Impending A321 Cabin reconfigurations?
Feb 26, 2007, 12:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: TPA - DCA
Programs: US CP, Hertz Gold -President's Club, *wood, Marriott, Hilton, Kimpton
Posts: 19
Impending A321 Cabin reconfigurations?
I was in the process of booking my April and May travel from TPA-DCA that usually involves at least one segment on an A321 and noticed that row 9 was booked. Booking out in advance normally permits me the opportunity to get a rough pattern of seats, so I was very intrigued when 9C was consistently gone!
During the mass bookings, I shifted to a Sunday departure on one leg due to a schedule need and saw that the fare pricing between Y and F was only $60.00, so I decided to actually pay for the F seat. Doing so, I pulled up the seat maps and Rows 5/6/7 are all marked as filled. Then it sank in, the dreaded conversion must be imminent.
So, I put a couple of questions out to the FT learned:
1. When does the A321 conversion begin for the EAST?
2. Is there a legitimate seating plan available (as Seatguru does not have a before/after seat map, nor does the online USAirways seat map reflect gospel)? Or is there a seatmap available that we can at least confer against, obviously protecting our sources and methods while providing plausible deniability?
3. If there is a general plan, is one able to share some insight as to the “prime” seats?
It is not the intent of this post to infer or invite criticism on the removal of these seats **for I am certain another post will open that can of worms**
During the mass bookings, I shifted to a Sunday departure on one leg due to a schedule need and saw that the fare pricing between Y and F was only $60.00, so I decided to actually pay for the F seat. Doing so, I pulled up the seat maps and Rows 5/6/7 are all marked as filled. Then it sank in, the dreaded conversion must be imminent.
So, I put a couple of questions out to the FT learned:
1. When does the A321 conversion begin for the EAST?
2. Is there a legitimate seating plan available (as Seatguru does not have a before/after seat map, nor does the online USAirways seat map reflect gospel)? Or is there a seatmap available that we can at least confer against, obviously protecting our sources and methods while providing plausible deniability?
3. If there is a general plan, is one able to share some insight as to the “prime” seats?
It is not the intent of this post to infer or invite criticism on the removal of these seats **for I am certain another post will open that can of worms**
Feb 26, 2007, 3:17 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,452
I was in the process of booking my April and May travel from TPA-DCA that usually involves at least one segment on an A321 and noticed that row 9 was booked. Booking out in advance normally permits me the opportunity to get a rough pattern of seats, so I was very intrigued when 9C was consistently gone!
During the mass bookings, I shifted to a Sunday departure on one leg due to a schedule need and saw that the fare pricing between Y and F was only $60.00, so I decided to actually pay for the F seat. Doing so, I pulled up the seat maps and Rows 5/6/7 are all marked as filled. Then it sank in, the dreaded conversion must be imminent.
So, I put a couple of questions out to the FT learned:
1. When does the A321 conversion begin for the EAST?
2. Is there a legitimate seating plan available (as Seatguru does not have a before/after seat map, nor does the online USAirways seat map reflect gospel)? Or is there a seatmap available that we can at least confer against, obviously protecting our sources and methods while providing plausible deniability?
3. If there is a general plan, is one able to share some insight as to the “prime” seats?
It is not the intent of this post to infer or invite criticism on the removal of these seats **for I am certain another post will open that can of worms**
During the mass bookings, I shifted to a Sunday departure on one leg due to a schedule need and saw that the fare pricing between Y and F was only $60.00, so I decided to actually pay for the F seat. Doing so, I pulled up the seat maps and Rows 5/6/7 are all marked as filled. Then it sank in, the dreaded conversion must be imminent.
So, I put a couple of questions out to the FT learned:
1. When does the A321 conversion begin for the EAST?
2. Is there a legitimate seating plan available (as Seatguru does not have a before/after seat map, nor does the online USAirways seat map reflect gospel)? Or is there a seatmap available that we can at least confer against, obviously protecting our sources and methods while providing plausible deniability?
3. If there is a general plan, is one able to share some insight as to the “prime” seats?
It is not the intent of this post to infer or invite criticism on the removal of these seats **for I am certain another post will open that can of worms**
Anyhow... there are no more together seats towards the front of the plane. Just windows across. Should I move us towards the front and be split with Mom or stay in my own seats because they wont remove them by then?
Feb 26, 2007, 3:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: CoFounder and Chairman, FFOCUS (Frequent Flyers Organized and concerned about Unacceptable Service.
Posts: 1,341
Just so you know, the A321 is range challenged as it is currently configured, and is barely able to make transcon range from PHL to the west coast. If they go ahead with this mistake of removing 10 F seats and adding who knows how many Y seats, they will further handicap this airplane on transcons.
