Flying first class on an international vacation is a dream for many travelers. Some people are fortunate enough to fly in the front part of the plane regularly. However, in recent years, first class has become less common on long-haul international flights. In 2023, Qatar Airways, known for its luxurious in-flight services, announced that it would stop installing first-class seats on its newest aircraft. Does this mean the end of first class? Discover why some airlines are removing first-class seats and what that could mean for your next trip!
Is first class a relic of the past? The evolution of luxury air travel
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First class remains on US domestic flights
First, there is a big difference between what US airlines have traditionally marketed as "first class" on domestic and short international flights, and first class on long-distance international flights.
When flying with airlines like Delta or American within the United States or to Mexico and the Caribbean, buying a first-class ticket gets you a bigger seat at the front of the plane with a bit more legroom and recline. You'll also get perks like priority boarding and free in-flight meals and drinks. But on these routes, there's usually only first class and economy class, without a business class option.
US airlines have said that demand for this type of premium product has actually grown since the pandemic and remains very strong. As a result, these airlines are investing a lot to expand the first-class section on many planes and improve their first-class cabins to convince more travelers to pay for the upgrade.
What's the experience of flying first class on long flights?
In the past, intercontinental flights had a different setup. Let's look back to understand why. When jet travel became popular in the 1960s, airlines went all-out for their top-tier cabins, which were called first class. Passengers who paid a high price could enjoy excellent service from flight attendants dressed fashionably, gourmet meals like lobster and caviar, and even onboard bars.
In the 1970s, airlines introduced a class between first and coach, called business class. It had wider seats with more legroom, better meals, and more personalized service than economy. However, in the 1990s, some airlines like Continental and Virgin Atlantic combined their first- and business-class offerings into a middle-ground option.
Nowadays, many airlines still have a dedicated first-class cabin with the roomiest seats and best service. But other airlines have followed Continental and Virgin Atlantic's lead, dropping first class entirely and greatly improving their business class instead. In 2000, British Airways was the first major airline to put flat-bed seats in business class. As airlines compete, flat-bed business-class seats have become the norm, and some airlines even offer private suites with sliding doors.
Why are many airlines eliminating first-class seats for international flights?
Of the 3 major US airlines, both Delta and United have already removed their first-class cabins. Instead, they now offer an enhanced business-class service. Delta calls theirs "Delta One," while United introduced "Polaris" in 2016. American Airlines has been the only one to keep a true first-class cabin. But that will soon change.
According to Business Insider, in late 2022, American Airlines announced that it'll completely get rid of its remaining first-class cabins. These were already only available on a small number of planes. The airline said "first class is no longer needed because our customers aren't booking it." Instead, American is investing in a new "Flagship Suite" business-class service. Even though they're removing first class, the airline is actually increasing the number of premium seats per plane.
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The reality is, with business-class cabins getting better and better, airlines are having a hard time selling traditional first class. The CEO of Qatar Airways says the business-class product today "already gives you all the same amenities that first class gives you." He even goes so far as to call first class "pointless." For airlines, those first-class seats – which are even bigger than business-class ones – take up valuable space in the cabin and don't allow them to maximize their potential revenue on each flight.
With the changes in how people travel due to the pandemic, there are now fewer business travelers booking expensive last-minute first-class tickets. Before the pandemic, around half of the demand for premium seats came from large companies, according to Business Insider. Nowadays, the demand for premium cabins is a mix of business and leisure travelers, but leisure travelers are usually not willing to pay the high price difference between first and business class.
The rise of premium economy
In the 1990s, some airlines like Eva Air and Virgin Atlantic started offering a new travel class called "premium economy." This was designed for passengers who wanted a more comfortable experience than regular economy, but couldn't afford to upgrade to business or first class. Premium economy seats are a bit wider, with extra legroom, and the meals and service are usually better than regular economy.
This new premium economy class is actually quite similar to what business class used to be like when it was first introduced. Nowadays, business class has become the new first class, while premium economy is the new business class. Many airlines also have a special economy class section with extra legroom, giving travelers even more options to fit their budget.
Which airlines still provide a genuine first-class option?
Despite the declining trend, a few airlines remain dedicated to offering a "true" first-class experience for international flights. These airlines are generally known for their exceptional service, such as Emirates, Air France, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, and Korean Air.
Many of these airlines have also introduced new and improved first-class cabins in recent years. For example, on Singapore Airlines, you can enjoy a private suite that's spacious enough to accommodate both a reclining chair and a full-sized bed. If you're traveling with someone, you can even lower the dividers between the suites to create an extra-large double bed. While first class is no longer an option on many airlines, a select few are still preserving this premium travel experience for those who are willing to splurge.
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