Originally Posted by
andyptrav
All that you describe is the result of increased competition especially from budget airlines. Costs have had to be cut because the vast majority will book a flight $20 cheaper without any thought as to quality.
Alternately, the vast majority don't care if you get some mass-produced coach meal and IFE on a 45 minute internal flight if it saves them $20. They'd rather have the $20 to spend on a decent meal and movie at ground level (or something else not at 35,000 feet).
But yes, budget airlines are putting pressure on elite benefits... which sort of indicates that non-elite passengers were subsidizing some of the elite benefits, no?