Why Some First Class Cabins Are Disappearing

Introduction: The Decline of First Class — A Shift Rooted in Economics and Passenger Behavior 

In the past, First Class was the pinnacle of air travel—lavish suites, gourmet dining, and unmatched exclusivity. However, in recent years, many major airlines have been removing First Class cabins entirely, even on long-haul international routes where it was once essential. What used to be a symbol of status and luxury is now often replaced by high-end Business Class products that deliver similar value at a more efficient cost.

This shift is not based on speculation or trend-driven guesses. It’s rooted in verifiable facts: load factors, revenue per square foot of cabin space, aircraft configuration strategies, and changing consumer behavior. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the proportion of seats designated as First Class has dropped by nearly 70% globally since 2008.

In this blog, we’ll break down the concrete reasons why First Class cabins are disappearing, backed by data and decisions made by leading global airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, and American Airlines. You’ll understand not just what’s happening, but why this structural change in commercial aviation is here to stay.

The Economics Don’t Justify It Anymore 

The single most influential factor behind the disappearance of First Class cabins is economics. Airlines operate on razor-thin profit margins, and every square meter of cabin space must deliver ROI.

First Class may be glamorous, but it’s often not profitable. In fact, airline executives have admitted this publicly. For example, United Airlines eliminated international First Class seats in 2016, with executives citing low revenue per square foot compared to business class.

Cost vs Revenue Breakdown:

• A First Class suite on an international flight can take up twice the space of a Business Class seat.

• According to CAPA - Centre for Aviation, First Class generates only about 5% of total revenue on international routes.

• A full First Class cabin rarely achieves 100% occupancy. In contrast, Business Class has much higher load factors, often over 80%.

Moreover, the operational costs of First Class—bespoke catering, private lounges, special check-in services, and onboard staff—add substantial fixed costs to each seat. Airlines like Air France and Malaysia Airlines have even scaled back First Class catering or lounges to reduce overhead before eventually cutting the cabin entirely.

Add to this the increasing cost of jet fuel and post-pandemic pressure to run leaner, and First Class becomes a luxury many airlines simply cannot afford to maintain.

Falling Passenger Demand and Changing Travel Preferences 

Even when First Class is available, fewer passengers are booking it. The traditional First Class demographic—corporate executives, celebrities, and high-net-worth individuals—has shifted preferences toward premium Business Class or private aviation.

Business Class Creep:

Modern Business Class seats—especially on airlines like Qatar Airways (Qsuite), Emirates (new A380 Business), and Delta (One Suites)—offer features that rival or even surpass old First Class cabins:

• Full flatbeds

• Privacy doors

• Direct aisle access

• Premium champagne and multi-course meals

These enhancements make it increasingly difficult to justify the price premium for First Class. According to a 2022 report by OAG Aviation, business travelers choose Business Class over First Class 78% of the time, even when both are available.

Moreover, the rise of remote work and Zoom meetings has reduced the need for premium last-minute bookings, often a key source of First Class revenue. Post-pandemic trends show a 23% decrease in corporate First Class travel according to IATA.

Additionally, more travelers are using miles and points to book premium cabins, but most loyalty programs offer better redemption rates for Business Class. This devalues First Class inventory in loyalty-based revenue models.

The combination of consumer rationality and upgraded business products has made First Class a harder sell, even among those who can afford it.

Aircraft Configuration Trends and Fleet Renewal Programs 

Modern aircraft design is another driving force behind the decline of First Class. Airlines are transitioning to more fuel-efficient, narrow-body and smaller wide-body aircraft that are incompatible with expansive First Class suites.

For instance, Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s are designed with efficiency and longer range, but with less cabin real estate compared to older aircraft like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380. This has forced airlines to make tough choices: prioritize First Class luxury or increase seat count for higher yield.

Key Examples:

• Qantas removed First Class from all its 787 Dreamliners.

• British Airways is reconfiguring some of its 777s to remove First Class altogether.

• Lufthansa only includes First Class on a shrinking number of A340s and A380s.

According to Airbus, only 15% of new wide-body aircraft delivered in 2023 featured a First Class cabin. Compare that to over 60% in 2005.

Moreover, aircraft retirement also plays a role. Airlines are phasing out jumbo jets like the A380 and 747, which historically carried large First Class suites. Once retired, these jets are often replaced by twin-engine aircraft optimized for Business and Economy cabins only.

Fleet renewal programs prioritize higher density, lower cost-per-seat-mile metrics, and that simply doesn’t align with First Class. The goal is to optimize the cabin for maximum profitability, not luxury status appeal.

Business Class Has Caught Up (and Surpassed) in Value 

Perhaps the most pivotal reason why airlines are eliminating First Class is that Business Class has evolved far beyond its traditional role. Today’s Business Class seats offer near-parity with what used to be standard in First Class just 10 years ago.

Take Qatar Airways Qsuite, for example. Each suite includes:

• Fully enclosed privacy doors

• Double-bed configuration

• Chef-curated menus

• Turn-down service

In reviews and passenger surveys, many rate Qsuite above First Class offerings on other airlines. Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and ANA also offer Business Class seats with premium materials, advanced IFE (in-flight entertainment), and personal storage compartments.

Operational Efficiency:

A high-end Business Class cabin takes up less space than First, allows more passengers, and still delivers high revenue yields. Airlines like Delta and United have chosen to eliminate First Class on international routes entirely, using the space to expand their premium Business Class offering.

A 2023 report by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) confirmed that Business Class now accounts for nearly 70% of all long-haul premium ticket sales. With enhancements like lie-flat beds, lounge-style seating, and priority services, it’s effectively taken over the role First Class once held.

And it’s not just functionality—Business Class is now the preferred choice for aspirational travelers, frequent flyers, and even some VIPs.

With such high satisfaction rates, airlines have no economic or experiential incentive to maintain both premium classes. Business Class offers the best of both worlds: premium experience with better ROI.

Conclusion: First Class Isn’t Gone, But It’s Becoming a Niche Offering 

Despite the clear decline, First Class isn’t entirely extinct—it’s just becoming highly selective and brand-specific. Airlines like Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Air France still maintain a flagship First Class experience, but only on specific long-haul routes or aircraft.

This is a strategic move: rather than offering First Class broadly, they reserve it for prestige markets—like Paris to New York, or Dubai to London—where high demand still exists from royalty, diplomats, or high-profile individuals.

But for the broader airline industry, the era of widespread First Class cabins is over. The facts speak for themselves: declining profitability, rising costs, changing fleet strategies, and the meteoric rise of Business Class all make First Class an unsustainable product for most carriers.

For travelers, this means that First Class will likely become rarer and more exclusive, not more accessible. And for airlines, the message is clear: when Business Class can deliver the luxury, the economics, and the efficiency—why keep First Class at all?