In my frank opinion it never was "First Class" on the 2 cabin planes (ok 2 1/2 if you're counting CZs premium economy as a real premium economy product). Same as in the US, the front cabin is hardly a First Class experience regardless of what they want to name it.

I really hope these resonates over to Air China as well. Because of the "First Class" designation vs Business Class, alliance partners (at least some) have charged more miles on C awards that have a domestic segment in Chinese domestic "First". Have always had to take the domestic segment in Y if paying the Business Class award price or seek out that rare domestic segment that happens to be on a 3 cabin plane.