FFOCUS is taking a loud and vocal stand against this reconfiguration. I have already alerted Tempe to our position and based on the comments we have received, a further reduction in F capacity, ESPECIALLY on transcons and long range flights, will result in an increased migration of business FF's away from US.
While I have little hope that they will actually listen to us, perhaps it's time to be more vocal about this--they need to be competitive with other carriers, especially on transcons.
FFOCUS is taking a loud and vocal stand against this reconfiguration. I have already alerted Tempe to our position and based on the comments we have received, a further reduction in F capacity, ESPECIALLY on transcons and long range flights, will result in an increased migration of business FF's away from US.
While I have little hope that they will actually listen to us, perhaps it's time to be more vocal about this--they need to be competitive with other carriers, especially on transcons.
Feb 26, 2007, 4:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CLT
Programs: US Airways Platinum
Posts: 110
Good find. I have a question. I am flying on the 321 on CLT-LAX This Thursday 3/1 on the 321 in F. Me and Mom got 5A,5C. Dad is in Y. Anyhow... there are no more together seats towards the front of the plane. Just windows across. Should I move us towards the front and be split with Mom or stay in my own seats because they wont remove them by then?
Anyhow... there are no more together seats towards the front of the plane. Just windows across. Should I move us towards the front and be split with Mom or stay in my own seats because they wont remove them by then?
Feb 26, 2007, 4:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CLT
Programs: US Airways Platinum
Posts: 110
Just so you know, the A321 is range challenged as it is currently configured, and is barely able to make transcon range from PHL to the west coast. If they go ahead with this mistake of removing 10 F seats and adding who knows how many Y seats, they will further handicap this airplane on transcons.
FFOCUS is taking a loud and vocal stand against this reconfiguration. I have already alerted Tempe to our position and based on the comments we have received, a further reduction in F capacity, ESPECIALLY on transcons and long range flights, will result in an increased migration of business FF's away from US.
While I have little hope that they will actually listen to us, perhaps it's time to be more vocal about this--they need to be competitive with other carriers, especially on transcons.
FFOCUS is taking a loud and vocal stand against this reconfiguration. I have already alerted Tempe to our position and based on the comments we have received, a further reduction in F capacity, ESPECIALLY on transcons and long range flights, will result in an increased migration of business FF's away from US.
While I have little hope that they will actually listen to us, perhaps it's time to be more vocal about this--they need to be competitive with other carriers, especially on transcons.
Feb 26, 2007, 4:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,452
Besides, what would F be without me?
Feb 26, 2007, 5:10 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
Hmm F would be heaven without a Kingy running around 
JKJK
JKJK
Feb 26, 2007, 5:21 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: TPA - DCA
Programs: US CP, Hertz Gold -President's Club, *wood, Marriott, Hilton, Kimpton
Posts: 19
King- You know US as well most, so definitely no changes to current seats in the next few days. Even the random pre-boarding banter, between the FAs and the weekly group of end-of-week frequent flyers, seems to be filled with a degree anxiety and a lack of knowledge. It just appears that no one has enough details out front with the US aircrew-pax interface.
To their defense, the air crews got slammed by both internal and external forces with the A320 reconfig. This time around, it my belief that all parties are hoping there is a better go-forward plan.
To their defense, the air crews got slammed by both internal and external forces with the A320 reconfig. This time around, it my belief that all parties are hoping there is a better go-forward plan.
Feb 26, 2007, 5:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Programs: US-Chairman, Hyatt_Diamond
Posts: 142
I agree, but the A321 is being removed from transcon service. It is needed to replace the B757 which is either at the end of their lease or to be used in transatlantic service for the summer. Transcons are going to be handled by either the A320 or the A319 for nonstop service. The plan is to drive down nonstop capacity to obtain premium $$ from those who refuse to stop in either Phoenix or Las Vegas.
Feb 26, 2007, 5:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP 75K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 241
I agree, but the A321 is being removed from transcon service. It is needed to replace the B757 which is either at the end of their lease or to be used in transatlantic service for the summer. Transcons are going to be handled by either the A320 or the A319 for nonstop service. The plan is to drive down nonstop capacity to obtain premium $$ from those who refuse to stop in either Phoenix or Las Vegas.
Feb 26, 2007, 7:20 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: east coast
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 306
Good find. I have a question. I am flying on the 321 on CLT-LAX This Thursday 3/1 on the 321 in F. Me and Mom got 5A,5C. Dad is in Y. Anyhow... there are no more together seats towards the front of the plane. Just windows across. Should I move us towards the front and be split with Mom or stay in my own seats because they wont remove them by then?
Anyhow... there are no more together seats towards the front of the plane. Just windows across. Should I move us towards the front and be split with Mom or stay in my own seats because they wont remove them by then?