What gets me is the differential between business & economy of intercontinental flights. I know the business argument. My grump is probably based on jealousy in that I suspect the majority of business pax are not paying for the ticket, and it is likely the tax payer is paying 50% of it. It's the same with some outrageous business hotel prices: the guest is not paying the bill. This means for me the upgrade cost is huge. Premium economy does give a small step up, perhaps. I have friends who travel business on business a greta deal. They didn't pay for there ticket, but their airmiles & hotel points are huge. They can then travel business on holiday with freebies gained 'on duty'. I spent 35 years on duty for a spectrum of operators and have accumulated diddly squat in interline ID's, airmails, hotel points or pension.
I wonder, if business class tickets & hotels were not deductibles, would the prices be cheaper across the board?