USA vs Europe Business Class - Which is Better
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Date: 2024-10-21
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Comments and reviews: 20
Colaholiker
This whole gold gets lounge access, but not for our own customers is something I don't understand. I'm a Delta Gold Medallion (which is SkyTeam Elite equivalent) - and on AF and KLM, I get lounge access no problem. With Delta. well, I wouldn't, if it wasn't for the fact that I am usually connecting from or to international flights in at least Premium Eco, which in combination is enough again (except when you try to enter their contract lounge in Frankfurt, where they don't get it) Yikes.
However, this whole no extra legroom, but an empty middle seat thing is absolutely ridiculous. I am tall, not overly wide. While I do like to grab upgrades to Domestic First in the US, the only time I pick business class in Europe is when it's actually cheaper than Eco (which is rare, but has happened to me)
The lack of IFE in Europe is another thing I don't get. I only remember two flights on a European airline flying within Europe where I actually had IFE. But that was just overhead monitors on TUIfly. (Overhead monitors in the 2010s. Yay) Even if it is just a one hour hop like Frankfurt to Amsterdam, where you can't really watch a movie, I still like to see on the map where we currently are.
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This whole gold gets lounge access, but not for our own customers is something I don't understand. I'm a Delta Gold Medallion (which is SkyTeam Elite equivalent) - and on AF and KLM, I get lounge access no problem. With Delta. well, I wouldn't, if it wasn't for the fact that I am usually connecting from or to international flights in at least Premium Eco, which in combination is enough again (except when you try to enter their contract lounge in Frankfurt, where they don't get it) Yikes.
However, this whole no extra legroom, but an empty middle seat thing is absolutely ridiculous. I am tall, not overly wide. While I do like to grab upgrades to Domestic First in the US, the only time I pick business class in Europe is when it's actually cheaper than Eco (which is rare, but has happened to me)
The lack of IFE in Europe is another thing I don't get. I only remember two flights on a European airline flying within Europe where I actually had IFE. But that was just overhead monitors on TUIfly. (Overhead monitors in the 2010s. Yay) Even if it is just a one hour hop like Frankfurt to Amsterdam, where you can't really watch a movie, I still like to see on the map where we currently are.
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neilburns8869
This is just a pure guess, but with information I have heard from a US frequent flyer.
I remember hearing some time ago, from an American gentleman that he often had reason to fly both for business and vacation and what he said was that given the choice between a North American airline such as United, Delta', American or Air Canada etc.
Or one of the major European airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and SWISS etc.
Without a doubt, he would always go for the European airline because they simply offered greater value for money compared to any of their American rivals.
So, although I personally have never really travelled by Business Class and can't really see myself ever doing it - given what I have already mentioned I would imagine that the non-US option was best.
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This is just a pure guess, but with information I have heard from a US frequent flyer.
I remember hearing some time ago, from an American gentleman that he often had reason to fly both for business and vacation and what he said was that given the choice between a North American airline such as United, Delta', American or Air Canada etc.
Or one of the major European airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and SWISS etc.
Without a doubt, he would always go for the European airline because they simply offered greater value for money compared to any of their American rivals.
So, although I personally have never really travelled by Business Class and can't really see myself ever doing it - given what I have already mentioned I would imagine that the non-US option was best.
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RobertWhite-pz9wx
We flew from Denver to Houston yesterday on a United 737-900ER that (was supposed to have) departed at 12: 30pm. No PDB and we were served 1 drink and 1 bag of chips/crisps on a 2 hour lunchtime flight. Even though the seating is goofy, I far prefer Euro-business where they are somehow able to serve you a full meal plus desert on even hour long flights. American business class is just trash these days. I have flown hundreds of flights in both the US and abroad. Also in Europe - the stand to bus experience usually drops you in a far superior central location where you don't have to walk 100 miles to access services.
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We flew from Denver to Houston yesterday on a United 737-900ER that (was supposed to have) departed at 12: 30pm. No PDB and we were served 1 drink and 1 bag of chips/crisps on a 2 hour lunchtime flight. Even though the seating is goofy, I far prefer Euro-business where they are somehow able to serve you a full meal plus desert on even hour long flights. American business class is just trash these days. I have flown hundreds of flights in both the US and abroad. Also in Europe - the stand to bus experience usually drops you in a far superior central location where you don't have to walk 100 miles to access services.
