Flying first class in U.S. costing less

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The price of flying first class in the United States is falling, thanks to competition from discount carriers like AirTran, Spirit and America West.

Some low-cost carriers see first-class discounts as a lure to attract business fliers who may have shunned them in the past, USA Today reported Tuesday.

"It's the No. 1 requested amenity for business travelers," says AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson.

Many of the new, lower first-class fares are non-refundable or require advance purchases.

Not all discounters are part of the trend, however. Southwest, Frontier and JetBlue remain all-coach carriers.