Now that we have looked at the evolution of premium cabin air travel over the past few decades, let’s analyse the numbers to work out whether the premium paid for First Class services like complimentary massages, onboard showers and chauffeur transfers justify the higher cost versus a flight in a lower class of service.
A closer look at First Class
Part I: The history of First and Business Class
Part II: Is First Class worth the premium over Business and Economy?
Comparing a redemption in First, Business and Economy
To show a comparison of the Qantas Points required for a First, Business and Economy class redemption, I have used the example of a dummy Brisbane to Singapore return flight on an Emirates A380. Taking into account the Qantas changes announced in June 2019, the prices are as follows:
- Economy: 50,400 points + taxes
- Business: 120,000 points + taxes (136,800 from 18 September 2019 onwards)
- First: 180,000 points + $taxes (205,200 from 18 September 2019 onwards)
The new rates reflect a cost of 2.5x for Business over Economy and 4x for First over Economy.
Does a First Class redemption represent good value?
In my opinion, the gap between Business and First Class during 2008-2015 felt like it was rapidly shrinking, given the major advances that were being made to Business Class seats—and it obviously wasn’t just my opinion. Many airlines chose to completely dump their First Class cabins during this period, and that is still continuing today, with United Airlines being one of the latest.
For those airlines that have chosen to shift up a gear and invest heavily in their First Class product, there is now a clear gulf between their Business and First Class cabins, especially with the advent of upgraded ‘Suites’ and ‘Apartment-style’ amenities that we have come to desire and expect.
Summing up
Personally, I can see the value of First over Business—more tailored and individualised service, upgraded dining, unique amenities such as showers and dedicated check-in areas and terminals and, of course, First Class lounges.
But there are many similarities too, such as lie-flat seats, direct-aisle access (in most modern Business cabins) and decent dining and lounge facilities (albeit a level below First).
For me, Business is sufficient, especially given the alternatives is Sardine Class or Premium Sardine Class; sufficient enough anyway to pocket the 30-50% saving in frequent flyer points to use for other travels.
Of course, the caveat to that is exactly what happened to me when trying to book my flights to Europe earlier this year, and that is availability. If First is on offer, and no Business Class is available, I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger and fly First.
Hey, we all need to live little, right?
I would love to get your thoughts on this topic. Are you like me and are happy to fly Business when available, or are you First Class all the way?
Supplementary images courtesy respective airlines.
My partner and I are planning to travel with my 2 and a half-year-old toddler to Europe next year. Has anyone experienced to fly on a business class with a toddler? Is it worth it? Any tips?
I would recommend having a read of this guide and posting this question in our Questions section to get more responses.
If one can go for first class, then why not? I certainly would YOLO lol
I don’t have too much experience in this field but worth putting it on the record!
Got upgraded to First Class on Icelandair (from Premium Economy fare) due to no Premium Econ seats on that aircraft, flight was Frankfurt-Reykjavik about 3hrs on a 757. A pleasant surprise and excellent 2A seat & service, though food options were slim (but delicious).
Have flown QF Biz class a number of times as upgrades on points both from MEL-PER and SYD-PER routes and couldn’t fault any of them, particularly the Sydney flight I needed to sleep as I was heading to work immediately after landing, got a solid brekkie and uninterrupted sleep upto landing approach 🙂
Hi Daniel,
Brilliant couple of articles you’ve written, it was just what I needed for a good Sunday morning read 🙂
I am currently amassing and saving up Ascent points (and my fiance is saving up Gateway points) so we can get a *A RTW award redemption in F for our honeymoon, the hope being most flights would be in SQ F (suites).
None of us have status or anything, we’re just hoping a large points balance should be able to get us there.
Are we crazy and would be better of with another strategy or is what we’re doing fine?
Never made a points redemption before, we’re starting off by going all out!
Cheers mate.
Hi Steve
Thank you for your kind words and happy that you enjoyed the articles!
Star Alliance RTW tickets represent excellent value and hopefully you’ve had a chance to read the Point Hacks article on this topic found here: https://www.pointhacks.com.au/krisflyer-round-the-world-award-guide/
In regards to your question, your strategy is sound if you are looking to visit different continents during your honeymoon. The only exception to using the RTW is if you’re looking to just explore one region only, in which case it may be better to look for a point to point redemption. The linked article does go through this and will hopefully assist you further.
I’ve only really been flying in the premium cabins over the last couple of years and all of those on points redemption. I’ve had some great and some average experiences over a few different airlines.
Most flights have been in Business but a couple of great experiences in First with Qantas and Etihad (their old first, not The Apartment). Both of these were really enjoyable experiences and we loved every minute of them. We were made to feel special on both those flights, were well fed and the crew were very friendly and gave us lots of attention.
To me that’s the difference with Business. Both offer you a very comfortable experience and give you a really decent chance at getting sleep on long flights, but business is much more functional as opposed to special.
I love to fly First and happily would again, but really when it comes down to it, I like to get the most bang for my points and that saving of 30-50% of points that you mentioned means I can fly comfortably again sooner by choosing business and saving some points. So that’s why I’d always look for a Business seat initially, then First as a fallback option.
Hi Damien
I believe your distinction between Business and First is spot on. For many, especially Business travelers, it is functionality that is required, and if you can get a good night sleep, a decent seat with the ability to work if needed, and great meals and service for a reduced cost to First, then this is the optimal choice.
The exception may be with airlines that require only a small increase in points to redeem for First over Business. In those cases, I am probably happy to indulge!
