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What are the differences between flight classes?

Booking a flight and not sure which flight class to buy? We get it. Airplane classes can differ wildly from airline to airline or even between different types of planes on the same airline.

The quality and perks of different fare classes depend on a lot of factors, including flight route, plane model, and more. All of this can get confusing, but we’re here to help you get the most bang for your buck. Read on for our guide to flight classes and how to choose the one that’s right for you.

Understanding and utilizing different flight classes

Since the first commercial flight in 1914, the airline industry has achieved many milestones , including introducing innovative amenities to entice travelers to fly the friendly skies. Today’s flight experience is, of course, vastly different from the inaugural commercial flight in 1914.

One of the most notable differences is how much we pay for our journey and what’s included in the price. Flight prices today are really about getting from point A to point B. Another development has been the introduction of multiple classes of service and the variety of pricing schemes within each fare class, allowing you to only pay for the extras if you choose.

We’ve purchased our fair share of seats across all air carriers, and it’s clear not all seats and classes are equal. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about North American airline classes and what you can expect from each class.

Table of contents

What are cabin classes?

What are the different cabin classes, what are fare classes, what does each letter of the fare basis code mean, how do fare class letters and miles work, how can you use fare classes when finding flights.

There are four cabin classes offered on most airlines: economy, premium economy, business, and first class.

“In the early days, all seats were first class,” said Seth Kaplan, managing partner of “ Airline Weekly ,” a subscriber-supported publication about the airline business.

“In the 1950s, airlines including Delta Air Lines, began experimenting with coach flights at off-peak hours – in other words, not first class and coach cabins separated by a curtain, but entirely separate flights. Later they begin offering 2 cabins on the same flight, as we see today,” said Kaplan.

“The number of seats increased after deregulation kicked in, calling for more seats to make more profits per flying mile”, says Stephen Carbone, who has worked for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as well as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Seats were wider because the airlines were subsidized, so they could afford to fly fewer people to more obscure locations. This was changed with the introduction of the hub-and-spoke routing system,” said Carbone. “Destinations were now decided by passenger numbers, which brought about the concept of how many seats can we legally and safely fit.”

Depending on the airline, some seats have shrunk over time while others have remained the same across all classes of service. See our guides on how to pick the best airline seat and which airline has the most legroom to secure the best seat .

While there are four airline cabin classes, some airlines only offer one — coach, also known as economy. But a seat in economy class on one carrier can be vastly different from an economy seat on another airline. Many airlines have the same airplane models in their fleets, but they configure the interiors differently, so it’s important to look at the seating map not only for the airplane type, but also the airline you’re flying with.

Using another airline’s map may not be accurate. If your airline doesn’t provide airplane seating charts, call and speak with an agent, who should be able to provide guidance. Let’s break down what you can expect in each class on flights.

Economy class

Whether you call it coach, standard, main cabin, or “cattle class”, economy is the most basic class. The seats here are the narrowest, typically ranging from 16 inches to just over 19 inches wide. The seat pitch, which is the distance from one seat to the seat in front or behind it – what travelers often refer to as “legroom” – ranges from 29 inches to 34 inches. These days, economy offers little more than a seat that will get you from point A to point B.

Some airlines like jetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines offer free snacks, beverages and in-flight entertainment systems in economy. Delta Air Lines, on the other hand, offers three classes of service for the economy experience based on seat size and location:

• Basic Economy : The cheapest experience, this class gets you a seat in the main cabin with restrictions like no eligibility for upgrades, no complimentary changes, and seats randomly assigned only after check-in.
• Main Cabin : This class of service gets you zero change fees, complimentary snacks and drinks, and seats assigned after purchase.
• Delta Comfort+ : This experience is the top tier of the airline’s economy class and offers free seat selection, more legroom, dedicated overhead bin space, and early boarding.

Some low-cost carriers like Allegiant Air , Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airline s only offer coach class.

Premium economy

Virgin Atlantic was actually the first airline to incorporate the concept of premium economy back in 1992. Since then, dozens of airlines have followed suit. Once only found on international flights, premium economy is now widely available on flights within North America. The slightly comfier premium economy offers wider seats and more legroom at a more wallet-friendly price than business or first class on most airlines.

Some airlines categorize both economy and premium economy under main cabin. Generally physically partitioned on international and some long-haul flights, the “premium” in premium economy is the added space and sometimes location of seats in more desirable locations, like the front of the aircraft.

On international flights, premium economy may not only be physically separate from economy class, but it may also offer additional perks like complimentary or better food, a greater baggage allowance and amenity kits. Premium economy often refers to the “better” seats on an aircraft on domestic flights.

As the upgraded version of economy class, the benefits of premium economy are usually more legroom and wider seats, but these perks differ between airlines. Here is an overview of what you can expect in premium economy on North American flights.

Business Class

The happy medium between economy or premium economy class and first class is business class. Pioneered by airlines like Pan Am and Qantas, business class was born after the deregulation of airlines when international first-class fares skyrocketed –discounts in economy were common and full-fare coach travelers were not happy.

Business class is a completely different class from economy, and airlines have increased the quality in this category so much that some have replaced first class with business class or, as was the case with now-defunct Continental Airlines, combined the privileges of business class with the luxuries of first class into what the airline called BusinessFirst when it launched in the early 90s.

On some airlines like Delta Air Lines, international flights may offer business class service in lieu of first class. The experience ranges from a wider seat that reclines but doesn’t lie flat, full meal service, in-flight entertainment and an amenity kit on American Airlines, to a seat that converts to a full lie-flat seat, personal minibar, multi-course meals served on fine china and a full bar area complete with a bartender and canapés on Emirates. Another notable experience is jetBlue’s Mint, which features a 6-foot, 8-inch lie-flat seat with adjustable firmness and a massage feature, a door for privacy, in-flight entertainment and full meal service.

Explore the differences between business class on the major North American airlines below. Note that Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, jetBlue, Porter Airlines, Southwest, Spirit Airlines, do not offer business class.

First Class

Passengers can’t get upgraded any further than first class, which is a luxurious experience that varies depending on the airline. It can range from simply having larger seats on some low-cost airlines to Etihad’s The Residence, a three-room suite with a living room, bedroom with a double bed and private bathroom with shower.

Discover the perks of first class on the major North American airlines below. Please note that Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, jetBlue, Porter Airlines, Southwest, Spirit Airlines, do not offer first class.

The service classes of economy, premium economy, business, and first class are further divided into fare classes, which appear as a letter on your ticket. Every seat on an airplane is put in a fare class, and each comes with its own set of rules and prices. What might look like a random letter on your ticket is actually a valuable piece of information that shouldn’t be overlooked.

A ticket’s fare class (also called a booking class) is represented with one of the letters of the alphabet. Originally, booking codes were standardized by the International Air Transport Association, but booking codes are now determined by each airline. Most airlines have a different fare class for each letter, and this can vary.

The fare class letter denotes information like how much your ticket costs, how many airline miles you’ll accrue for the flight, and the amount of flexibility you have to change your reservation. Airlines, reservation systems and travel agents use fare classes to keep track of tickets sold and fare class availability. Airlines want to get as much money as they can for each seat while also aiming for a full flight, so ticket prices fall within particular fare classes to help control inventory. There are also “hidden” fare classes for frequent flyer awards and elite upgrades that are not normally shown in travel searches.

To control inventory while maximizing profit, airlines divide the seats on a flight into buckets. Airlines use an algorithm that takes into account the number of seats on a flight, departure and destination airports, time of day, time of year, and the expected breakdown of passengers to determine how many seats get assigned to each bucket. It’s hard to gauge how many seats are allotted to each one, but once the seats within a bucket are sold, the bucket isn’t replenished. Only travel agents and airline staff or travelers who subscribe to services like Expert Flyer can see how many seats remain.

The letters within each fare class also have a hierarchy. When reading an airline’s fare class chart, read from top to bottom and left to right. For example, on American Airlines, F and J are both full-fare first class/business class, but F is higher than J. This becomes meaningful when you’re looking to upgrade or stand by for a flight.

Each ticket also has a fare basis code, an alpha or alphanumeric code that describes the fare you bought, making it easy for airline staff and travel agents to access the fare rules for a ticket. Almost always, the fare basis code begins with a letter that denotes the class of service. What follows after may refer to the season, how many days in advance the ticket needed to be purchased, minimum and maximum stay requirements, and other restrictions or specifications. If you have an itinerary with multiple fare codes, you may be restricted by the limitations of the most restrictive portion, so check with the airline to ensure you understand.

As mentioned, each airline uses its own system for fare classes, and sometimes airlines (usually low-cost ones) only use one fare class. For example, Allegiant Air uses just one fare class, but offers upgrades such as Giant Seats and Legroom+ seats for an extra fee. Similarly, Spirit Airlines is an all-coach airline that offers passengers the option to purchase a BIG FRONT SEAT for an additional fee.

We’ll break down the rest for you.

Frequent-flyer miles aren’t based on the number of miles flown. The fare class determines how many airline miles you will accrue for the flight. Some fare classes offer double or triple miles while other classes offer no miles. Depending on your objective, achieving status on an airline or booking the cheapest ticket possible, reviewing the mileage accrual chart for your chosen airline may be an important factor in choosing which flight to book.

