Originally Posted by
HKG_Flyer1
As a Gold member, flying VX several times for week, I am definitely noticing deterioration in product quality.
1) First class seats are not being maintained properly... at least 25% of the time, recline feature doesn't work properly and requires manual override.
Definitely agree here. The seats on my last two VX flights didn't work and the FA had to manually override it ever time I wanted to move it. And the footrest wouldn't extend at all. Very disappointing since this is the only thing I care about.
2) RED system frequently malfunctions.
I don't use IFE but the guy across the aisle sure was steamed that it wasn't working properly.
3) Some of the ordering options have been disabled.
4) Food ordering seems to be turned off earlier in-flight.
5) Call center employees are poorly trained and lack knowledge of Elevate program features.
It seems like AS management is taking for granted that top tier Elevate members are going to automatically stick with AS. I'm surprised/disappointed at the lack of proactive engagement from AS to retain high-status Elevate members.
Can't speak to the rest as I don't order food but I will say I noticed a vast difference in the service. On the flight in January, the FA provided the bare minimum and sat in the galley reading a magazine for most of the flight. Was very annoyed every time I needed my seat adjusted.
On my flight last week, the FA could not have been better. He was exemplary. I was one of the first to order breakfast and he came to me a bit later saying he had run out of my choice and wanted to see if I would mind option 2, which I didn't. I think he asked me as the other 4 pax in the F cabin seemed a bit, um.......less nice, I guess. He just couldn't have been nicer or more apologetic. The excellent service continued the entire flight. He will fit in well at AS.
One thing I thought was odd was they called AS elites, including basic MVPs to board with F.