> But most people select "price: lowest to highest" and click on the lowest number regardless of how bad that option is That the quality of the premium service

> But most people select "price: lowest to highest" and click on the lowest number regardless of how bad that option is That the quality of the premium service is unchanged may say little about the how the experience has changed in the lower tiers. The issue in those service tiers may not be in comparison to the first class experience but in comparison to previous years’ experience. That said, though I rarely fly, and when I do it’s never in some rarefied class of service, I don’t perceive much difference. The security theatre is the most notable change; but that’s hardly the fault of the airlines. The opacity and complexity of the rewards programs is an irritation; but I suppose it’s my own indulgence that I just ignore all that.