This does not really answer the question which is to account for domestic-international disparity. For example, my domestric trip coming up has a $800/$1200 price. If the international ratio was relevant, then the first class would have cost $8000, not $1200.

@LemuelGulliver Then perhaps you should edit the questions. Both ask about int'l travel specifically.

Well, the primary answer is still because that's what they decided. However, there is also the equipment consideration in that the physical space and weight of International First Class is much higher than a domestic seat, so it does have a higher cost to operate. But, the cost does not have a proportional influence on pricing.

The ratio is utterly arbitrary. It's based on supply and demand, not some fixed ratio between economy and premium cabin prices.

Downvote? Without explanation, totally unwarranted.

@Johns-305 I've seen you complain about downvotes a few times. The thing is, you yourself don't vote. You apparently don't deem votes important enough to cast them yourself, so why care how other people vote on your answers? (For the record, I upvoted this answer.)

Cost would only be irrelevant to price in a totally inelastic market (i.e. one with no competition). I don't think it's fair to say the airline market is totally inelastic. Obviously there is more at play than cost, but say it is irrelevant is incorrect. No, I am not your downvoter, but I would suggest modifying the first sentence to 'cost is not the whole story'.

The OP's question is really about the price and to the consumer, the cost is irrelevant. Sure, it's a consideration to the airline. But even if it costs BA $1500 to fly their First seat to LHR and AA only $1250, they'll price it the same. You not going to get anywhere asking AA for $250 off because their cost is lower.

@Fiksdal - How much someone votes has little to do with wanting to know why someone considered their answer wrong or bad. A downvote (to me) indicates an answer is wrong or incorrect in some aspect. As this website is about helping people travel better, incorrect things should be pointed out. Down voting for other reason such as playing the points game is childish.

@Tom 1. Yes, it's better to give the reason for downvotes, and we had several such comments here that might have been from the downvoter. 2. Yes, I consider it hypocritical to be concerned about other people's votes if one doesn't vote oneself. 3. I assume the persom who downvoted this disagreed with the answer. 4. What do you mean by "playing the points game"? Chasing reputation?

@Johns-305 To be fair, there was already a comment criticizing your answer prior to the downvote. Again, I agree with your answer, though.

It was out of band. But commenter can still give a reason. None of the previous comments were such.

@Johns-305 Yes, the very first comment here accuses you of not answering the question.

Then the downvote is still unwarranted. Disagreeing with a correct answer is totally unwarrented.

And I specifically pointed out that I did in fact answer the two questions asked, not what the OP meant to ask. Guessing what the OP meant is tantamount to a making a guess in the answer.

@Johns-305 I personally agree with your answer, but it would be very naive to expect everyone to agree all the time. Truth is not set in stone. Who has the right to declare one answer correct? There is bound to be disagreements on a site like this, and we see that all the time. That's what votes are for. You can't say that your answer is correct and expect everyone to agree with you. That's not how this site (or the world) works.

This answer though is not based on opinion so there isn't anything to 'disagree' with. You can point out an error, sure absent that, it is 100% unwarrented. The downvote is an expression that the downvoter does not know much if anything about airline pricing. That's about it. Nothing to debate.

@Johns-305 Yes, there are going to be people who disagree with you. Are you new to the internet?

I know that. And I'm pointing out I think they are wrong. No harm in that. BTW, while I rarely vote, I comment and answer. Different people choose to participate in different ways.

@Johns-305 Voting is extremely important, and the backbone of Stack Exchange. No votes, no SE. If you don't want to vote (not even on questions you answer, were they all crap?) then that's your decision, but it comes off as a bit arrogant to then complain about how other people vote. Like a member of a household who never helps cleaning but then complains about the quality of the cleaning done by the others.