US Airways Dividend Miles - Why are almost all the SFO transcons now A320s?

Just looking into a possible trip to SFO and I noticed that just about all the flights to get me there from BOS are on an A320 from PIT, PHL, CLT, LAS or PHX. It appears there's only 1x 321 per day from PHL and CLT (mid morning).

So essentially the # of F seats on this transcon route has gone from 26 to 12. Nice.

Is this a temporary reduction in winter service or is this the new HP way? Where are all the A321s going now?

CLT is all 321s PHL is 320s. whta date is CLT showing 320s.


BTW 321s are in the process of going to 16 in F.

CLT is all 321s PHL is 320s. whta date is CLT showing 320s.


BTW 321s are in the process of going to 16 in F.

Today from CLT there are 2x 321s and 1 319. I may have been misreading the connections via PIT. Either way, it's definitely a reduction.

Are you sure the 321s are out of service for the F reduction?

CLT is all 321s PHL is 320s. whta date is CLT showing 320s.


BTW 321s are in the process of going to 16 in F.

It is common knowledge that the A321 does not have as good of a distance range as the A319 and A320 in the US fleet. The reduction in F on the 321 means an increase in the number of Y seats, meaning an overall increase in the weight of the aircraft... which further decreases the range. We've all heard the stories of transcons on A321s in the winter needing to stop in MCI or DEN to refuel to make it past the Rockies due to strong headwinds.

It would not surprise me to see Tempe put the A321 more into the Florida markets and put the 757s back into transcon service (but they'd have the 8 seats, unlike the old days when they had 24 or so in F). Then again, I hope I'm not giving them more bad ideas, at least in terms of the FFers.

It would not surprise me to see Tempe put the A321 more into the Florida markets and put the 757s back into transcon service (but they'd have the 8 seats, unlike the old days when they had 24 or so in F). Then again, I hope I'm not giving them more bad ideas, at least in terms of the FFers.

I think sending the 757s (with no in seat power) in their current seating configuration out as transcons would the final nail in the coffin for most FTers here.

If management did follow your suggestion they'd be sending their AC with the most (it's all relative) FC to the destinations which generally are the most leisurely markets. What's the Kool-Aid flavor du jour?

If management did follow your suggestion they'd be sending their AC with the most (it's all relative) FC to the destinations which generally are the most leisurely markets. What's the Kool-Aid flavor du jour?

It's Mom and Pop flavor. If you think about it... "leisurely" markets mean more Ma and Pa Kettle Once or Twice a year flier business. Definitely not road warrior, elite FFers. Tempe has not shown anything that benefits the elite FFer... and cutting back the A321 in FC is another case in point.

And yes, I definitely agree... putting the 757 with 8 FC would drive most of the elites to other carriers.

Two possbile reasons -

1.) Winter flying last year involved some unscheduled stops mid-continent for fuel because of the stronger than normal headwinds. USAirways wasn't the only airline to have done this. It affected all airlines, but the A321 was particularly susceptible since it doesn't have a lot more range than those trips.

2.) A321's rotating in for seat reductions. But I didn't think it was happening just yet. They're in the middle of refurbing transatlantic 757's with Envoy and reducing A330 Envoy.

My theory revolves around SFO being one of the warmer transcon destinations. Since coats can no longer be hung on the 320s, why have them shuttling around two freezing destinations when you can send them to SFO. US Management problem solving at its finest ;)

Interesting. I didn't know they were in the process of converting the A321 to lower the F seats.

I have a two confirmed F seats (3A/3C) PHL-SFO on Feb 14th, and two more confirmed F seats (2D/2F) SFO-CLT on Feb 20th.... both of which are the A321... Is there any chance of getting bumped out of F as a result of the reconfiguration.. since my flight is 30+ days out?

Interesting. I didn't know they were in the process of converting the A321 to lower the F seats.

I have a two confirmed F seats (3A/3C) PHL-SFO on Feb 14th, and two more confirmed F seats (2D/2F) SFO-CLT on Feb 20th.... both of which are the A321... Is there any chance of getting bumped out of F as a result of the reconfiguration.. since my flight is 30+ days out?

You should be fine as long as you're not in rows 5, 6 or 7. They may have already started blocking off these rows on the seat maps in preparation for the dreaded re-configuration... I'm on a 321 LAX-CLT in both directions in 2 weeks, and I'm afraid to check the seat map!!!

Have all the 320's been reconfigured? I have 4 flights next week, all on 320's (2 US, 2 HP). The seat maps on all 4 show 3 rows of F.

Have all the 320's been reconfigured? I have 4 flights next week, all on 320's (2 US, 2 HP). The seat maps on all 4 show 3 rows of F.

The majority are done I have heard there are only 3 left with 16F.

I was on a 320 today from LAX and it still had the closet & 4 rows of F/C.

I am wondering if my last flight which suddenly dropped from F3 to F0 realized they had a new configuration.. since they originally had 4 rows of F on a US A320... arghhhhhh

I was hoping my flight tomorrow would be on a still-to-unfortunately-be-reconfigured-but-hopefully-Tempe-will-come-to-their-senses-in-time 320, but when I checked the seat map during web check-in it only showed 3 rows of F. I'm not sure if all of the 320 seat maps are showing F now, and if they're just doing the last 4 upgrades at the gate.

We over at the west are getting some of the flights from PHL-SFO/PHL-SAN/PHL-LAX and etc...

I think its plane paint and route changes. Also our routes in the West with west crew/aircraft have been cut.. Now they are adding our routes back... :D ^ Good... I want to fly more...
:D :D

Not sure if it will go back to 321.. But the 321 A/C are east A/C and east crews....
The west Crews are not trained on the 321.... ? We dont have them on our certif with the FAA...

This is the reason its been told to us anyhow...

Thanks for the insight, USAIRFA! We do appreciate it. I guess the question then becomes (for anyone), where are the 321s going? BUF? (For those not familiar, there is a 321 once weekly CLT-BUF and BUF-CLT!)

Interesting. I didn't know they were in the process of converting the A321 to lower the F seats.

I heard that, too. Totally sucks. I fly PHL-LAX a lot on the A321 and get upgraded 80% of the time. Even when I don't get upgraded, I'm in 9A, which has about 5 feet of legroom before the bulkhead. You can snooze against the window (with a pillow) or get up to walk around without disturbing the pax in your row.

I'm hoping that in the new A321 configuration, Row 5 will still have lots of legroom. Doubt it.