First Class and the Environment
Flying in first or business class has a bigger impact on the environment. This is because these seats take up more space on the plane. They also have extra features like bigger bathrooms or bars. One study found that the carbon emissions per person in premium seating can be 2.6 to 4.3 times higher than in economy.
Extra Perks of First Class
When you fly first class, the special treatment starts at the airport. Passengers often have their own check-in areas. They might even have faster security lines. Some airlines have private first class terminals. They might even offer free limousine rides to the airport!
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First class passengers usually get access to fancy airport lounges. Some airlines even have separate, more luxurious lounges just for first class. These passengers can also board the plane before anyone else. Sometimes, they even have their own special walkway to the plane.
On board, all drinks are free. You'll get gourmet meals, often designed by famous chefs. These meals are served on white tablecloths with real silverware. You can also choose from different wines, desserts, and special drinks before or after your meal.
How Much Does First Class Cost?
First class air travel has always been very expensive. A round-trip international first class ticket can cost over $10,000 or €10,000. This is much more than a business class ticket (around $4,000–5,000) or an economy ticket (around $300–2,000).
However, there are ways to get upgrades. People who fly a lot can earn points through "frequent-flyer programs." These points can be used to upgrade their tickets. Some airlines also let passengers buy last-minute upgrades if there are empty first class seats. Airlines might also offer upgrades as a bonus to their employees.
Airlines with International First Class
This list shows airlines that offer First Class on international flights. It does not include domestic First Class in the US.
- Asia
- Air China – Forbidden Pavilion First Class (on Boeing 747 and some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Air India – Maharaja First Class (on Boeing 777 planes)
- All Nippon Airways – First Class (on Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Cathay Pacific – First Class (on some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- China Eastern Airlines – First Class (on Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Garuda Indonesia – First Class (on some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Japan Airlines – JAL First Class (on Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Korean Air – Kosmo Suite (on Airbus A380-800 and some Boeing 777-300ER planes); Kosmo Suite 2.0 (on Boeing 747-8I and some Boeing 777-300ER planes); Kosmo Sleeper (on Boeing 777-200ER planes)
- Singapore Airlines – Suites Class (on Airbus A380-800 planes); First Class (on Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Starlux Airlines – First Class (on Airbus A350-900 planes)
- Thai Airways International – Royal First Class (on some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- XiamenAir – First Class (on Boeing 787-8 planes)
- Europe
- Air France – La Première (on some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- British Airways – First (on Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787, and some Boeing 777-200ER planes)
- Lufthansa – First Class (on Airbus A340-600, Airbus A380-800, and Boeing 747-8I planes)
- Swiss International Air Lines – SWISS First (on Airbus A330-300, Airbus A340-300, and Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Middle East
- El Al – First Class (on Boeing 777-200ER planes); this class is planned to be removed
- Emirates – First Class (enclosed floor-to-ceiling suite) (on some Boeing 777-300ER); First Class (private suite) (on some Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Etihad Airways – First Apartment & The Residence (on Airbus A380-800 planes); First Suite (on some Boeing 787-9 planes); Diamond First Class (on some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Kuwait Airways – First Class (on Airbus A330-200 planes); Royal Class (on Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Oman Air – First Class (on some Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 787-9 planes)
- Qatar Airways – First Class (on Airbus A380-800 and some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Saudia – First Class (on some Boeing 777-300ER planes)
- Americas
- American Airlines – Flagship First (on Boeing 777-300ER planes); to be removed
- Oceania
- Qantas – First (on Airbus A380-800 planes)
- Africa
- TAAG Angola Airlines - First Class (on Boeing 777 planes)
Airlines That Used to Offer First Class
Several airlines have stopped offering First Class cabins over the years for different reasons:
- Air New Zealand – Removed First Class in 2006–2007. They introduced "Premium Economy" and flat-bed seats in Business Class. Now, "Business Premier" is their highest class.
- Asiana Airlines - Used to have First Class on some planes. They removed it by September 2019 due to financial reasons. They are now focusing on Business Class and Premium Economy.
- Cathay Dragon – Had First Class on some Airbus A330 planes. This airline stopped flying in October 2020. Their planes were moved to Cathay Pacific and reconfigured without First Class.
- China Airlines – Removed First Class in February 2021. Their "Premium Business Class" is now the highest service.
- China Southern Airlines – Removed First Class in 2022. They retired their Airbus A380 planes and changed other planes. Now, Business Class is their highest service.
- Jet Airways – Used to offer First Class on Boeing 777-300ER planes.
- Malaysia Airlines- Their First Class is now called Business Suite Class.
- Philippine Airlines – Removed First Class (called "Maharlika Class") in the mid-2000s. They spent money to make their business and economy seats better.
- South African Airways – Removed First Class in 2001. Until 1997, their First Class was known as "Blue Diamond Class."
- TAM Brasil - Used to have First Class on 777-300ER planes until 2014.
- Transaero – Offered Imperial Class on some of their planes.
- Turkish Airlines – Removed First Class from September 2011. They introduced a premium economy product called Comfort Class.
- United Airlines - Removed all long-haul First Class services by March 2018. Their First Class was called "Global First" (later "Polaris First").
- US Airways – Removed International First Class in 2002. The seats remained for a while, but were sold as part of their "Envoy" business class.
See also
- Aircraft cabin
- Business class
- Economy class
- First class travel
- IATA class codes
- Premium economy
- Wide-body aircraft
