New York
CNN Business
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American Airlines expanded on its plan to drop international first-class cabins and replace them with more business class seats.
The move was first disclosed last month and reiterated in a conference call with investors Thursday by Vasu Raja, the company’s chief commercial officer, who said the change is in response to customer demand.
“The first class will not exist … at American Airlines for the simple reason that our customers aren’t buying it,” he said in response to a question. American Airlines later told CNN that Raja was referring to international flights only.
“The quality of the business class seat has improved so much. And frankly, by removing [first class] we can go provide more business class seats, which is what our customers most want or are most willing to pay for,” Raja said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said American Airlines was dropping all first-class cabins. It is eliminating first-class cabins in international flights only.