Well, UA's original thinking was sound. The plan was to offer a product for the elite flyers who couldn't upgrade for one reason or another, by way of better seat pitch in economy. AA's new product blows that out of the water. It would be interesting to see what UA will do in response.

I would still give credit to UA, since this is one of the few PROACTIVE things that came from UA. Most other things (ie. no expiration on miles) was done in reaction to another airline.

As for Shuttle, its just not clear what their goals are, to compete against WN, or AA's west coast flights. As it is, they are failing against both. The aircraft interior is aging badly, service is no-frills, price is higher, and ontime record poor. My last LAX-LAS trip was beverage only, and the beverage was WATER! This has to be a new low! I think UA needs to start ordering new aircraft for Shuttle, and provide EconPlus seats, otherwise it will be harder and harder to justify flying with them.