So does anyone have updated word on whether they're downsizing the F-cabin on the A321's? People on this board have commented to the fact that they can't do so just because logistically it is a heavy plane and cannot accomodate the extra load of pax should F downsize for more Y (I'm not sure on the merits of this, as I'm nowhere near qualified). I'm booking a few SAN-PHL/CLT flights over a few months, and I'd like to know if the ever-so-nice-to-upgrade and spacious A321s are still going to be around for those transcons?

Tempe has made plans to downsize the F cabin in the A-321 sometime next year. This could always change, but I'm sure updates will come along within the next couple of months....so enjoy while you can.

Tempe has made plans to downsize the F cabin in the A-321 sometime next year. This could always change, but I'm sure updates will come along within the next couple of months....so enjoy while you can.

Actually the Airbus fleet F reduction begins this fall not next year.

Well in the newsletter, it said the beginning of next year for the A-321 conversion. You are thinking of the east to west A-319/320 conversion starting this fall.

Well in the newsletter, it said the beginning of next year.

Oops brain lapse :p the 319s and 320s will start this year along with the 330s which will be reconfigured in a process stretching past the new year. The 321 will begin later.

Will the East 320s be loosing a row of F seats to match the West 320s?

Will the East 320s be loosing a row of F seats to match the West 320s?
Yes

In the most recent employee Q&A, the question was asked about the A321 F conversion and the answer was that no firm decision has been made....

In the most recent employee Q&A, the question was asked about the A321 F conversion and the answer was that no firm decision has been made....

F will be reduced to 16 trust me on this. Some were questioning the weight/range issue but it is negligable.

16 is better than 8 I suppose. It will still be a nice ride across the country, and maybe the F service will actually be more manageable for the F/A.

Looks like 16.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060830/law053.html?.v=65

From http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=596398

16 is better than 8 I suppose. It will still be a nice ride across the country, and maybe the F service will actually be more manageable for the F/A.

True.

I did CLT-PHX last week and it was all the single F/A could do to serve lunch to 26 people.

We only got a chance to order drinks twice, and we only got one little bottle of liquor each time, which I thought was kinda' light for an almost 4 hour flight.

Yes, while it's nice to get the F seat. Service on the fully loaded A321s is usually pretty poor and very slow on meal flights.

Yes, while it's nice to get the F seat. Service on the fully loaded A321s is usually pretty pour and very slow on meal flights.
What college newspaper did you edit? :D

Sorry but I could not resist

Hey don't fill bad. I could not spell cat if you spotted me the "c" and "t"

What college newspaper did you edit? :D

Sorry but I could not resist

Hey don't fill bad. I could not spell cat if you spotted me the "c" and "t"

Haha - ok fair enough - I wouldn't have resisted that one either. Blame that on the cold medicine and a few too many beers poured for me last night.

Vanderbilt.

You are thinking of the east to west A-319/320 conversion starting this fall.

Starting October 1, 2006, all of the seat maps for the A320 that I've looked at on Expertflyer show row 4 blocked out ---- looks like the A320 reduction from 16 to 12 may be starting within as soon as a month. :(

Although I don't necessarily take issue with the reduction of the A321 from 26-F to 16-F (26 F seats with the current FA staffing is just too many), I do think that taking the A320's down to 12 is a bit too aggressive of an F reduction strategy.

I do think that taking the A320's down to 12 is a bit too aggressive of an F reduction strategy.

Coming from the old HP system, I always enjoyed getting F upgrades as a Silver, but, truthfully, I'm running 80%+ for upgrades this year on a mix of East and West metal. If I'm getting these upgrades, that means they're not selling out F on 80% of the flights I've been on.

Good business says you put as many F seats on as you typically can hope to reasonably sell and any F upgrades for FFs are gravy. We FTs forget we're the minority. Most people don't know how easy it is to score free upgrades and are genuinely happy to do it once in a while.