Strake - Spot-on! Thanks for your KLM/AMS recommendation.
LB - The LCY service looks exactly what I had in mind. Interesting to see that BA have only been able to justify it between two of the leading commercial cities on the globe.
ChicoG - Your mates' experiences are exactly what I'm trying to explain and reveal. To me, quality and luxury means space and ambience combined with polite and respectful, but not obsequious, attentive personal service. Not battery farm impersonal isolation.
Tightslot - Very interesting comment which would suggest Europe to Asia & Asia to North America will still be covered but not Europe to North America. Indeed, taking the private travel approach within Europe is still reasonable (just!) but it is interesting to note the merging of First Class into more of a Business Class service/price that you describe means there is no longer a Europe to North America product/service between ~£3k scheduled or £100k+ for a private GV which means spending the kids' inheritances
.
Bring back Concorde!
VK - Many thanks for the references - those were the days!