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There are three classes of travel on larger aircraft. These are economy, business class, and first class. Everyone is familiar with economy class. Most people would rather travel in first class if they could. Business class is the most misunderstood designation of airplane travel to this day. The three airline classes are compared and contrasted in the following paragraphs.


Economy Class

Traveling economy is of course the way that most airline passengers travel. This is by necessity not choice, since there are no frills to the majority of airlines' economy class sections. The downsides are many, with small seats that provide little to no leg room. Many airlines do not offer in flight meal service to economy class passengers anymore either. Increasingly, they also charge to check even a single bag for those flying economy. The biggest upside to economy is the obvious and only one; it is far cheaper to travel in economy class than in business or first class.


Business Class

Business class is typically confused with first class, but it is not the same. It was created to offer productivity for business executives expected to undergo a tiring flight before attending or holding important meetings, possibly as soon as exiting the plane. To this effect, business class seats prove to be larger and a little roomier than economy class. The passengers receive an in flight meal, and a few other amenities. The main upside that business class offers over first class is a more reasonably priced ticket. Many of the services that first class passengers enjoy, business class passengers similarly are allowed to enjoy. This includes the use of special airport lounges both before and after takeoff. Private bathrooms are set aside for both classes of travelers as well. The goals between the two classes are still vastly different though, even though these they share many features. Business class is still geared towards productivity and comfort. Spaces for laptops are included, and business class passengers are allowed to leave the plane and board ahead of economy passengers. Because of the time that is saved for their executives, a great number of businesses are willing to pay the extra cost to fly their people on business class. Business class seats are becoming more and more common on the majority of airlines, and often at the expense of first class seats. The downside to business class is that it still does not offer the amazing luxury of first class, and yet the business class seats cost considerably more than do economy class seats.


First Class

First class was always intended to be, and still is, the pinnacle of comfort aboard an airline. First class is geared toward both luxury and opulence. Besides having all of the amenities that business class has, including access to airlines lounges, private bathrooms, and in flight extras, first class takes its services an extra mile. Passengers privileged enough to fly in this service receive the largest and most comfortable seats. Legroom is not even an issue for them, as most airlines' first class seats convert into full beds. Alcoholic beverages are complimentary, and meals are of the highest quality. These are commonly served with menus, choices, and multiple courses. Hot towels are offered to all travelers before and after meals, along with after dinner drinks. Their meals come served on china and in crystal ware, with real silver ware for utensils. Every aspect of the service is expected to be offered in a luxuriant form. First class passengers also board the plane first and are allowed to leave it first. Fewer and fewer first class seats are available on most airlines' planes' nowadays. They are mostly being replaced by business class sections. The obvious downside to first class is the price of the ticket. These commonly run in the thousands of dollars versus economy seats that may be only in the hundreds.


It may seem a strange and surprising thing that a lower class of service such as business class could eclipse a higher level one like First Class. Yet this is what is happening. Business class is moving closer and closer to first class with every passing day. As its amenities approach the level of first class service, it sections continue to encroach on first class space. It is true that many airlines no longer even offer all three classes of service on many of their airplanes, particularly on the smaller ones.