The New York Times carries a story on airlines keeping and expanding first class sections. Separately, they’re all minor notes. Together, they’re a story.

As I noted last month, USAirways is adding first class to its Shuttle routes for fleet commonality — the ability to utilize aircraft throughout its network rather than limiting them to particular routes. Alaska Airlines has decided to keep first class.

The article adds, though, the America West offers something unique — first class on some of its regional jets.

America West, which is based in Phoenix, is the only carrier offering first class on junior, or regional, jets – on 16 of its 34 Canadair Regional Jets, which typically are all coach with two seats on each side of the aisle. The first-class section consists of two rows with two seats on one side and one on the other. The planes seat 64 or 80 passengers in all.

Of course, the article is a bit off — America West is not the only carrier offering first class on regional jets. Northwest does, too. And the article fails to mention that United will be adding the feature on some new jets as well.