Originally Posted by
uber1K_Flyer
Especially since it is those very cabins that generate the big $ on the long haul flights! I have to say I've been increasingly disappointed with the inflight film options up front lately - not that many new "hit" movies.
If the F cabin really was generating all that much "big $" then the company would have announced that they are increasing the routes and aircraft where they offer it, not that they are cutting them. The C cabin is a bit different but it would be hard to argue that they are reducing the quality of that product either directly or vis a vis other competitors given the new products that both carriers have been rolling out.
Originally Posted by
jchiguy1
That being said I agree with the OP that Int'l First and Business are in decline and SMI/J & Co seem to have no interest in spending money on those cabins.
What about the UA product has become markedly worse in the past year or so since the merger? Things have been rather mediocre in F for years now. This isn't so much a merger thing as it is a market thing. As the new UA cuts the number of markets where they are offering a money-losing F cabin I would expect that it will be possible for that cabin to see some increases in quality as the margins will support it.
Originally Posted by
jchiguy1
Precisely. SMI/J doesn't understand that the "little things" (wide choice of hit films, mid-flight snack on long-haul) mean a lot and that cutting amenities in profit generating premium cabins could lead to financial catastrophe.
Have you looked at the AVOD selection on the PMCO aircraft? With 150+ movies (not counting dupe titles for multi-language and such) there are lots to choose from. As for the lack of a mid-flight snack leading to financial catastrophe, well, that's a bit of a stretch.