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Revision as of 11:52, 31 March 2006 by 62.171.194.5 (talk) (→Airplanes)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)First class travel is a particularly high quality travel class offered by passenger airlines, railways and shipping companies.
Airplanes
The First Class section of an airplane is typically located in the front of the aircraft (and is somethimes located on the upper deck of airplanes with two decks (for example the Boeing 747 or the soon-to-be in service Airbus A380). The seats are always larger than Economy Class, Premium Economy (longhaul) and Business Class (longhaul) seats and have substantially more legroom and seat width. First Class passengers have special check-in (for example, fast track security or a dedicated First Class check in centre for premium passengers)and are able to board the aircraft before other passengers. If a First Class passenger arrives at the gate after the Business Class and Economy Class passengers have begun boarding, he or she has the right to politely cut in line (this, however, is rarely done by passengers of decent breeding; it is more commonly a practice of the uncultured wealthy travelling in First Class.) Furthermore, on three or four class international and some premium North American (domestic) flights operated by larger planes (such as the Boeing 747), First Class passengers typically have their own separate jetbridge (or airbridge) to board the aircraft from the gate door to the aircraft door. European passengers used to Business Class on European flghts will find North American First Class to be the equivalent of European Business Class, although there is a substantial difference in seat design between North American (domestic) First Class and international First Class (international First Class now often features flat beds).
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are free, and usually served in lead-crystal glassware immediately on boarding the aircraft instead of half an hour after takeoff. Gourmet meals are usually served with a choice of wine, dessert, and aperitifs. Often these meals have been designed by leading chefs and are served on white linen table cloths and with real (instead of plastic) cutlery and china.
First Class passengers usually have at least one lavatory reserved for their exclusive use, with more than one on larger planes. Recently, Business and Economy Class passengers were barred from visiting the First Class cabin due to newly enforced security regulations (First Class being almost always at the front of the plane). There is sometimes AVOD (AudioVisual On Demand), although nearly always normal films, television programmes and interactive games are provided on large seatback or armrest-mounted flat panel monitors. AVOD means that the passenger can start, stop, pause, rewind and fastforward the music they are listening to or the video they are watching at their pleasure.
Historically, First Class air travel has been very expensive. More recently, passengers have been able to upgrade their Economy Class tickets through membership in elite frequent flyer programs and through the policies of some airlines that allow Economy Class passengers to purchase upgrades on an as-available basis. Many airlines, however, require that non-elite passengers purchase costly full-fare Economy Class tickets in order to have the opportunity to upgrade for 'free'. First Class longhaul fares regularly exceed £1000 per person one way on top of the basic Economy Class price.
Many international flights offer three or four classes of service -- First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class. Business Class passengers enjoy seating and service higher than domestic First Class whilst international First Class passengers receive the most lavish amenities available, which can even include private suites and cubicles. Recently, many airlines have even begun to introduce full-flat beds in Business Class, especially those airlines who do not operate a First Class service (such as Virgin Atlantic).
Railways
In United States
Railroad first class service in the U.S. (Amtrak) can include sleeping car accommodations and dining car meals.
First class travel on Mid and Long Distance trains includes more than just sleeping and meal accommodations. First class passengers have access to exclusive Club Acela and Metropolitan Lounge waiting rooms in many cities and high traffic stations. As with first class airplane travelers, first class rail travelers board first and can politely cut in line if they arrive late. Once on the train first class passengers with sleeping accommodations are escorted to their private rooms. Typically, a newspaper and bottled water is waiting for them. On Superliner trains sleeping accommodations include Roomettes, Bedrooms, Bedroom Suites, Family Bedrooms, and Accessible Bedrooms. On Viewliner trains sleeping accommodations include Roomettes, Bedrooms, Bedroom Suites, and Accessible Bedrooms. Many rooms include a shower and toilet, for other rooms a toilet and/or shower is located nearby.
First class travel includes all meals, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, daily newspapers and many hotel-like amenities. During the day rooms have large comfortable reclining seating. At night, seats are converted into berths (beds) by train staff. Other personal services and hotel-like amenities included for all sleeper car passengers are turn-down service, complimentary coffee & tea, electrical outlets in rooms, fresh linens, fresh towels, climate control and make-up bed. All sleeper cars are closed to all but ticketed first class passengers and staff.
In Great Britain
The existence and nature of different classes of passenger service on British trains has varied over time and continues to evolve.
Currently, most longer-distance services offer First Class and Standard Class service, while most local and suburban services are single class - as are urban transit services such as the London Underground. First Class service offers access to dedicated First Class sections of the train, nearly always featuring fewer but larger, and - at least ostensibly - more comfortable seats, in a generally more spacious arrangement that provides more personal space, often a table and upgraded decor / carpeting, and in some cases additional amenities (such as power outlets for mobile phones or PCs).
In addition to the dedicated seating, the current First Class rail experience may include access to a lounge (at major departure and/or arrival stations); and additional on-board services, such as food and/or drinks service, complimentary newspapers, etc. Such on-board services vary widely: By train operating company, by route, by day of week (weekday or weekend), and by time of day. The most complete First Class experience is offerred by long-distance train operators, such as First Great Western, GNER, Virgin Trains; especially on weekday morning and evening trains on high-volume routes, where it is apparently targeted by the train operators at "business travellers".
First Class service is offerred on overnight sleeper trains between London and Scotland (refer to Caledonian Sleeper).
Eurostar international trains between Great Britain and continental Europe offer two distinct first class services, which they call "Business Premier" and "Leisure Select" respectively, in addition to Standard Class.
In the developing world
In the developing world, First class can be comparable to Coach in developed countries. The reason for this is the large volume of laborers that use the transit system in countries, such as India.
Cruise ships
Some benefits of first class on modern cruise ships include larger cabins, priority check-in, priority embarkation and disembarkation, priority meal-sitting selection, and on premium lines, butler service. However, higher accommodation passengers are served the same food and receive the service as other passengers in the dining room and throughout the cruise ship, with Cunard Line being the only modern exception.