Most airline websites allow you to search for flights by fare class by selecting the advanced booking options. Expert Flyer also allows users to search for flights by fare code. When shopping for tickets on airline websites, the fare code is displayed toward the end of the booking process, either when selecting flight options or just before submitting payment. Typically, there is a correlation between the fare class and the price of the ticket; the cheapest fares are the lowest fare classes. Tickets that have more perks and fewer restrictions have higher fare classes (and, most often, higher prices).

What fare class do you typically purchase when you fly? Share your preferences in the comments and start your next flight search on Cheapflights.com .

 This article was refreshed on August 2nd, 2024.

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Tourist class: the precursor to economy as we know it today.

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• Pan Am's Tourist Class in 1948 revolutionized air travel by offering affordable tickets, increasing accessibility.
• Economy Class emerged in 1958, providing even cheaper fares, democratizing air travel further.
• Juan Trippe's vision at Pan Am shifted the industry towards affordable air travel, leaving a lasting legacy.

Commercial aviation started out with just a single class of service. According to KLM's Frigo Ogier this changed drastically with the introduction of tourist class in the early 1950s, an innovative concept pioneered by Pan Am that preceded the modern economy class. The driving force behind this transformation was a desire to make air travel more accessible to a wider demographic, breaking the relative monopoly that the wealthy had on flying.

The advent of the tourist class

Pan American World Airways, or Pan Am, introduced the Tourist Class in 1948 on its New York - San Juan flights, as described by Conde Nast's Ramsey Quebein . Despite initial skepticism and resistance from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which feared a potential price war, the idea gained traction due to the undeniable market potential. Offering tickets at half the price of regular fares, tourist class was a resounding success, prompting IATA to approve reduced fares on other routes in 1952.

How Talks Between IATA & Pan Am Resulted In The Creation Of The First 'Tourist Class' Fares

A look at the origins of economy class airfares.

This was all made possible by leveraging technology: Pan Am first introduced tourist class on the Douglas DC-4, which could carry approximately 60 passengers. As newer and larger aircraft like the DC-6B (82 passengers) and Boeing 707 (around 140 passengers) entered fleets, airlines could increase passenger capacity and further reduce fares.

Airlines adapted their aircraft configurations for tourist and economy classes. Early aircraft like the DC-6B used 2-3 seating arrangements, maximizing space and capacity, while later models like the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 allowed airlines to experiment with 3-3 layouts. The Boeing 707 featured a cabin width of 148 inches, allowing for this 6-abreast seating which became a standard for economy class layouts in future aircraft designs.

According to Ogier, this initiative was designed to provide travelers with no-frills, affordable flying options. Passengers enjoyed limited amenities such as free tea and coffee, and paid separately for meals that featured basic selections like sandwiches and fruit. The class also limited baggage allowances to 20 kilograms. Despite these limitations, tourist class gained popularity quickly and airlines witnessed a surge in passengers due to the lower fares and simpler service.

Rise of the economy class

By the mid-1950s, aircraft technology was evolving, allowing for faster jets and greater capacities. This technological leap aligned perfectly with the growing demand for air travel, setting the stage for the re-imagining of tourist class into economy class in 1958. Economy class offered airfares roughly 20% cheaper than Tourist Class and further democratized air travel, according to Qubein.

The Evolution Of Economy Class

KLM, for example, worked within the bounds of the new IATA regulations to maintain quality while offering cheaper tickets. Catering requirements were streamlined but open to interpretation, which enabled KLM to serve high-quality sandwiches and maximize legroom within limited space, according to Ogier.

Juan Trippe's vision

Pan Am's founder, Juan Trippe, played an integral role in shaping modern air travel at the company and in the industry. He envisioned air travel as an accessible service, not just for the elite. His relentless pursuit of lower fares led to the introduction of the Tourist Class, followed by economy class, making flying feasible for the average person. His vision was finally realized when IATA approved the reduced fares in 1952 and paved the way for mass air travel as we know it today.

"Air transport does have the choice ... of becoming a luxury service to carry the well-to-do at high prices, or to carry the average man at what he can afford to pay. Pan American has chosen the latter course."

- Juan Trippe, founder of Pan Am

Comparing past and present customer experience

Tourist class emphasized simplicity and affordability, which resonates with today's basic economy class. While airlines have pushed the boundaries of frugality to offer the cheapest possible fares, they've also introduced fees for services like checked bags and seat selection. In contrast, the early Tourist Class emphasized simplicity in service levels and offerings to keep costs down while maintaining a certain level of comfort for travelers.

Economic impact

The introduction of the tourist class coincided with the post-WWII economic boom and led to:

• Middle-class families considering air travel for vacations, effectively opening new markets for the tourism industry.
• Airlines experimenting with hub-and-spoke business models, maximizing passenger loads and route efficiencies.
• Changes in cabin crew roles, including more specialized training in customer service and safety procedures to manage the increased passenger numbers.
• Significant regulatory changes by IATA to standardize fares and services offered in these classes, influencing global airline pricing strategies.

Economy class innovations and the legacy of tourist class

The innovations that marked the shift from Tourist to economy class continue to shape modern air travel. Airlines have experimented for decades with economy class models to enhance the passenger experience. In-flight entertainment systems, redesigned seats for better legroom, and improved meal services have continued to evolve to meet customer expectations while staying on budget. The balance between cost-effectiveness and comfort echoes the core philosophy behind the creation of tourist class.

Ultimately, the legacy of tourist class laid the groundwork for the modern economy class. Its focus on affordability and accessibility democratized air travel, making it possible for millions of people to fly. As airlines continue to evolve their economy class offerings, the principles that guided the creation of the tourist class remain central to shaping how we travel today.

Want to reflect on how tourist and economy classes have shaped your travel experiences? Share your stories and insights with us, and stay connected with Simple Flying for more on aviation history and news. We're excited to document the evolution of air travel together as we explore the skies, past and present!

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• economy class

What airline fare classes tell you about your ticket

I expect few things are more complicated than the revenue management department of a major airline.

Forget about the miracle of flight — the people and computers that decide how much you and your fellow passengers will pay for a ticket are modern marvels themselves, with passengers in the same row of a plane often paying vastly different sums for their tickets. There's quite a bit of pressure to deliver a strong bottom line, and one of the ways airlines control revenue is by offering tickets in different fare classes for every flight.

Within what we think of as service classes (economy, premium economy, business and first) there are subdivisions that even many devout frequent flyers can't identify. Fare classes — which are even further divisions of each of those service classes — are complicated and vary from airline to airline, but having at least some familiarity with the lingo can help the next time you're searching for an elusive award ticket , booking an upgradeable fare or simply trying to figure out how many miles you'll earn for an upcoming trip.

Today, I'll address a common question by explaining fare classes so you can understand what the fare basis code tells you about your next flight.

Fare class basics

In the most simple definition, the various fare classes divide every seat on a plane into different categories, each with its own price and set of rules. Fare classes are identified by one-letter fare codes. Some fare classes and codes are standard across all airlines, while some are very different depending on the airline.

Here are a few fare codes that are typically the same across all airlines:

• Y: Full-fare economy-class ticket.
• J: Full-fare business-class ticket.
• F: Full-fare first-class ticket.

Among the large U.S. carriers, Delta and United no longer market any flights with the F fare class, with J being the highest fare class available for purchase. American does use the F fare class, but only for flights offering Flagship First service on its three-cabin aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A321T.

Note: These letters are also commonly used as abbreviations on message boards like FlyerTalk to refer to the "generic" class of service (e.g., "I'm flying in Y from New York to London and want to upgrade to J" means "I'm traveling in economy from New York to London and want to upgrade to business class"). However, this article is focusing on the actual published fare classes from airlines.

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Fare classes are used by airline reservation systems and travel agents to sell seats on a plane, and to keep track of which fare classes are still available.

Let's take a look at a quick example. Here's a screenshot from ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) with American Airlines Flight 38 from Miami (MIA) to London Heathrow (LHR) on Sep. 1:

The fare classes with a number next to them are still available; the ones with a zero are not. The number after the letter delineates how many tickets are left in each fare — ExpertFlyer maxes out at seven for AA, so there are at least seven seats left in most economy-class fare buckets but zero seats left in fare classes F, A, R, I, W, P, G, N, Q and O.

Here's how these fare classes fall into the classes of service offered on the Boeing 777-300ER American is using on this route:

• F and A: first class
• C, J, R, D and I: business class
• W and P: premium economy
• Y, H, K, M, L, G, V, S, N, Q, O and E: economy
• B: basic economy

While these fare classes represent all the tickets you can buy directly with cold hard cash (i.e., revenue fares), you'll see that ExpertFlyer gives us a bit more information, including certain upgrade and award fare codes.

For example, A (which is zeroed out on this flight) doubles as the fare code for discounted first-class tickets and for upgrades from business to first class on a three-cabin aircraft. Meanwhile, upgrades from economy to business fall under the C fare class, while the W fare class is for premium economy, along with the P class.

Related: Understanding American Airlines' revenue, award and upgrade fare classes

Keep in mind that the most-discounted fares also have the strictest rules when it comes to refunds, changes, baggage allowances and earning frequent flyer miles or elite credit. Some airlines don't award frequent flyer miles at all if you buy a ticket in the most-discounted economy fare class, especially when trying to credit the flight to loyalty programs of partner airlines. I find this site very helpful when deciphering Delta, American, Alaska, Southwest and United fare codes.

