Summary
Here’s what to expect when flying first class on an airline dedicated to saving you time and money.
Over the past decade, I’ve consistently found myself (along with my luggage!) crammed into free airport shuttles, sleeping on partially deflated air mattresses at friends’ homes, and waking up in the early morning hours to catch flights—all in search of saving a few bucks. Each time, I convinced myself with familiar lies, like how I would accomplish so much work on the flight or manage to sleep the entire journey.
Spoiler alert: I did not work on the plane, and I certainly did not sleep on it either.
I reached a critical juncture in my travel habits. I recognized the necessity to embrace more comfortable experiences, yet I hesitated to open my wallet. That’s when I discovered the enticing first-class seats on Breeze Airways.
Breeze Airways, recently recognized as one of the best domestic airlines in the U.S by iBestTravel readers, operates as a low-budget carrier with three seating classes: “Nice,” “Nicer,” and “Nicest.” While “Nice” aligns with economy seating, “Nicest” denotes the airline’s first class, and “Nicer” neatly fits in between. Regardless of the class, Breeze Airways is unique in that it does not impose fees for flight changes or cancellations.
As I searched for a flight from San Francisco to my home airport in Richmond, Virginia, I quickly ran the numbers. A one-way ticket in coach class with Breeze amounted to $119. Adding a seat reservation for $10, a carry-on fee of $35, and my first checked bag at an additional $39, the total reached $203. Comparatively, the first-class ticket—which included a reserved seat, a carry-on item, and two checked bags—cost only $244.
This premium seat for just $41 more on a direct flight was an unmissable offer for me.
I anticipated that Breeze Airways’ first class would present a different experience from the first or business class of larger carriers. However, I had nothing to compare it with. My focus was not on comparing this first-class seat to others, but rather on assessing whether the upgrade was worth the investment. Here’s how my experience unfolded.
Boarding and Deboarding
Previously, I often felt envious of passengers with first-class tickets enjoying priority boarding. However, after experiencing Breeze’s “priority boarding” as a solo traveler, I can confidently affirm that you’re not missing much. The dad jokes ring true: “Everyone’s going to get a seat.” Naturally, when flying economy, boarding early is often driven by the need to secure overhead cabin space.
While many airlines provide priority luggage service for first-class passengers—which guarantees luggage is unloaded first—this luxury is absent with Breeze Airways. Consequently, while you might save time exiting the plane, you could still face a lengthy wait for your luggage.
Seats
The spacious seats on Breeze Airways justify the extra $41. Measuring 20.5 inches wide and 39 inches deep, these seats provide ample legroom. For comparison, standard seats on the flight only measure 18 inches wide and 30 inches deep. At 5 feet 5 inches tall, my feet didn’t touch the ground from my seat, indicating taller passengers would appreciate Breeze Airways’ first-class seating even more.
Each seat is equipped with its own AC power outlet and USB-C port in the center console, eliminating the need to awkwardly maneuver around your neighbor’s feet for charging. While Breeze does not provide in-flight entertainment, each seat in the first-class section is fitted with a mount to hold your phone, tablet, or e-reader for entertainment purposes.
In-flight Refreshments
Most passengers on Breeze Airways have to purchase food and beverages separately. Although complimentary cups of water are available, sodas and bottled water cost $3.50, while alcoholic beverages are priced at $9, and individual snacks (like nut mixes and Pringles) can reach $4.50.
First-class passengers on my cross-country flight, however, enjoyed full-sized snacks and alcoholic beverages. (According to Breeze’s information, first-class travelers on shorter flights under four hours receive a light snack and one drink choice from their menu.)
If you’re flying coast-to-coast, be aware that meal services are not included as they might be on other first-class flights. Breeze Airways does offer snack boxes for purchase: the $8.50 box includes dried cranberries, a cheese spread, flatbread, a brownie crisp, and almonds.
Personally, I enjoyed my peanut M&M’s and bloody Mary mix—a surprisingly, albeit horrifying, combination. Just know that I saved the M&M’s for later.
Working on Breeze Airways
On most flights, I tend to stow my laptop in my bag under the seat in front of me, with the intention of being productive. However, due to cramped seating, passengers moving about the aisles, and attempting to balance the laptop on a tiny seat tray, airplanes have rarely been conducive to productivity. All too often, my laptop remains tucked away.
That being said, my laptop did see some action during my Breeze Airways flight, and I managed to accomplish a satisfactory amount of work. The dedicated power outlet, a larger tray table, and spacious seating contributed to an improved work environment. The only caveat is ensuring you download everything you need before boarding, as Breeze Airways does not yet offer in-flight Wi-Fi (though they have recently begun fitting some planes with Wi-Fi connectivity).
If you’re planning to focus on work, I also recommend bringing noise-canceling headphones. The appeal of the first-class section extends to families with young children—a good deal for parents managing kids and gear—resulting in a potentially noisy environment.
Other Things to Know
Breeze operates a limited flight schedule compared to larger carriers; certain routes only fly two or three days a week. Therefore, if you have a specific travel date in mind, this might not be the airline for you.
If you or your companions tend to arrive at the airport excessively early to “settle in,” consider adjusting those plans when traveling with Breeze. For instance, I arrived at 10:15 a.m. for my 12:30 p.m. flight only to find I couldn’t check in yet. Upon arrival, I encountered a sign indicating the check-in desk opened at 10:30 a.m.
Being a budget airline, Breeze Airways lacks the lounges that travelers often expect with a first-class ticket from major carriers. However, depending on your departure airport, you might gain access to other lounges through your credit card provider or by purchasing access to specific lounges.
Is Breeze Airways First Class Worth It?
I used to scoff at the notion of paying simply for a larger seat. Nevertheless, after being able to work on the flight and wake up refreshed the next day, I find myself more open to investing in a bigger seat in the future.
While Breeze’s first class may understandably lack certain amenities available with other airlines, the opportunity to fly across the country to a smaller regional airport without a layover, all while enjoying a comfortable seat, was indeed a wise investment. Moreover, those generously sized peanut M&M’s didn’t hurt either!
