I wouldn't say that the 757 don't go that far out of ORD but the BOS-SNN market they are serving probably doesn't support alot of paying business class passengers. I think AA is now rethinking of supporting leisure routes (internationally) with 757s since they can't afford a larger plane with more crew, and assume cargo revenue isn't substantial. Only a guess but again the fares they can charge internationally might be more profitable than BOS-MIA going against the discount carriers.
Actually, the 757-200 (without winglets) has a max range of 3,900 nm (4,500 statute miles) which is insufficient to fly ORD-Europe. With a full payload, Boeing admits that ORD-LHR is not possible:
Even with winglets, the 757 would not be economical to fly ORD-Europe, since the flight would be weight restricted (less than full pax, no cargo).
When AA announced the BOS-MAN route, AA said that it was testing the market and that if such new routes were successful, then equipment upgrades to 767s or even 777s in the future would be possible. Of course, it is very unlikely that 777s would ever fly such secondary routes, but that's what AA said:
Quote:
"We’re delighted to strengthen what is already a very robust summer schedule from Boston," said Tom Gleason, vice president-Eastern Division Passenger Sales. "Local customers and those connecting through Boston – whether from the West Coast or from the Northeast on one of our regional flights – will have a choice of nonstop flights to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, in addition to the hundreds of domestic flights available from Boston. And the new approach we’re using to inaugurate service to Manchester will allow us to satisfy strong leisure demand while developing the route for potential service with our larger two - or even three-class wide-body aircraft."
A good lesson here is to keep an eye on your reservations. I have about 10 ticketed PNRs on AA right now and regularly keep an eye on them. After reading this thread today, I went through them all and found several aircraft changes resulting in my Exit row seats being changed to something entirely different - got them changed fortunately.
Booked on the LAX-MCO-BOS-SNN trip also and found this issue when the flight #s changed a while ago. I spent at least 20 min on the phone trying to get the seats worked out so I kept the F seat on the BOS-SNN leg. Still not trusting it, so I'm gonna continue to keep an eye.
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On my flight to SNN, I was originally in 5A, and the computer moved me to 2F. There was an elderly woman seated in my orginal seat. The only thing I can think of is maybe AA offers some type of accomodation to other elite passengers (assuming she is) and will seat them closer to the bathroom if needed. Other than that theory, no idea why I lost 5A in both directions, and I'll be flying in the back of the plane on the way home, as the front cabin is full. At least the power port will make it work for me.
Tom in Doolin, Ireland tonight
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even after that annoyance, tho, i found the SNN-BOS flight a great way to get home -- preclearance + carryon = easy arrival! (and i like the short flight, too -- if it hadn't been for the holding pattern at BOS, we would have made it in under six hours....)
Does DUB-ORD do pre-clearance as well? I love that option out of Canada.
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond, enjoying the retired life
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150 euro upgrades SNN-BOS
Here I am in the Aer Lingus lounge awaiting my flight to Boston. You'll recall I lost 5A last week and was moved back to a middle seat in coach (apparently an unpublished EXP perk). I asked to get my seat back and was told that the front cabin (bear in mind this flight is sold as all Y) was fully booked, and I was offered an emergency exit row window seat, which is certainly better than what they had moved me to.
Well...went to check in today and find AA is offering upgrades to premier seating for 150 euro (around $225 or so), so clearly there are open seats. Just as clearly the counter agents are not going to let me have one You have to wonder if the upgrade perk for better seating on these single cabin flights is going away.
I've been told to ask at the gate. As soon as I'm able to consume a couple bottles of cold water and OJ (only snacks out here are whiskey cake, cookies, or cheese, and a little early even for me to start on a pint of Guinness), I'll head down there. Free ISDN connection in the Aer Lingus lounge, BTW, that seems to work fine with my laptop. Can't clear U.S.Customs until they open at 0930, so have about 40 mins until I walk down.
