Alaska Airlines lays out its plans for first class on an employee website. It sounds like they get it.

• They’re going to keep first class. While only 10% of first class seats are occupied by paid first class travelers, upgrades for their elite flyers drive alot of ticket purchases.

• They need to differentiate themselves from lower cost one-class carriers like Southwest.

• They’re looking to generate an extra $25-30 per first class seat.

• They might allow upgrades only on higher fares (bad idea), charge a small premium for upgrades (better idea), or reduce the price difference between coach and first to encourage more first class ticket sales (best idea).

Read the whole thing.