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pjh9873
US Version is much more relaxing to me. fewer seats and easier to move around in the seat and stretch, change position, get the best sleeping posture. I agree that the US food is often sub-standard and does nothing more than fill the time on a long flight. After a long career in economy with occasional upgrades due to status, I have decided to stay in domestic first almost exclusively to reduce the stress. Good comparison of the two approaches; how about adding a look at middle east and SE Asian carriers I took a domestic in China on Cathay's partner airline and their first class was better than US or Europe's. Thanks.
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US Version is much more relaxing to me. fewer seats and easier to move around in the seat and stretch, change position, get the best sleeping posture. I agree that the US food is often sub-standard and does nothing more than fill the time on a long flight. After a long career in economy with occasional upgrades due to status, I have decided to stay in domestic first almost exclusively to reduce the stress. Good comparison of the two approaches; how about adding a look at middle east and SE Asian carriers I took a domestic in China on Cathay's partner airline and their first class was better than US or Europe's. Thanks.
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redwolfexr
Yep, US airlines give out first class amenities with an eyedropper and then wonder why they can't sell more seat upgrades. Most of the higher tier seats either are free upgrades for someone or go to an executive whose package includes flying Business Class.
When I travelled full time for a living I got a lot of very low cost offers for seat upgrades -- as low as $20 just before the flight. (and if nobody bit they would grudgingly upgrade someone with high tier status) So AA's Business/1C sections were ALWAYS full one way or the other. I doubt they are any less tight about it these days. : )
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Yep, US airlines give out first class amenities with an eyedropper and then wonder why they can't sell more seat upgrades. Most of the higher tier seats either are free upgrades for someone or go to an executive whose package includes flying Business Class.
When I travelled full time for a living I got a lot of very low cost offers for seat upgrades -- as low as $20 just before the flight. (and if nobody bit they would grudgingly upgrade someone with high tier status) So AA's Business/1C sections were ALWAYS full one way or the other. I doubt they are any less tight about it these days. : )
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infinityNmore
At least you had the middle seat with Lufthansa. Flying business class on a Finnair Embraer 190 between Geneva and Helsinki, seats are identical to economy, same width, same legroom. During the 3 hour trip, it was impossible for me to work on my laptop as the passenger in front of me has reclined his seat. I had shared this frustrating experience with Finnair client services (which added more frustration to my experience unfortunately.
To be fair, I've also flown on an Airbus with Finnair, also between Geneva and Helsinki. And it was much better.
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At least you had the middle seat with Lufthansa. Flying business class on a Finnair Embraer 190 between Geneva and Helsinki, seats are identical to economy, same width, same legroom. During the 3 hour trip, it was impossible for me to work on my laptop as the passenger in front of me has reclined his seat. I had shared this frustrating experience with Finnair client services (which added more frustration to my experience unfortunately.
To be fair, I've also flown on an Airbus with Finnair, also between Geneva and Helsinki. And it was much better.
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stogieguy7
Euro business class is a ripoff! I’m the same height as you and having a spacious seat is often worth the extra fare. But in Europe, you’re still squeezed into a tight seat like in back and neither a meal nor lounge access makes up for that. My first such rude awakening was on BA and I found it very confusing and thought they’d made a mistake. It is a cheap substitute for business class. This video is a public service for those here in the US who haven’t experienced that garbage that passes for business class on the other side of the pond.
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Euro business class is a ripoff! I’m the same height as you and having a spacious seat is often worth the extra fare. But in Europe, you’re still squeezed into a tight seat like in back and neither a meal nor lounge access makes up for that. My first such rude awakening was on BA and I found it very confusing and thought they’d made a mistake. It is a cheap substitute for business class. This video is a public service for those here in the US who haven’t experienced that garbage that passes for business class on the other side of the pond.
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Heidi_Bradshaw
For a European flight, I wouldn’t even consider buying Business Class as I’m not going to be on the plane long enough to warrant the cost! But when I lived Stateside, I was upgraded to Business once on American, as my original flight was overbooked and they asked for volunteers etc. The seat room and food was excellent. And in addition to the upgrade, I got a meal voucher for the airport and a free return flight anywhere within CONUS! I used that to get from OKC to EWR when I was leaving the US after moving home.
