UAPremierExec

Looks like AA has added their code to a handful of ASflights - they used to have their code on just 2 JNU/SEA flights, now it appears to be on all of the nonstops. Didn't notice this until I got an email from AA yesterday notifying me of a schedule change. I was previously booked MIA-LAX-SEA-JNU with a 3 hour sit in SEA. I'm now routed via DFW with a 70 minute connection and now on the 640PM-ish nonstop.

American is normally VERY short in flight numbers, which is why they don't hand them out. I think that the fact AA is using VALUABLE flight numbers in the Alaska markets shows that there are more talks going on between AA and Alaska.

One of my fears has been that with the new DL/AS struggles, we (in Juneau) will lose some valuable and effective connections. One example is our 8PM JNU/SEA flight. Only DL puts their code on this flight, which offers easy connections to the SEA/XXX red-eyes since Alaska has nothing departing SEA that late except for GEG and PDX.

The AA code is NOW on that flight.

(current check of QuickTrip / Innovata shows that DL/AA only have their code on one flight a day per last week's filing.. this week's update should be hitting by Wednesday... aa.com is showing the 6A, 8A, 1PM, 3PM, and 8P as carrying their code now. I haven't done research to see if they also did this to the FAI/SEA and ANC/SEA flights).

Its VERY safe to say that American is now stepping up to take over as much of the AS/DL connecting business as they can.

ANC

AA flight numbers have always confused me. They will use the same flight number on a round trip or they will use the same flight number to different cities on different days. For instance Ive seen the same flight numbers used from ORD-CWA, and ORD-Traverse city on the same day. It makes looking fight status up by flight number useless

Points Scrounger

I ran into a Delta round trip (turnaround) with the same number in both directions, which confused the hell outta me.

UAPremierExec

Airlines have been doing that for at least 2 years now as they are running out of 4 digit flight numbers.

fireworksboy

Maybe it's just me but I'm a fan of AS getting closer to AA and helping show DL the door - even faster than they'd like. ^

bofc

I agree. If Delta wants to charge AS elites to check luggage - dump 'em.

HatAndJacket

It's good business by AA to get more passengers, and good business by AS to fill gaps that DL is leaving them with, and to show that they won't just be pushed around. If I were AS I'd look to codeshare and share benefits with UA now, too, unless AA wants to create an exclusive relationship

MSPeconomist

This sort of thing confuses DL agents too.

Tide_from_PAE

Especially when a passenger is flying both segments of such a flight.

golfingboy

IMO, AA's top two priorities at this point to ensure strong partnership with AS is to:

1. Remove any revenue fare bucket exclusions
2. Incorporate US flights for award redemption and mileage accural

I am ready to start giving AA my business [partly thanks to the Citi Prestige enhancements recently and their now solid presence at PIT], but I need them to sort out #2 first.

formeraa

And I'm sure that AA is working feverishly to make this happen, but with all mergers, nothing happens overnight.

98103

Actually, if AA were playing the same game as DL, they'd be introducing loads of SEA flights. That's the game DL is playing. AA is simply saying, "We're not proud, we'll pick up and enjoy your scraps."

HatAndJacket

not scraps, just new partnership opportunities

ANC

so Im confused how airlines are out of 4 digit flight numbers?

You mean to tell me that 1-9999 are all used up for DL and AA?

They operate over 9900 flights a day between themselves and partners?

UAPremierExec

Continental ran out like 5 years ago. And yes, they really are using that many.