dave1013

All too soon.

Seriously, I have heard they will start appearing early next year.

jinglish

As far as the PE config, the E175s already have the first three economy rows designated as Preferred Plus with extra legroom. They won't actually have to modify the aircraft interior unless they're changing F on the Embraers too.

ashill

I doubt they're changing F on the E175s. The 12F/64Y 76-seat configuration that most US carriers use is already a low-density configuration due to 76-seat scope clauses; I assume (but don't know) that AS can't go to more seats. They certainly could physically be configured as 9F/68Y (which would be a more typical F/Y ratio), but most airline pilot contracts don't allow 77-seat planes to be operated by regional affiliates. Again, I don't know specifically about AS, but the fact that they chose 12F/64Y with the initial delivery suggests that 76 seats is their limit unless there's some other reason they chose that premium-heavy configuration.

Putzy

September 2016.

AKCuisine

Putzy, are you in the game and know the roll-out date for a fact? Or is it still just speculation?

SOCguy

That's the date that's been communicated internally for quite awhile now. Suspect if that were to change, we'd have heard by now.

Actually, it may well have been publicly communicated as the roll-out was initially planned for this fall but was delayed. In fact, it was only the selling of the seats that was delayed, the aircraft mod schedule hasn't changed.

beckoa

Both Putzy and SOCguy (among others) provide solid reliable information

Kufat

Has anyone heard anything firm about the soft product for Premium? They mentioned "amenities" in their announcement; I'm hoping those amenities involve fruit and cheese on flights > 2 hours.

PDXPremier

That would be awesome, but I highly doubt the "amenities" will include much in the area of soft products....my guess is that everyone in these rows will receive a free alcoholic beverage similar to what MVPG/75Ks receive. I've always wished for a free food item in place of the beverage for those of us who don't drink, but even that never happened (other than the small chocolate bar that you typically have to ask for). I think it will be more like E+ on UA where the biggest difference (and essentially what you're paying for) is the extra legroom and perhaps priority boarding.

PDXPremier

That's in a few weeks so although I hope it happens, the reality of the matter is that I doubt we'll see any seating changes until 2017. Ever since the big announcement of premium economy last year, there has been virtually zero publicity about this new product which leads me to believe that we're not at all close to a full roll-out and I don't blame them given the fact that I'm sure they have their hands full with the VS acquisition. Honestly, I'm excited about the extra legroom in F and Y+, but I'm very apprehensive about how this will affect AS elites and their access to premium economy.

Kufat

You're probably right, but we can still hope it'll be more like C+ on DL, where you at least get free premium snacks (similar to the AS snack basket, IIRC) and actual food on a few transcon routes.

SOCguy

Bear in mind, we're talking about upwards of 120 airframes here. The seat modifications don't happen overnight to be ready for a morning launch of the product. The mods will start this fall as has been the plan all along. So beginning sometime in September and until the program is officially launched, you'll either travel on or hear of others traveling on aircraft that have already been modified. The soft product will not roll out until after the new year so until then, it'll be a seat with more legroom. This was communicated to employees long after the VS acquisition was announced.

PDXPremier

I know the F seat map on the -800s is already starting to show just 3 rows, but has there been any noticeable change in the Y seat map? I'm just wondering if there will be a lot of last minute seat assignment changes this fall for those that booked a pre-mod aircraft but got a post-mod aircraft on the day of departure.

wanderlust4life

An alcoholic beverage is already included in their "Preferred Plus seating" for all customers in the first row of economy and exit rows. Since May 2015, any person allocated a seat in Row 6 and exit rows get priority boarding, free drink, and extra legroom. Most people just aren't aware of the priority boarding perk and free drink. As a 75k, I always am in these seats when I don't get upgraded and I have never once had a flight attendant proactively offer me the free drink because of my seat choice. Its only after I order that no payment is requested and they keep moving down the aisle. If they are going to add more rows with additional leg room and call it Premium economy, they should make the soft product much better or its still just preferred plus in the end. I think a "delta comfort plus" soft product policy would be the best with the snack basket (in the least) and unlimited drinks. And for those that want a hot meal and more leg room and space, then First will be the right choice.

PDXPremier

I too hope for increased food options like C+ on DL although if AS adopts the complete DL C+ model, we're also going to get the headaches our DL friends are complaining about over on the DL forum....like C+ being treated as a separate class/cabin with an upgrade list and folks being auto upgraded into a C+ middle seat from an exit row aisle. Those are issues not experienced when UA rolled out E+ although like I said earlier, it was primarily a hard product change.

Whatever happens, my suggestion for all AS elites is to book as many 2017 trips as possible and lock in those seat assignments in-advance of the 2017 premium economy sales roll-out because it's highly likely that your ability to secure the first few rows (especially row 6) at booking for ALL fares will be going away. My guess is that those who have already locked in seat assignments for what becomes premium economy will be able to keep those seats unless there is a major schedule change of some kind.