What consumers expect in business varies greatly around the globe, especially for short haul and regional flights. You’ll probably find the world’s best regional business class products in Asia (including the Middle East), where you’ll often receive lounge access, flat beds, delicious food, and attentive service.
Meanwhile in the United States and Europe, it’s a totally different story. I’m always intrigued by how OMAAT readers have different takes on which region has the worse business class, so I thought it would be fun to discuss that in this post.
In this post:
Comparing two unpopular business class experiences
All else being equal, would you rather fly business class on a regional flight in the United States, or business class on a regional flight in Europe? Now, personally I have a strong preference, but I also recognize other people have equally strong preferences in the other direction (let me note that in both regions there are outliers, so my analysis is based on the “average” flight in each region).
Regional business class in Europe
Regional business class in Europe typically consists of an economy seat with a blocked middle. For planes with just pairs of seats, some airlines give you both an aisle and a window, while others do no seat blocking. The size of the cabin can be changed with each flight based on demand, as the curtain is simply moved back and forth based on how many people book the cabin.
Suffice it to say that booking business class and getting an economy seat is quite underwhelming, especially given how little legroom there is on most flights within Europe. Some airlines offer Wi-Fi and power ports on these flights, while other airlines don’t, but there’s not much consistency there.
There are some advantages to intra-Europe business class, though:
- The food and drink selection is generally quite good, better than you’d find in the United States; even on a very short flight, you’ll be served something substantial and/or fresh
- You get lounge access on intra-Europe flights when traveling in business class, which generally isn’t offered on flights within the United States
- Business class often isn’t full on flights within Europe (since there typically aren’t complimentary upgrades), so you’ll sometimes find that you get a whole row to yourself, especially if you strategically choose seats
Regional business class in United States
Typically the forward cabin on domestic flights in the United States is marketed as first class rather than business class, which tends to cause some confusion among foreign travelers. In the United States, the forward cabin has different seats, and therefore the size of the cabin is the same on each flight.
Domestic first class seats are probably most similar to international premium economy seats. You can expect that they’ll have considerably more width (as they’re usually in a 2-2 configuration rather than a 3-3 configuration), and also feature substantially more legroom. However, aside from some premium markets, don’t expect that you’ll get a flat bed product.
The advantage of business class within the United States is obvious, which is that there’s more space. However, there are also some downsides:
- A domestic ticket usually doesn’t offer lounge access within the United States, so unless you’re a member or otherwise have lounge access, you’ll be stuck waiting in the gate area; then again, so many frequent US travelers have credit cards offering lounge access
- The quality of food and drinks on domestic flights is typically underwhelming; on flights of under two hours, you’ll typically just be served packaged snacks at best, and on longer flights you might get a hot meal, but it’s unlikely to be great
Which business class experience is better?
There doesn’t really seem to be any consensus as to whether business class in the United States or Europe is preferred.
Some people say that business class within Europe is an embarrassment, as you’re just getting an economy seat. Meanwhile others say that business class in the United States is awful, since you don’t even get lounge access, and the food typically isn’t very good.
Where do I stand? Given the choice, I’d choose business class within the United States a vast majority of the time. To me the single most valuable commodity on a plane is personal space, and that’s an area where US airlines win.
I care a lot more about being comfortable than I care about having a decent meal, or getting lounge access. For that matter, there are lots of other methods for accessing lounges in the United States, beyond just the ticket you booked.
When traveling in domestic first class, I can typically be every bit as productive as at home. There are consistently power outlets and Wi-Fi, and I don’t have to contort my body to be able to work on my laptop.
In defense of intra-Europe business class, I still see value in the product when redeeming miles. Would I pay an extra $500 for a business class seat on an intra-Europe flight? Nope, probably not. But you can regularly book business class for an extra 5,000-10,000 points one-way, so based on my valuation, that’s often like paying the equivalent of under $100 to upgrade.
For that matter, saver award space in business class on flights within Europe is typically readily available, while it’s extremely rare to come across that on domestic flights in the United States.
To me that’s well worth it for the premium ground services, the better inflight service, and most importantly, the guaranteed blocked middle seat. When you have an empty middle seat, you can at least get relatively comfortable.
The last thing worth acknowledging is that the average segment length in Europe is typically much shorter than in the United States, and that can impact preferences. The shorter the flight, the more I see merit to business class within Europe rather than within the United States.
For example, on a 143-mile flight from Zurich to Geneva, I’m probably more willing to forgo seat comfort for the better ground experience and snack. Meanwhile on a 1,510-mile flight from London to Athens, I’d definitely miss the comfort of a bigger seat.
