Outside of America, first class isn’t a relative term, but a fairly absolute one. If a flight doesn’t have very luxurious seats, it might not have a first class at all, and will instead have business class. If it lacks even the degree of luxury necessary to call its seats business class, it might only have premium economy, which is a term for seats which are entirely normal seats, but with slightly more legroom. You’d never get first class that is remotely possible to confuse for premium economy, because first class means something specific, it’s not relative to what else that particular plane is fitted for.
If it lacks even the degree of luxury necessary to call its seats business class, it might only have premium economy, which is a term for seats which are entirely normal seats, but with slightly more legroom.
I would really love if USA air carriers were that consistent. Even between brands here in the States they have different names for the same level of seat and amenities. I’ve mostly got it figured out for Delta and United, but occasionally I’ll have to book a long haul flight on American Airlines and have to look up their seat classes before booking to make sure I get what I want.
Outside of America, first class isn’t a relative term, but a fairly absolute one. If a flight doesn’t have very luxurious seats, it might not have a first class at all, and will instead have business class. If it lacks even the degree of luxury necessary to call its seats business class, it might only have premium economy, which is a term for seats which are entirely normal seats, but with slightly more legroom. You’d never get first class that is remotely possible to confuse for premium economy, because first class means something specific, it’s not relative to what else that particular plane is fitted for.
I would really love if USA air carriers were that consistent. Even between brands here in the States they have different names for the same level of seat and amenities. I’ve mostly got it figured out for Delta and United, but occasionally I’ll have to book a long haul flight on American Airlines and have to look up their seat classes before booking to make sure I get what I want.
It’s like women’s clothing sizes!
(And men’s, albeit to a lesser degree.)
Ha! That’s a fantastic analogy! “Vanity Sizing” for airline seats.
Yep, this!