Empty First Class: Inside Emirates and Qatar's Luxury Ghost Flights

Emirates and Qatar Airways are operating near-empty ultra-luxury flights across the Middle East, with lavish first-class cabins designed for dozens of passengers sometimes carrying only a handful of travelers. The phenomenon stems from a structural shift in aviation strategy - both carriers prioritize feeding lucrative long-haul connections through their Dubai and Doha hubs, accepting low loads on individual sectors to maximize overall network profitability.