Hello and welcome to the death of first class edition of Slate Money Travel, our special

Slate Money mini series all about the economics of travel. And this

week, we have Charles Reid from the economist to talk about something which you might not expect

in a world of increasing inequality, which is that the first class cabin in planes is basically disappearing.

What happened to all of those people who used to fly in first class?

We're going to find out with Charles Reid.

Charles, welcome.

Hello.

And tell us who you are and how you managed to wind up learning about all of this.

Well, I recently wrote a piece for the economist about the decline of international

first-class flights. Many airlines are getting rid of their first-class flights on

international long-haul flights. Completely. In America, for instance, a decade ago, virtually

all planes crossing borders, had first-class seats.

Now there's only about 20 left, and the big three all want to eventually get rid of it completely in America.

And so I wrote a piece answering that question.

Why is it disappearing?

Okay.

So we will answer that question coming up on Slate Money Travel.

So Charles, I have this idea.

Tell me if I'm right about this.

Call it the death of first class.

Is first class a thing that used to exist and is now becoming an endangered species?

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