Australian carrier Qantas has announced it is to scrap its first class cabin on two A380s and nine B747 aircraft, replacing it with extra premium economy and business class seats.
The reconfiguration work, which will cost $400m, will start in 2011, to be completed by 2013.
The carrier recorded a net profit before tax of A$90 million between July and December 2009, A$198m below the figure recorded for the same period the previous year.
The airline said weaker domestic and international demand and lower fuel surcharges over the last 12 months have led to a 14.9% decline in yield.
Qantas has said it is restructuring its class offering in response to changes in market trends.
Alan Joyce, Qantas' CEO, said: "The global downturn significantly affected international premium traffic in particular and therefore revenues.
"The split A380 fleet will give Qantas greater flexibility to schedule the right aircraft, and the right configuration, on the right route.
"While some travel markets are recovering from the economic crisis, our assessment of longer term travel trends, which pre-dates the economic crisis, shows that international premium travel demand is changing."
A total of nine B747-400 aircraft will be upgraded and fitted with Qantas' A380 standard seats and inflight product, including the fully flat Skybed seat in business class and an on-demand Panasonic inflight entertainment system in all classes. First class cabins will be removed and business class fitted in their place, adding 52 extra seats on board.
Two of Qantas' A380s currently in the air will have first class removed. The remaining 12 will continue to fly with a four-class configuration, but reduce business class seats to accommodate more premium economy and economy seats.
Qantas' also has eight A380s yet to be delivered. These will not have no first class cabin, only business, premium economy and economy seating.
www.qantas.com