Is Flying Premium Class Worth It in the Era of COVID?

Fair warning before I get too far into this: there is no way to talk about this without sounding extremely elitist. Take that as you will.

I love flying. I have been flying since I was 2 months old and I have never been able to get enough. To this day, something about going to the airport and getting onto an airplane fills me with a sense of childlike wonder.

Flying is great, but flying in first class is awesome. As a chef, particularly one that is 6’4 (193cm) tall and built like a brick shithouse, I love the larger, more comfortable seats, and of course I love the better food and the attention to service. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention priority boarding and complimentary lounge access among other perks. All of these benefits come at a premium and some people, myself included, are sometimes willing to pay good money for to make their flight more enjoyable.

But then came COVID-19 and the airline world was turned on its head. Passenger numbers plummeted as governments around the world shut their borders and people became wary about being locked in a pressurized tube in close proximity with other, potentially sick, people. With revenues suffering, as well as the need to keep their remaining passengers safe, airlines were forced to make massive changes.

Picture courtesy of Frugal First Class Travel

The “hard product,” meaning the plane, the seats, and the physical features of the cabin obviously all stayed the same. It would make no sense for the airlines to spend money to change what they already had. The real victim of these changes was in the “soft product,” or the more variable aspects of a flight; things like food, drinks, service and amenities that aren’t a fixed element of an aircraft. The changes aren’t noticeable immediately upon your arrival to the airport. You can still expect priority check-in, often with a designated line just for premium class passengers.

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The first noticeable difference comes once you pass security. Going to a lounge for a few pre-flight snacks and some free drinks (more often than not copious amounts of Diet Coke) is one of my favorite aspects of the airport experience. Alas, lounge access is the first victim on our hypothetical first class trip. In order to cut costs and to keep the risk of spreading COVID-19 low, several airlines have chosen to close most, if not all of their lounges indefinitely for the length of this crisis. Those airlines that have opted to keep some open have done so with severely restricted amenities.

Drinks continue to be available behind the bar, but in order to keep the possibility of spreading germs through physical contact as low as possible, the food options are now practically non-existent, typically only being able to find pre-wrapped snacks and cookies if anything. More often than not they’ve just done away with food entirely to save on overhead. I don’t blame them entirely for this move because, If we want an airline industry to come back to once the pandemic ends, certain cuts will need to be made in the present if they hope to remain afloat.

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When it’s actually time to get on your flight, little if anything has changed. Premium class cabins are significantly smaller than economy, so the priority boarding process has been left relatively unchanged as it is still possible to adhere to social distancing practices.

Once on-board however, the changes really become noticeable. Many airlines are no longer offering premium class passengers a pre-departure beverage, instead you will often only get a bottle of water that is there when you get to your seat or handed out shortly after the doors close to the cabin.

Airlines obviously don’t want their employees touching something you just used to wipe all over your face, so you can also say goodbye to the hot towel that is passed out before departure. Instead some airlines are passing out sanitizing wipes for your hands. Truly a sign of the times. I wouldn’t expect an amenity kit either as airlines continue to slash operating costs.

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The biggest difference, to me anyways, is obviously the food. Not to sound like a broken record player, but once again, in an effort to minimize the risk of spreading germs, particularly in the handling of your food, meal services on first class are a pale shadow of what it was and should be. Don’t expect any real selection between beef or chicken. Don’t expect multiple courses including dessert.

In their stead you now get prepackaged snack boxes, similar to the ones you have to buy in economy. In fact, oftentimes they are the same exact ones that is sold in economy. This is an enormous step down from the kind of meal service one comes to expect from premium class dining, even on American carriers.

Alcoholic beverages continue to be free on most airlines for premium class passengers, however the selection has been cut back severely and you’ll often find that cocktails come with some assembly required. If you ask for a “screwdriver” you will probably be handed a small nip of vodka and a (disposable) cup of orange juice for you to make the drink yourself. Not a huge deal but another part of the experience that has been radically changed.

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Premium class tickets can cost several hundred if not several thousands of dollars more than their economy class counterparts. Although COVID has changed several key aspects of the premium class experience, some things have remained the same.

Ultimately it’s a choice you’re going to have to make based on why you choose to fly in a premium cabin. Do you spend the extra money because priority check in and boarding are important to you? Do you use extra miles because you enjoy the comfortable wide seats with extra legroom? Then maybe you should go ahead and continue buying first class tickets.

However, if the reduction in food quality, service, and the flat out elimination of lounge access sounds awful to you, then maybe save a few bucks and just ride in economy plus or something. At least that way you still have the extra legroom.

At the end of the day, do whatever you want. It’s your money but by taking these things into consideration you at least know what to expect and what kind of bang you’ll be getting for your buck.