- Home
- slideshows
- miscellaneous
- 8 reasons why first-class airfare is so expensive
8 reasons why first-class airfare is so expensive
First class offers coveted perks and pampering.
![8 reasons why first-class airfare is so expensive](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-64358630%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-980451%2Ffirst-class-offers-coveted-perks-and-pampering-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
First class provides exclusive access in the airport.
![First class provides exclusive access in the airport.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64358629,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1313321/first-class-provides-exclusive-access-in-the-airport-.jpg)
Special treatment isn't confined to the airplane, though.
First-class passengers also have special access to first-class airport lounges before and after flights, where they can grab a drink pre-flight or take a shower upon arrival. Some lounges even offer free mani-pedis.
As if that's not enough, some airlines even shuttle passengers to their connecting flight in a Porsche or Mercedes.
First class banks on passengers' willingness to pay.
![First class banks on passengers](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64358628,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1091845/first-class-banks-on-passengers-willingness-to-pay-.jpg)
"At a certain level of wealth, price doesn't make much difference," writes one Quora user who has flown in first class.
"Because I only travel like that a few times per year, and because $2,000 and $8,000 are both so close to zero as to be effectively the same, I choose to travel in first," wrote the Quora user. "It changes the trip from something to dread into something to look forward to. I earn around $20,000 per week, so ya gotta put it in perspective."
As travel blogger Ben Schlappig writes in his blog, One Mile At a Time, "The cost of airfare is incredibly dynamic and is all about what consumers are willing to pay, rather than how much they should pay to cover their 'fair share.'"
Some are willing to pay a premium for the convenience of first class. A family with a toddler or a businessman who can get work done on the plane and land ready for a meeting are both better off leaving the plane refreshed and less stressed with minimal jet lag.
First-class prices allow airlines to discount tickets and offer promotions.
![First-class prices allow airlines to discount tickets and offer promotions.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64358627,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1249101/first-class-prices-allow-airlines-to-discount-tickets-and-offer-promotions-.jpg)
A major airline executive told Schlappig that airlines don't expect anyone to pay full fare for first class; the fare is purposely set high so it can be discounted.
"Corporate contracts and incentives are at the heart of high first-class pricing," writes Schlappig. "Some companies have big contracts that get them upgrades or discounted first-class fares, and that can still be very lucrative for airlines."
But more airlines are beginning to extend the discounts beyond the corporate setting, he added. Swiss and Air France recently offered discounts to passengers willing to pay for first class if the deal is reasonable enough. The latter offered a round-trip first-class flight between London and Hong Kong via Paris for $4,600 — much lower than $20,000 first-class fares elsewhere.
Some airlines also have promotions that offer free upgrades to first class when paying for a full- fare business-class ticket.
People aren't actually paying for first class.
![People aren](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64358623,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1012812/people-arent-actually-paying-for-first-class-.jpg)
Because larger companies have contracts or negotiated fares for first-class employee travel, many people aren't paying for their tickets, whether they're an employee or being sponsored.
"At my last job, VPs and above were authorized to fly first class on international routes," writes a United million mile flyer who used frequent flier miles to buy a first-class ticket to Melbourne, Australia — yet another way people don't actually pay for first class.
"I can't speak on behalf of all airlines, but I’ve had a few friends at some airlines show me numbers, and you'd be surprised by how few people are actually booked on full-fare tickets (or maybe you wouldn't be surprised)," writes Schlappig. "So those $25,000 tickets? Very, very few people are actually paying those kinds of fares."
First class is perceived as a luxury good.
![First class is perceived as a luxury good.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64358621,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1232784/first-class-is-perceived-as-a-luxury-good-.jpg)
First class creates a sense of exclusivity and high prices are necessary to maintain luxurious standards.
"When someone does sit in first class, they feel like they're getting outsized value, whether in the form of an upgrade, award, or discounted first-class ticket," writes Schlappig.
Other associated costs have increased for first class.
![Other associated costs have increased for first class.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64358620,width-700,height-525,imgsize-597865/other-associated-costs-have-increased-for-first-class-.jpg)
Ticket prices today for both first class and economy are higher than they were 20 years ago because other associated costs have increased.
In 1996, airline fuel cost 55 cents per gallon. As of April 2018, it cost $2.02 per gallon.
"Airlines can't absorb all of that increase, so they pass some of that on to the consumer, leading to higher fares," writes travel blogger Nomadic Matt, who added that airline taxes and security fees have also increased, hiking up the base fare.
First class takes up a lot of real estate.
![First class takes up a lot of real estate.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64358618,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1222714/first-class-takes-up-a-lot-of-real-estate-.jpg)
Seats are up to 32 inches wide with a max pitch of 92 inches in first class, according to travel site Momondo. This helps give the passenger more privacy and comfort.
As one Quora user explains: On long-haul planes, a first-class seat takes up as much real estate as four to six economy seats, so it should be sold at least four to six times the price or more, considering the competition for economy. The perks are there to help justify the price difference to the customer.
And that's not to mention first-class suites — yes, they exist.
Etihad's A380 has the option of three different first-class suites, including a three-room suite with a living room, double-bed bedroom, and private bathroom with a shower. It's all yours for a $32,000 one-way ticket between New York and Abu Dhabi, reports Momondo.
The location of first class is also the most convenient for boarding and deplaning.
Popular Right Now
Advertisement