The future of travel is a topic that is divisive and which runs deep amongst frequent travellers. In many ways the industry and its loyalty programs constitute an esoteric second economy, with frequent flyer miles the second largest currency behind the US dollar in 2008. The conversation at conferences and between seats 1A and 1B often surrounds platinum status, credit cards loyalty schemes, concierge services, and upgrade stories, and whether the herringbone structure of business class seats is the most optimal design and privacy lay-out in a plane. While business class travel is reserved for the privileged few, and may give cause for future 'Occupy SFO' by the 99%, the business reality is that business class travellers fund the historically low prices for economy travellers. It's an interesting inter-play between luxury and utility that is defining the future of an entire industry.