AB Announces S16 Long-Haul Expansion
Nov 11, 2015, 11:54 am
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2008
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AB Announces S16 Long-Haul Expansion
AB is planning on starting DUS-BOS/DFW/SFO/HAV next summer. 4x weekly for BOS and DFW, up to 5x weekly to SFO. Nice to see some additional oneworld options to Germany -- hopefully AB can make it work with AA's feed, especially at DFW.
http://ir.airberlin.com/en/press/pre...-summer-season
http://ir.airberlin.com/en/press/pre...-summer-season
Nov 11, 2015, 5:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, southwest A List Preferred, American Platinum
Posts: 255
This is great news as I am wanting to use some AA points to fly to Europe next summer and I haven't been able to find any availability. When do you think these will go on the schedule so I can secure some seats?
Nov 11, 2015, 8:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 167
Nov 11, 2015, 9:44 pm
#5
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AA already offers PHL-FRA/MUC, and BOS has slightly higher PDEW numbers with no alliance partners serving it, so I'm not sure that PHL would be the better alternative. I'm sure AB is looking to capture higher-yielding O&D traffic where possible, which makes sense with destinations like BOS and SFO, and rely on massive feed at DFW from places that will require a connection anyway.
Nov 12, 2015, 8:28 am
#6
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AB Announces S16 Long-Haul Expansion
Any thoughts on the press release on the 40 XL seats?
Are they referring to 40 new XL seats across the fleet (due to refitting their Econ only 330s to two cabin) or refitting each plane to have 40 XL seats (eg ala AA Main Cabin Extra section)? Would be great if it was the later and even better if they offer it free to OW elite which AA currently does.
Are they referring to 40 new XL seats across the fleet (due to refitting their Econ only 330s to two cabin) or refitting each plane to have 40 XL seats (eg ala AA Main Cabin Extra section)? Would be great if it was the later and even better if they offer it free to OW elite which AA currently does.
Nov 12, 2015, 9:38 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,423
This is good new for folks holding AA or Avios points. More no fuel surcharge transatlantic flying is a good thing.
That said, there's still no evidence that Air Berlin is "a business." I'm not sure what they actually bring to the table, and I'm not certain that these routes make any business sense. I don't think they'd even exist with Mideast dollars propping them up.
But, heck, if it gets me to Europe in coach for 20K points, I'm happy.
That said, there's still no evidence that Air Berlin is "a business." I'm not sure what they actually bring to the table, and I'm not certain that these routes make any business sense. I don't think they'd even exist with Mideast dollars propping them up.
But, heck, if it gets me to Europe in coach for 20K points, I'm happy.
Nov 12, 2015, 9:47 am
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
This is good new for folks holding AA or Avios points. More no fuel surcharge transatlantic flying is a good thing.
That said, there's still no evidence that Air Berlin is "a business." I'm not sure what they actually bring to the table, and I'm not certain that these routes make any business sense. I don't think they'd even exist with Mideast dollars propping them up.
But, heck, if it gets me to Europe in coach for 20K points, I'm happy.
That said, there's still no evidence that Air Berlin is "a business." I'm not sure what they actually bring to the table, and I'm not certain that these routes make any business sense. I don't think they'd even exist with Mideast dollars propping them up.
But, heck, if it gets me to Europe in coach for 20K points, I'm happy.
Mike
Nov 12, 2015, 10:06 am
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Any thoughts on the press release on the 40 XL seats?
Are they referring to 40 new XL seats across the fleet (due to refitting their Econ only 330s to two cabin) or refitting each plane to have 40 XL seats (eg ala AA Main Cabin Extra section)? Would be great if it was the later and even better if they offer it free to OW elite which AA currently does.
Are they referring to 40 new XL seats across the fleet (due to refitting their Econ only 330s to two cabin) or refitting each plane to have 40 XL seats (eg ala AA Main Cabin Extra section)? Would be great if it was the later and even better if they offer it free to OW elite which AA currently does.
Nov 12, 2015, 11:09 am
#10
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Location: NYC
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Hope so. That would make 46 seats in total per aircraft and I'm guessing the rows 15-19 would be converted to XL.
Nov 14, 2015, 1:01 am
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
Any thoughts on the press release on the 40 XL seats?
Are they referring to 40 new XL seats across the fleet (due to refitting their Econ only 330s to two cabin) or refitting each plane to have 40 XL seats (eg ala AA Main Cabin Extra section)? Would be great if it was the later and even better if they offer it free to OW elite which AA currently does.
Are they referring to 40 new XL seats across the fleet (due to refitting their Econ only 330s to two cabin) or refitting each plane to have 40 XL seats (eg ala AA Main Cabin Extra section)? Would be great if it was the later and even better if they offer it free to OW elite which AA currently does.
While I'm not surprised about SFO or BOS, I am somewhat surprised with DFW.
Nov 22, 2015, 2:41 am
#13
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Location: NYC
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AB Announces S16 Long-Haul Expansion
Airport checkin informs me that they already have aircraft configured with the new XL section. Aircraft with the reconfigured cabin will have first section of economy ending row 33 instead of 34. Essentially one row of Econ was removed. XL section goes up to row 19. Row 20 is economy. They are actively enforcing but also "upgraded" several passenger to XL. Flight is not full. So not sure what criteria they are using to "upgrade."
OW elite have to pay. I suggest American AAdvantage members should write to AA and AB to communicate displeasure at how AA offers complimentary MCE to AirBerlin OWE/OWS but airBerlin is not reciprocating.
Update. It appears they might have done comp in-flight upgrade for OWE. One passenger had a BA Gold (OWE) tag on her carry on.
OW elite have to pay. I suggest American AAdvantage members should write to AA and AB to communicate displeasure at how AA offers complimentary MCE to AirBerlin OWE/OWS but airBerlin is not reciprocating.
Update. It appears they might have done comp in-flight upgrade for OWE. One passenger had a BA Gold (OWE) tag on her carry on.
Last edited by seawolf; Nov 22, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Nov 25, 2015, 5:36 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: AC, A3*G AB-G
Posts: 155
Airport checkin informs me that they already have aircraft configured with the new XL section. Aircraft with the reconfigured cabin will have first section of economy ending row 33 instead of 34. Essentially one row of Econ was removed. XL section goes up to row 19. Row 20 is economy. They are actively enforcing but also "upgraded" several passenger to XL. Flight is not full. So not sure what criteria they are using to "upgrade."
OW elite have to pay. I suggest American AAdvantage members should write to AA and AB to communicate displeasure at how AA offers complimentary MCE to AirBerlin OWE/OWS but airBerlin is not reciprocating.
Update. It appears they might have done comp in-flight upgrade for OWE. One passenger had a BA Gold (OWE) tag on her carry on.
OW elite have to pay. I suggest American AAdvantage members should write to AA and AB to communicate displeasure at how AA offers complimentary MCE to AirBerlin OWE/OWS but airBerlin is not reciprocating.
Update. It appears they might have done comp in-flight upgrade for OWE. One passenger had a BA Gold (OWE) tag on her carry on.
Nov 25, 2015, 6:26 am
#15
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https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/mainCab...maincabinextra
Elite member access
Main Cabin Extra seats are complimentary* for:
AAdvantageŽ Executive Platinum and AAdvantage Platinum members
oneworldŽ Sapphire and oneworld Emerald members
Customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket
AAdvantage Gold and oneworld Ruby members** may:
Purchase Main Cabin Extra seats for 50% off or
Enjoy complimentary access within 24 hours of departure when seats are available