When customising your trip, you can compare the fare classes available and the relative included services in the section dedicated to flights. Furthermore, after purchasing the trip, you can review the details of your booking in the Documents available in the "Purchased Trips" section of your Private Area.
Fare classes vary from company to company. They generally relate to one of the following types: Economy, Business and First. Each of these classes can in turn be divided into sub-classes that are distinguished by the services offered (baggage allowance, choice and type of seat, priority check-in, meals, miles, lounge access, etc.) and flexibility and costs when making changes, cancellations and refunds.
Carefully evaluating the services of each class will help you find the type that best suits your needs and avoid last-minute surprises. Precisely because each airline adopts its own classification, it's best to carefully check the services included in the rate you're interested in, also by consulting the company's official page.
Here are the most common details for each class:
- Economy Class: usually has the most advantageous but also least flexible fares, often has limitations in services and the possibility of changes or cancellations. For example, pay close attention to the number and type of baggage included in the fare class, especially when it comes to flights operated by low-cost airlines! In Economy Class, the seats also have standard sizes and do not always recline. An extra cost may also be applied for some services, such as: Wi-Fi, choice of meal, etc. There may also be some extra services such as, for example, entertainment screens, but this depends on the airline and the configuration and type of aircraft. Economy Class does not generally offer refunds for changes or cancellations. Larger airlines often offer the possibility to also choose an Economy Premium class or an economy fare with better comfort and services (more spacious seats, more reserved area, more legroom, priority boarding, higher baggage allowance, etc.). Economy fares are in high demand and tend to run out quickly. Booking early therefore ensures you a double advantage: more advantageous fares to choose from and a greater range of options in terms of departure times and connections;
- Business Class: different from Economy in that it has a greater number of services and better quality. In Business Class you are truly pampered and the difference with the previous class is especially noticeable in medium and long-haul international and intercontinental flights. When you face long journeys or travel at night, you'll certainly enjoy the more spacious seats which often recline to become real beds. In addition to having more space, there are less seats in Business Class than in Economy and they are located in a quiet area reserved for only a few other travellers. Welcome cocktail, lounge access, priority check-in, increased baggage allowance, high-quality meals and customised services on board are just some of the privileges that can be offered by Business Class. Depending on the airline, this class can also be divided into separate fare classes (e.g. Business Flex) which offer more or less services and advantages, especially in terms of flexibility in the event of changes and cancellations;
- First Class: the non plus ultra of all types of classes. It can easily be said that travelling in First Class is a real experience both in-flight and on the ground. With this fare you enjoy privileges such as transport service to the airport, an area totally separate from the other passengers, dedicated on-board staff, the highest quality and variety of food and drinks, and of course the maximum in comfort and entertainment services. This rate offers maximum flexibility, under certain conditions, in terms of any changes or cancellations. Remember that depending on the fare class you choose and the company, you can often request extra services which are included in other fares separately and at an additional cost. This is why it is worthwhile to carefully evaluate all the services included and buy the rate that best meets your needs, not only from an economic point of view.
Finally, we'd also like to dedicate a few words to the fare classes of minor or low-cost airlines. Generally, low-cost airlines don't have Business and First classes but only Economy class, with different fares that offer more or less extra services (e.g., priority boarding, baggage, choice of seat, possibility of changes etc.).
Therefore, when you book a flight with a low-cost airline, in most cases you'll choose between a standard rate to which you can add services at an additional cost (e.g., add baggage) or choose a "Plus" fare which already includes some extra services.