"Right about that time, we hit some really severe turbulence, and ... several people flew up and hit the ceiling of the plane and then were immediately slammed down to the floor of the plane, " first class passenger Jeff Hornback told KPLC.

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The 1978 S-Class was the first passenger vehicle in the world to get antilock brakes.

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He was the sole passenger in first class to survive.

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Power outlets for personal devices ought to become standard on all passenger seats, say experts, not just in first class.

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The mock-up has steel seats in typical coach, business- and first-class layouts on both decks plus replicas of the 555-passenger jet's staircases and cargo containers.

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And at American Airlines, passenger surveys have saved a hot cheese omelet on the first-class breakfast menu that cost-cutters wanted to eliminate.

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Mary Kirby, editor of the Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) magazine and blog, believes the first-class value proposition not only is diminishing, but also that the class will disappear in five years.

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