A handful of lucky travelers do not have to search for cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages. When money is no object, traveling First or Business Class is the way to go.
Airlines on international flights are offering private suites to First Class passengers, three star meals, and personal service previously only available on corporate jets. Massages are provided prior to departure, passengers quickly pass through special customs lanes, and often they are driven via private limousines directly to the plane. One airline has installed showers onboard.
Amenities in coach are best described as sparse. Economy passengers are packed in cramped cabins, paying for food that tends to be bland and paying extra for a little more legroom or checked bags.
Airlines are aggressively competing to attract the super wealthy to fly on their international flights. Business Class seats are growing in importance with airlines offering service once exclusively reserved for First Class.
Sales of First and Business Class tickets represent a disproportionate amount of airlines international revenue. Together such premium seats account for less than 20 percent of all seats yet are responsible for 40 to 50 percent of airlines international revenue.
Business Class tickets tend to be priced five to 10 times more than the average economy ticket, with First Class tickets usually priced double that of Business Class.
Business Class has become so comfortable that in many instances it rivals First Class. Some airlines have decided that the demand for First Class is too small to justify the investment.
United Airlines decided after its merger last year to retain First Class cabins on only some of its international routes, but not on those flown by Continental. It is in the process of installing new flat bed seats in Business Class on all planes flying international routes.
Delta Air Lines and Qatar Airways do not offer First Class, rather just Business Class and economy. Other airlines have been cutting back the number of First Class seats.
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