called a “Disneyland for the rich”. At the city’s airport the three first-class lounges of Emirates, the United Arab Emirates’ flag-carrier, do not disappoint. Each one is as big as the terminal’s concourse, built to accommodate thousands of passengers. But every day only a hundred or so enter each first-class lounge. Instead of the overpriced fast-food on offer in the public concourse, a maze of restaurants and bars serve free caviar and champagne.
When commercial aviation got going after the second world war there was only one class: first. Economy appeared in the 1950s. It was followed in the 1970s by business class and in the 1990s by premium economy, to fill the gap between business and cattle class. On longer routes, new seats that turned into fully flat beds were a game-changer. These were originally introduced byin first class in 1995, and much sought after. If travellers can sleep comfortably in the sky, they can save the cost of a hotel or, more importantly for time-pressed corporate warriors, a day’s working time. However, in 2000launched a similar seat in business, and most carriers have followed suit. That has weakened the case for flying first class.
Many airlines, however, are no longer convinced by this argument and have slimmed down their first-class offerings. One such is Air France-whose chief executive in 2014, Alexandre de Juniac, claimed that first class was “little more than a costly marketing gimmick” and that “no one makes money out of it”.
But even Emirates’ first- and business-class sales are threatened by private jets. These let executives avoid the wait for a scheduled flight. It is also much quicker to pass through security in a private-jet terminal than an airport. And in America ten times as many airports are open to private jets as are available for the bigger aircraft airlines use. Moreover, executive jets are becoming cheaper in relative terms, says Adam Twidell of PrivateFly, a private-jet booking service.
That's because we're saving for a private jet.
Shit high for no reason ijs
This is fakenews or just baseless news. Airlines are launching super premium hotel style flights with beds. How much more first class can that get?
No, no blame the passengers
Partly, yep. The quality of The Economist is great. Zanny is doing an amazing job. Just like the Airlines do with First Class travel.
It is indeed. First class is a waste of money IMHO.
Maybe bring back normal leather seats and get rid of those tight overengineered pods .
It's entirely their fault because the service sucks. Bring back the hot girls that cooked meals.
Old users first class now have private jets..
Lol who else would an airline blame?
partly ?
Who else could possibly be blamed!?
It is very expensive. Boring. Not too much differences with Business Class.
Business class is the price the wealthy pay to posture themselves and to assure themselves that they don't have to spend any time in close proximity to the everyday person. Just like pre-revolutionary France...the wealthy spend in order to show everyone that they're wealthy....
The rich now have private jets, which we subsidize giving tax breaks and write offs
Por gente como yo patidella
Air travel in the US is an overpriced shit show.
First class seats shud be abolished to make more rooms for economy class in certain routes - where tickets are not easily available...
Because First Class is NONSENSE only!
Because it costs an arm, a leg & a kidney?
On UK trains, first class was always empty with trains around london... in AUS, we do not have first class on local trains..a good thing..
Because it's freakin expensive! airlines
As for me, I'd prefer Economy as I can save to subscribe The Economist ! Rates in India ? Killing ! But ....will produce I Class 'xpenses by lying thru' the nose ! ===== Matts'
Because you pay extra for what's a coach seat from 30 years ago.
I wonder...may have to do with wages being stuck for since the 70s.
Stop. Look at that photo! You could play bocce ball with the space between those seats. Today, first class is nothing more than a “free” cocktail and a hot look of distain from the passengers in Group 9.
Probably because it is absurdly more expensive by factors rather than a mere percentage premium
When 1st class costs a car, or at least half the price of a functioning motorbike? Yeah naah. Not even corporate expenditures are even stupid enough to cop.
Last time I flew first class it was a total upgrade disappointment. Disgusting food, a bigger chair sure but other than that not worth it.
Maybe cabin service is the same for both class ( already seen )
alllibertynews First Class isn't anywhere near worth the price difference. My mother was a flight attendant for 31 years and as a result I flew first allot as a kid on standby due to the fact it was hardly ever full and a 20 buck upgrade then. A lot of celebs and 'rich' go coach.
I stupidly paid to fly “first class” on a cross country flight a couple months ago. Bagged snacks. No power outlets. Horrible food choices. Credit card miles get same services for a lot cheaper seat, and same boarding privileges.
Fırat class was entered as a comfortable option at 1960 s until 1980s. Bir after 1980s teh rich people by the development of single jet airplane Technology. And by their prizes were getting lower year by year They passed to these jet aitplanes. This is the Real and short story
First Class renders long-distance travel tolerable, at best. A very rich person ought to be able to do better easily.
Cleavage sponsored by fellows like you does that. Ads in economy class for business class? who put red strikes on faces becasue they are scared of loosing their money. De econochrist de jesuites de tabarnak de fakes
It's almost like $12k for a few hours on a plane is a bad investment, even for people with money.
. The super rich felt a bit put upon and unfairly targeted when a former frequent flyer suggested that 'First Class' be renamed 'Old Bald White Guys Who Hate Sitting Amongst The Riff-Raff.'
My Uncle says 'Either you travel first class or your kids will' - definitely thinking with both sides of his brain. I have great respect for him. Seemed to be a polar opposite of my late father. How can siblings be so disparate?
Private jets? taxtherich
The very rich have their own jets. And the TrumpTaxScam gave them an even greater deduction for them.
America should not have plutocrats. Rich people are fine, unless they are simply money hoarding billionaires. We really shouldn't have billionaires either.
Yes, this is an important story. And the rich charter their own planes, because they can.
You don't call it first class when it's your plane.
why forcing readers to sign up to read articles?
No surprise there.
Try flying economy on AirCanada no meals, blankets, pillows : but great crew
I peak up their on the way out the door sometimes. Is it really worth it?
Eat the rich
At least they’re not blaming millennials this time
It needs to be one class, those days are long gone. 99% fly commercial the 1% own private planes trust me my uncle is a pilot for one of these big shits and I hear it all from my uncle.
And they don’t build good yachts anymore
Looks like a horror movie.
just look at that
Yeah, because it’s too effing high.
Nonsense
because private plane sharing has made private flight less expensive. still expensive, but not prohibitive at a lower wealth level
Because it’s exspensive af.
Hi Jess I got the impression
Nobody can afford it
Yea because no one can afford that ish
Business class is deemed good enough even for those spending a lot on luxury holidays. So whilst luxury travel as an industry may be booming, it’s no surprise that first class flight travel is not. First class is usually booked by top execs and movie stars with too much money.
Touched on it a bit, but the cheapening of the private jet market plays into this heavily. That and airlines gearing towards smaller planes makes up for most of the decline I would say
Economical.
Generally speaking, those spending large amounts on expensive luxury holidays may fly business, but rarely fly first. Why? Waste of money. First is for business execs and celebrities with more money than they know what to do with. Disclaimer: I’ve worked in the industry.
You don't arrive any faster and economy isn't so bad? You can upgrade the meal....
rwatson1955 : crisis!
...Because the number of people who can afford it is also in decline.
The declining upper middle class and lower upper class...
Perhaps because all the seats are taken by politicians.
Because the airlines charge WAY TOO MUCH for it?
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