[AADFW]

Seems domestic carriers are continuting the trend of incorporating the same coach class cost-cutting mentality into their premium services. IMO, this is a huge mistake and will ultimately backfire when taken too far. In fact I think that's already starting to happen to some degree. People expect certain product and service standards when they shell out thousands of dollars on first or business class travel. Why US domestic carriers are playing with fire by seeing just how far they can go to slash costs in this area is beyond my comprehension.

I was on a domestic carrier from LAX-NRT not too long ago on a full-fare business class ticket. About six hours in, I asked if I could have the soba noodle snack -- the only thing listed on the menu between lunch and the arrival meal besides cookies and crackers. I'd paid $5,200 one way to be told (complete with a yawn from the seated FA) that "they cater only just a few of those per flight, sorry we're all out." In consideration of the fare paid, this was beyond unacceptable. Since then I've only flown international on non-US carriers and I've yet to be disappointed.

I do suspect some of this stems from the fact that domestic airlines allow loyal passengers to upgrade at little or no cost. If that's the case, when they make these cost cuts they're losing sight of the fact that some of the passengers sitting in the front can and actually do pay huge premium fares for the experience.