Originally Posted by
chornedsnorkack
Do not forget meal choices, either. How much of the business and first class catering is actually used, and how much is carried in case someone wants it, then thrown away since premium passengers would regard it as stale?
Other costs would be:
Higher staffing ratios.
More maintenance time for the seats.
Lounge access (likely a marginal cost since many flyers are likely to have this already due to status)
Speedier security lines and immigration lines. LHR's fast track is one example.
Higher compensation required when problems are faced.
First class is definitely profitable as long as you are filling it up with paying paxs or your profitable frequent fliers (and even here, only in limited quantities). But you need to keep the revenue up to cover the costs.