How fare classes affect you

Here's an example of how these various fare classes come into play when you're purchasing a ticket.

Let's say that you're looking to book a flight from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX). Yesterday when you checked the price of a round-trip ticket, you found one for $305, but you needed to confirm dates with a family member before locking in your itinerary. Today when you go to book, the price has jumped to $375. The best explanation for the price increase is that the more-discounted fare class you were looking at yesterday is now sold out.

(Remember that in most situations, you can pull the trigger on a flight and cancel within 24 hours and get a full refund. Check out this guide to airline hold and cancellation policies for more details, and this guide to airline no-change-fee policies if you are outside of the 24-hour window.)

This may also affect you when you go to take the flight, as your fare class will sometimes dictate the number of miles you earn on the flight, from both a redeeming and elite-qualifying standpoint. While American, Delta and United have all switched to a revenue-based model of awarding miles for flights on their own (respective) flights, traveling on most of their partner airlines will use a somewhat complicated formula that takes into account distance flown as well as fare class booked.

As an example, here's the mileage accrual chart for Delta Air Lines when you credit an Aeromexico flight that was not booked through Delta to the carrier's SkyMiles program:

Related: How to earn miles in the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program

As you can see, the lowest fare class (V) only awards you 25% of the miles flown. If you book a round-trip flight from Mexico City (MEX) to Atlanta (ATL), you'll cover a total distance of 1,331 miles. However, that would only give you 333 miles. Booking into a fare class at the next level (E, N or R) would double those earnings.

This is also critical if you're chasing Delta Air Lines Medallion status . Using the chart above, the lowest economy fare class would get you 1,331 Medallion Qualification Miles, but only 5% Medallion Qualification Dollars. For example, if the base fare of the MEX-ATL flight on Aeromexico was $200, you would only earn 10 MQDs. While those numbers would be doubled if you booked into E, N or R, even booking into full-fare business class nets you a maximum of 40% MQDs. Delta is capping the MQD earnings as an incentive for its most loyal travelers to earn status by flying on Delta's own flights or, at the very least, booking partner flights through Delta.

Finally, it's important to note that many carriers will either prevent you from upgrading tickets booked into certain fare classes or will add cash copays to do so. Therefore it's critical to know what fare class you've booked so you can fully understand how that will affect your flight.

Related: The ultimate guide to upgrading with miles

Standard practices and common fare rules

While fare class is generally designated by a single letter, this gets more complicated very quickly. When you combine a fare class with other rules, you'll wind up with a series of alphanumeric characters, and this is known as a fare basis code. This tells airline reservation specialists and travel agents everything they need to know about your ticket and how the fare is constructed.

The above screenshot shows the fare basis code KAA2PHEN for a United flight from New York (LGA) to Chicago (ORD). I know this is a K-class fare, but I would have to click on "rules" to understand all the restrictions associated with this fare. A good rule of thumb is that the cheaper the fare class, the more restrictions that will be associated with the fare. A K fare with United is a deeply discounted non-basic economy fare that still earns 5 miles per dollar for non-elite members and is upgradeable using cash, miles, PlusPoints or a space-available Complimentary Premier Upgrade for MileagePlus Premier members .

Fare basis codes can also tell an agent whether a fare is refundable, good for one-way or round-trip tickets, departing to or from specific countries, combinable with other fares and good in high or low season, as well as how far in advance the fare can be booked and whether there are any routing restrictions or change penalties.

Example: Fare basis code WH7LNR tells me the following:

• W: I have a W fare class ticket.
• H: It's a high-season ticket.
• 7: I have to book seven days in advance.
• L: It's a long-haul flight.
• NR: The ticket is nonrefundable.

Deciphering fare basis codes takes practice and knowledge specific to the airline, as each one has its own style for writing codes. I wouldn't put too much time into being able to understand anything beyond your fare class and its set rules.

Common fare classes in the points and miles hobby

As noted above, you'll often see bloggers or avid award travelers discussing tickets using generic codes:

• Y: Economy.
• W: Premium economy.
• J: Business.

For example: "There are great Y fares from the U.S. to Europe this winter." Remember that these letters are often used for specific fare classes as well — generally the most expensive (full-fare) ones.

However, the most important implication of fare classes for points and miles enthusiasts involves award tickets and upgrades. Most airlines will set aside specific fare buckets for these awards. Just because there's an open seat in the designated cabin that you want to fly doesn't mean that it's available using miles.

The same holds true for upgrades, whether you're looking to redeem miles, use certificates or take advantage of elite status for complimentary bumps to the front of the plane. I see almost daily comments along the lines of, "But there are three open first-class seats! Why won't (insert carrier here) upgrade me?" If those seats aren't placed into the fare class designated for upgrades, the carrier isn't making them available for upgrades. Note that this may not happen until 60 or even 30 minutes before departure.

The easiest way to illustrate this is with Star Alliance . The 26 member airlines have standardized their award-booking classes, so if you're looking to use miles from one carrier's program on a flight operated by another carrier, you'll need the following inventory:

• X: Economy award seat
• I: Business award seat
• O: First award seat

Since all Star Alliance member airlines are searchable on ExpertFlyer , this can make it relatively simple to search for award inventory and set alerts if your desired class of service isn't available. That said, there are some restrictions here. Swiss, for example, typically only allows elite members of its Miles & More program to redeem miles for first class on its own flights, while Singapore generally only releases long-haul first- and business-class awards to members of its own KrisFlyer program. On the other hand, Swiss' parent airline, Lufthansa, does release limited first-class inventory to its Star Alliance partners.

Related: The hardest first-class products to book with points and miles

I also find knowing these fare classes to be handy in case my online booking screen doesn't tell me what cabin I'm in for partner airline flights. If I book Thai Airways with United miles , sometimes my confirmation only says "TG 678 (I)." Because I know "I" is business, I don't have to call United to confirm that I was booked in the correct cabin.

Special fare classes

Many airlines use specific fare classes for their own products, passengers or other situations. Perhaps my favorite example of this is a benefit only open to United cobranded cardholders or MileagePlus Premier members . If you hold any United card, or Premier Silver status or above, you have access to fare class XN — extra economy award seats only available to Chase cardholders. While United's website is one of the best for searching Star Alliance award space since you don't need to log in to do so, you definitely should if you hold a card like the United Explorer Card .

Related: The best credit cards for United flyers

Whenever you encounter this extra award inventory, it'll be notated directly in the award search results (again, once you are logged in to your United MileagePlus account):

Here are a few other examples of these special fare classes:

• OU: Delta uses this code for complimentary Medallion upgrades.
• PZ: United uses this code for complimentary Premier upgrades.
• U: Alaska uses this code for complimentary MVP upgrades to first class. Travelers confirmed into Alaska first class via U class are not eligible for access to the Alaska Lounge .
• CB: Indicates an extra seat for cabin baggage.
• P : Etihad uses this code for The Residence on A380s .
• IN: Infant fare , usually 10% of an adult fare
• CH: Child's fare, varies from 0%–50% savings depending on the airline
• CL: Clergy fare (Who knew?)
• DP: Diplomat
• PG: Pilgrim
• YCA: Contracted military/U.S. government fares. They are treated mostly as full Y tickets, but unfortunately are no longer upgradeable on American Airlines.

Bottom line

Knowing your fare class is important for several reasons.

First, it can tell you whether you'll earn 100% of your frequent flyer miles from a purchased ticket. This is even more important when crediting your flight to a partner airline. Once you know your fare class, make sure to utilize wheretocredit.com when deciding which frequent flyer program you'll credit your flight toward.

Your fare class also tells you whether your ticket is upgradeable and where you may stand in the upgrade priority line . In case things go wrong or you need to make a change, knowing your fare class can tell you if your ticket is refundable and if any change fees are required, and it can help you plan your strategy for making changes before talking to the airlines. Knowledge is power, and the more you understand about how the airline industry works, the better positioned you'll be to get the maximum value out of your points and miles .

If you're new to The Points Guy , check out our points and miles guide for beginners .

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Different Flight Classes

Feeling tired or disordered every time you book a flight and see terms like the economy, business, or first class? Are you unsure which class is the best for your needs and budget? Look no further! This ultimate guide to understanding flight classes will help demystify the terminology so you can make informed decisions when booking your next trip. Whether it’s finding ways to upgrade, knowing what amenities are included, or simply understanding the differences between classes, we’ve got you covered. So buckle up and get ready to soar through this comprehensive guide!

First Class

First Class is generally considered the most luxurious and expensive class available on flights. It provides passengers with the highest level of comfort and service. First Class cabins often feature spacious seats that can recline into fully flat beds, providing an excellent environment for relaxation and sleep. Passengers in this class enjoy personalized service, gourmet meals, fine wines, amenity kits, and access to exclusive airport lounges. First Class is typically chosen by those seeking the utmost comfort and luxury during their air travel experience.

Business Class

Business Class, also known as Executive Class, is designed to cater to the needs of business travelers and those seeking a more comfortable experience. Passengers in Business Class enjoy a higher level of comfort compared to Economy Class. They often have access to larger seats with extra legroom, lie-flat or angled lie-flat seats, enhanced meal options, priority boarding, dedicated airport lounges, and a range of entertainment options. Business Class balances comfort and affordability, making it a popular choice for business and leisure travelers.

