How To Get Cheap First Class Flights On The Best 1st Class Airlines?

Last updated on Dec 12th, 2024 by Heena Ganotra

Air travel can be stressful if you’re stuck in economy class’s cramped seats, which is why people are always on the hunt for good deals on first class flights. Unfortunately, unless you have money to burn, most people can’t justify splurging on a premium seat. With airlines cutting down economy class perks, you may want to upgrade to a better service just to be more comfortable. 

You can save hundreds of dollars on premium seats if you’re smart about it. We have some tips to help you get the best deals on 1^st class airline tickets.

1. Book Premium Seats Then Upgrade

One of the most affordable ways to get first class tickets is to buy upgradeable Premium Economy before upgrading to First Class seats. Many experts recommend not buying First Class directly because you may end up paying more than you need to. If you’re a part of any rewards program or are the Frequent Flyer of an airline, you can upgrade using accumulated miles. For instance – use the Air India Frequent Flyer program to get an upgrade!

In most cases, the upgrade will be completely free or you may have to top up a little to get the premium seats. But this option is much more affordable than the alternatives. While the Airline Loyalty programs aren’t as worthwhile as they used to be, they still offer some perks.

2. Book Flight in Advance 

There are two approaches to this and both are valid depending on when and how you travel. If you book well in advance, you may get some great deals on first class plane tickets. For example, some travellers can save a couple of hundred dollars just by booking 6 months to a year in advance. 

However, you may also want to consider the ‘sweet spot.’ Studies of industry trends suggest that it is possible to score the best deals within four months and three weeks. We recommend using our tool to compare rates from different airlines during different times of the year. That will help you find the best deal. 

3. Take Advantage of Airline Discount

Airlines often conduct sales and offer their premium services at discounted rates. Air India offers exclusive discounts on flights from Australia to India throughout the year. Do thorough research and consider taking advantage of substantial discounts by booking with Air India and Air India’s partner airlines.

Airlines will run sales at any given time and the seats often sell out quickly. The best way to stay on top of the offers is to subscribe to their newsletters. These newsletters will announce sales before they happen so you can be ready to grab cheap First Class flights.  Be sure to act quickly because airlines will only release a limited number of seats under the sale and they will vanish quickly. 

4. Time Your Trip Correctly

Most passengers in First Class and Business Class are traveling for work, which means the flights go relatively empty on weekends. You might find cheap first class flights on weekends. These flights are also more affordable during holidays because First Class seats aren’t as much in demand.

Most people who fly First Class are travelling on their employer’s dime. They don’t need to pay for these 1st class tickets as the employer books the tickets and handles the expenses. That’s why these first class seats are often full during weekdays, unlike Economy or Premium Economy seats. Those are more popular among leisure travellers as they pay out of their pocket.

5. Book a Return Trip 

Book round trip tickets instead of one way if you want to save money on First Class plane seats. Most frequent travellers know that booking a return trip is often more affordable than booking one way. Even if your return dates aren’t fixed, we recommend booking return 1st class tickets anyway. You can always change the dates if necessary.

Airlines are less stringent about date changes these days due to the pandemic and the travel restrictions around it. Booking a round-trip ticket may help you save hundreds of dollars on the entire trip. 

6. Subscribe to Fare Alerts

Airlines issue fair alerts so you can keep track of the changing prices easily. These alerts will tell you when the fares drop immediately. If you are quick, you can capitalize on a good deal and get great First Class flight prices. 

Fare alerts also help people become aware of the different trends in pricing. You notice when the fares are more likely to drop and when they are likely to increase considerably due to increased demand. If you’re a frequent traveller and want to keep an eye on these trends to understand when you should book tickets. 

7. Last-Minute Flight Upgrades

Airlines will want to fill seats that are going empty due to last-minute cancellations or low booking numbers. If that is the case, you can easily score a great deal and get an affordable 1^st Class ticket price. All you need to do is ask if there are any upgrades available and ask for the cost

It is possible to negotiate at this point. If you hesitate long enough, the agents at the check-in counter may offer the lower 1st class ticket prices just to fill the seat. That’s especially true if you’re near the end of the boarding time. Be polite and ask nicely to get the best offer possible.

8. Flexible Travel Dates and Destinations

If you’re free to travel and aren’t bound to a single destination, it is possible to pick a travel date or destination that’s cheaper than the standard rates. For example, heading to a less popular airport near Sydney may prove to be more affordable than heading toward Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. 

Flexible dates can also help you get great First Class flight prices. Choose the most affordable departure and return dates to save hundreds of dollars on flights. 

