Another reason for the decline, aircraft fitted with first-class cabins are less flexible. If an aircraft configured with economy and business class seats is taken offline, substituting it with an aircraft with first-class seats is a loss maker for the airline since there's little demand for those seats.

The move to "scrap" traditional International First Class is driven by the massive evolution of Business Class suites. In 2026, many modern Business Class products now offer sliding privacy doors, lie-flat beds, and direct aisle access—features that were once exclusive to First Class. From an airline's economic perspective, First Class cabins take up a significant amount of "real estate" on the aircraft but often have lower occupancy rates compared to Business or Premium Economy. By replacing 8 First Class seats with 16 to 20 Business Class suites, airlines can significantly increase their revenue per square foot. Furthermore, the "Experience Gap" has narrowed; travelers are increasingly unwilling to pay three times the price of a Business Class ticket for marginally better champagne and a slightly larger seat. While a few "ultra-luxury" carriers like Emirates and Singapore Airlines maintain a "First" product for brand prestige, the majority of the industry is consolidating toward a high-end "Business Plus" model and a robust Premium Economy section to better match current market demand.