I flew ADL DXB LHR in Emirates F – both were excellent and the shower on the A380 was just the icing on the cake but the 777 was fine and I do like the sliding doors.
On return I flew LHR DXB in F on QF on an A380. It was great but the Emirates hard product is just that much nicer.
From DXB to ADL in business on the 777 I wasn’t at all impressed. You don’t even get pyjamas and I don’t like the 2 3 2 configuration – much prefer the QF 2 2 2
Hi Sue
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do agree that EK A380 does edge out QF in hard product, but I always value the professional but yet still casual service offered by QF. It is quite unique, with the exception of perhaps VA.
My wife and I recently few first class London return. 3 legs Emirates and 1 leg Qantas using points. The Emirates product and service was miles ahead. Although one thing that surprised me was landing in London and Sydney (both Emirates legs) the experience getting off the plane and getting your luggage is very poor. Many first customers standing waiting for luggage to come out way after everything else and in London it was last off on an A380. That’s a lot of luggage. Then, there’s a pass to get through customs a little quicker which is good. But overall the last impression is when you land and get baggage and through the airport and they most definitely have work to do there. The check in, lounges, aircraft experience is 100%. Disembarking, luggage retrieval etc I’d put at 30%. But overall in a 24 hour experience, it was very enjoyable and would love to do it again.
Hi Steven
Thanks for your comment.
I have flown QF First from SYD-LAX and EK First from ADL-DXB-LCA-MLA (ADL-DXB being the best comparison given length of flight). I felt that the Emirates service and attention to detail was more polished, however I did think that the Qantas service was superior in some aspects, such as the Dégustation menu and the more personable and authentic service provided by Qantas staff.
The caveat is that I flew Qantas First in 2012, whereas Emirates First was 2017, however assuming that the Qantas First service has not changed materially, I think Emirates win it by a nose. Sometimes though it just comes down to the crew that you have on any particular flight.
I have done first once as a bucket list item but for me International Business is more than adequate.
Hi Neil
Thanks for your reply.
Daniel, a very interesting summation of benefits available on our airlines. I live in Darwin and I always fly Qantas, so I have to fly to Sydney or Melbourne if I’m going overseas. That of course adds a considerable cost as I fly Business Class into and out of Darwin. The last three times I have flown to Europe, I have flown once to London and twice to Paris. I do about 2 trips a year. I’m paying full fares and I have to admit I do enjoy First Class so much. It is more a comfort factor for me than a cost consideration. Emirates gives me the fabulous ability to freshen up prior to landing either in Paris or Dubai. Alternatively, flying to LHR gives me the delightful feeling of having Aussies looking after me. That’s a priceless commodity. One pays the price and enjoys the flight. No, I’m not an airline captain with discount fares. Keep up the good work. Peter.
Hi Captain Miller
Yes, traveling in First Class is definitely exclusive and does provide very personalised and attentive service. I felt like I was the only person on the plane, which does differ from Business Class in that sense.
I would have loved to have been traveling on an A380 on my Emirates flight to try out their on-board shower, but unfortunately was not. The experience was out of this world nonetheless.
Thanks for your comment and very happy that you enjoyed the article!
I’m pretty much of the same mind. I had enough points to take myself and my wife in Business from Canberra to Tehran and back, but I could only get seats on the return trip. At least on days that were anywhere near convenient.
But First was available on the way out, and so the choice was between Economy and First for not a huge difference in points.
I had the points. Easy decision.
Having said that, I generally wouldn’t pick First if I had an option. Not unless someone else was footing the bill. Business is good enough, for the space, the ability to sleep, the direct aisle access, and reasonable food and drink. Plus a shower between the legs. Of a long trip, that is.
Economy is mostly about survival, rather than enjoyment. It becomes almost bearable when one has enough flights to qualify for elite status, where there is lounge access, better seat selection, and various other perks. Being able to board before everyone else in Coach is a major benefit on a full flight.
I love First, but it’s not my first choice.
Hi Pete
I think your last line sums up my views too. But when the choice is between Economy and First only, it really is a no brainer, as long you have sufficient points.
Thanks for your comment.
Having just flown Paris return with Cathay in business,walking past the first class seats showed they didn’t offer much more room as such just leather seats,obviously I don’t know the menu difference but I couldn’t fault the business choice, you also get a lounge ,and shower at the airport, so who really needs one in the plane for me Id save the points and go again in business, but if they offered me the swap for the same cost obviously Id grab it.:-)
Hi rich
Thanks for your comment.
It really does come down to a cost/benefit analysis doesn’t it? Extra points vs the extra value/amenities/service of First Class. The answer to this equation will be different for everyone!
…and 4 years back, for comparative purposes, the same route return on the US Airways tables was 100k Economy , 120k Business and 150k first (Star Alliance). For comparison, Krisflyer (today) is 132k, 190k and 256k respectively (thats from Perth). So the increments from each class to the next have changed a fair bit.
Hi reg57
You make an interesting point, as some airlines do charge just a fraction more for First than Business, which materially changes the cost/benefit equation to that of Qantas for example, where the difference between Y/J/F pricing is the same.
I suspect that the latter pricing may become the trend in the future with the decline in the number of F seats being installed in new aircraft.
In my experience, the difference in points (old US Airways tables) made First only 30k points more than Business on a South Pacific – European return (25% more points). If First was available and more convenient for timing and routing then we would use it. Now The difference in points is greater via SIA and Oneworld members – Business is just fine. In terms of the difference in levels of hard and soft product, on the long sectors if First is available (depending on carriers), we would take it. Just comparint QR First and Business though, the difference between the two would see me select Business, which is excellent.