Premium Economy

Premium Economy is a class that bridges the gap between Economy Class and Business Class. It offers enhanced comfort and additional amenities compared to Economy Class but at a lower price point than Business Class. Passengers in Premium Economy usually enjoy more spacious seats with extra legroom, wider seat pitches, adjustable headrests, enhanced meal options, and priority check-in. While the offerings vary between airlines, Premium Economy provides a more comfortable experience for those who desire extra space and amenities without the expense of Business Class.

Economy Class

Economy Class, also known as Coach Class or Travel Class, is the most common class of service found on flights. It offers basic accommodation and is commonly chosen by leisure travelers or those seeking cost-effective options. Economy Class seats are narrower and have less legroom compared to higher classes. However, airlines strive to provide a comfortable experience by offering in-flight entertainment, meals, and beverages. While the level of amenities can vary among airlines, Economy Class provides a practical and affordable option for travelers.

Basic Economy

Basic Economy is a no-frills class of service introduced by some airlines to provide a lower-cost option for travelers. The flight fares for this class often come with certain restrictions, such as limited or no seat selection, no complimentary checked baggage, and reduced flexibility in ticket changes or refunds. This class is suitable for travelers who prioritize cost savings over additional amenities and flexibility.

It’s important to note that the availability and offerings of each class may vary between airlines. Some airlines may have additional classes or variations within the mentioned classes. It’s always recommended to check with the specific airline for detailed information regarding the classes they offer.

The evolution of airline classes has been shaped by factors such as passenger demand, market competition, and profitability. In the early days of commercial aviation, all seats were essentially first class. However, as air travel became more accessible, airlines began introducing separate classes to cater to different passenger needs and budgets. With the rise of low-cost carriers and changes in travel preferences, the concept of the Basic Economy emerged to provide even more affordable options for travelers.

Fare Classes

Have you ever noticed a seemingly random letter on your flight ticket and wondered what it meant? Well, that letter holds the key to a world of valuable information about your fare class. Fare classes, represented by one of the 26 letters of the alphabet, are like secret codes that airlines use to determine the price, perks, and flexibility of your ticket. Understanding fare classes can make a significant difference in your travel experience and save you hundreds of dollars. So, let’s dive into this fascinating world and unravel the mysteries of fare classes.

History of Fare Classes

In the past, fare classes were standardized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), but nowadays, each airline has its own system. While F typically represents first class and Y usually indicates economy class, the assignment of letters to specific fare classes is not arbitrary. For instance, the letter C for business class originated from Pan Am, one of the pioneering airlines that introduced a new class of service for business and full-fare economy passengers called “Clipper Class.” These letters carry historical significance and provide a glimpse into the evolution of air travel.

To efficiently manage inventory and maximize revenue, airlines divide seats into buckets, and each fare class falls into a specific bucket. These buckets control ticket prices and availability. Airlines employ sophisticated algorithms considering factors like flight capacity, airports, time of day, season, and passenger demographics to assign seats to each bucket. Once all seats in a particular bucket are sold, it’s not replenished. This strategy allows airlines to optimize their inventory while striving for a full flight.

The hierarchy of Fare Classes

Understanding the hierarchy within fare classes is crucial, especially when you’re looking to upgrade or stand by for a flight. Each fare class has its own price, fare rules, and benefits, such as mileage accrual and change policies. However, there are also “hidden” fare classes exclusively for frequent flyer awards and elite upgrades, which aren’t typically visible in travel searches. Only those who have access to specialized services or airline staff can uncover the remaining seats in each class.

Fare classes and their associated fare basis codes add another layer of complexity. The fare basis code is an alphanumeric code that describes the specific fare you’ve purchased. It provides quick access to the fare rules and restrictions. Each airline has its own set of codes, often starting with a letter denoting the class of service. Additional characters in the code may indicate the various factors. These include seasons, advance purchase requirements, minimum and maximum stay durations, and restrictions on weekdays or weekends. You will also see the information about refunds. Understanding the fare basis code helps you navigate any limitations or restrictions that may apply to your ticket.

When searching for flights based on fare classes, concentrate on the first letter. The hierarchy within the fare class chart matters. Hence, reading from top to bottom and left to right provides a clear understanding of the classes and their respective benefits. Keep in mind that fare classes can vary between airlines. Hence, it’s essential to consult the specific airline for confirmation and detailed explanations of each letter’s meaning.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, airlines constantly refine their classes of service to meet the changing demands of passengers. It’s worth noting that the amenities and offerings within each class can vary significantly between airlines. Therefore, when booking your flights, it’s essential to review the specific details and features of each class offered by the airline you plan to fly with.

In conclusion, understanding the different classes in flights allows you to make informed decisions when booking your air travel. Whether you prioritize luxury and comfort or seek a more budget-friendly option, there is a class that will surely to your needs. By considering factors such as pricing, seat comfort, amenities, and flexibility, you can choose the class that aligns best with your travel preferences.

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The Main Differences Between Business Class vs. First Class — and Tips for Booking Each

Here's what to know about each premium cabin type — and how to book them.

Business Class

Domestic first class, international first class, how to book (or be upgraded to) business class, domestic first class, and international first class.

imaginima/Getty Images

If you're tired of flying in economy, it might be time for an upgrade. For a more enjoyable flight, booking a premium cabin — that is, business class, domestic first class, or international first class — provides vast improvements. But each of the cabins offers a fairly different experience, and it's important to know what to expect with each. Here's everything you need to know about the premium cabins available on planes today.

• Typically lie-flat or angled seats
• Multicourse plated meal service
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Extra baggage allowance
• Lounge access
• Amenity kits
• Business class seats, amenities, and services vary greatly per airline and aircraft
• Usually a very expensive option
• No complimentary upgrades

Business class is a premium cabin available on international long-haul flights . Seats are typically lie-flat or angled, not just recliners, offering far more space than in the economy or premium economy cabins . Service is elevated both in the air, from free alcohol to plated multicourse meals, and on the ground, from priority check-in and boarding to lounge access. But not all business-class cabins are created equal. Some more outdated products lack in seat comfort and privacy, while newer ones might include closed-door suite-style seats with extra space. Even within an airline, business-class cabins can vary greatly on different aircraft. Pricing is dramatically greater than economy, often thousands of dollars no matter the route.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

• More spacious and comfortable seats
• Often served plated meals
• Complimentary upgrades for elite status holders
• Not as expensive as business class or international first class
• Typically no lie-flat seats
• Lounge access is not guaranteed

Domestic first class is the top cabin on domestic flights and some short-haul international flights. On most airlines and aircraft, this means you'll sit in a recliner-style seat that offers more space and legroom than economy. Some transcontinental flights, however, may have business-class lie-flat seats, but this varies based on the airline and aircraft. On flights that are a few hours or longer, you'll be served plated hot meals, and on all flights, alcohol is complimentary. Before your flight, you'll receive priority check-in services (including extra baggage allowances), but you usually won't receive lounge access. You'll be one of the first groups to board your plane. The tickets cost more than economy, of course, but they're typically not as expensive as business-class fares — perhaps a few hundred up to a thousand dollars.

• The most privacy, with some seats being fully enclosed
• Fine dining
• First class-only lounges at some airports; general lounge access at others
• Only available on certain airlines and aircraft
• The most expensive option

International first class is the ultimate flying experience — it's the best cabin across the board on commercial aircraft, ranked above business class, and it has the price tag to match. Many airlines don't even offer an international first class; a few notable ones that do have the product include Singapore Airlines , Etihad, and Air France. What makes the cabin so exceptional is the space and privacy of each seat. On some airlines, first-class seats are private suites with closed doors. The dining experience is usually elevated beyond that of business class, with fine wines and over-the-top menu items. As with business class, you'll receive a number of perks on the ground, from priority check-in to exclusive lounge access — some airlines have special first-class lounges that are not accessible to frequent fliers or business-class travelers. And, of course, expect to board in one of the first groups. You'll find this type of first-class cabin on international long-haul flights only — and solely on certain routes on certain airlines.

NurPhoto/Getty Images

You likely already know you can select any of these classes instead of the economy cabin when booking a flight. And you're probably also aware you can use either cash or miles to purchase seats in business or first class.

But what you might not know is that on most airlines, there are other ways to score an upgrade — though it likely won't be free.

Paid Upgrades

It's often possible to pay for upgrades to business or first class in cash or miles later on, depending on availability — and they might be cheaper than the full price at booking. "A lot of airlines these days will tempt you with an option to upgrade during the check-in process that sometimes can be cheaper than buying a business ticket outright," Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going , tells Travel + Leisure . "If this is your game plan, don’t always count on the ticket being downright cheap. It will still be more expensive than your original ticket price, and it all depends on if there is any availability in a higher class."

Even after check-in, you can ask an agent at a transfer desk if you're on a layover or a gate agent if there are any paid upgrades available. "Sometimes, airlines have unsold premium seats that they're willing to upgrade passengers to at a lower cost," Kristin Winkaffe, founder of Winkaffe Global Travel , tells T+L. "It's a bit of a gamble, but it's always worth politely inquiring at the gate if any upgrade options are available. This method can be especially fruitful if you are traveling during off-peak times."

