airplane information....please!?

Question

i'm not a savy traveler. what's the difference in coach, business and first class. i see business and first class is about the same price...what's the difference in service. i'm trying to fly out of Indiana to SLC in a couple of weeks.

Answer 1

Economy class: Basic service. Tiny, cramped seats, minimum legroom, a bag of peanuts or a muffin ( a sandwich if you are lucky!) and beverages. Some airlines have PTV's on Economy, but in general they have the overhead TV's.A number of airlines including Virgin Atlantic, KLM, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, and United Airlines also offer premium economy class. This separate section of the coach cabin generally provides more legroom by removing a few rows of seats and sometimes offers better services. Premium economy is often provided as a free upgrade to elite frequent flyer program members and passengers flying full-fare economy, but some airlines also allow non-elite customers to pay an additional fee for a confirmed reservation in the premium section.

Business Class:
The level of accommodation in business class is higher than economy class but lower than first class. Business class passengers have a lavatory reserved for their exclusive use. Business class quality, service, and comfort is continually on the rise at many airlines.Short/Medium haul business class seats in many parts of the world are not much different from economy class seats and on some airlines may be exactly the same seats with just a curtain to separate business class from economy class.

First 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 passengers have special check-in (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.
First Class passengers receive the most lavish amenities available, which can even include private suites and cubicles. Recently, many airlines have even begun to introduce full-flat beds in Business Class, especially those airlines who do not operate a First Class service (such as Virgin Atlantic).


This are First Class menus ( domestic USA flights):
*****************************************************
American Airlines:
Route: DFW - MIA, 12 May 2006
Ticket price: $440
Flight duration: 2h 10m
Class: first
Aircraft: 757-200 - N657AM
Meal: Snack - Mixed Nuts to Start (Seconds thanks to my seat mate not wanting his).
A choice of a turkey croissant or Pasta salad with chicken. The salad had bowtie pasta with chicken, capers, tomatoes, onions and a small lettuce and mozzerella cheese salad on the side which had vinegrette for it. The usual sides of Carrs crackers, Cheddar Cheese and Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies were present.
Drink: Dr. Pepper and Red Wine (What a combo!)
Comments: This is one of the better cold meals American has. It's quite tasty and filling and they don't skimp on the chicken. For a short flight that left at 3 PM, this was a satisfying meal.
Rating 1-10 (worst-best): 7.5


******************************************************
Delta Airlines:
Route: Boston - Atlanta, 29 May 2006
Ticket price: $405 (Upgrade was free)
Flight duration: 2h 10m
Class: first
Aircraft: Boeing 757
Meal: Breakfast "snack" - Bagel, Kellog's cerial, Upstate Farm's Rasberry Yogert, and fresh fruit
Drink: Water
Comments: I'll have to say, it was one of the best flights with Delta i've ever had. The food service was great along with the friendly crew which made the flight even more enjoyable. Delta Rocks!
Rating 1-10 (worst-best): 10
*********************************************************
Northwest Airlines:
Route: Detroit - Orlando, 6 Mar 2006
Ticket price: $171 (MCO-IND-MCO) + Elite Upgrade
Flight duration: 1h 50m
Class: first
Aircraft: 757-200
Meal: Dinner - Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Dressing
Warm bread
Beef Caserole
Dancing Deer Sugar Cookie
Drink: Pepsi
Comments: I expect a bit better from NW. The casserole was better than it looked, but it was certainly not the quality I have come to expect from NW on their dinner flights. The cookie was the highlight of the meal. Though we still have warm bread withe the meal, so they get point for not cutting that.
Rating 1-10 (worst-best): 6.5

For airline meals :http://www.airlinemeals.net/
For passengers reviews and information: http://www.airlinequality.com/
For seat charts and information :http://www.seatguru.com/

Answer 2

they have pretty much got rid of first class except for international flights the main diffrence though is the food (first class you get champaigne caviar and lobster) business class is pretty much the same as that except you dont get the food but instead you get your own lounge while you wait in the airport then you board first. they always board first and business at the same time. your seats are the same size. pretty much in a nutshell business is first class but yuppies dont like to be called business class since everyone likes to associate first class with "rich" if they just said business class then those yuppies that i speak of wouldnt be able glote around the airport while the boarded because just like you asking this question knowone knows exactly what business class is. NOW YOU DO.
if i were you and your company wasnt paying for the trip (this coming out of your own pocket) i would save your money and just buy coach. with all the money you save you can get wasted on the plane and once your drunk you dont know the diffrence from business or coach. with that 7 or 8 grand you can fly to vegas and have some real fun

Answer 3

Give Frontier Airlines a try from Indianopolis or Chicago's Midway to SLC via Denver. www.frontierairlines.com

All one class seating, new aircraft, Direct TV, great crews and affordable fares.

Best wishes!

Answer 4

Save yourself the money and go coach, that can't be a very long flight. The difference is money and probably not much else. Can the airline and ask or go to their website.

Answer 5

If you can get first class for the same as business, go for it. Business is good, first is first.

Answer 6

Coach....no frills....coke and peanuts, small seats depending on the plane

1st/Business Class is wider seats, drinks in glasses (don't pay for alcohol it's "free")