In a sign of the turbulent times, Lufthansa says it will eliminate the first-class sections on two routes from its Frankfurt hub to the United States,

citing lagging demand and forecasting even more cuts in first-class seats.

The German airline will carry only business and economy class on its Frankfurt-Boston and Frankfurt-Philadelphia routes, said spokeswoman Sandra Kraft.

"So far there is a decision only on two routes, but some others will follow during the year," Kraft said. "These are routes on which first-class demand has been very low -- routes on which there has been more tourist demand."

Lufthansa cut capacity to match demand during the slowdown in airline traffic blamed on the Sept. 11 terror attacks and a slower world economy.