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For a European flight, I wouldn’t even consider buying Business Class as I’m not going to be on the plane long enough to warrant the cost! But when I lived Stateside, I was upgraded to Business once on American, as my original flight was overbooked and they asked for volunteers etc. The seat room and food was excellent. And in addition to the upgrade, I got a meal voucher for the airport and a free return flight anywhere within CONUS! I used that to get from OKC to EWR when I was leaving the US after moving home.
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JediTev
I fly United a lot because i get a Veterans discount on them. I tried First Class on a flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas with the wife became United offered for a slight upcharge. I didn't mind the seats were a little worn, i had room. I'm on the fluffy side so economy can be rough. We even splurged going to Hawaii for vacation this year. We got to fly in Polaris both ways and loved it. So we can save for Disney Paris in 4 years.
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I fly United a lot because i get a Veterans discount on them. I tried First Class on a flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas with the wife became United offered for a slight upcharge. I didn't mind the seats were a little worn, i had room. I'm on the fluffy side so economy can be rough. We even splurged going to Hawaii for vacation this year. We got to fly in Polaris both ways and loved it. So we can save for Disney Paris in 4 years.
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jamiedonohue4884
not that kind of a fancy eater anyone who didn't know that by now has not been paying attention bahahahaha. Another excellent video Noel thank you! Give Xiamen Air a go their food is pretty good and domestic leg room awesome! Sadly I will be flying China Eastern on my move back to Australia from Shanghai so I will be taking a packed lunch as their food in inedible. haha. All the best to Rach and the kids!
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not that kind of a fancy eater anyone who didn't know that by now has not been paying attention bahahahaha. Another excellent video Noel thank you! Give Xiamen Air a go their food is pretty good and domestic leg room awesome! Sadly I will be flying China Eastern on my move back to Australia from Shanghai so I will be taking a packed lunch as their food in inedible. haha. All the best to Rach and the kids!
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zero_six_romeo
I could care less about food on a domestic flight, but having more legroom, inflight entertainment, wifi availability and a larger seat make the American product more superior in my opinion. I will add that the Europeans do have better low cost carriers than the US, having flown domestically on both continents. The US is better for traveling in comfort, but Europe is better for traveling on a budget.
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I could care less about food on a domestic flight, but having more legroom, inflight entertainment, wifi availability and a larger seat make the American product more superior in my opinion. I will add that the Europeans do have better low cost carriers than the US, having flown domestically on both continents. The US is better for traveling in comfort, but Europe is better for traveling on a budget.
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Kiktrash
If you have the money go business / first that's a no brainer. However most people flying today cost is a concern. buy a flight and seat take your own food and entertainment. Still gets you there just as fast as the posh people.
When you do your cost on the screen for your business class you could also put up the cattle class price as a more meaningful comparison.
Great vlog as usual Noel. x
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If you have the money go business / first that's a no brainer. However most people flying today cost is a concern. buy a flight and seat take your own food and entertainment. Still gets you there just as fast as the posh people.
When you do your cost on the screen for your business class you could also put up the cattle class price as a more meaningful comparison.
Great vlog as usual Noel. x
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RichardBrundle-w4d
Not a fair comparison at all for ALL USA carriers Noel. as you know, Delta do not offer any meal service on flights of 2 hours in First Class just a packet of crisps. Flying on an A321 Neo also pretty rare try the MD 83 (Rebranded a Boeing 711 for some reason) no inflight entrainment or food again in First Class in the US. In Europe BA have WIFI, for a cost, on all flights as well.
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Not a fair comparison at all for ALL USA carriers Noel. as you know, Delta do not offer any meal service on flights of 2 hours in First Class just a packet of crisps. Flying on an A321 Neo also pretty rare try the MD 83 (Rebranded a Boeing 711 for some reason) no inflight entrainment or food again in First Class in the US. In Europe BA have WIFI, for a cost, on all flights as well.
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egpx
Flights up to 2 hrs, Euro Business Class. Flights longer than that, USA First (Business) Class. I think all the ground extras, particularly the lounge access, beats a dedicated Business Class seat for a couple of hours. Longer, and the nice seat wins out. The real question in both cases, however, is how much more are you willing to pay for either over the cost of a flight in steerage.