Meet the Expert

Katy Nastro is a travel expert at Going, a website that finds flight deals to more than 900 destinations around the world.

Kristin Winkaffe is the founder of Winkaffe Global Travel, a travel agency with a focus on sustainability and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Bidding on Upgrades

Additionally, some international airlines allow you to bid on upgrades to premium cabins before your flight. "It's like an auction; you make an offer, and if it's accepted, you get upgraded," says Winkaffe. "The key here is to make a reasonable bid, keeping in mind the flight duration and destination."

Free Upgrades

If you're a "regular" passenger, you probably won't get a free upgrade. "Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that dressing nicely will afford you an automatic upgrade. This is a travel myth that might have been true decades ago, but is just not the case today," says Nastro.

But if you're a frequent flier with elite status, complimentary upgrades are one of your perks — on domestic flights and limited short-haul international trips, that is. Elites can request to be added to the complimentary upgrade list on certain flights, with seats doled out based on availability. "A warning for these methods, though — you will need to fly quite a lot to really reap the rewards of elite status," says Winkaffe. "It's a long-term strategy, but definitely rewarding for those who travel often."

There is one rare case in which you may be able to score a free upgrade without status: accepting a voluntary bump on an oversold flight. "When a flight is oversold, you may see the airline ask for volunteers to switch, and likely will sweeten the deal with cash," says Nastro. "To sweeten the deal even more, inquire whether they would be able to upgrade you on the alternate flight if you give up your seat. No guarantees this will work, as sometimes policies prevent it, but it doesn't hurt to ask."

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Table of Contents

What's the difference between first and business class?

What to expect when flying first or business class, why it can make sense to upgrade to first or business class, when it doesn't make sense to upgrade to first or business class, how to earn points and miles fast, the bottom line.

We love helping our readers find ways to book first- and business-class tickets using points and miles. Although these tickets can be expensive if you're paying for them with cash, you can sometimes book a seat in these premium cabins using airline miles you've already earned or with points from signing up for certain credit cards.

First, you'll need to understand the difference between first and business class. It is also important to know what types of perks to expect, so you can assess when it makes sense to pay for the upgrade.

Both first and business class are premium cabins but can offer different experiences and seats depending on the airline. If you're flying domestically within the United States, flights generally have two cabins: The main cabin and a premium cabin. The main cabin often includes various economy fares, while the premium cabin is reserved for business class or first class, depending on the route and airline.

When you fly internationally from the U.S., you may be on a flight that offers both first and business class — for example, Cathay Pacific's Boeing 777-300 aircraft has separate first-class, business-class, premium economy and economy cabins.

The difference between first and business class can vary by airline. However, if you're taking a flight that offers both first and business class, first class almost always provides a more enhanced experience. This may include a suite with a door, fancier food and drinking options, and a more intimate, smaller cabin.

» Learn more: Best first class award flights you can actually book

Although first- and business-class experiences can vary drastically between different airlines and routes, below are some perks that you can often expect when flying in first or business class:

Priority check-in, security and boarding.

Premium seats, including more space and lie-flat beds.

Lounge access.

Complimentary alcoholic beverages and enhanced food options.

Amenity kits.

Dedicated overhead space for your carry-on luggage.

Seats towards the front of the plane so you can deplane before other cabins.

In addition to the more common business- and first-class perks listed above, below are some more unique perks you can find on various airlines:

Qatar Qsuites has business class seats that can connect to create a double bed, which you can share with a partner or friend.

Although the service has recently been suspended, United Airlines will sometimes have a sundae cart for Polaris business class passengers on international routes.

Emirates offers its first- and business-class passengers complimentary chauffeur service to and from the airport.

Because the first- and business-class experience can vary dramatically by airline and route, you should consider what perks are offered before purchasing or upgrading to a business- or first-class ticket.

» Learn more: Why you should fly first class at least once, and how to afford it

Depending on when and why you're traveling, it can make sense to upgrade from economy to first or business class if you have the cash or points to afford it. Below are some examples of when it may make sense for you to upgrade your flight:

For a lie-flat bed: If you're flying from the U.S. to another continent and want to hit the ground running when you land, upgrading to first or business class to get a lie-flat bed can help you arrive more well-rested than a simple economy seat.

For more points or miles: If you're paying for your flight in cash, flying first or business class will often help you earn more points and miles and can also help you maintain or earn elite status.

For a special occasion: If you're flying for a particular reason, like a honeymoon or celebrating your graduation, the perks offered by your airline will help make it an even more memorable trip.

» Learn more: How to use travel awards to afford first class

Even though upgrading from economy to first or business class usually comes with several perks, there are times when making the upgrade wouldn't make sense, including:

On shorter flights, when you won't have much time to enjoy the premium seating.

When the airline asks for a significant amount of cash or points to upgrade.

On daytime flights overseas when you're not planning on taking a nap or sleeping, which may negate the value of a lie-flat seat.

Points and miles can be redeemed for premium cabin award flights and can help you save in the long run. But before you start using travel rewards, you have to earn them. Beyond flying, another way to amass a large number of points and miles s is to earn a sign-up bonus for a travel or airline credit card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

on Citibank's application

If you seek more flexibility in redeeming miles for award flights, consider applying for a more general travel card instead, like The Platinum Card® from American Express . A more general travel card differs from an airline card in that you can book flights with multiple carriers, rather than reaping the benefits of staying loyal to a single brand.

The more high-end the travel card, the more benefits you can enjoy, including airport lounge access or automatic elite status in certain programs. That said, a brand-specific airline card can net you benefits like waived baggage fees, which can have meaningful dollar value.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards

If it's your first time flying business or first class, you can generally expect several perks that you wouldn't get flying economy — including priority check-in, a more comfortable/spacious seat, and enhanced food and drink options.

Although it may not always make sense to upgrade your flight to first or business class, it may be worth the extra cash or points to upgrade depending on why you're flying. As your first- or business-class experience may differ depending on the airline and route, you should research what perks are included with your ticket before purchasing.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Find First Class Flights to Hawaii

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Latest first class flight deals to Hawaii

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to Know - First Class Flights to Hawaii

Faqs for hawaii first class flights, what is the most popular airline offering first class flights to hawaii.

Among KAYAK users, American Airlines is the most popular airline offering First Class seats on flights to Hawaii.

Which airlines offer First Class tickets on flights to Hawaii?

Traveling to Hawaii and want to offer yourself a First Class experience? Depending on the origin, the following airlines offer seats in First Class: American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

How does KAYAK find such good deals on First Class tickets to Hawaii?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Hawaii for economy class as well as First Class travelers.

How much is a first class flight to Hawaii?

First class tickets to Hawaii differ in price depending on the departure airport. On average, first class fares cost $1,875 for a return trip to Hawaii, while the cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $331.

What is the best airline for first class flights to Hawaii?

The highest-rated airline by KAYAK users offering first class flights to Hawaii is Delta, with an overall rating of 8.0.

Top tips for finding first class flights to Hawaii

• To get a below average price, try to book at least 1 week in advance of your departure date.
• The most expensive day to fly First Class to Hawaii is Friday, while the cheapest is Tuesday.

Top 5 airlines flying to Hawaii

I boarded last because of my boarding assignment and was given a middle seat at the back of the plane. I’m 6”1” so it was really tight. I wish I just had a seat assignment instead of a general boarding group. My bag was way at the front and my seat at the back. Was never offered a beverage and had no room to move.

No space for our carryon and needed to check at plane before boarding !

The crew was dutiful but seemed detached and bored. The boarding process is ineffective. No reason I shouldn’t be able to sit with my wife. I checked in at the first available minute and still got boarding tow “C”. Southwest used to be my first choice due to value. But no longer. Southwest is like traveling in a cattle car. Suggestion: be the first to make Wi-Fi free!

Chairs are not reclinable. Not ear phones for sale. Seats should be assigned to avoid confrontations. Flight attendants were AMAZING.

The flight attendant was proactive in helping with placing carry on in overhead bins. This was the first time I had ever been offered help without asking or obviously struggling. Many on the flight were older people like myself and vertically challenged. I would hope this would be the norm on all flights.

This rating is based completely on the flight delay. Any flight where the plane goes through or originates in Las Vegas is delayed. I will avoid booking flights that do this in the future,

wifi wasn't working correctly so couldn't watch live tv

I had a front row middle. I am not a big person and I barely fit in between that seat! No place to put my arms, even though the guys on each side were not taking over the arm rests. It felt like a frontier flight (if that tells you everything )

Overall is was a pretty good flight. However we were 15 mins late taking off and no one told us anything. We were all in our seats just sitting there for 15mins and all the sudden the pilot stayed we are leaving now. I think they should have at least said something after our take off time passed. Everyone was wondering what was going on. I will say the pilot did increase the speed of the plane so we arrived in time. So we weren't late.

Flight was delayed by 12 minutes. Boarding wasn’t fun. The crew was nice though.

No snack offered, leg room really needs improvement. N/A on entertainment; none offered or needed.