9. Try Your Luck With flight Upgrades

Getting upgrades without spending miles or too much money can be tricky but if luck is on your side, you may be able to score it. There are several ways to go about it. You can, of course, upgrade with reward points or miles while you book a ticket or check-in at the airport. It is also possible to upgrade with up-front cash at the airport. 

You can ask agents at the check-in counter or gate if there are any seats available. Many agents may be able to upgrade your seat for a small fee so you can enjoy the comfort of first class flights. If you’re especially lucky and disarmingly charming, you may even get a free upgrade. 

10. Take Advantage Last-Minute Cancellations

Most carriers overbook their flights to account for last-minute cancellations or no-shows. As a result, people often get bumped and are either upgraded to more premium empty seats in the aircraft or are asked to reschedule. If you have time and your flight is overbooked, you may be able to take advantage of this by offering to be bumped. 

Airlines will offer rewards to passengers willing to change their schedule as they don’t need to deal with disgruntled customers. The airline will offer to rebook the ticket on the next available flight and offer considerable credit towards future travels. You can redeem this credit at a later date or use it to cover the First Class ticket price. These are often the cheapest First Class flight tickets you will find. 

Business Class vs. First Class

Business class flights and First Class are both premium offerings that provide many perks that make the money spent worthwhile. However, people often wonder about the difference between Business and First class.It is worth it to shell out even more money than the already premium Business Class seats? Here’s a look at some of the differences between the two classes:

• Seats – Business Class seats recline farther and provide more legroom. First Class seats can often turn into a small bed that you can comfortably sleep on. 
• Privacy – Business Class seats are still somewhat clubbed together. You may have more elbow room but that’s it. However, First Class seats are often separated and it is even possible to get complete privacy in a small apartment on the plane. 
• Lounges – Business Class lounges are clean and comfortable but First Class lounges are luxurious and classy. They’re especially great in Asian airports though you’ll have to deal with similar wait times. 
• Food – Food and drinks available on Business Class flights are always great and restaurant quality. First Class offers a fine dining sort of experience with a menu crafted by a professional chef with premium ingredients. You will have a much better dining experience in First Class.

The difference between Business and First Class can vary depending on the airline. Some airlines offer superior service and there is a worthwhile reason to shell out the extra cash. However, with some airlines, the difference is almost negligible. We recommend looking into the different airline options before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Business Class cheaper than First Class?

Ans. Yes, Business Class is more affordable than First Class plane tickets. The more premium class costs almost twice as much as Business Class and on some airlines, it can cost thrice as much.

Q. How much is a First Class ticket for?

Ans. The average cost of a First Class ticket in Australia and India is around $5000 to $6000 but it can easily reach as high as $10,000. However, it is possible to find good deals through flash sales, last-minute upgrades, and price tracking that can bring the costs down to as low as $2000 to $3000.

Q. How many points for a First Class Flight can I earn?

Ans. The points required will depend on your trip, carrier, and destination. For the most part, the air miles required to upgrade to First Class range between 60,000 to 80,000 and sometimes more. Some carriers may require more than 100,000 miles for the upgrade.

Q: How to get cheap business class fares?

Ans. To get cheap business class fares, book in advance, be flexible with travel dates, use points or miles, monitor deals, consider alternative airports, look for package deals, and use fare comparison tools.

Q: Which is cheaper first class or business class?

Ans. First class is typically more expensive than business class because it offers higher levels of service, more spacious seating, and additional amenities such as gourmet meals, exclusive lounges, and personalized service.

Q: Does Qantas Airlines offer a first-class cabin?

Ans. Yes, Qantas Airlines first class offers a luxurious cabin with spacious seats that convert into fully flat beds, gourmet dining options, premium wines and spirits, and personalized service.

Eager to try these tips and get a taste of luxury?

Hop on over to MyTicketsToIndia to book First Class flights from Australia to India at an affordable cost. With no hidden costs and 100% transparency, we are the industry’s leading flight-booking portal. Our payment solutions are easy, website is user-friendly, and staff is 24*7 ready to cater to your booking needs. Besides this, what makes us stand out are our easy cancelation process and swift refund policies. 

About Heena | View Posts

A writer by both passion and profession, Heena Ganotra is "half agony, half hope" but all heart. And oh, she has been a book lover from the start! Her love for books is what convinced her to make a career in the wonderful world of words. She loves what she does and is out-and-out a satisfied soul with a wish to spread happiness and kindness in abundance. Insight- Some say she is living the best life anyone could because she reads, writes, travels, and makes merry. They’re right because what else does one really need! :)