Is First Class Worth It? A Flyer's Guide - NerdWallet (2024)

We’ve all seen those happy flyers sitting up in the front, enjoying a hot towel and a glass of champagne while we trudge back to seat 42B. Comfort, relaxation and luxury — there’s no denying that first class will get you where you want to be in style, but is first class worth it?

Here's a look at the differences between economy and first class, domestic versus international first class and other options you may want to consider before your next flight.

The differences between economy and first class

The most obvious difference between economy and first class is the price. Generally, first class is more expensive than economy class, though the actual difference in price depends on the route, when you purchase the ticket and how many seats are available.

Economy class seats are fairly standard, while you can experience a variety of seats in first class. These may be similar to reclining leather chairs but can also move to lie down to a fully flat bed.

First class passengers can also expect different food when flying, complimentary alcohol and more attentive service.

On the ground, first class tickets can come with:

In short, first class tickets provide a wealth of benefits for the additional cost, but you’ll want to be sure you’ll take advantage of the extra perks.

Domestic vs. international first class

There are also huge differences between domestic versus international first class, both on the ground and when flying. If you buy a ticket from San Francisco to Miami thinking you’ll get a lie-flat seat, you'll be disappointed to find that you’ll be spending five hours in a chair that simply reclines.

International first class products, on the other hand, are some of the most luxurious in the world. On some carriers, this means enjoying a shower mid-flight. On others, you’ll have an entire cabin to yourself, featuring a chair and your own separate bed. You can also expect amenities such as a chauffeur service and high-end airport lounge access.

Meanwhile, there are far fewer domestic first class features. Lounge access, for example, isn't always included except in some specific situations (such as flying a premium transcontinental route).

Seating is also usually fairly limited. Although some domestic first class routes will have seats that lie flat, for the most part, you can expect a leather lounger-type chair. Most of the time, you’ll receive a complimentary full meal with alcohol available as well.

You’ll also receive other benefits, such as a separate check-in line and additional free checked baggage.

First class, business class or premium economy?

You aren’t limited to just economy or first class when flying. The options you’ll find vary depending on the airline and where you’re going, but you may also want to consider business class or premium economy.

On long-haul international flights, business class is often a great alternative to first class — and they tend to be pretty similar. You’ll find a seat that converts into a bed, and some business class offerings include doors that turn your seat into a suite. You can also expect high-end food, complimentary alcohol and amenities such as pajamas and mattress pads.

Premium economy, meanwhile, functions similarly to domestic first class on long-haul international flights. It's a step up from standard economy and can feature different food, better alcohol and amenity kits. Premium economy seats tend to be similar to domestic first class seats. They’re larger than a regular economy seat and have a decent amount of recline but don’t lie down.

Is first class worth it?

The short answer to this question is that you’ll need to decide if it’s worth it based on your personal situation. First class can be a lot more costly than economy class, especially on international flights.

In a search, we found an American Airlines economy class ticket from Los Angeles to Paris for $1,180.

Eleven hours is a long time to sit upright in a cramped economy seat, but flying that same route in first class was almost sixteen times the price, coming in at $18,606.

For that rate, you’ll be able to experience Air France’s spectacular La Premiere product. But is it worth paying for the upgrade? It depends on how much you want the upgraded seat and experience, and whether you may be able to make a first class trip more affordable by booking with points or miles.

Using miles to fly first class

If you want to fly in first class, you may want to consider redeeming miles rather than spending cash. Frequent flyer miles can help offset the costs and redemption rates can also be good.

For example, when we last checked, a first class flight from Houston to Frankfurt in Lufthansa’s first class came in at $12,707.

Instead of paying more than $12,000 for the flight, you can instead choose to redeem miles. That same flight will cost 87,000 Lifemiles and around $22 in taxes and fees.

Here are some cards to consider:

So, is flying first class worth it?

Flying first class can be an amazing experience, especially if you’re traveling internationally. Along with premium treatment in the airport, you can expect better seats, better food and better service onboard.

However, first class tickets can also be expensive. If you’re looking to save money, consider instead using points and miles to pay for first class flights, allowing you to enjoy some bubbles with cash in your pocket.