I had never flown Alaska before. Years ago I flew constantly. Flying these days is not a glamorous experience. It’s not that easy to get inexpensive direct flights either. Not glamorous but reasonably priced and comfortable. I appreciated the inflight WiFi (for messaging only but that’s ok, I like to read on flights). I didn’t check the inflight entertainment, see above. I was lucky on the AUS => SFO flight—they needed volunteers to check bags at the gate. That bumped me up a level in status so they let me move to an empty exit row. The return flight I was assigned a seat in one. Very nice. As pleasant a trip as possible these days.

Airline boarding experience could definitely go better, though that's not limited to Alaska Air. Couldn't get logged in to the plane wi-fi.

Great m. Special kudos to Tamara at the check in counter Kodiak on Sept 6, 2024!!! Very pleasant and helpful, especially at the early hour of the morning.!

Ground crew at SFO checking didn’t print my boarding passes for my second leg … creating a full mess at LAX So the desk asked for my passports, and was able to check in my luggage up to the final stop, they never realized that our journey was made up 2 legs.

First class food and service was excellent. When I booked the ticket my outbound was automatically upgraded to a non bulkhead aisle seat which was much appreciated. However, my return was not. By the time I upgraded only windows on the bulkhead were remaining. It would have been nice if my seat was automatically upgraded within the appropriate advance time window so I didn't have to worry about it. (Not a big deal)

more time in layover in seattle because security for passport is a very long line

It was a typical flight with Alaska Airlines. On time, great crew. They no longer provide food or entertainment, but I don't think any of the airlines do. It was a bit of a rough landing... hard enough to make my back hurt and a couple of little screams from the passengers. But we landed safely so no harm. I will definitely use Alaska Airlines again.

It would be nice if you had free internet. Text messaging is appreciated.

Instant upgrade to First Class based on my One World status. Better than AA.

We splurged and decided to fly first class. Seats were roomy. But flight crew arrived late to the airport. That delayed our flight. Most of the passengers had to try to make connections flights. I felt bad for them. We checked 4 bags. We got three from the baggage claim carousel. 4th one was lost. Delta online help wasn’t good. Baggage claim staff were sympathetic and nice but we waited around for almost 2 hours and it had t been found. They did find it several hours later and we had to drive back to airport to retrieve it. I won’t be splurging on 1st. Lass again anytime soon. I think we got worse service. I am also not a huge fan of delta but we have family in ATL so we don’t have a ton of choice. What should have been an easy flight turned into a stressful event due to flight crew tardiness and baggage mishandling.

Late departure due to large number of wheel chair patrons. Used to having a box of snacks to select from in comfort plus. The flight attendant just rattled off what was available and asked us to pick. Felt rushed and uncomfortable. Seat was great. Prefer having the screen on the seat in front of me instead of having to pull it up from the seat side. Lots of room for my carryon under the seat in front of me.

The flight was canceled two hours before departure, it took over five hours to rebook us on another flight.

My seat was changed at the last minute and I was moved to the last row, right next to the bathroom despite selecting my seat well in advance. I was also made to check my carry on due to space but when I got on the plane there was significant empty overhead space. Picking up my carry on from the luggage carousel added time to my trip which had already been extended due to delay.

Really bad baggage handling. Had my Rimowa bag badly damaged at the latches.

There was plenty of overhead room but half of the passengers were told they had to check their carryon bags. My partner and I checked in as early as possible and our seats were split across the aisle.

Flew first class so everything was great. But maybe because the flights were red eye, no meals were served, just chips. I flew Alaska Air 1st class at 9PM (2 hour flight) and they served beef short rib sliders!

Paid premium for Delta only to be on safe but tired old 767 with ancient cabin in mediocre condition. Poor wifi and horrible inflight entertainment. Hardly a premium experience. Should have flown SW and had fun flight crew and no pretense

The plane from SNA wouldn’t start after 5 tries. The team gave me an option of flying direct from LAX and giving me a Lyft ride there! Perfect!

There was a loud squeaky sound the whole time we were flying.

Almost everything was perfecto expect for entertainment. There are not a many options.

The screen where I sat was not working and charger also poorly. Can’t enjoy entertainments and space of seat was narrow.

Best airline experience. All staff members had a positive and pleasant attitude. Truly makes you feel like you land in Aloha vib once you step on the plane.

The worst travel experience I have ever had. There were several flight delays and no staff member seemed to be any help. I was traveling for my wedding and almost didn’t make it to the destination. Even after I shared this with that staff they did not care to try and help on offer options, recommendations, or support. It was simply not their problem. I also ask if I could hang my wedding dress but was told that there was no where to do that. My wedding dress had to be shoved under a seat. As I was exiting the plane I did see a closet another guest was grabbing their hanging items from and mine could have also fit. Overall this was a horrible experience full of stress and unknowns.

Flight was delayed 4 hours likely due to staffing issues. Otherwise smooth flight.

They serve food for free from SLC! Can’t beat that! Entertainment was okay but most of the flight was for sleeping anyway.

They should have offered the headsets for sale so we could watch the entertainment. Our earbuds did not work. I thought they just did not have them. But then I called Hawaiian after and found out they were available for purchase

Loved free internet connectivity for email, text and web browsing. Entertainment setup was not intuitive and I didn’t bother trying to figure it out. Left on time and arrived on time. Plane was fine.extra legroom seat was a plus but seat cushiness was lacking

Flight itself was fine and crew were delightful. I gave overall mediocre rating because the plane had mechanical issues and we sat on the tarmac for 2.5 hrs while the engines cut in and out so no AC. Once we got going flight was good.

My flight was delayed by 5 hours, 7:35pm departure turned to 1:30am without any explanation. I’ll need a refund for this.

Traveling with JetBlue from NYC was convenient as accessing JFK airport was straightforward via the LIRR to the AirTrain. Maneuvering through the terminal was hassle-free, which was a pleasant start to the journey. However, the flight experience itself left much to be desired. The seating arrangement was notably uncomfortable; despite securing a window seat, space felt cramped. This was exacerbated by the middle seat passenger encroaching on my area, which made the flight less enjoyable. Additionally, while the in-flight entertainment system initially seemed like a reprieve, the sound outlet on my seat was inoperable. This issue turned what could have been a manageable three-hour flight into a rather tedious ordeal, as I was unable to use the entertainment system effectively. While JetBlue provided a smooth process in terms of airport logistics, the on-board experience highlighted areas in need of improvement, particularly in terms of comfort and entertainment system maintenance.

Over 2 hour delay for a 50-minute flight is unacceptable, especially in normal weather. Very poor communication via app

Kayak sent over to jet blue my account being Mike Callaghan instead of Michael. I have a jet blue account with Michael that was connected

Going through JFK’s security is a mess. The TSA security said no shoes on the bins. So, we place our shoes in the belt and they came out all over the belt. Boarding was delayed and Flight as well.

Jetblue needs to improve on Onboarding as it seems to always be behind on departing. It never leaves on time. I would recommend to have an earlier Onboarding in order to leave on time and respect your customers time as well.

I booked this flight using JetBlue points and I was just so happy. The plane was so clean, I had every need met. Thank you!!

Another horrible Jet Blue experience. This airline has suffered the biggest decline of all from best to worst. TVs didn’t work (again). internet was temperamental. Boarded late and couldn’t get organized to serve snacks.

I hate their constant delays! It’s as if I cannot confidently make plans for timing when I'm traveling with them. I slept through it, so all I can say is it was good.

The staff at JFK were rude and unhelpful. I was harassed for the same bag that I used on my flight to jfk with no issues claiming it was the inappropriate size. The women then allowed my travel companion to board with the same size bag because they thought she was more “humble”. Also on the flight when informing the flight attendant that nationals no longer have to fill out the Bahamas immigration form my statement was met with eye rolling and attitude.

One of the crew members, a male complained about my bag being too heavy, which I felt was really unnecessary. I am disabled and would have carried it myself if I thought it was going to be a problem. In addition the landing was rough because everyone gasped in unison which it touched down.

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17 Premium Economy Seats Worth the Upgrade

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As anyone who has flown in a regular economy seat can attest, space on board planes is precious. Even just a few more inches of legroom or a slightly deeper seat recline can be the difference between comfortably falling asleep on a long flight and arriving at your destination as a zombie version of yourself.

Fortunately for fliers, premium economy cabins offer these upgrades and more perks at relatively affordable price points. A good premium economy product will not just offer roomier seats, but include an overall enhanced onboard experience, including fancier meals, better cocktails, and comfortable amenities like noise-canceling headphones and upscale toiletry products. At the airport, expect priority check-in services, a larger checked baggage allotment, and even lounge access.

Typically, airlines offer the best premium economy seats on their longer flights or international routes . Here are some of the best premium economy cabins to book today—we promise the extra splurge will be worth it.

Emirates new premium economy cabin is designed to emulate its business-class seats.

One of the most anticipated premium economy cabins in the sky, Emirates debuted its version of the offering in 2021. The seats have continued to roll out to more aircraft, specifically, on Emirates' double-decker Airbus A380 planes. The cabin can be found at the front of the first deck. The seats are now available on a long list of routes to and from Dubai, including Paris, London, Sydney, Christchurch, Melbourne, and US cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston.

For premium economy travelers, the perks start in the airport, with a separate check-in desk, larger carry-on bag allowance, and free seat selection. Inside the cabin, Emirates invoked the same design elements as the airline's iconic business-class cabin, such as cream leather with stitching details and wood accents. Passengers also get a large throw pillow, six-way adjustable headrest, calf-and-foot rests, and an in-flight entertainment screen measuring 13.3 inches wide, as well as a dining table with side cocktail table, and charging ports.

