Airlines used to put curtains between first class and coach. Now they often use transparent mesh. One customer wants to know – what’s the purpose of what American Airlines is doing here with something you can see through?
Hey @AmericanAir, what the hell is the purpose of this curtain?? pic.twitter.com/vIStKGWXle
— fent (@hotvoodoofood) June 15, 2025
Putting up something discourages coach passengers from wandering forward to use the first class lavatory. And even a perfunctory curtain reinforces that customers in the forward cabin bought something different. So airlines want a barrier of some kind!
Here’s mesh at the back of business class on American’s new ‘ultra premium’ Boeing 787-9 aircraft that just went into service:
Airlines can’t separate cabins with a door. FAA airworthiness rule 14 CFR 25.813(d) permits curtains so long as they “allow free entry” through the passageway, but 14 CFR 25.813(e) forbids a door in that location. Under 14 CFR 121.310(f)(6) they cannot have a door in any egress path during taxi, take‑off, landing, or an evacuation. The idea is that passengers might fail to recognize the nearest exit if a door is shut, and a door can also slow down evacuation.
One reason for mesh is that post-9/11, flight attendant seats are supposed to have a direct view of their zone. Another is that heavy curtains can weigh 10 pounds or more, while mesh can be less than 3 pounds. Across an entire fleet of aircraft, and every flight over a year, that small difference can mean several million dollars of fuel. Mesh is also cheaper to sew and easier and cheaper to clean (and clean less frequently).
The thick curtains were all removed after 9/11 because it prevented from flight attendants from observing what was happening in premium cabins. For awhile there were no curtains. My understanding is that the see through curtains were designed to “encourage” privacy but give crew the ability to see what is occurring in premium cabins. At least on AA it’s rare that flight attendants actually draw the curtain during flight.
I noticed that these were installed starting after 9/11 and had always assumed that it was so Federal Air Marshals could see through to the next cabin.
This is about 9/11 rules, not weight. I’m not aware of any other full-service airline based outisde the US that has followed the US airlines with this.
I say, bring back them ‘thicc’ curtains, especially if it means we don’t have to see @Mike Hunt.
@1990 – I agree, and you won’t have to drool on your fellow passengers anymore as you gaze at me longingly through the mesh from your middle seat in basic economy.
@Mike Hunt — You do seem like you fly Business Class. Here’s the thing, I’ll be in First, and not ‘recliner’ 737 domestic. No, Flagship on 773 and a321T. Enjoy your 2-2; I’m more of a 1-1 config. One more time on the name, it’s a bit, right?
I presumed it was to make the forward cabin more alluring to Y pax. If you can see people receiving meals and constant service, it sure looks better than the one drink you may be hastily served in MCE/E+/etc.
This story should be at least 22 years old. American started installing these so that Air Marshals would have a full view of the entire plane. It’s not about FA’s having a view. They all have their dedicated areas where they are delegated not to care about passengers.
@ Carl-” CONSTANT SERVICE”. Thank you sir, that is a good one!
I’m sorry but I don’t think 7 lb worth of difference is going to make in fuel burn, that’s just like the time when American eliminated fuel caps and now to be saving half a pound…more like a quarter pound. Now granted if they took all of those and loaded them up in an airplane and flew them from Dallas to either the East Coast West Coast I would say yeah there is a cost savings, otherwise that is just hyperbole! It’s probably the reason why they eliminated blankets off airplanes in Coach besides costs…lol
Re: “Across an entire fleet of aircraft, and every flight over a year, that small difference can mean several million dollars of fuel.”
If the airlines required all passengers and crew to wear mesh clothing, instead of solid, just imagine how much more fuel they could save!!
Agree with Carl. The curtain is also marketing: reminds you that you’re lower class, but being slightly see-through makes you see what you’re missing. (And what you could have next time if you upgrade.)