I often have a wry smile to myself about these circular debate CE threads when travelling in parts of the world where a short-haul business class fare does actually provide .... er ....... a proper business class seat (one still worthy of the term), along with high quality onboard catering & service to match.

Within Asia and Australia there is of course the option of a full biz product - if wished - when flying short-haul routes. Australia specifically can, however, prove prohibitively expensive (for anyone not living on generous expense accounts) ; but that isn’t an issue for me because I generally incorporate my longer J class Oz domestics within my main long-haul ticket, thereby reducing the per-sector cost dramatically (if the latter is not possible, then I will sometimes use points for redemption flights). In Asia, there is little need to worry about this, simply because J class flights (again, in a proper J cabin) are readily available at prices which are often much lower than equivalent distances within Europe.

BA are certainly far from alone in offering no more than a low-grade ‘business class’ onboard product for European short-haul. It’s just a pity that the market dynamics are such that we no longer at least have the option (admittedly not everyone would want to pay) of a proper premium seat & product. There was a time when the likes of Swissair even used to offer First Class on intra-Europe sectors (I do believe they were the very last to ditch it), but I understand and accept that those days are (probably ?) gone for ever within our changed world - a world which, let’s not forget, offers far easier access to air travel than in past generations.