BACrewBoy,
And when, exactly, was the deepest part of the recession? In order to maintain profitability throughout fluctuating revenue times the airline MUST have the ability to adapt rapidly.
During those times, bearing in mind that 'business traveler' is a retrospective publication, the banking/service industries (our main customers in First and Business) were facing an uncertain future. The airline had to take the forward view that the load factors might not return in the face of dwindling personal liquidity and rationalisation of Corporate travel accounts.
We are now seeing a slow return to increased personal liquidity and and increase of travel account allocation to major corporate customers. Once again the company must be proactive in their appraisal of future trends. This is why BA employs some of the best analysts in the world to look into what products will suit the future markets. Hence we are retrofitting all of our aircraft with a NEW First Class product.
The future could, can or maybe different from the past.