theseatbelt

Just looking at the materials for the new Mint class on JetBlue

AC should introduce flat-beds in A321s (like JetBlue Mint Class) that flies between YYZ-YVR and YYZ-YYC (or any other long distance locations that is 4+ hours).

JetBlue has introduced flatbeds which are very similar to the 777HD business class. See http://www.jetblue.com/flying-on-jetblue/mint/

Trip reviews:

http://blog.wandr.me/2014/06/in-flig...nt-experience/

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/254032/

Photos:

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/254032/


What are the chances that AC will think about doing this?

The J class on the A319s, A320s, and A321s appear seriously outdated and needs a refresh.

EDIT: Another model to follow is Delta Airlines. Delta appears to have some designs going on which may be more suitable for Air Canada



See: http://thedesignair.net/2013/08/05/b...ng-on-jetblue/

okazon69

Close to zero. There is no competitive need to do so.

The Lev

As Okazon69 points out, outdated compared to which of their competitors? This kind of configuration would certainly be one way of further differentiating themselves, but on narrowbody flights AC is competing against Westjet and the US legacy carriers. AC'S J kills WS' offering and is at least on par with the legacy guys plus offers consistent AVOD which the others don't.

CloudsBelow

By chance, Are you a bankruptcy lawyer in Montreal?
Very shrewd.

theseatbelt

It will be nice if they can implement it. Just saying.

Nitehawk

It would be really nice, but not likely to happen anytime soon. Might help them sell more J seats though.

theseatbelt

Not much difference in terms of number of seats. Based on the placement of the washrooms, for AC to implement this they would probably need to reduce 20 business class seats to 16 seats.

JetBlue
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Jet...1_transcon.php

Air Canada
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air...bus_A321_B.php

Shareholder

JetBlue is competing with AA, UA and DL all of whom provide an enhanced premium service between JFK and LAX/SFO, a very high yield route for F and J revenue customers. Canada has nowhere near the level of affluent travellers to support such a dedicated service, though AC has always had a number of prime time flights between YYZ-YVR operated by internationally configured wide bodies. So in reality it was AC who pioneered this form of seating on transcons, not the US airlines.

So this is nothing innovative, just JetBlue's attempt to compete with the majors in that market, all of whom have upgraded their transcon flagship service over the past year: UA revamped its 757 fleet with international style C seats and E+/Y but removed F altogether, AA has introduced a fleet of new A321s with F, J and E+, Y seating, and DL has improved its fleet seating too. JetBlue had no choice or abandon the route to these carriers and Virgin America who has a pretty nice premium class transcon service.

Wallace99

JFK- SFO is about 2 hours longer than YYZ-YYC, while it would be nice to have beds, just can't see business case on flights that distance.

D582

[QUOTE=theseatbelt;23181909]Not much difference in terms of number of seats. Based on the placement of the washrooms, for AC to implement this they would probably need to reduce 20 business class seats to 16 seats.

And give up 2 rows of Y in front of door 2.

winnipegrev

Indeed. It would drop from 20J/12Y to 16J. Sounds like a sure loss leader.

Plus I can imagine all the complaints now

"The foot box is too small"
"... all seats don't have aisle access??"
"Not as nice as pods."

You know, the same complaints AC is getting here about the 777HD even on runs YVR-YYZ which have replaced previously narrowbody flights.

And if you take a look at flight costs domestically, AC can't get a premium on domestic flat bed seats over narrowbody J except AC33. Why would they ever want to reduce density for the same $/seat?

briantoronto

What competitive situation would cause AC to do this? There is no other airline with *any* premium product transcon, let alone this.

upgradesecret

Most important. Who would pay for this level of service?

BlueMilk

Westjet introducing these seats in their 737 fleet might do the trick.

canadiancow

Could YYZ-SFO sustain this? J prices on that route are insane.

And I sure wouldn't mind