Originally Posted by deelmakur
(There was a) 2 + 3 arrangement, but the seats are wider, thanks to the removal of one.
Well, wider then the current 17" Economy seat, but not as wide as the current 21" First Class seat. A 737 can do 19" wide seats in a 2+3 arrangement according to Boeing's site.
Lastly, there was a 3 and 3, where the middle seat back folds down, and they leave it open, only using the window and aisle (this is pretty much what European carriers do at home).
Well if they go this route, it is good news for us United flyers as it will disuade them from expanding TED along the West Coast since I imagine this
will cause the Golds to say "sayonara" and head to UA for First Class. And it would give TED an incentive to block the middle seats for elites, as well, which means this is
really good news for UA elites if it happens. ^
It would also bad news for AA, too, as those folks who fly AS along the West Coast and credit to AA for transcons and international will also move to UA (since you can't fly AA along the coast).
Originally Posted by deelmakur
It appears to me that, especially in the transcon markets, with a little promotion at the other end, they could fairly easily become the dominant carrier.
It would be hard enough for them to become the dominant carrier from SEA and PDX, where they fight UA Airbusses and 757s. From LAX and SFO where UA flies 777s and 767s, AS will never become the dominant carrier. They won't even give partner AA a run, who flies 767s.
But that doesn't mean they should abandon the field, which they essentially would if they went all-Economy or "European Business Class".