CO introduces new BusinessFirst seat
Jul 24, 2008, 10:48 am
#76
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So the Magazine was uploaded and put on PC magazine stack a bit early
Jul 24, 2008, 11:26 am
#77
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I won't be there for it, but will the new seat make an appearance in LAS at during the poker weekend? It would certainly be a bit of a haul to do that. If so, and any of you are going, please report back on it, especially that awfully thin-looking foam.
Jul 24, 2008, 11:33 am
#78
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While I think that an improved Y product would be great, I'm sure they're loath to do so since they've gotten away for so long with such minimum standards there's no reason to do so. And when AA tried that more room in coach campaign, it didn't work out so I don't think the airlines see an improved Y product as a competitive advantage. All they're going to add are ways to distract people in the back (AVOD, power ports, etc.).
But, I agree with you that $ for a BETTER Y product is not going to work, as pax see only $ for Y vs $ for Y, and nothing more. An example would be UA's E+, which has been close to empty most times I've been on a UA plane--people just won't pay for it. However, if an airline can get MORE Y out of the same ship by using an advanced seat design....then it gets a little more fuzzy, since you could sell (more) people on a better product at near the same cost.
Jul 24, 2008, 11:41 am
#80
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Not surprisingly, those links don't work.
Jul 24, 2008, 12:01 pm
#81
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Press Conference Monday on the Seat
WHAT: Continental Airlines will unveil a new enhanced seat for its premium BusinessFirst cabin. The new seat, which will be installed on aircraft serving international routes, is the centerpiece of Continental’s award-winning BusinessFirst cabin service.
WHO: Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO, Continental Airlines
Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president marketing programs & distribution, Continental Airlines
WHO: Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO, Continental Airlines
Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president marketing programs & distribution, Continental Airlines
Jul 24, 2008, 12:17 pm
#82
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Looking forward to it. Please do not fault the EWR PC staff. There really was no reading material in the PC at 2pm - the August magazine was pretty much it.
Jul 24, 2008, 12:32 pm
#83
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Let me add - this is the first time that I can recall in over 25 years, that there was a significant announcement item published in the CO magazine just before an official announcement. I am sure no one from CO thought that the monthly magazine was preannoucing a significant product enhancement by posting it early.
Jul 24, 2008, 1:12 pm
#84
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Jul 24, 2008, 1:19 pm
#85
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While I think that an improved Y product would be great, I'm sure they're loath to do so since they've gotten away for so long with such minimum standards there's no reason to do so. And when AA tried that more room in coach campaign, it didn't work out so I don't think the airlines see an improved Y product as a competitive advantage. All they're going to add are ways to distract people in the back (AVOD, power ports, etc.).
Jul 24, 2008, 1:33 pm
#86
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Jul 24, 2008, 1:48 pm
#87
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Let me add - this is the first time that I can recall in over 25 years, that there was a significant announcement item published in the CO magazine just before an official announcement. I am sure no one from CO thought that the monthly magazine was preannoucing a significant product enhancement by posting it early.
Going back many years, I remember the article in the magazine by Gordon saying that CO would not reduce FF benefits that was published just before CO announced a reduction in benefits. I still have an original of that announcement.
Jul 24, 2008, 2:32 pm
#88
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Except British Airways, Virgin, SAS, Air France, Qantas, JAL, British Midland and Eva, plus possibly others, who believe it helps their bottom line to offer real premium economy on longhaul routes....
Jul 24, 2008, 2:53 pm
#89
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I'm all for Premium Economy, but it's not what the concern is. The Thompson seats can make plain old Y more comfortable (for intl and domestic), but good luck getting that installed (even if it wasn't exclusive to DL) on a domestic carrier.
Jul 24, 2008, 4:18 pm
#90
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Actually, my (financial services) company is already "encouraging" us to fly VS PE westbound from LHR (i.e., day flights) to save money in this environment. Maybe if they split the fare difference with us, but that might encourage unnecessary trips just so employees can collect $1-2k cash for flying PE back from LHR...