Valveman

Just a quick note from a satisfied flyer ...... (on service and meal)

OAK - KOA / KOA - OAK

Gambled on the outbound for an upgrade, didn't get it and stayed in 15D. Was hovered over during the entire flight with great service, (service meaning, being asked multiple times if I wanted another beverage, cookies, nuts, and meal packs). Flight 887 was completely full, so no crew was standing by idly.

The return flight, 888, I did get the upgrade and enjoyed one very good meal.

Garden Greens Salad, with Newmans Salad Dressing.
Salmon with Crab Meat, Mashed Potato, and Asperagus.
Pinapple Upsidedown Cake, Coffee.

I asked if the meal was catered from OAK - indeed it was. All portions were fresh, well staged and presented. From the looks of the empty tray tables being returned to the galley, I don't think anyone had any complaints.

Coming full circle to the essence of the OP's thread title - it is a reality that the amount and quality of 'F' Class service has been reduced over the past 5 years. However, I feel it measures up to the expectations of the consumer. AS' product is certainly on par with the consumers cost of the product purchased.

As an example, OAK - KOA - OAK all in for less than $300USD. That got me a confirmed exit row seat both ways, with a status upgrade F seat on the return. My experience, for my cash outlay, certainly was a pleasant one.

My basic travel needs for the above referenced trip were:
My expectations for travel are rarely more than this, but by flying AS, it is a safe bet that my expectations are met and more importantly, exceeded. I know what to expect, am given multiple opportunities to maximize status for best effect, and that makes me comfortable in choosing AS for my travel needs.

thumbelina

On yesterday's SFO-PSP 310pm flight bruschetta were announced for F (never materialized...salmon mousse instead) but on PSP-SFO 530 flight only warm nuts were offered in F. No food left over from Y for Fs.

My question...which FAs could not answer is why a more substantial meal @ 310 pm (officially time for a between meal snack) than @530 (which most might think might be dinnertime).

None of the FAs could even venture to answer why...

thumbelina

Again I wish they would look into the embarrassingly tiny amount of recline in row 1 on their ETOPs planes,other 737-800s

Valveman

Row 2 passengers may have a differing viewpoint

AS Flyer

Honestly, I don't think the SFO-PSP-SFO are scheduled for anything other than a beverage service in F. It's slightly more than a one hour flight. If I'm correct (and I think I am), they used the the catering for the SEA-SFO-SEA flights and those flights probably went without. The reason there would have been no food left over from Y for F is because they should have only been selling picnic packs on this flight and they can't comp those.

Eastbay1K

One reason that I used to like the snack basket. They were on all flights. Another reason is that I used to buy a sandwich or salad and bring it onboard, and use the snack basket snackums as the accoutrement to make a more complete meal. Ironic how some people would rather have an "elegant" plate of something they don't want to eat, than something they want to eat, but won't admit it, with wrappers flying all over the place.

hgdf

Just flew VX yesterday LAX-SEA for the first time in almost a year. It was a 3:50 PM departure, which is typically bruschetta hour on AS for this route.

Holy crap, it was a veritable smorgasbord! PDB was offered right as I sat down. Once airborne they brought the snack basket along with the drinks. Next came a choice of hot meals (yes, that's right a choice) including a vegetarian option, warm rolls, and a desert. Everyone was offered seconds on the rolls of which there were two different kinds. Everything except the desert was warm, and most importantly, no freaking salad! After the meal was cleared away, they brought the snack basket around again. I won't even get into the differences in the seating and IFE options which are in a completely different league from AS.

Also of note, the FA announced repeatedly that the F lav was "only for first class passengers." Amazingly, despite the lack of a curtain nobody from coach strolled through in the entire 2.5 hours.

Many folks around here like to point out that you don't get to sit in F for free on VX. If you're lucky, you might snag a discounted upgrade at T-6. In my case I paid full F, but get this...it was almost $100 less than AS 's full F, roughly the same price as AS's "value" fare.

Don't get me wrong, I still mostly enjoy flying AS but by comparison VX is like a hedonistic indulgence. Too bad their FF program is almost totally worthless.

eponymous_coward

You could buy ~5,000 EQM on AS right now with that $100 you saved. Or set it aside for paying for a long trip somewhere in J/F.

beckoa

hmm... wonder how VX's bottom line doing...

eponymous_coward

Made a profit last quarter.

hgdf

You mean RDM right? If you know where I can buy EQM for 2 cpm then PM me.

Seriously though, for me VX is a rare treat, but one where I always feel like I've gotten my money's worth.

For $370 it's understandable why AS doesn't get a lot of takers for full F LAX-SEA. In my situation, I was shopping for the ticket inside of the 72 hour window. My cheapest choice on AS was a $215 Q fare, but none of the desirable flights had U available. Then I checked VX and found F for $269. If the AS fare is $100 or less, then it's a no-brainer. If, however, I have to spend the big money regardless I might as well go all-out and live it up.

sltlyamusd

I don't agree with the OP at all, in that AS F service was never first, and it's certainly very far from worst. Anyway, I'll share my observations.

Seat pitch: It's not drastically different from other airlines on their narrowbodies. Obviously it is nothing like VX, but the 738s have adequate legroom in F. Not exceptional, but I certainly never felt cramped. The only planes I thought were cramped in F were the MD-80s, which are now gone, and the 734s, which are still around, but there aren't as many. Bottom line is that the AS seating is designed for short-haul flights. I think they could invest in better padded seats at least for the 738s since they do so many transcon/Hawaii flights now.

Flight attendants: About 90% of the AS F/As I've had have been excellent. There are a few indifferent ones out there, and that's nothing new. Over the years I have generally had good service. I do think that the new checked luggage policy is creating headaches for F/As, who have to police the overhead bins and gate-check more bags. Otherwise, I think the biggest change has been in passenger behavior, which has gotten a lot worse over the years. It's hard for flight attendants to stay cheerful when they have a bunch of grumpy and inconsiderate passengers to deal with. I think the company could give F/As some service pointers for F, and try to make the experience more consistent. They should institute a pre-flight beverage service at least for transcon/Hawaii flights.

Powerports: I agree AS should have taken care of this years ago. Originally, the 738s were going to have powerports when they arrived, but some bean counter nixed it. I actually don't even care about the lack of IFE, but the powerports would be really nice for transcons.

Food: I actually have really enjoyed some of the transcon F meals recently. The breakfasts I've had have all been good. The meals on midcon flights are inadequate, and AS needs to address this. Food in F on AS was always a little hit-or-miss. I remember some flights going back 10-15 years with absolutely terrible food in F or none at all. The main thing they need to work on is consistency.

beckoa

I did not have a bad meal until the shroomwich

sltlyamusd

I have received a salad with goat cheese on SFO-PSP several times before and I don't think it was a mistake.

Eastbay1K

Did you ever fly them pre-mid-90s? The F service was outstanding. The seats, while never the greatest, seemed rather comfy on the 727s. 3 course hot meals at most hours Bay Area to Pac NW. Salad cart to ANC w/ really nice entrees. Dessert may have been from a cart, too. (Ice cream sundaes w/whipped cream and other toppings, etc.) The planes also had one more FA than industry standard/FAA minimums, so on AC that now have 3, they had 4.