Bottom line
Airlines in both the United States and Europe are often criticized for their regional business class products. Some prefer business class in the United States for the better seats, while others prefer business class in Europe for the lounge access and better food and drinks.
Personally I’m more in the former camp, as I value space above all else on a plane. However, length of flight also factors into my preferences, and given the short length of many flights within Europe, seat comfort often isn’t as important of a factor.
Where do you stand — for regional flights, do you prefer business class in the United States or Europe?
The only thing that really matters is the seat, so therefore: (1) Turkish Airlines, (2) USA, (3) Rest of Europe.
I think it should be noted why you can get lounge access for European business class and why there are few upgrades available or the opposite which is why the upgrades exist within the US and why within the US the lounge access is not offered. Also, just to expand on the comments, in Europe there is a suitable alternative to flying with the legacy carriers....there are many more low cost carriers and there is...
I think it should be noted why you can get lounge access for European business class and why there are few upgrades available or the opposite which is why the upgrades exist within the US and why within the US the lounge access is not offered. Also, just to expand on the comments, in Europe there is a suitable alternative to flying with the legacy carriers....there are many more low cost carriers and there is the train. I think this is another reason why airlines in Europe have emphasized the on the ground expereince and why there is not overcrowding doing so.
Overall I prefer the experience of European business over domestic first. Better food, wine and service. The lounge access is nice but I usually find a priority pass lounge when flying coach in Europe. For a flight over four hours i prefer the increased recline and less used lav offered in domestic first despite the inferior food, service etc. However I don't feel like I have more personal space in domestic first as someone is sitting closer to me.
David from Simply Aviation made a very good video fairly defending European business class vs America domestic first class. What type is better all comes down to the value Europeans have vs Americans. Americans value the in flight experience, Europeans value the ground experience, and your reasoning does mirror David’s argument: The flights are shorter within Europe, so there’s a bigger emphasis on the ground experience and the soft product in general vs the hard...
David from Simply Aviation made a very good video fairly defending European business class vs America domestic first class. What type is better all comes down to the value Europeans have vs Americans. Americans value the in flight experience, Europeans value the ground experience, and your reasoning does mirror David’s argument: The flights are shorter within Europe, so there’s a bigger emphasis on the ground experience and the soft product in general vs the hard product.
What do people think about the GoJet CR550 that UA flies? Originally a CR700 with 70 seats with a recreated interior of 10 F Class seats, 20 Economy Plus and 20 Economy = 50 seats with a self serve snack bar and storage bins for roller boards in cabin so no need to gate check? I have still not had the chance to fly this aircraft but I reading good reviews.
Adam
Love it. Fewer F seats than an E75 but love the extra storage and it just feels nicely spacious.
Occasionally you end up with outliers for intra-Europe. Just last week, I flew LIS-FRA on TAP. It was their A321XLR with lie flat seats.
I can bring my own food on the plane. I can't bring my own space on the plane.
In addition to the meal and lounge access, business class in Europe gets a much improved ground service. Separate check-in counters with short lines, priority security at many airports and priority baggage. For those without status, these are significant improvements to the travel experience. And yes, the flight attendants manage to serve drinks and a tasty meal even on a 45 minute flight. i summary, it is usually worth the upgrade.
1. flying in the USA is a joke regardless of class.
2. Europe is a couple of steps better
3. SouthEast tops all. i.e SQ from Singapore to Danang in business you your treated as a human being.
Agree 100%, even coach in SE Asia generally has better food and service than domestic first and flying biz is always a pleasure.
If premium travel is about the total experience, then European carriers win by a mile.
yeah, i don't feel like i'm viewed as a nuisance by European FAs.
I really wish the euro airlines had an economy plus section with 3-4" of extra legroom for the "business" part of the plane. That would make a huge difference. The current Spirit airlines like pitch of like 29-30" is a killer.
For me the price difference between Y and J in Europe is usually 150€-200€ per segment when outright booking business saver and 95€-120€ when upgrading / bidding for an upgrade later on (the difference is that the Y-saver doesn't include luggage and an upgrade doesn't change that). For me the seat is completely fine for up to 3 hours. Usually the legroom in the first 10 rows is quite good, especially if you can stretch...
For me the price difference between Y and J in Europe is usually 150€-200€ per segment when outright booking business saver and 95€-120€ when upgrading / bidding for an upgrade later on (the difference is that the Y-saver doesn't include luggage and an upgrade doesn't change that). For me the seat is completely fine for up to 3 hours. Usually the legroom in the first 10 rows is quite good, especially if you can stretch one leg under the middle seat.