As for in-flight dining, expect three-course dinners served on Royal Doulton china tableware with stainless steel cutlery. Emirates always includes a dish local to the flight's destination on the premium economy menu—like Thai pepper beef with jasmine rice and pak choi. Top it all off with a complimentary glass of wine or something sparkly like the vintage 2012 Chandon—one of the array of drink selections from the business-class wine list not available in regular economy.

Qantas's premium economy seats rival some business-class offerings.

Australian carrier Qantas's premium economy cabin—available on the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A380s, plus its A350s starting in 2025 —is completely separate from regular economy with seats in a two-three-two layout. Seats are wider and have more legroom than coach, but they also feature wider armrests with storage compartments, two USB outlets, an ergonomic headrest, and a foot rest.

The “pièce de résistance,” according to Qantas, is the seat's recline function. “As the passenger pushes back in the seat, several sections of the seat shift, not just the back," says a description on the airline's site. Instead of simply reclining backward, the seat moves forward and up, so your legs and back are slightly elevated in a more comfortable position.

Premium passengers are greeted with a complimentary sparkling wine, cocktail , or juice upon boarding. Meals are served on custom-designed tableware. Other in-flight amenities include noise-canceling headphones, large pillow, 100% wool blanket, and a Napoleon Perdis–branded amenity kit. Passengers in the cabin also have access to a dedicated check-in counter and priority boarding.

Passengers booked into ANA's premium economy also get airport lounge access.

All Nippon Airways

Fliers booked in premium economy class on All Nippon Airways will receive many of the same benefits as flying in the Japanese airline's plush business class. On international flights, premium economy passengers are guaranteed access to ANA's lounges at its major airports, including Haneda airport and Narita airport in Tokyo, Osaka's Kansai airport, and the Honolulu airport. The also receive priority baggage handling.

ANA's newest premium economy seats, found on board its Airbus A380s, Boeing 787-10s, and Boeing 777-300ER planes, have a roomy 38 inches of pitch, a leg rest that supports the calf, massive 15.6-inch personal monitor, and an adjustable reading light attached to the headrest.

During the flight, those seated in premium economy can order from the business-class drink menu, which includes curated selections of Champagne, sake, red and white wine, Umeshu plum wine, and shochu. When meal time rolls around, passengers will be served the airline's beloved dishes that fuse Asian and Western cuisine, including its homemade bread served in business class. If you're still feeling peckish, choose from an array of petit fours usually reserved for business class only.

A rendering of premium economy class on Virgin's Airbus A350 plane

Virgin Atlantic

Onboard Virgin Atlantic's sleekly designed plane interiors , there's a lot to celebrate—like the revamped Upper Class cabin on the airline's Airbus A350 planes with The Loft lounge. Not least among them is Virgin's premium economy cabin, simply called Premium, which is available on the carrier's A330-220 and A330-300 planes, its A350-1000s, and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Seats in Premium are roomy: They're up to 21 inches wide (four inches wider than economy), have seven to eight inches of recline, and up to 38 inches of pitch. Each one also has a footrest.

Premium fliers get a dedicated check-in and bag drop line, plus priority boarding. Once aboard, passengers are handed a complimentary welcome glass of bubbly. Dinner includes a starter and main course served on china and paired with white or red wine. Post-meal, passengers are offered dessert and an after-dinner liqueur served with coffee. Select flights also include Virgin's signature afternoon tea service, featuring sandwiches, tea cakes, and warm scones with jam and clotted cream.

Singapore Airlines' premium economy seats come with perks like “book the cook.”

Singapore Airlines

Singapore, known for its over-the-top first-class suites , also has a solid premium economy product available on its A350, A380, and Boeing 777 planes.

Seats are spacious with up to 19.5 inches of width, an eight-inch recline, as well as a calf and foot rest. Each spot also has two USB ports and a 13.3-inch screen that comes with noise canceling headphones. There are also individual stowage areas specially designed for a water bottle, laptop, and headphones. While most of the seats are in a two-four-two layout, the airline's A350-900ULR planes have six single seats available, which would give the experience more of a business class feel.

Premium economy passengers have access to additional meal and beverage choices, including Singapore's famous “book the cook” service, which is available in premium economy flights out of 26 cities. This service allows customers to choose from in-flight meals created by the airline's International Culinary Panel and reserve them up to 24 hours in advance. Customers also receive priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling.

The premium economy seat on Scandinavian Airlines' A350 plane

Scandinavian Airlines

Swedish carrier Scandinavian Airlines also has a premium economy product worth cashing in for. Dubbed SAS Plus, the cabin class is available on the airline's A330, A340, A350 planes.

Seats are laid out in two-three-two or two-four-two formations, depending on the aircraft. On flights to the U.S. and Asia the seats are larger than regular coach, to the tune of 18.8 inches wide and 38 inches of pitch, according to Seat Guru , and they come with a full leg rests and a 12-inch entertainment screen. SAS Plus fliers also have access to free Wi-Fi onboard and order from an enhanced three-course menu.

In addition to priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, SAS Plus passengers receive numerous airport perks, including access to a “Fast Track” airport security line (where available) and admittance to SAS lounges, which are in every major Nordic hub, as well as Paris-Charles de Gaulle, New Jersey's Newark airport, and Chicago O'Hare.

Cathay Pacific's premium economy class

Cathay Pacific

While Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific's business class consistently ranks among our favorites, its premium economy on its Boeing 777 and A350 planes is also worthy of attention.

Set in a separate cabin in a two-four-two layout, seats have ample space with up to 20 inches of width and up to a whopping 40 inches of pitch, according to Seat Guru . There are also full-length calf rests and leather-padded footrests on the A350s and Boeing 777-300ERs, and a larger tray table. Additionally, there's a separate mini cocktail table, which can hold passengers' complimentary welcome drink received upon boarding.

Premium economy fliers order from an upgraded menu, are given priority boarding, and have access to dedicated check-in counters at select airports.

Latam blocks the middle seats in premium economy to give passengers more room.

Latam Airlines

While the seats in Latam Airlines' premium cabin are only slightly roomier than regular economy—with a bit more leg space and recline—the airline blocks out the cabin's middle seats so passengers have more elbow room. Plus, a ticket in the cabin comes with on-the-ground perks like premium check-in and premium boarding; premium economy fliers on international routes within Latin America are also permitted access to the airline's VIP airport lounge. The separate premium economy cabin is also set within the first rows of the aircraft with a dedicated lavatory and reserved overhead bin compartment for carry-on luggage.

The separate Air Canada premium economy cabin is on many of its international and domestic routes.

Passengers upgrading to Air Canada's premium economy cabin will find a wider seat with 18 to 20 inches of width (depending on the aircraft), seven more inches of leg room for a total pitch of 38 inches, a deeper recline, a footrest, a larger seatback screen, and power outlets and USB ports at every seat. The cabin is arranged in a 2-3-2 layout for a less crowded feel. The separate cabin is available on the airline's Boeing 777-300, Boeing 787-8, and Airbus A330-300 planes flying both domestic and international routes.

Meal service on flights departing North America consists of a main dish designed for the cabin by Air Canada's “culinary partner” Chef Jérôme Ferrer, as well as a side salad, bread roll, and dessert. On some flights, the meals come in a pre-packaged box, and on longer routes dishes are plated on tableware.

On the ground, the upgraded experience affords priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority luggage handling (the ticket also allots two free checked bags).

A spacious cabin and espresso martinis await fliers in KLM premium economy.

Launched in 2022, KLM’s new  Premium Comfort class has all the hallmarks of an upgrade, thanks to a host of business-class-like benefits. At the airport, you’ll get priority check-in, along with two free checked bags and two carry-ons—the same as business class—as well as lounge access for an added fee.

Stepping onto the plane, you’ll find a completely private cabin with just 28 seats laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration. Once seated, you’ll get an additional seven inches of pitch—38 inches compared to regular economy’s 31 inches. You’ll also get eight inches of seat recline (that’s one to three inches more than coach, depending on the aircraft), as well as a leg and foot rest. Other onboard perks include a pair of noise-canceling headphones, a  Hella Jongerius duvet, and exclusive dining options like Bols espresso martinis and stroopwafel ice cream.

Finnair's new premium economy seats come with Nordic design touches.

If you’re looking for more room to stretch out on a long flight, you’ll definitely want to book one of Finnair’s premium economy seats, which offer 50% more legroom than regular coach. The memory foam seats have 38 inches of pitch, a full “waterfall” legrest, and eight inches of recline. The separate cabin offers a sense of calm and privacy with just 26 seats. The seat layout is a 2-4-2, so be sure to book near the windows to feel less cramped.

Onboard amenities have plenty of  Nordic design flare —down to the three-course meal served on Iittala dishes and the neck pillow,  woven blanket, and toiletry kit from Marimekko.

The Allegris cabin premium economy will launch at the end of 2023.

The most innovative premium economy seats may belong to  Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabin concept : Each seat in the cabin features a hard-shell backing that will allow fliers to recline without encroaching on the passenger behind them. It’s a concept usually reserved for business class only, that Lufthansa plans to launch by the end of 2023. On average, Lufthansa’s premium economy seats offer 50% more space than regular economy.

