Business classism?

Differential treatment of passengers, depending on the money paid for a ticket to go to the same destination, is not exactly breaking news. Recently introduced low-cost airlines are devoid of such distinctions or to such a contrasting effect at least. Perhaps, this is a reflection of the various classes merging together, sharing common amenities and sitting besides one another, literally.
However, the above article seems to have brought out the worst in human skepticism poisoned with classist discrimination by Alitalia staff.