Before the 2010s, airlines upgraded people if all first class seats aren’t filled. Today they give you an option to pay the difference between an economy seat and first class, which I’ve never heard of someone choosing.
It doesn’t have to be that bad, I have 2 short flights on Air China today, both come with a meal, carryon, 1 checked bag (sometimes 2 if the cargo space isn’t sold out).
I think this comes down to the type of competition; US airlines compete only with themselves and a handful of other airlines, and at some level they understand a good economy experience competes with their business class at 5x price. Here in asia, you have a lot more countries airlines, but you also have trains and even ferries can be competitive.
Before the 2010s, airlines upgraded people if all first class seats aren’t filled. Today they give you an option to pay the difference between an economy seat and first class, which I’ve never heard of someone choosing.
It doesn’t have to be that bad, I have 2 short flights on Air China today, both come with a meal, carryon, 1 checked bag (sometimes 2 if the cargo space isn’t sold out).
I think this comes down to the type of competition; US airlines compete only with themselves and a handful of other airlines, and at some level they understand a good economy experience competes with their business class at 5x price. Here in asia, you have a lot more countries airlines, but you also have trains and even ferries can be competitive.