Is it really the recession or is it that the bulk of passengers are finding a 12 plus hour direct flight just too much to bear?
Given the choice I'd rather do a direct 12hr flight than a two-leg one possibly taking up to 16 hours to complete. Even if I'm stuck in the back. Having had experience of rushed connections due to late arrival of the first flight (followed by not all the bags making the connection), getting stuck at the half-way point due to cancellation of the second flight and all of that, it's much easier to get on the aircraft and endure one continuous stretch of discomfort.