Overnighted at Sixmilebridge last night and that worked out excellent, with local bus taking 25 mins to get here for about $4. I'll post details in Bidget Travel.
Tom enjoying life in Ireland
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Programs: AA EXP 2MM, UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond, enjoying the retired life
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Maybe the chart isn't accurate, as they do have the signs out on the counter here with the 150 euro fee (or they all just filled up in the last 30 mins since I checked in). You know I'm not going to pay it I have TIVO to Go on the laptop and I'll be fine back in coach if that's where I end up this morning.
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Staff just came around here in the Aer Lingus lounge rechecking our cards (I presented mine when I came in). I've never had that happen before in any lounge. Off to the gate.
Just found out I'm connecting on wireless in the lounge here, even though an ISDN cable is available (plugged it in thinking that was the only option). Wireless is working just fine
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no more seats up front??
Just talked with the gate agent (contract empoyee). She tells me, in no uncertain terms, that they are not allowing frequent flyers to have the seats up front any longer on this route (SNN-BOS), and those seats are being held for paid upgrades. They got enough takers, as there aren't any seats left. That might explain why I was bumped out of 5A about two weeks back.
Anyone else do SNN-BOS recently and lose their seat up front?
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You'll recall I lost 5A last week and was moved back to a middle seat in coach (apparently an unpublished EXP perk). I asked to get my seat back and was told that the front cabin (bear in mind this flight is sold as all Y) was fully booked, and I was offered an emergency exit row window seat, which is certainly better than what they had moved me to.
my experiences are similar to yours -- two weeks ago, i was kicked out of 3E to 29D. they were able to get me 18D on that one. yesterday, i had 18D reserved in advance (had booked too late to get the front cabin anyway), and 18D is where i flew.
anyway, yesterday, while standing in line at the AA counter, i had the laptop open, and looked at the seatmap (yes, there's free wireless throughout the airport). it showed me in 18D, with 18E empty, and 18F occupied. it also showed the front cabin full. a few minutes later, i got to the counter, and checked in. they gave me my boarding pass for 18D, and i asked them to verify the front cabin was unavailable. i was told there were still three seats open, but they would not consider giving me one for free. when i left the counter (still in 18D), i refreshed the seatmap, and the front cabin still showed full. so it looks like they are hiding this from view.. (tho while i was sitting at the gate, 4F did open up on the seatmap..)
happily, 18E stayed empty yesterday, and i had a perfectly pleasant flight in 18D.
i'm happy to see AA trying to make some money off of its premium cabin, but kicking passengers with seat assignments out of their seats is going too far.... i'd actually like to see them create a premium economy bucket that they can sell in advance, and open up to X inventory at 100 hours.
had 18E been occupied when i checked the seatmap, i would have paid the 150 euro.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tom911
I've been told to ask at the gate.
oh, yeah, i missed this line in your post when i first read it -- i was also told to ask at the gate. the conversation at the gate went something like this:
me: hi, i was told to ask at the gate about getting a seat in the front cabin.
ga: yes sir, they're 150 euro.
me: i'm a platinum with AA, they offered me that downstairs, but told me to ask up here about a comped seat.
ga: oh, no, the cabin just filled up.
to be fair, the guy in 18C said his coworkers got the last two upgrades at the counter (paying 150 euro) when they checked in very late, which makes the GA's story plausible.
They were "upgrading" earlier this month when we did it (SNN-BOS), but our booked seats were honored anyway. Thank the stars they (apparently) hadn't started bumping.
The problem with the 757s is that the difference between "Y+" and "Y-" is so great.
I would certainly raise a fuss with the EXP/Plat desk if this is a sudden shift of policy. Or do you think it might be station-based?
And I wonder if the JFK-NCL and other 757 transatlantic segs will be handled the same way.
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You have to wonder if the upgrade perk for better seating on these single cabin flights is going away.
I have TIVO to Go on the laptop and I'll be fine back in coach if that's where I end up this morning.