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Flights up to 2 hrs, Euro Business Class. Flights longer than that, USA First (Business) Class. I think all the ground extras, particularly the lounge access, beats a dedicated Business Class seat for a couple of hours. Longer, and the nice seat wins out. The real question in both cases, however, is how much more are you willing to pay for either over the cost of a flight in steerage.
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yorgunsamuray
That Business Lounge in Frankfurt really lives up to its name, everyone seems to be doing business.
Meanwhile in 2017, I had lounge access in economy class. Bangkok Airways flight from Mandalay (Myanmar) to Chiang Mai (Thailand. It was nothing fancy but it was a lounge after all. I wished I dreessed more smartly in my cargo shorts and t-shirt with sandals on my feet.
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That Business Lounge in Frankfurt really lives up to its name, everyone seems to be doing business.
Meanwhile in 2017, I had lounge access in economy class. Bangkok Airways flight from Mandalay (Myanmar) to Chiang Mai (Thailand. It was nothing fancy but it was a lounge after all. I wished I dreessed more smartly in my cargo shorts and t-shirt with sandals on my feet.
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noel_philips
0: 15. I paused right here, So BEFORE watching the rest, I say / predict. EUROPE! Let's watch further. PS. I only fly in Europe with Ryanair, Transavia, or Easyjet! Most of my flights go from Holland to Canary Islands ( 4, 5 to 5 hour flight ) But never seen an First class or Business, seat on those flights BTW I will NEVER fly on a Airus, ONLY BOEING's!
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0: 15. I paused right here, So BEFORE watching the rest, I say / predict. EUROPE! Let's watch further. PS. I only fly in Europe with Ryanair, Transavia, or Easyjet! Most of my flights go from Holland to Canary Islands ( 4, 5 to 5 hour flight ) But never seen an First class or Business, seat on those flights BTW I will NEVER fly on a Airus, ONLY BOEING's!
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sih4143
Even without the use of a lounge, alternative options are available, window shopping, overpaying for some food, sit and read a book or repeatedly walk up and down the terminal. Once in your seat on the plane though, you are very restricted on what you can do to fill the time. So I would go with the one with the better seat set up and that has some inflight entertainment.
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Even without the use of a lounge, alternative options are available, window shopping, overpaying for some food, sit and read a book or repeatedly walk up and down the terminal. Once in your seat on the plane though, you are very restricted on what you can do to fill the time. So I would go with the one with the better seat set up and that has some inflight entertainment.
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richard-riku
the video shows the differences but does not mention the reasons. European airlines want to move the divider between business and economy. For that reason they want all seats to be the same. USA airlines fill up the spare first class seats with upgrades. So first class is always full in the USA. European airlines don't want to give away business class like that.
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the video shows the differences but does not mention the reasons. European airlines want to move the divider between business and economy. For that reason they want all seats to be the same. USA airlines fill up the spare first class seats with upgrades. So first class is always full in the USA. European airlines don't want to give away business class like that.
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s2dbaker
My experience with BA was similar. Nice business class from JFK to LHR but Economy in the front to Edinburgh. I wasn't expecting that and thought it was a mistake. After all, why would the Yurpeen airlines intentionally fly an empty seat in the middle in business class when they could simply replace the three seats with two, more comfortable seats
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My experience with BA was similar. Nice business class from JFK to LHR but Economy in the front to Edinburgh. I wasn't expecting that and thought it was a mistake. After all, why would the Yurpeen airlines intentionally fly an empty seat in the middle in business class when they could simply replace the three seats with two, more comfortable seats
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Zweistein92
Have you seen the QR code on the seat at the Lufthansa flight Usually, you can connect to some kind of plane network and watch some (most of the time crappy) movies and see the flight map. but yeah, that's nothing in comparison to your own tv screen. that's why I would never pay for business class in a European domestic flight.
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Have you seen the QR code on the seat at the Lufthansa flight Usually, you can connect to some kind of plane network and watch some (most of the time crappy) movies and see the flight map. but yeah, that's nothing in comparison to your own tv screen. that's why I would never pay for business class in a European domestic flight.
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