Originally Posted by stevenshev
Two points: 1) Logic --- First implies the First (Best) Cabin on the plane. Therefore first is a logical title. 2) Practicality --- Business was an afterthought to First and has been marketed as an in-between. I always think it's superbly weird when there is Business on a plane, but no first. If business is an in-between class, what is it between in such a case? Y and the flight deck? The only downside is annoying airlines who refuse to issue C awards in UA 2 class F, as they try to tell you that only F is available. NO, F IS C. ARGH.
I couldn't agree more.
Conversely, I don't know how European carriers get away with calling Business Class "Business Class". By the standards we hold either business class or first class to, I don't know how they can call it business class, when it's generally WORSE than E+ on UA in terms of seat comfort, width and legroom.
Try China where it's even more confusing. There seems to be no rhyme or reason between 'Business Class' and 'First Class'. This last trip, I took one flight, where I sat in business class, and it was the exact same cabin as a later flight in first class. Just a different airplane.