Continental used to have three classes of service back when they flew to Australia. When CO first came out with Business First competing business classes were closer to economy class than to first class. CO figured they could gain market share by offering a “near” first class experience at a business class price. But as time has passed, other airlines business classes have caught up to or surpassed BF… and they still offer First class too. Unfortunately business class fares on three class carriers are much closer to a first class tickets in price than economy... so for the average hard woking guy... coach is the only choice.