Originally Posted by
iwillflytheworld
Add to that that in the US you don't get lounge access for domestic F (even though distances are often longer than most intra-Europe flights).
And even if you had lounge access, the AY lounges suddenly look very luxurious compared to the average lounge in the US. Not having to pay for your alcoholic drinks is just one thing.
It is an amusing business model - giving away F almost for free e.g. through upgrade vouchers, but then selling lounge access as a separate membership. Just about the opposite of what non-US airlines do for elite members.