So is US Airways coming across with OneWorld?
Feb 13, 2013, 5:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
So is US Airways coming across with OneWorld?
Given the US Airways / AA merger?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...LEFTTopStories
Going to be more passengers chasing fewer seats?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...LEFTTopStories
Going to be more passengers chasing fewer seats?
Last edited by KenJohn; Feb 13, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Feb 13, 2013, 5:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
A very apt thread for me, having just completed my last BD DC redemption on US TATL in J (MAN-PHL-PUJ-PHL-MAN), arrived back in MAN this morning.
I read the USA Today last night and it was very confident of the merger going ahead, according to some 'industry insiders', as were the FAs when I was speaking to them about it - some of them were very optimistic of it.
Having said that, and dragging the thread slightly off-topic, I must say that I was must first time in US TATL J (have been on US several times in Y domestically before) but I was mightily impressed with the product when comparing it with CW. (Obviously this will not go down well on this board
)
The ground staff at PHL (vs BA's staff at LHR) were streets ahead, and the US catering was in a different league to CW - makes BA look like a third world carrier in my opinion. The seat on US was favourable also when comparing it to CW. I was on a A330-200, with only 20 business seats (and about 80% full cabin). The only area BA wins, in my opinion, is the quality of the lounge offerings at home base.
Some of the hardcore BA apologists on this board should try US on their next TATL, and see that not all North American carriers are that bad (ok, AA and DL are pretty rotten).
Anyway, in terms of this topic, if the merger went ahead and I would actively try to burn some Avios on a US J TATL service vs the CW offering.
Of course, all of the above is totally my own opinion and I will no doubt get told that I am incorrect
Edit: Oh, and US certainly know how to do priority baggage. My bag was out third on the carousel on arrival at PHL, and out first at MAN ^. BA don't have a clue in this department.
I read the USA Today last night and it was very confident of the merger going ahead, according to some 'industry insiders', as were the FAs when I was speaking to them about it - some of them were very optimistic of it.
Having said that, and dragging the thread slightly off-topic, I must say that I was must first time in US TATL J (have been on US several times in Y domestically before) but I was mightily impressed with the product when comparing it with CW. (Obviously this will not go down well on this board
)The ground staff at PHL (vs BA's staff at LHR) were streets ahead, and the US catering was in a different league to CW - makes BA look like a third world carrier in my opinion. The seat on US was favourable also when comparing it to CW. I was on a A330-200, with only 20 business seats (and about 80% full cabin). The only area BA wins, in my opinion, is the quality of the lounge offerings at home base.
Some of the hardcore BA apologists on this board should try US on their next TATL, and see that not all North American carriers are that bad (ok, AA and DL are pretty rotten).
Anyway, in terms of this topic, if the merger went ahead and I would actively try to burn some Avios on a US J TATL service vs the CW offering.
Of course, all of the above is totally my own opinion and I will no doubt get told that I am incorrect
Edit: Oh, and US certainly know how to do priority baggage. My bag was out third on the carousel on arrival at PHL, and out first at MAN ^. BA don't have a clue in this department.
Last edited by rossmacd; Feb 13, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Feb 13, 2013, 6:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, BD..oh, wait..
Posts: 4,045
Anyway, in terms of this topic, if the merger went ahead and I would actively try to burn some Avios on a US J TATL service vs the CW offering.
Food wise, in Envoy..I'd agree. They served me a delicious steak..one of the best I've had in the air and better than many on the ground. I ended up ordering steak on the return flight expecting to be disappointed...I wasn't.
+1 on the baggage front!
Feb 13, 2013, 6:20 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 5,990
Not of any interest to 99% of the posters here but it would make another nice OW option to MAN.
But then again all those DM miles that were sold for next to nothing skewed *A availability for awhile.
But then again all those DM miles that were sold for next to nothing skewed *A availability for awhile.
Feb 13, 2013, 8:25 pm
#8
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The combined AA-US will be part of Oneworld.
The US short-haul network will make for some better BA point redemption values, which is just about the only reason I don't mind this combination. Otherwise I have just about nothing to gain from this combination, although maybe I will end up closer to another million mile threshold with the AA frequent flyer program which is to be the headline program for the combined carriers.
Feb 13, 2013, 10:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
(At least with our BAEC hats on) we need airlines in OW. If the merged entity went to *A then BA would lose all its AA connections in the US...
...and OW might have to rename themselves HalfWorld
Feb 13, 2013, 10:46 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
I would prefer that I could use my AA miles on Star Alliance rather than One World. I find it a lot easier to get awards on Star than on OneWorld
Feb 14, 2013, 12:19 am
#13
Ambassador: Oneworld Alliance
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold (GGL), Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,215
bang goes my only hope of retaining any status on *A. i have managed Silver for the last couple of years which at least gives me a free checked bag and the odd upgrade in the US.
I am one among few of my colleagues that thinks US domestic service is not too bad.
I am one among few of my colleagues that thinks US domestic service is not too bad.
Feb 14, 2013, 1:39 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wild Wiltshire
Programs: Demoted to gold, Cats protection
Posts: 3,455
The ground staff at PHL (vs BA's staff at LHR) were streets ahead, and the US catering was in a different league to CW - makes BA look like a third world carrier in my opinion. The seat on US was favourable also when comparing it to CW. I was on a A330-200, with only 20 business seats (and about 80% full cabin). The only area BA wins, in my opinion, is the quality of the lounge offerings at home base.
Some of the hardcore BA apologists on this board should try US on their next TATL, and see that not all North American carriers are that bad (ok, AA and DL are pretty rotten).
not sure I would call it a different league but it certainly opens up OW options for PHL which is my first choice TATL destination.
its a bit like flying VS, you know what goes on but the routine is just not familiar,
Domestic flights in F are indistinguishable from AA F really but get on an old 757 in Y and you are praying for a safe landing
For me its a good thing unless they drop PHL as a hub I have found it much easier to use than NYC (except for run ins with the TSA)
Feb 14, 2013, 1:59 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: BAEC Gold,
Posts: 25
How Fast?
So, anyone out there able to speculate on how fast things will happen here. Specifically, I am booked on a US cross country flight on US Airways in July. Best route for the family, but wasn't thrilled about US Airways and flying in coach. No early seat assignments, pay for checked baggage, etc. The question is will some of this happen soon enough that I will get some of my BAEC gold benefits on the flight, specifically seat selection and free checked baggage?