# Business Class vs. First Class **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 1, 2005, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-class-vs-first-class/282526 "2005-01-01T04:19:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ummm.yeahh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ummm.yeahh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ummm.yeahh)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-class-vs-first-class/282526/1 "2005-01-01T04:19:57Z")
What are the differences between Business Class and First Class? I am thinking of travelling to Japan and want to know what I’ll get for each. Thanks!!! ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-class-vs-first-class/282526/2 "2005-01-01T04:34:20Z")
On some airlines, the main difference is the seat and how far down it folds. First class seats on International flights are now usually fold flat sleepers. Sometimes the Business Class seats don’t get down that far. You’ll usually have a better ratio of flight attendants to passengers the higher you go up in classes, and the more options for booze and food. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-class-vs-first-class/282526/3 "2005-01-01T05:26:11Z")
There are some previous discussions on this question [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=261326&highlight=qantas) ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-class-vs-first-class/282526/4 "2005-01-01T08:28:25Z")
I’ve flown both business class and coach to Japan, but not first class. The main differences are: seating space, seating amenities, attendant-to-passenger ratio, and quality of food and drink. In business class, I could stretch my legs all the way out and still not touch the seat in front of me. The seat could be adjusted in multiple ways and reclined about 60 degrees from vertical. Also, they have a fold-out entertainment system with games, videos, GPS map, etc. The food is good and you get free drinks. I found business class more than adequate; I can’t understand what could possibly justify the additional cost of first class. The only reason I could see would be if you absolutely had to sleep on the flight, and you are incapable of sleeping in a very comfortable chair. Other than that, it would be a needless extravagance in my opinion. One last word - don’t fly coach to Japan if you can get business class! Riding coach to Japan is 14 hours of hell. ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-class-vs-first-class/282526/5 "2005-01-01T10:12:57Z")
> [@NattoGuy](#): > > One last word - don’t fly coach to Japan if you can get business class! Riding coach to Japan is 14 hours of hell. As someone who flew coach from Atlanta to Cairns, Australia back in 1989 allow me to second this. Of course back then you could smoke on planes, which to me was far better than spending 24+ hours in first class today, but your opinion on this will, of course, vary. ---
**Author:** ![ummm.yeahh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ummm.yeahh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ummm.yeahh)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-class-vs-first-class/282526/6 "2005-01-01T20:16:56Z")
> [@NattoGuy](#): > > I’ve flown both business class and coach to Japan, but not first class. The main differences are: seating space, seating amenities, attendant-to-passenger ratio, and quality of food and drink. > > In business class, I could stretch my legs all the way out and still not touch the seat in front of me. The seat could be adjusted in multiple ways and reclined about 60 degrees from vertical. Also, they have a fold-out entertainment system with games, videos, GPS map, etc. The food is good and you get free drinks. > > I found business class more than adequate; I can’t understand what could possibly justify the additional cost of first class. The only reason I could see would be if you absolutely had to sleep on the flight, and you are incapable of sleeping in a very comfortable chair. Other than that, it would be a needless extravagance in my opinion. > > One last word - don’t fly coach to Japan if you can get business class! Riding coach to Japan is 14 hours of hell. Thanks everyone for the great info so far. A few years ago I flew roundtrip from the US to Amsterdam (via coach) and then 24 hours later flew direct to Tokyo (also via coach). I was miserable. As a person over 6 feet in stature with long legs I truly thought the blood in my legs were going to clot. It sucked and I have no desire to do that again. I think I’ll save for business.