First class travel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
First Class travel is the highest quality travel class available that is offered by passenger airlines, railways and shipping companies that is usually much more expensive than the economy class, and usually offers higher ammenities. In addition to numerous services, first class travel also offers smaller cabins, allowing usually only eight-twelve people in the first class cabin, while economy class seats well over three hundred.
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[edit] Aircraft
The First Class section of a fixed-wing passenger aircraft is typically located in the very front of the aircraft (and is sometimes located on the upper deck of aircraft with two decks (for example the Boeing 747 or the Airbus A380). Access to the Business and First Class portions of the plane is usually restricted to those travelling in Economy Class by curtains, although for security reasons, airlines are increasingly removing these cabin dividers. This is due to the events of September 11, 2001 where all of the hijackers of the four planes were seated in First Class and there were many passengers in the main cabin who had no clue they were being hijacked until it was too late.
[edit] Seats
For many, the largest advantage of traveling in First Class is the difference in the seat, compared to Economy Class. The seats are always larger than Economy Class, Premium Economy (longhaul) and Business Class (longhaul) seats and have substantially more legroom and seat width. First Class seats typically have between 50 and 80 additional inches of seat pitch (legroom) compared to International Economy Class. International First Class seats often have up to an additional 4 inches of seat width compared to International Economy Class. First class travel also allows the option of a private suite depending on the airline.
There are four different types of First Class seats. The type of seat will depend on the airline you are flying with and the plane you are flying on. There are Standard Seats that do not recline very far, but still offer a lot of legroom, ample space and are very comfortable. Lie Flat Seats are often advertised as having 180 degrees (or nearly 180 degrees) of recline. However, they are often not like beds at all - they are often at an angle to the ground, making it harder to sleep. These seats are, however, very comfortable to work and relax in, so they are favored by many passengers on medium haul international flights. Another category is Flat Bed Seats which convert to 180 degree beds, often with real linen sheets. These seats are highly praised for being comfortable as both seats and beds, introduced in 1996 by British Airways and seat manufacturer Contour Premium Aircraft Seating . Currently only offered by Emirates and Etihad on some of their aircraft, the "mini-suite" is a bed, workstation and TV encased in dividers.
[edit] Additional Benefits
Most First Class passengers have special check-in zones at the airport (for example, fast-track security or a dedicated First Class check in centre for premium passengers) and are able to board the aircraft before other passengers. If a First Class passenger arrives at the gate after the Business Class and Economy Class passengers have begun boarding, he or she has the right to cut politely into line. Furthermore, on three or four class international and some premium North American (domestic) flights operated by larger planes (such as the Boeing 747), First Class passengers typically have their own separate jetbridge (or airbridge) to board the aircraft from the gate door to the aircraft door. European passengers used to Business Class on European flghts will find North American First Class to be the equivalent of European Business Class, although there is a substantial difference in seat design between North American (domestic) First Class and international First Class.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are free and usually served in lead-crystal glassware immediately on boarding the aircraft instead of half an hour after takeoff. Gourmet meals are usually served with a choice of wine, dessert, and aperitifs. Often these meals have been designed by leading chefs and are served on white linen table cloths and with real (instead of plastic) cutlery and china.
First Class passengers usually have at least one lavatory reserved for their exclusive use, with more than one on larger planes. Business and Economy Class passengers are not normally permitted into the First Class cabin. Normally AVOD (AudioVisual On Demand) entertainment is offered, although sometimes normal films, television programmes and interactive games are provided on medium-large seatback or armrest-mounted flat panel monitors.
Some airlines also offer special complimentary limousine services for first class passengers on the ground.
Historically, First Class air travel has been very expensive. More recently, passengers have been able to upgrade their Economy Class tickets through membership in elite frequent flyer programs and through the policies of some airlines that allow Economy Class passengers to purchase upgrades on an as-available basis. Many airlines, however, require that non-elite passengers purchase costly full-fare Economy Class tickets in order to have the opportunity to upgrade for 'free'. First Class longhaul fares regularly exceed $4000 per person one way on top of the basic Economy Class price.
Very few airlines offer only-first class planes, some of the most notable being the Concordes that were used by British Airways and Air France. While the seats were similar in size and pitch to Premium Economy, the speed and quality of the service justified its price tag, and British Airways even classified "Concorde" as a completely separate class; higher than First Class on their other routes.