For me the biggest advantage in the US is the wifi and power socket, if I would get these I would outright pay for J in order to make sure I can work productively.
I would argue that US biz class is incredibly popular. People are willing to pay a lot more for it, participate in loyalty schemes just to have little to no chance of an upgrade, and airlines are rushing to add capacity or even introduce biz class for the first time ever.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating …. European world class airlines continue to outperform their U.S. counterparts …. “It’s written in the Scripture’s” according to Obadiah Hakeswill. Some will know the to be scripture’s to be published by SkyTrax …. :-)
Loser.
IMHO, a decent compromise for intra-Europe C/J would be to have E+/MCE/C+/PC levels of seat pitch (34-36”) for all the seats in the forward cabin. I think some airlines do have increased pitch, but it’s more like 30-32”.
When sold as either C/J or Y/M, it would make a meaningful difference in comfort. Bonus if they added padding, better tech, or headrests/footrests to differentiate them from the rest of the seats.
Well, if you consider Turkish airlines European, as IATA and Skytrax do,
then, TK wins.
Otherwise, speaking generally, I agree with Ben. Because of the seats, US wins.
Fly, the hard product is only one small component in the equation, yes?
Absolutely. The equation is very complex, but this question was simple, the choices were narrow, hence the short answer.
There is a reason I use SQ or ANA way more than any other airline.
Not comparable. Most of Europe are 2-2.5h flights. Noone cares much about the extreme ends. Whereas US is concentrated on the continent edges (flyerover states) thus often longer flights. While I would wish for for true 2-2 seating, I welcome not having the aisle blocked military style especially with pilots chatting then for another 20mins. 757/767 fine but those are rare.
But most importantly, Europe has no automatic upgrades to business for 'status' customers, filling...
Not comparable. Most of Europe are 2-2.5h flights. Noone cares much about the extreme ends. Whereas US is concentrated on the continent edges (flyerover states) thus often longer flights. While I would wish for for true 2-2 seating, I welcome not having the aisle blocked military style especially with pilots chatting then for another 20mins. 757/767 fine but those are rare.
But most importantly, Europe has no automatic upgrades to business for 'status' customers, filling first. Didn't pay, seat remains free. Full US cabins are just annoying, particularly on those 4-6h flights. And you get more often a meal that is edible, as opposed to US slop.
Better seat is more important for me, so US wins. If I want a reasonable meal in the air, most airports have something decent to go. If I want a nice meal, there are lots of restaurants on the ground.
For shorter distances in Europe there are often trains. On rare occasion, you can find a plane with better seats intra-Europe.
Europe is better because you actually have a chance to get a business class seat on short notice. In the US the domestic first seats are a fixed (usually small number), and filled with upgrades and upsales the closer it gets to departure. So when you need to rebook either out of choice or because of IROPS you're often stuck in the back, something that basically doesn't happen in Europe.
I hope you’re not including South Asia in this? It’s either East Asia or the Middle East — South Asian airlines can’t really compete with them, and even then only Air India and SriLankan are worth flying regionally in general. IndiGo’s so-called Stretch product is more...
I hope you’re not including South Asia in this? It’s either East Asia or the Middle East — South Asian airlines can’t really compete with them, and even then only Air India and SriLankan are worth flying regionally in general. IndiGo’s so-called Stretch product is more or less on par with US domestic first class, not more.
Even within Southeast Asia, only SQ has flat beds on narrowbody aircraft (the 737 MAX), as well as PR on the A321neo (not the A321). TG, MH and GA don’t have any, though TG is taking delivery of new A321neos in the near future.
Interesting take. I haven't flown either Indigo nor AirIndia but from the coverage I would have assumes Indigo is the premium option in India!
Europe is better because you can fly Lufthansa
The headline made me think this was going to be a comparison of regional jet business class. In which case, my comment is that it’s amazing that in Europe you can get a hot meal on a regional jet in business class, while in the US you can barely get some granola bites.
ZRH TO GVA? I’d take the train
to me business class in europe is the equivalent of premium comfort in the USA. So it's worse.
Too bad we can't get US Domestic First seating with Europe's Food/Drink and Lounge.....
And without the complimentary upgrades. US first always is full…so you have a guaranteed neighbor
You can: In South-East Asia.
Seats are better in the US. In Europe, there's almost always a meal . . . even on the shortest flights . . . as well as lounge access.
thank you for literally summarizing the article Lee
Lee, in other words you are saying that the European product is more ‘rounded’ and not simply hardware related?
Lee, in other words you are saying that the European product is more ‘rounded’ and not simply hardware related?