First Class Dying as FTers are only takers
 

Most travellers in first class on TATL flights are using points, so the airlines are switching to upgraded biz class.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...DS=first+class

Very surprised this has not happened earlier. Flew UA US-Asia in GF on an award ticket, and while it was enjoyable, I cannot see more than the ultra rich who would pay $7.5k for a one way ticket that lasts for 12 hours. Smart move, UA and AA.

Moderator observation
 

There is already discussion in progress in the AA forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...rst-class.html

Will leave this thread open for now, but if similar threads appear in UA or other forums this one may have a short life.

So how are the foreign airlines holding onto their first class? It feels like there is a fundamental flaw in the business model

Possibly by increasing quality of service so that you *do* get something resembling what you pay for? (Have you flown Cathay Pacific international First?)

Also, some cultures (business and social) are more willing to pay higher fares.

Finally, some airlines are subsidized by their nation for prestige purposes.

It's been mentioned before, but a very rational reason for international F to exist is for people who normally fly private jets on domestic routes but the cost is prohibitive for international. I doubt the demand is enough to fill a whole lot of F cabins though.

I think international F will still exist but the routes it is on will be limited to where the paid demand is. Routes like JFK-LHR and LAX-HKG may survive bit others will not. We have already seen a trend towards this.

I just flew first to Narita on AA an out of Narita on JAL and there is no comparison of services of two. JAL was serving dom perignon and black caviar... AA didn't even have a tooth brush for us.

Did you fly paid F or did you fly paid J + SWU?

Many of the foreign airlines aren't. LH and BA are cutting it back, for example. There are fewer and fewer markets where it can be justified.

And yet LH recently introduced a new F-class product. It appears that F-class is here to stay at least in certain high-profile markets.

Both on AA miles.

Exactly. On some of these routes it will make sense to have a solid F product. Especiallly the Asian carriers where there seems to be better demand and a more solid product.

but I understand they have fewer seats per flight.
I think there will always be a group of people that do not have a private jet but have no problems dropping 10-20K for an international flight.
I cannot imagine they would pay that money to fly AA or UA; they would pick one of the European or Asian airlines.

Or buy a seat on a chartered plane....