I agree that the A380 direct to JNB is my choice. I also (as I have often said) do not like dimmable windows. I did not know that they are in A350s. The crux is whether the airline choose to lock them down without option.
This is a clip from an article I read a couple of months ago - I cannot recall where:
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, despite earning $27 million annually, often chooses to fly in economy class. His recent remarks about doing so during an interview with Fortune sparked fresh discussion about airline leadership, image, and perception.
In the video shared by Fortune, Bastian explained that he often finds himself seated near the restroom, catching up on emails mid-flight, and chatting with surprised passengers. CEOs from the major U.S. carriers frequently mention how they fly economy, especially on domestic routes. While it might seem like a gesture of humility, it’s also a calculated decision rooted in both optics and practicality.
For staff, it signals shared experience; for passengers, it creates a story worth sharing. Encounters with CEOs in the back of the plane regularly go viral, giving airlines a wave of positive publicity without spending a cent on marketing.
It also aligns with how loyalty programs drive profit. Since upgrades are among the biggest incentives for frequent flyers, a CEO taking one of those coveted seats would be a bad look. Staying in economy helps preserve that perk for paying loyalists while allowing executives to appear grounded, figuratively and literally.
Despite occasional economy flights, airline CEOs still enjoy premium travel on long-haul routes or for major business trips. Their choice to fly coach on domestic legs isn’t about saving money—it’s about managing perception.