Is Flying First or Premium Class on a Budget Airline Worth It? We Tried It Out

With skyrocketing airfares and upgrades becoming rarer if you don’t have miles or elite status, escaping the discomfort of coach can feel impossible—at least on traditional carriers.

But there’s another option that even experienced travelers might overlook. The idea of bargain first or premium class may seem contradictory, but it’s one of the best travel hacks for getting more luxury for less. Over the years, I’ve intentionally booked low-cost airlines offering premium seats—one of my favorites was Norwegian Air’s Boeing 787, featuring comfy recliners, hot meals, and seatback entertainment, all for much less than major international airlines.

Norwegian faced financial struggles and stopped its long-haul flights in 2021, and most low-cost carriers offering affordable all-premium services eventually went out of business (except for France’s La Compagnie). However, a few newer budget airlines are now betting that travelers will pay a bit more for a better flying experience—and they may be right.

Recently, I flew premium class on two niche airlines, and it was surprisingly enjoyable. One was with Breeze Airways, a domestic startup now flying coast to coast, and the other was Paris-based French Bee, a long-haul leisure airline offering a premium product on its nonstop flights across the Atlantic and Pacific.

Other budget airlines also provide premium seating at discounted prices. For example, Norse Atlantic Airways, a revival of Norwegian Air, operates the same planes and transatlantic routes between the U.S. and Europe, offering wider seats with extra legroom and meals, starting at $462 one-way with a checked bag. Meanwhile, Neos Air, an Italian low-cost carrier, flies from New York’s JFK to Milan three times a week on 787 Dreamliners with 28 premium seats, offering more space, upgraded meal service, and fares starting at $686 one way.

However, there are trade-offs. Don’t expect lie-flat beds, exclusive airport lounges, or top-tier amenities like vintage champagne, as you would on luxury carriers like Air France or Singapore Airlines. These budget airlines keep fares low by minimizing operating costs. Basic services like staffed customer support may be lacking, with text or chat interactions being the norm. Extra fees can also catch you off guard—for instance, I was charged $3 to print my boarding pass at the airport with Breeze Airways. For a full in-flight experience, read on.

Flying first class on Breeze Airways: An Overview

Flight Details: Breeze Airways, Flight 298, from White Plains, New York (HPN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Service Class: 'Nicest' class, akin to premium or first class
Pricing: Starting at $298 each way for first class, compared to $69 each way for economy
Review Summary: Breeze Airways, a low-cost airline founded by JetBlue’s David Neeleman, began as an unconventional option serving secondary airports. In under two years, it has evolved into a national airline, surpassing 100 routes and introducing its first coast-to-coast nonstops, including flights from New York’s Westchester County Airport to Los Angeles.

I flew with Breeze last November and opted to experience the front of the plane instead of the back with this competitively priced airline. On the morning of my flight, I arrived at the small White Plains terminal at 7 a.m. for the 8:30 a.m. departure. With only four gates, the airport was buzzing with passengers eager to escape the cold. After navigating security—with Clear’s help to skip the line—I found a seat near a convenience store and, knowing the in-flight offerings would be limited to snacks, I picked up a coffee and a sandwich.

After boarding, I took my place in Seat 8F—one of 36 first-class seats at the front of the aircraft—thanks to my ticket in the 'Nicest' class, distinct from 'Nice' (Breeze’s basic economy) and 'Nicer' (the economy option with slightly more legroom).

These stylish seats are exclusive to the Airbus A220, a larger aircraft with enhanced range compared to the smaller Embraer jets in Breeze’s fleet. Luckily, most of the airline's longer flights are on the A220, which has received acclaim for features like spacious windows and remedies for claustrophobia. We pushed back at 8:33 a.m. and were soon airborne. The advantage of a smaller hub like White Plains is the absence of runway congestion typical of New York's busier airports. The captain informed us that the flying time would be five hours and 20 minutes, and the crew would soon be serving refreshments.

As I settled into my spacious seat—20.5 inches wide, with a pitch of 39 inches (the distance between rows)—the time flew by, making it easy to drift off. There were no screens in the seatbacks, and we were informed beforehand that Wi-Fi wasn't available (though it’s being beta-tested for a future rollout). Thankfully, I had plenty of work and had downloaded some binge-worthy shows to enjoy before takeoff.

In summary, my experience led me to conclude that a comfortable, well-designed seat makes a significant difference on a flight that crosses multiple time zones.

Experiencing Premium Travel with French Bee

Flight Details: French Bee, Flight 710, from San Francisco (SFO) to Tahiti (PPT)
Class of Service: Premium class
Pricing: Starting at $835 one-way (based on current exchange rates), compared to $270 for Basic Economy each way
Review Summary: French Bee, based in Paris, offers an attractive mix of low fares and a unique Gallic charm that enhances the budget airline experience.

Upon arriving at San Francisco International Airport for my late-night journey to Tahiti last October—scheduled for 11:20 p.m.—I quickly recognized the perks of flying premium with French Bee. While there’s no dedicated lounge and French Bee doesn’t offer TSA PreCheck, my boarding pass allowed me to breeze through airport security in mere minutes, thanks to a fast-track option some smaller non-U.S. airlines negotiate with the airport.

The gate area was bustling with travelers, many of whom were conversing in French. They had flown in from Paris earlier that day and were on their way to French Polynesia, totaling nearly 20 hours of flying time. The flights utilize Airbus A350 wide-body jets configured to accommodate 411 passengers across three classes: Eco, Smart, and Premium, as labeled by French Bee.

My premium ticket granted me early boarding privileges, allowing me to settle into seat 2A at the front of the 35-seat premium section. The 18-inch-wide seat resembled an older business-class model—not fully reclined but enough to let me catch some sleep during the 8.5-hour flight. The legroom was a decent 36 inches, and each seat had screens loaded with a variety of current TV shows and both new and classic films. A flight attendant greeted me with a glass of sparkling wine as we pushed back from the gate right on schedule.

Although it was late (I was still on New York time, making it feel like 3 a.m.), I couldn't resist the full meal included in my fare. I opted for pasta with shrimp in Alfredo sauce, complemented by a wedge of Brie, a salad, and a light cheesecake, paired with a 2015 Chateau Blaignon merlot.

I leaned back to watch My Salinger Year and soon drifted off. Four hours into my sleep, the crew woke me up to serve a continental breakfast 90 minutes before landing. We arrived in Tahiti at the early hour of 4:45 a.m. local time, where a lively welcome awaited us from a band of musicians.

Additional benefits of French Bee’s premium class include a more generous baggage allowance (two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each) along with complimentary drinks and two meals. In contrast, travelers flying on an Eco fare (French Bee’s basic economy) do not receive meals, while the Smart class offers one checked bag and one in-flight meal but has the same seat size as standard economy.

In conclusion, my assessment of the experience and its value: French Bee’s premium class offers good value for the price, though I wouldn’t categorize it as a luxury travel experience. However, considering the cramped seating with 10 seats across in the back of the plane, it’s definitely worth it, especially for a nearly 9-hour flight.