
The first business class seats were offered by Qantas in 1979. On November 1, 1981, Scandinavian Airlines System introduced EuroClass with a separate cabin, dedicated check-in counters and lounges for full-fare passengers. Simultaneously, first class disappeared from their European fleet.
In 1974, KLM was innovative in introducing a Full Fare Facilities service (FFF) for its full fare Economy Class passengers – FFF was the forerunner to what is now Business Class.
In the United States, business class is usually only offered on intercontinental and long-haul flights, including certain transcontinental flights. US carriers generally designate "first class" as the premium product on domestic two-cabin aircraft. In Canada, Air Canada calls its domestic business class product "Executive Class", which evolved from a premium economy "Connoisseur Class" that was available for full fare paying coach passengers, essentially a guarantee of a vacant adjacent seat if possible and free alcohol service. Domestic First on Air Canada, available only on wide bodies, ceased to exist from 1992 as did International First, replaced by a somewhat diminished "Executive First" class.
On the other hand, the airlines of Europe and much of the rest of the world brand the premium product on shorthaul two-cabin aircraft as "business class". European carriers generally offer a "business class" consisting of enhanced economy seating with better service. There may be a curtain to separate business from economy class, based on demand, but the seats are in the same cabin. Some airlines such as Lufthansa and British Airways use convertible seats that seat three people across in economy, or adjust with a lever to become two seats with a half seat length between them for business class use.
Business class has started to disappear from some short/medium haul routes, to be replaced with full fare economy and discount economy (KLM and SAS). On these routes, the seats are the same for all passengers, only the flexibility of the ticket and the food and beverage service differs. On shorter routes (typically less than one hour) many airlines have removed business class entirely (e.g. BMI on many routes) and offer only one class of service. Most low-cost carriers, such as Ryanair in Europe and JetBlue in the United States, do not offer any premium classes of service. Although Jetblue, respectively, does offer a premium seating section for about $30.00 more for extra legroom and better seat pitch on most(if not all)of their flights.