Classes of Service on an Airplane

Yes, everyone flies on the same plane and everyone will arrive at the same time. But some will have to pay extra for luggage, some won't be offered a choice of meals, or won't be allowed on board with oversized hand luggage. Let's look into the differences in service classes and what is really worth paying extra for.

Classification of Service Levels

Classes on an airplane are divided into three main ones and one designed to confuse everyone:

• first;

• business;

• economy;

• other (intermediate) classes.

First Class

Many confuse the concepts of business and first class. This is because first class — is a rather rare phenomenon. This service level is usually found on transatlantic flights or flights longer than eight hours.

In this class, each seat is separated from the others. Seats are wider than in business class. 

What privileges does a first-class passenger receive:

• separate check-in queue;

• additional space for luggage and hand luggage;

• comfortable seat that converts into a sleeping space (and sometimes first class — is an autonomous compartment with a full-sized bed!);

• choice of hot meals and drinks from a special restaurant menu;

• priority in boarding and disembarking the aircraft;

• luxury car service to the aircraft steps;

• free flight date change or free flight cancellation;

• additional amenities — sleep mask, earplugs, hand and face cream, dental kit, socks, slippers, comb, shoehorn, pen;

• opportunity to relax in the lounge area +1 guest.

A lounge area/business lounge is a separate, enhanced comfort waiting area. You will have access to a buffet, drinks, and a bar. In some, you can take a shower and use a massage chair. All of this is included in the ticket price. How to get into a business lounge if you have an economy class ticket? You can pay for entry or use your bank's loyalty card offers. For a certain amount, they provide access to business lounges for several months or offer a one-time entry. 

First class is assigned the following letter designations:

• A — with a discount;

• F — standard;

• P — premium.

First class is good in every way, except for the cost, which can be eight — to fifteen times more than an economy ticket.

Business Class

#funfact: The first airplane with business class service flew in 1976!

As in first class, business class has its own privileges:

• separate check-in counter;

• additional space for luggage and hand luggage;

• priority boarding and disembarking; 

• comfortable seat;

There are two options — reclining up to 160° and fully flat up to 180°.

Typically, seat width ranges from 58 to 86 cm. The distance between seats is from 170 to 202 cm.

• choice of hot meals and drinks from a special restaurant menu (in case it's important: strong alcohol is usually not served on flights shorter than four hours*);

• free access to the lounge area +1 guest;

• complimentary travel kit;

• flexible conditions for flight changes and cancellations.

The definition of business class varies for each airline and directly depends on the aircraft type. Simply put, not all planes have the conditions for a true business class. For some carriers, the service in economy and business differs only in the range of onboard meals and the number of seats per row. In low-cost companies, it's generally difficult to find a real business class — it's like a win-win lottery, only in reverse.

Is it worth getting an upgrade or buying seats in advance?

If you are a member of a bonus program, you might get upgraded during boarding. This does happen, though rarely. 

Therefore, don't count on it too much. It's better to choose a comfortable seat and check the baggage allowance already at the ticket booking stage. Paying online is always more advantageous than at the check-in counter — you can save 20 – 30%.

Economy Class

This is the most popular class among passengers. The designation of the airplane ticket class is found in the special "CL" field. Airlines assign certain Latin letters to economy class, the meaning of which may vary depending on the airline.

Most common booking classes (not to be confused with service classes):

• S, Y — standard economy;

• L, K — discounted economy;

• W — premium economy;

• N,Q, T, O, X — provides various types of discounts.

Inside the airplane, a passenger will most often not notice the difference between booking classes, but these designations are important when accumulating bonus miles.

Economy class conditions:

• seats from 43 to 46 cm, distance between rows — 70-90 cm;

• maximum carry-on weight — 10 kg;

• maximum checked baggage weight — 23 kg;

• seat back reclines, but not on all planes – the last rows are usually deprived of this privilege;

• blankets are not available on all flights — they are provided upon request;

• some airlines provide special children's boxes and flight kits on long-haul flights — slippers/socks, earplugs, sleep mask, hand cream;

• if an audio system is available, disposable headphones are provided;

• many airlines have replaced hot meals with sandwiches, but some still offer a meal choice option when booking a ticket;

• sometimes paid Wi-Fi is available.

Other Classes on an Airplane

Other or intermediate classes could have significantly eased passengers' lives, but the inconsistency between airlines and identical services under different names only complicated the ticket purchasing process. 

Most common passenger classes on an airplane:

• Light

The cheapest way to get yourself and your small backpack from point A to point B. Essentially, this is most low-cost carriers.

• Promo

Tickets purchased through an airline's promotional offer are much cheaper than the market price but come with a number of restrictions on usage periods and exchange conditions.

• Comfort, also called premium economy

This is no longer Economy, but not yet Business: 

• wider seats — up to 49 cm and distance between them about 96 cm;

• travel kits;

• priority in meal service;

• pillows and blankets;

• sometimes free Wi-Fi and newspapers.

Do you want checkers or to go? — people who haven't flown longer than four hours straight often ask. Of course, there are different distances and different goals, but sometimes a terrible flight will cost you your entire next day of vacation or a day of productive work. Choose carefully, don't spare money on yourself, and may your journey be easy and pleasant.

*excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health!