Originally Posted by
ndhapple
The TATL 767 Y Cabin is completely uncompetitive
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I understand that there are many people on the flights who buy the cheapest tickets possible and they wouldn't give a care whether or not AA offers free booze or food. But that's not fair to us who fly on more expensive fares and fly frequently.
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AA makes you copay to upgrade every fare that isn't a full Y fare.
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It would be really nice if American would offer a third category for economy fares a "Discount Economy Fare" that would slot between "Most Discount" and the "Full Fare."
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This is my wish "to do" list to improve AA and AAdvantage (besides adding back some AUS nonstops which won't happen with oil at $110). What do you all think AA could do to improve the Airline and AAdvantage?
I would look to B6 rather than AA to provide growth from AUS in the next couple of years. With the arrival of Lufthansa in the picture I'm wondering where I left my Miles & More card....
Is it heretical to wonder if the TATL Open Skies agreement is actually good for American? Isn't there a risk they'll suffer rather than gain from increased competition? If that's the case AA's management ought to be asking themselves how they can invest in the TATL business, and if will be worth more in 5 years than it is today. If they don't have the resources to do a decent job, and so far their only reaction has been to shuffle flights from LGW to LHR to increase connections, then maybe they ought to be courting purchasers who will pay a premium over currrent values. Without significant investment in products like state-of-the-art Business Class, Premium Economy (which addresses the high fare, last minute purchasers mentioned), and top-level lounges, I fear AA is going to progressively lose market share to BA, VS, LH, AF, SK etc.
The best scenario I could imagine would be selling aircraft, LHR slots & crews to BA to be operated under a mix of BA (to the UK) and OpenSkies (to the rest of Europe) banners, with full earning and burning of miles on BA under OneWorld. That supposes OpenSkies becomes a OW member and there would be other issues to resolve, for example eVIPs, but overall this would be a positive move.
Meantime AA should take the one-time gain and start investing in other areas where they can make a decent profit, and where they have a significant advantage over other carriers.