Treat Yourself to First Class

Katie Burke

Domestic airlines are lowering fares for first class, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal, making an escape from coach a possibility for more travelers.  Airlines Reporting Corp. found that price differences between first class and coach dropped from about $805 to $577 between April 2012 and April 2015.  While it is still a considerable expense for the average student traveler to upgrade, if this trend continues, you may be able to treat yourself to a first class seat on your next trip.  Here are some of the different amenities you could be enjoying, by airline. 

Delta 

Delta boasts spacious seating, quality food and drink, and in-flight entertainment for its first class experience.  The seats are large and provide ample legroom, and with priority boarding and check-in, you can board and exit the plane relatively quickly.  Delta’s first class also offers “savory and healthy snacks,” as well as meals on medium and longer flights.  Complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, and Starbucks coffee are also provided.  The first class cabin is equipped with outlets and earbuds, so you can stay occupied no matter how long the flight.

jetBlue

Instead of first class, jetBlue provides “Even More Space” seats, which give you more space to spread out, as well as priority boarding and access to overhead bins.  At select airports, these seats come with “Even More Speed” for a quicker trip through security.

US Airways 

Like other first class programs, US Airways gives its premium customers more seating space, priority check-in and baggage space.  What sets it apart, however, is its culinary provisions.  Flights less than two hours are catered with light snacks, such as a “fig bar, cookies or pretzels,” while two to two-and-a-half hour flights provide “warmed mix nuts and a plated snack.”  If your flight is slightly longer — two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half hours — a three-course meal and dessert is served, and flights any longer than three-and-a-half hours come complete with a paired appetizer and entrée.  To wash it all down, beer and cocktails are provided, as well as Two Tone Farm Merlot, from California, and Labrune Chardonnay Vin de France.

American Airlines

First class on domestic flights on American Airlines comes with your own duvet along with the standard extra legroom.  Outlets and an adjustable headrest ensure that your head will stay happy throughout the flight as well.  For international flights, you can electronically recline your seat into a roomy sleeping area, with complimentary Bose noise-canceling headphones.

An aspiring journalist, Katie enjoys learning about the world firsthand through travel. Her main area of interest is Spain and Spanish culture, however, she is open to going anywhere and everywhere she has the chance. To Katie, the most important part of the travel experience is documenting it.

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