[hatmatrix]

Like first class passengers footing a large share of the bill so economy passengers can pay less.

[robocat]

I think that is a misconception.

The economy travellers make it possible to travel first class. First class travel is for the moderately wealthy. The very wealthy have their own transport.

Economist article on decline of 1st class travellers: http://archive.vn/OQPt2 (2019).