One of the problems of air travel is that it's First and Business who provide the revenue, and Cattle who suffer.
Historically there has been a surplus of capacity and multi-class seating. In Europe, the single class low-costs are taking a bigger slice of the lower end of the market whilst First/Business is slumping.
But companies know that people and their time are hugely expensive and are not keen on air travel in the current era - at least, not on 'public transport' scheduled flights.
Perhaps the airlines should look at some polarisation of flights. Reconfigure some 747s with a single class 38" pitch interior with some IFE and offer it as Economy Plus. But for long-range First and Business, a radical new approach is needed. I would go for 'fractional flight ownership' between private and secure lounges in aircraft configured above current Business standards BUT only available to 'approved' customers whose companies would be required to be shareholders in the scheme and to provide guarantees for their passengers.
There would, of course, still be some 'normal' multi-class flights available for general travellers.
[ 31 October 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]