I don't think BA having four classes of services has anything to do with playing on our class system.

BA used to have three classes on long-haul and then introduced WT+ as the fourth class after VS introduced premium economy. Four classes of service is a reflection of the different commercial markets BA serves.

A criticism I would make of the long-haul air travel industry as a whole is that (if we put the mileage game to one side) on most carriers I have a choice of either sitting knees to chin in Y or paying ££££s for J, and nothing else.

With perhaps the exception of VS PE and the new budget business class carriers, no carrier has developed a true "mid-class" product to suit travellers who are prepared to pay a small premium over economy. Yet when I want to choose a hotel, as in most other consumer markets, I can choose from a vast range of options to suit my budget and personal tastes.