[edit] Railways
[edit] Japan
The term "First Class" was abolished on Japanese National Railways in May 1969, and was replaced by "Green Cars". Green Cars are identifiable by the green four-leaf clover logo at the doorways.
In recent years, there has been a gradual trend to restore Green Cars to longer-distance commuter lines in the Tokyo area, complete with female "Green Attendants" who provide an at-seat refreshment service as well as checking tickets.
[edit] Spain
First Class travel is not available on short distance trains in Spain such as the Regionales or Cercanias services, but on long and medium distance trains such as the Altaria or Euromed services "Preferente" class, comparable to British First Class is available. This includes complimentary food and drinks (typically a welcome aboard drink, including champagne, and drinks with the meal) as well as larger seats.
A further service is available on the high speed AVE network. A club class or preferente ticket allows access to lounges at certain stations. And on-board club class service includes a large leather seat, power supply, A La Carte food and unlimited complimentary bar service at your seat.
It is worth pointing out that on all Spanish "Grandes Lineas" (long haul) and Media Distancia (medium haul) trains, video and music is available and accessed through complimentary headphones. One further fact that deserves attention is the cost of first class travel. Prices are set in stone (there are no saver fares and all tickets are open), the price of a "preferente" ticket is normally only €20 more than economy, and club class on the AVE is normally only €20 more than club - significantly cheaper than most first class fares in Britain.
[edit] UK
The existence and nature of different classes of passenger service on British trains has varied over time and continues to evolve. Currently, most longer-distance services offer First Class and Standard Class service, while most local and suburban services are single class - as are urban transit services such as the London Underground (Although staff may well refuse to sell them, it is possible to buy first class tickets from ticket offices at London Underground stations, for use on lines such as the West Coast Main Line which serves LU stations). First Class service offers access to dedicated First Class sections of the train, nearly always featuring fewer but larger, and - at least ostensibly - more comfortable seats, in a generally more spacious arrangement that provides more personal space, often a table and upgraded decor / carpeting, and in some cases additional amenities (such as power outlets for mobile phones or PCs).
In addition to the dedicated seating, the current First Class rail experience may include access to a lounge (at major departure and/or arrival stations) and additional on-board services, such as food and/or drinks service, complimentary newspapers, etc. Such on-board services vary widely; they can be distributed by train operating company, by route, by day of week (weekday or weekend), and by time of day. The most complete First Class experience is offered by long-distance train operators, such as First Great Western, GNER, and Virgin Trains, especially on weekday morning and evening trains on high-volume routes, where it is apparently targeted by the train operators at "business travellers".
First Class service is offered on overnight sleeper trains between London and Scotland (refer to Caledonian Sleeper).
Eurostar international trains between Great Britain and continental Europe offer two distinct first class services, which they call Business Premier and Leisure Select respectively, in addition to Standard Class. The comfort and on-board services are basically the same; the difference is a greater flexibility and a shorter check-in time for the Business Premier service. This can be considered a typical example of target group marketing.
[edit] USA
First Class travel on mid and long distance trains includes more than just sleeping and meal accommodations. First class passengers have access to exclusive Club Acela and Metropolitan Lounge waiting rooms in many cities and high traffic stations. As with first class aircraft travellers, first class rail travellers board first and can politely cut in line if they arrive late. Once on the train first class passengers with sleeping accommodations are escorted to their private rooms. Typically, a newspaper and bottled water is waiting for them. On Superliner trains sleeping accommodations include Roomettes, Bedrooms, Bedroom Suites, Family Bedrooms, and Accessible Bedrooms. On Viewliner trains sleeping accommodations include Roomettes, Bedrooms, Bedroom Suites, and Accessible Bedrooms. Many rooms include a shower and toilet, for other rooms a toilet and/or shower is located nearby.
First class travel includes all meals, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, daily newspapers and many hotel-like amenities. During the day rooms have large comfortable reclining seating. At night, seats are converted into berths (beds) by train staff. Other personal services and hotel-like amenities included for all sleeper car passengers are turn-down service, complimentary coffee & tea, electrical outlets in rooms, fresh linens, fresh towels, climate control and make-up bed. All sleeper cars are closed to all but ticketed first class passengers and staff.
[edit] Cruise Ships & Liners
Some benefits of First Class on modern cruise ships include larger cabins, priority check-in, priority embarkation and disembarkation, priority meal-sitting selection, and on premium lines, butler service. However, higher accommodation passengers are served the same food and receive the service as other passengers in the dining room and throughout the cruise ship, with Cunard Line being the only modern exception.
