Actually, compared to a private jet, commercial first class is ridiculously cheap, like an order of magnitude less.

Which is why they avoid first class like the plague.

Who would want to have to put up with all those plebes?

That’s the stereotype, but in many (most?) cases the actual reason is about time, not brushing shoulders with the merely megarich.

Very rich people spend money to avoid ever waiting for anything or anyone who isn’t a close acquaintance or high status person. This is what private planes optimize for.

Indeed. The ones who complain about passengers ruining their first class flight are funny - they don't realise they're travelling on public transport.