Originally Posted by
MichielR
This probably follows their internal script/Q&A but still.
I’m sure that with 3 seats in F demand will follow supply rather quickly.
I just stumbled across their post and also this answer a couple minutes ago.
I was surprised to see so many comments on linkedIn being annoyed or criticising their announcement with regards to the reduction of F, especially since historically comments on linkedIn are usually rather favourable.
Originally Posted by
sw1x
I think we are witnessing a reversal in the trend of ever increasing hard product quality in all cabin classes.
If you compare today‘s J product to what airlines offered in the 1980ies and 1990ies, J today easily beats not only its predecessors easily, but may even compare favourably to F. Today‘s PE arguably closes in to what J used to be.
So overall the historic pecking order may be reinstalled - albeit with a much larger premium footprint if you compare today‘s J class size to ancient F.
I believe this is only true in some cases. When speaking with regards to the hard product, I agree. However, the soft product on the other hand might be a different topic. Not just service wise but also ambience wise, as in my limited past, things just seem more personal and down to earth, while now the whole experience is more stressful and corporate and artificial as a whole. (But this can be said about a lot of things)
I agree with many previous posters and while I agree that we do not have access to internal numbers, I believe you can come to pretty much any conclusion, just depending on how you value certain aspects. As some might have noticed, I don't quite tend to agree with LHGs evaluation and valuation of things and ultimately I do think the reduction of F on LX is a mistake.
- They are alienating a customer base by reducing F seats across the whole Fleet from 248 seats to 129 (counting middle as one seat, counting middle as two seats results in 172) which will result in less availability, less flexibility and higher prices.
- To sell a certain amount of seats you need a footprint to cover fluctuations etc. The rest could then made available for upgrades etc. (Rebooking, IRROPS etc.)
- The assessment that people will move to the C suite instead is flawed imho
- I don't see how F is a feasible option anymore for any party of 2 or more. No chance to sit together (unless you want to share that middle seat). Only the 777s might offer reasonable availability.
- I think reducing the F footprint in such a way (and with such a weird product) will ultimately result in a significant decrease of demand. Induced demand also works the other way around.
- Good job on making it impossible to book awards or upgraded to F anymore. What a great way to remove a big incentive for loyalty.
Ultimately it is the decision of LHG, which is quite annoying as it does affect me quite a bit. LX F used to be my favoured way of flying longhaul. However, given the recent lack of A availability I haven't had any chances to book it that much anymore. I sm still hopeful to perhaps get a few flights in once in a while when the stars align, but so far my travel has moved elsewhere. It is sad to see a move which will likely prevent me flying F with LX in the future as it is a product I treasured and liked very much. But such is life, things change, and sadly not always for the better. Luckily there are still alternatives. And you never know, maybe things will get changed for the better in the future
