My father who is a retired Foregin Service Officer never could understand the rules against First Class Travel. In the old days that was the only way you flew. They changed the rules in the 70's and nobody is allowed to fly First Class. The only exception is when a new US Ambassador arrives at his/her post and when he/her departs the post for the last time. For all other travel he/she is required to sit back in coach. This does not make a good statement having the offical U.S. representative delegated back to coach. This says a lot about the bean counters back in D.C.