The seats also come with a 15.6-inch 4K monitor, wireless charging stations, leg rests, a separate cocktail table, a personal reading light, a coat hook, and a water bottle holder. You’ll also get two free checked bags, and once onboard, a welcome drink to sip as you settle in.

Expect cozier pillows and blankets, plus a welcome glass of sparkling wine aboard British Airways.

British Airways

When flying in a premium economy seat on British Airways, you’ll find a separate cabin with seats laid out in 2-4-2 arrangement, totaling about 40 seats on most aircraft that operate transatlantic routes. In terms of dimensions, seats offer 38 inches of pitch and eight inches of recline, and a foot rest (but no leg support).

Once you complete your priority boarding, you’ll be offered a welcome drink of sparkling wine or juice in real glassware. Meals are also served on ceramic tableware. Other amenities include over-ear-headphones for your in-flight entertainment, plus a plusher blanket, pillow, and toiletry kit than those offered in coach. Two free checked bags round out the benefits in this comfortable fare class.

Japan Airlines

Although Japan Airlines has long offered a stellar premium economy product, the newest version of the cabin that’s rolling out on the carrier’s Airbus A350-1000 planes is on a different level. The 24 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout have hardshell seat backs so reclining passengers don’t steal away your elbow room. There are also divider walls between seats for extra privacy, and business-class features like motorized recline and legrest functions that operate at the push of a button. The seat specifications are impressive, too: Legrests rise to a comfy 90 degrees, and when that feature isn’t in use, a pitch of 42 inches means there’s plenty of room to stretch out. You’ll also find a massive, 16-inch 4K monitor for in-flight entertainment, an AC power outlet, USB type A and C charging ports.

At the airport, premium economy passengers can expect priority check-in at a counter dedicated to the cabin, priority baggage handling, and access to the airline’s Sakura lounges within Japan . The A350-1000 planes currently operate on the airline’s New York to Tokyo Haneda route, and they’ll also be added to JAL’s Dallas to Tokyo and London to Tokyo routes in the near future.

The Air New Zealand premium economy seats offer 50% more recline than regular economy.

Air New Zealand

Passengers on all of Air New Zealand’s long-haul routes operated by its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 777 jets have the option of upgrading to its premium economy cabin. You’ll ease through the airport with premium check-in and a luggage allotment of two checked bags. Inside the separated premium economy cabin, where 28 seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 layout, expect seat features like a legrest, extendable footrest, and 50% more recline than regular economy for a total of nine inches. Seat pitch measures a roomy 41 inches. Come meal time, you’ll have an upgraded menu to choose from, with dishes like slow-roasted lamb or New Zealand hāpuka fish accompanied by a selection of award-winning New Zealand wines. What’s more: Premium economy passengers will soon have access to a lie-flat sleeping option when the airline launches its much-anticipated SkyNest product next year. The product will offer six flat sleeping bunks that can be booked by economy and premium economy fliers for increments of four hours.

As the airline that’s credited with inventing premium economy class back in the 90s, EVA Air’s version of the fare class is well-worth the splurge. Today, the Taiwan-based airline's cabin is available on the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER planes. The airline focuses the upgrades where it matters: making the seats more comfortable than regular economy. Rows in the separate cabin are configured in a 2-4-2 layout. Each seat offers a roomy 38 inches of pitch, a whopping 121 degrees of seat recline, and 19.5 inches of seat width. Small, thoughtful touches like slippers, noise-canceling headphones, plus AC and USB power ports, provide an extra dose of comfort. Starting later in 2024, EVA Air will begin adding premium economy to more of its planes, updating its Boeing 787-9 jets to offer the cabin class.

The international premium economy seats on Delta feature a “bubbles and bites” service after take-off.

Delta Premium Select

Delta’s version of international premium economy—Premium Select— underwent an extensive overhaul in 2022. The result: an even plusher cabin with more comfortable seats, cozier bedding, and food and beverage perks. The latter point may be what passengers are most charmed by. After take-off, Premium Select fliers are now offered a “bubbles and bites” service, with complimentary sparkling wine or sparkling water and savory snacks, like mixed nuts. Other business-class-level touches, like printed menus and an oshibori towel, make meal service an event worth savoring. Seats offer 38 inches of pitch, 19 inches of width, and seven inches of recline—each dimension several inches larger than regular economy. Other upgrades include two free checked bags, noise-canceling headphones, and a plush memory foam pillow.

This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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The golden age of travel? Here's what it was really like to fly in the 1950s

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Boeing produced the DC-8 aircraft in the 1950s. In reality, Douglas made the DC-8. It wasn't until 1997 that Boeing merged with the DC-8's creator  (then known as McDonnell Douglas after a separate merger in 1967).

We've traveled backwards against the tailwinds of time in recent weeks, revisiting what it was like to fly in the birth of the commercial airline industry in the 1930s and then looking back on how innovation and industry really began to pump the gas in the 1940s . Now we get along to the real meat and potatoes (carved by hand and served on fine china in first class, naturally). Welcome to the golden age of commercial aviation! This is what it was like to fly in the 1950s:

Welcome to The Jet Age.  The Boeing 707 made its first flight on December 20, 1957, and was put into commercial service the following October by Pan Am. Boeing had dedicated $16 million in the 50s to develop a commercial jet of its own following the tragic British de Havilland Comet midair explosions. At $142,807,547.16 with today's inflation, Boeing president William Allen is said to have bet the company on the jet's success, putting up nearly the entire profit that Boeing had earned since the end of WWII. And you know what? It worked. Boeing may have made the 707, but the 707 also made Boeing , and continued to be sold until 1994.

At 100 feet long, the 707 possessed the largest cabin ever created, infinitely customizable by Boeing for any airline that had the cash and vision to create an enviable seating layout. Long-range variations were built to cross the Atlantic. High altitude 707s were built for airlines flying in South America. But one thing all 707s had in common were round windows. The unsafe  square windows of the Comet had nearly ended the Jet Age before it had begun.

Adult supervision required.  With air travel eclipsing train and boat travel in the 50s, it was finally decided that someone ought to be policing this booming industry. In November of 1958, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was born , and Elwood R. Quesada got to work building the network of air traffic control towers and unified flight tracking systems that continue to serve our aviation industry today.

A chance to catch up on your correspondence.  The high-tech in-flight entertainment of the 50s was really just a stack of postcards . Flight attendants handed endless amounts of cards bearing pictorials of say, the California coast with the airline's logo emblazoned in a corner, out to passengers during boarding, and then people really did just sit there and write to their loved ones.

Scandal in the skies!  An ambitious attempt to restructure the U.S. mail delivery apparatus in the 1930s embroiled much of the aviation industry in career-ending, merger-inducing scandal for decades to come. In an attempt to garner incredibly lucrative government contracts that paid airlines not by the weight of the mail they carried, but by the amount of space potentially available within their planes, some of the industry's biggest players merged to create regional monopolies. By the 1950s, these carriers were now operating national route maps and dominating the industry.

The scandal in effect brought about or had lasting repercussions on Eastern Airlines, Pan Am, American Airlines, United Airlines and Transcontinental & Western Air — better known as TWA. In fact, much of the shuffling about on our comprehensive list of airline mergers over the decades was put into play by the Airmail Scandal.

The blueprint for low-cost carriers. We remember Pan Am through a particularly glamorous lens and with the same warm nostalgia that bubbles up at the site of vintage travel posters. But perhaps what the airline ought to be most remembered for was the democratization of air travel. Pan Am introduced the world's first "tourist-class" tickets (so that's where Andie MacDowell got that  from) in 1948 between New York and San Juan. Tourist-class seats on planes were placed closer together into something resembling today's economy class, but dubbed the much more affectionate Rainbow Class .

The offering was a sensation, and quickly duplicated with routes across the Caribbean and Latin America in the early 1950s. By 1955, Pan Am was flying more than 1 million passengers across Latin America, propelling the airline to an operating revenue of $238,100,000 . That's more than $2 billion when adjusted for inflation. The tourist-class model would, decades later, be emulated across the entire route portfolios of airlines like Southwest and Spirit.

The (other) fear of flying. It's easy to forget in the baby-proofed, ADA compliant, ergonomically designed world we live in today that it wasn't so long ago that the world surrounding us was designed without our safety in mind. In the 1950s, first class was separated from the rest of the cabin with a glass wall  — stunning and minimalist, I'm sure, but also fragile and prone to shattering in flight, spraying passengers with crystalline shards of terror and danger. Just walking to the bathroom could lead to death in the 50s, when a turbulent stumble could bring passengers crashing down on sharp edges or cabin interiors built without safety in mind. And worse yet still, midair collisions in the 50s weren't an entirely uncommon occurrence.

Smoke 'em if you've got 'em. Smoking was practically de rigueur during flights in the 50s — and not just old-timey cigarette brands like Chesterfields and Viceroys, either! Passengers puffed away on in-flight pipes and cigars, reeking havoc upon many a non-smoker's lungs and attire. More than half of all men and a third of women were regular smokers in the 50s, and they were welcome to do so when flying. Though strangely, passengers weren't permitted to light up within the airport, where it was feared their cigarettes might ignite the fumes emitting from planes as they were refueled.