The world's top airlines are questioning the need for first-class cabins as flat-bed seats cradle corporate customers in once-unimaginable comfort, making the premium on front-row seats harder to justify.
With reclining business berths introduced this year by Air France-KLM, the corporate cabins of top operators in Europe, Asia and the Middle East now offer an experience comparable to that available in first class for two decades.
Among carriers that report limited demand for luxury seats are American Airlines, which is removing them from about 50 jets, and Lufthansa, where à1-billion is being spent upgrading business class as capacity in first class is cut 30%.
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways is adding private suites styled as "The Residence" with a double bed, living area and shower for $20000 one-way to London.
Those carriers pondering the future of first-class travel are following Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways, which abandoned the three-class long-haul seating plan in the 1980s.
Virgin's "Upper Class" swapped luxury for a technology-led, business-friendly approach. It includes in-seat power and a Club House lounge with free haircuts and a putting green.
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