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If you’re planning on taking a short hop over a few states or making the coast-to-coast journey, you may be weighing the pros and cons of premium air fare on a relatively short flight. The experience is certainly elevated over business and economy class, no matter how you stack them up, but is the value really there for just a couple of hours? There are certainly many aspects to consider when judging the value of any service, and when it comes to first class flying on short flights, there are a range of products out there. The “top three” including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, all have their own variations on first class from service and dining to seats and decor. Every airline is different, and when it comes to short flights, the selection is more limited than long-haul, but some things never change. Before they ever get on the aircraft, first class passengers take advantage of several benefits. To begin with, there is no additional fee for them to use the express line at the check-in desk to check in and check their luggage. Fast-track security lanes are another perk available to first class flyers. After breezing through the checkpoint with no hassle at all, the next stop is passing time at the lounge. Buffet food service, free drinks, and a host of amenities await, including business pods and even showers at some lounges. First class is also allowed to board the aircraft early before other groups. Extra legroom, more reclining chairs, first-class facilities, better meals, and free drinks are all things that first-class travelers can anticipate. Seats are bigger and better, and even the dining and drinkware is higher quality. Attentive and prompt service from flight attendants is also a universal standard in the most premium cabins. After touchdown, first class has priority to disembark, and baggage is given special handling orders to be delivered ASAP. JetBlue Mint JetBlue offers a different experience from the big three and while it is not called first class by title, the product quality of Mint is exceptional compared to any premium domestic air fare. The airline now has all aisle-access suites in its highest echelon cabin. Every Mint Suite features a memory foam pillow, a fully lie-flat seat with Tuft & Needle's T&N Adaptive Foam cushions, and a customizable blanket package. The JetBlue Mint suite includes a 17-inch screen and wireless charging station, as well as customizable lighting. The Bar Pasquale menu is already in the suite from the moment you sit down and allows for a distraction during boarding that details the restaurant-quality food and drink options. Business Insider reported that breakfast starts off with a warm croissant that’s flaky and buttery, and pancakes are served hot and fluffy. Coffee is served on proper china, while the amenity kits come with an eye mask, socks, chapstick, mouthwash, lotion, earplugs, and face wipes from brands like Dr. Dennis Gross, Plus Ultra, and Tuft & Needle. The privacy of the suite pod makes every Mint flight a relaxing and enjoyable journey. JD Power and Associates ranks JetBlue Mint as the best first, or business class, cabin product in North America. Alaska Airlines Alaska is much like the big three in its format and style, but the presentation and execution puts it above the mainline carriers in many reviews. Lounge access is also not included for free but can be added on to the cost of the first class airfare. The WiFi is inexpensive but not free, and there are no seatback screens but device holders instead to stream on your personal tablet or phone. Plenty of power ports are available for charging. A full dining service is provided for flights over 670 miles, and the menu is inspired by Pacific Northwest and West Coast cuisine. The drink menu features a selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, with rotating Sierra Nevada beers as a highlight. In an ecologically-minded move and a fun novelty, water is served from biodegradable paper boxes instead of plastic bottles. Food is served on proper plates and review averages are very high for the menu and quality, as Business Insider raved about the Tillamook burger and berry cheesecake. Snacks are delivered en masse with an enviable variety including Kind bars, turkey jerky, Chex mix, and cookie and Lesser Evil popcorn. The service of landside staff and cabin crew is famously outstanding on Alaska Airlines and many reviewers consider it to be one of the best premium cabin products in the industry, including One Mile At A Time and Upgraded Points. American Airlines The “big three,” including American Airlines, generally all have 2-2 seating configurations in the highest echelon cabin on domestic service. Lie-flat seats are only available in American’s Flagship Business or Flagship First cabin tiers, which are usually not available on the short flights. Blankets and pillows are offered if the itinerary deems it prudent, but not amenity kits. The WiFi will likely come at a charge, but plenty of power ports should be available, including USB. On some aircraft, AA has a respectable catalog of movies in the seatback, in-flight entertainment (IFE), but others will only have a fold-out tray to hold personal devices like tablets and phones for entertainment, according to Travel and Leisure. Some reviewers, such as The Points Guy, did note that it is a bit more limited than rival libraries. On flights over 900 miles, a proper meal is served, if less than a selection of snacks is offered by cabin crew. AA’s menu is highly regarded for its curated dishes thanks to partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Complimentary drinks, including alcohol, are provided in flight. If meals are offered, you can order your referred menu items up to 24 hours in advance. Hot towels are handed out before food is served, and dessert is offered after the main course service finishes. Access to the Admirals Club is included in airfare for Flagship flyers on the longer routes, but generally not included for lower fares or shorter flight plans. If you have membership status with oneworld, Citibank, AAdvantage, or some other programs that may grant access to the lounge but confirm with the AA website ahead of time. Delta Air Lines Delta First is the highest cabin class offered on most domestic and short-haul international flights. Delta’s first class does include amenity kits on many domestic flights. Many newer aircraft, like the A321neo, have winged seats in first class with shields at face level to improve privacy despite the 2-2 seating rows. Delta Air Lines has similar power as AA, but the seat backs should universally have built-in IFE with an impressive library of movies, as The Points Guy noted. WiFi is complimentary in-flight on Delta, unlike AA. Delta’s advance meal ordering system has not yet been rolled out for all routes, so it may not be available depending one your specific itinerary. The same 900-mile benchmark applies to Delta as it does with AA, with flights over the line getting full meals and those under receiving just snack and drink service. Delta is well-regarded for its menu options and food quality on flights that offer full dining service. Delta, like AA and United, does not include complimentary lounge access on first class flights that are short. Transcontinental airfare does include lounge access. However, SkyPriority check-in and zone one boarding are both included for first class flyers. United Airlines United First is typically regarded to be below the average experience on AA or Delta first class by many reviewers. United does not offer lounge access with first class flights on short routes without an additional charge. There is no seatback IFE on many United flights, but the tray tables do have a device stand like AA. United has an app that can be downloaded to stream movies and check flight status using the aircraft’s WiFi. United Airlines offers meal service for flights over 800 miles, a 100-mile lower threshold than the other two of the big three, but no pre-order service exists. Despite that more generous policy, United has frequently been critiqued for its subpar catering in terms of both menu variety and quality. Drink menus are not handed out, but FAs are available to provide complimentary drinks throughout the flight. On the landside, expedited check-in, security, and baggage services are all included with the United First airfare. Legroom is often above average on United aircraft, which is great for taller flyers. The dining experience may be rated a bit subpar, but the drink offerings include a rotating selection of craft beers, as reported by Travel and Leisure. Just like the other members of the big three, two checked bags are free, and first class flyers board and deplane in the first groups.
