Global austerity has lead some airlines to chuck first class seats out the air lock.

* AirTran will get rid of first class seats entirely after it merges with Southwest, which has never had a first class section.
* United is “evaluating” its options, though some speculate they will switch to merger-buddy Continental’s system of just economy and business class
* Qantas is getting rid of first class seating except on a few flagship routes

Does this portend a new, egalitarian, classless airborne society? No, such lofty ambitions are but castles in the sky. The new hot market is “premium economy,” which is just economy with a little more legroom.

More airlines ditch first-class seats as fliers get stingy [USA Today] (Thanks to MercuryPDX!)

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