First Class Flights
First Class fares on 14 routes from US airports: what each costs in its cheapest month, when first costs less than business, and the airlines that still sell a true First Class abroad. Round-trip prices, including taxes and fees.
- Fare experts on call
- Total prices, taxes included
- Independent US travel agency
First Class at a glance
Averages for the cheapest month on each route, round trip, including taxes and fees.
- $254lowest route: Los Angeles–Las Vegas, February
- $4,112New York–London in November
- 5 routeswhere first has cost less than business
- 17–26 weeksbest time to book ahead, on the 3 routes with booking data
US airlines that sell First Class
See routes, hubs and typical fares for each airline.
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Hawaiian AirlinesWhen First Class is cheapest
February, October and November are each the cheapest month on 3 of the 14 routes, but every route has its own pattern. On the 3 routes with booking data, the cheapest fares came 17 to 26 weeks before departure.
| Route | Cheapest month | Avg that month | Priciest month | Book ahead | Cheapest day to leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK – LAXNew York to Los Angeles | December | $1,986 | September, $4,884 | – | Tuesday |
| BOS – LAXBoston to Los Angeles | October | $1,482 | May, $2,612 | – | – |
| EWR – LAXNewark to Los Angeles | May | $624 | April, $4,374 | – | Friday |
| ATL – LAXAtlanta to Los Angeles | September | $1,211 | January, $3,398 | – | – |
| ORD – LAXChicago to Los Angeles | November | $797 | April, $1,731 | – | Thursday |
| DEN – LAXDenver to Los Angeles | November | $492 | March, $965 | – | – |
| SEA – LAXSeattle to Los Angeles | February | $417 | December, $847 | – | Monday |
| BOS – SFOBoston to San Francisco | September | $1,307 | October, $2,296 | – | Monday |
| ATL – LGAAtlanta to New York | October | $499 | December, $1,792 | – | Tuesday |
| LAX – LASLos Angeles to Las Vegas | February | $254 | May, $847 | – | – |
| LAX – HNLLos Angeles to Honolulu | January | $1,372 | December, $1,804 | 22 weeks | – |
| SFO – HNLSan Francisco to Honolulu | October | $1,437 | May, $2,121 | 26 weeks | – |
| LAX – OGGLos Angeles to Maui | February | $1,584 | June, $2,361 | 17 weeks | – |
| JFK – LHRNew York to London | November | $4,112 | July, $7,065 | – | Thursday |
Avg that month: average round-trip First Class fare in the route's cheapest month, from fares over the past 12 months, including all taxes and fees. These are not live quotes; your travel expert will price your exact dates.
May is among the two most expensive months on 5 routes. Moving your trip a month can save hundreds of dollars.
On 5 of these routes First Class has recently cost less than business. On US flights the two cabins are often close, so compare both.
On some coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights the front cabin has flat beds; on most others it is a recliner. The aircraft decides, not the cabin name.
First Class or business: what each has cost
Recent average round trips on 6 routes that sell both cabins. On 5 of them First Class was the cheaper choice.
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SEA – LAX Seattle to Los Angeles
First is $941 less
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BOS – LAX Boston to Los Angeles
First is $509 less
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LAX – HNL Los Angeles to Honolulu
First is $64 less
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ORD – LAX Chicago to Los Angeles
First is $44 less
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LAX – LAS Los Angeles to Las Vegas
First is $27 less
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ATL – LAX Atlanta to Los Angeles
Same price
Average round-trip fares booked over the past two weeks, including all taxes and fees. Not live quotes; your travel expert will price both cabins for your dates.
International First Class from the US
United and Delta sell no international First Class, and American ends Flagship First by March 2027. These airlines still sell a First Class above business on flights from the US, usually through their home hub.
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Air France
La Premiere
A private suite that becomes a bed, the La Premiere lounge in Paris and a car to the plane. A new suite has been rolling out across the network.
From the US: New York JFK, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington Dulles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Houston; Boston from November 19, 2026 and Newark from February 1, 2027
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British Airways
First
Access to the Concorde Room at London Heathrow, open only to British Airways First passengers. A new First suite is coming to the A380.
From the US: Cities including New York JFK
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Lufthansa
First and Allegris First
Classic First from Frankfurt with the First Class Terminal and a car to the plane, and new Allegris First suites from Munich, including a double Suite Plus.
From the US: Cities including Newark, New York JFK, Chicago and Miami (aircraft varies)
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Swiss
Swiss First
Eight First seats on the 777-300ER and new suites with doors on the A350, plus the Swiss First Lounge in Zurich.
