[Skywise]

First class is dying out because, I suspect, the only real people using it besides government officials were frequent business flyers getting upgrades from all their mileage. Most businesses outright refuse to cover first class travel and require business or less. So, whereas, first class used to be more popular because it targeted that business class, the new business class seating became the predominant seating class and... well just make more of that.

But then I used to fly on planes that served meals instead of a bag of chips and 1/3 can of coke.

[Jonty30]

I think it’s also due to that, for a 15 hour flight, it’s just not worth paying hundreds of dollars more to go to the same destination. Buy your meal before you go and occupy yourself on your computer or book while in flight.

[Bernard]

Toward the end of my time as a frequent business flyer, it was common for me to be number 47 on the free upgrade list, out of 76 people on the list, for a United flight from Boston to Chicago. (Pick the numbers; the point is that 2/3 of the passengers on a Thursday or Friday PM flight from one major city to another was frequent business flyers.)

And FC would be 8 seats total. And maybe a total passenger capacity of 100-120.

[AbolishCSEU]

I only see the “oppressed” flying in first class. Usually shortly after January 31st when all those tax credits come back via advance Jackson Hewitt loans.

DEI scares me so we just drive now.