Originally Posted by
boosman
It's funny: not one person here besides me has thought it would be a good idea for AS to introduce an E+ like feature. So if the elites don't like it, it's a reasonable bet that AS management doesn't think it's a good idea, either.
Several years ago, AS did focus groups in Tukwila, WA, where they showed mockups of various alterations to the First Class cabin. One of the options was, essentially, replacing it with E+ like seating. Another was doing something similar to what BA does on intra-European flights, having regular coach seats with the middle seat blocked.
Ultimately, AS went with the newer FC seats in the -800s but kept the FC cabin. The response, overall, to making major changes was very negative.