From the US: Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco (aircraft varies)
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Emirates
First Class
Private suites with a door and, on the A380, an onboard shower. Two-cabin 777-200LR flights have no First.
From the US: Many US routes, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston
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Japan Airlines
First
A new suite with a door on the A350-1000 to Tokyo Haneda; some flights still use the 777-300ER with JAL SUITE First.
From the US: New York JFK, Los Angeles and Dallas–Fort Worth
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ANA
THE Suite
Eight suites with doors on the 777-300ER, and the ANA Suite Lounge at Tokyo Haneda.
From the US: New York JFK, Chicago and San Francisco, depending on the aircraft
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Singapore Airlines
First
First on the 777-300ER from New York JFK via Frankfurt. A new A350 First is due from 2027.
From the US: New York JFK, via Frankfurt
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Qantas
First
A380 First to Sydney, with the Qantas First Lounge at Los Angeles.
From the US: Los Angeles
American Airlines stops selling Flagship First on the 777-300ER for travel from November 19, 2026, and on coast-to-coast flights from March 28, 2027. First Class from New York to London has averaged $4,112 round trip in November, its cheapest month, including taxes and fees.
Benefits of flying First Class
What First Class adds, from check-in to arrival. On US flights and on international flights the difference is large, so check which one you are buying.
The most space on board
Wider seats and more legroom on US flights; on international first, a private suite, often with a door, and a separate seat and bed on some airlines.
A real bed abroad
International First Class turns into a flat bed with proper bedding and pajamas. On US flights, flat beds are found only on some coast-to-coast and Hawaii aircraft.
Priority all the way
First Class check-in, priority security where available, early boarding and priority bags.
The best lounges
International First Class opens the airline’s First Class lounges, and on some airlines a private terminal or a car to the plane. Domestic first usually does not include lounge access.
Food and drink
Free drinks and meals on longer US flights; on international first, dining on demand and premium champagne.
More baggage
First Class fares usually include more checked bags, with higher weight limits, than economy on the same flight.
Before you pay for First Class
Six checks our fare experts make on every First Class booking.
- Domestic or international first
On US flights First Class is the front cabin, usually a recliner. A true First Class suite is sold only on some international flights.
- The seat on your flight
Some coast-to-coast and Hawaii aircraft have flat beds up front; most domestic flights do not. Ask which aircraft flies your date.
- Lounge access
Domestic first fares usually do not include the lounge. International first includes the airline’s best lounges.
- The business class price
On 5 of these routes first has cost less than business. We price both before you choose.
- The fare rules
Lower First Class fares can limit changes and refunds. Check the rules before you pay.
- The total price
Get the full price, including all taxes and fees, before you pay. We confirm it in writing.
Want a First Class price for your dates?
A fare expert compares first and business class across airlines, then gives you the total price before you pay.
First Class flights: common questions
How much does a First Class ticket cost from the US?
Within the US, the cheapest month's average round trip on the routes on this page ranges from $254 (Los Angeles–Las Vegas, February) to $1,986 (New York–Los Angeles, December), including taxes and fees. Abroad, New York–London averages $4,112 round trip in November, its cheapest month.
What is the cheapest month to fly First Class?
It depends on the route. February, October and November are each the cheapest month on 3 of the 14 routes on this page, more than any other month. May is among the two most expensive months on 5 routes.
Is First Class ever cheaper than business class?
Yes, on several US routes. On 5 of the routes on this page, including Boston–Los Angeles, Chicago–Los Angeles, Seattle–Los Angeles, First Class has recently averaged less than business. On Seattle–Los Angeles it was $617 for first against $1,558 for business.
What is the difference between domestic and international First Class?
On flights within the US, First Class is usually the front cabin: a large recliner with more legroom, free drinks, meals on longer flights and priority at the airport. International First Class sits above business on a small number of airlines: a private suite or apartment that becomes a bed, the airline’s best lounges and on some airlines a car to the plane.
Which airlines sell First Class from the US?
Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss, Emirates, Japan Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines and Qantas sell a First Class above business on flights from the US, usually through their home hub. American sells Flagship First until March 2027.
Do United and Delta sell international First Class?
No. Their top long-haul cabins are business class: United Polaris and Delta One. Within the US both sell a First Class cabin.
Is JustFlightsFares an airline?
No. JustFlightsFares is an independent US travel agency. Our fare experts compare first and business class fares across airlines and confirm the total price, including all taxes and fees, before you pay.
About this page. JustFlightsFares is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with the airlines named here. Airline names appear only to identify them. Fares change constantly, and we confirm the total price, including all taxes and fees, before you pay.
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