Qantas trims first-class services

Sydney - Australian airline Qantas said on Monday it is cutting first-class services on some international flights because of fall in demand caused by the global financial crisis.

"Qantas, like many other international airlines has experienced reduced demand in premium cabins," spokesperson Rob Gurney said in a statement.,

"We have temporarily taken our first-class offering off our San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Melbourne-Hong Kong-London route and will now be servicing these routes with business, premium economy and economy classes only."

Some customers would now get a first-class seat at business-class prices, a Qantas spokesperson said.

"We'll sell it as a business class service so they'll get business-class product and service but some people will be sitting in a first-class seat," she said.

Qantas last month announced 1 750 job cuts, slashed its profit forecast by more than half and deferred new plane orders, saying it had no choice if it hoped to weather the global downturn.

- AFP