SFO Lounge Downgrade
Dec 15, 17, 3:06 pm
#61
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Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
OK. That's a ways from everyone "circling in for the kill".
Dec 15, 17, 3:26 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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Originally Posted by Often1
Air carrier lounge space is at a super-premium at crowded airports such as SFO.
Originally Posted by davistev
And SFO is also a dark void for domestic flyers on Priority Pass. Not my favourite airport due to lack of lounge access.
Originally Posted by jsguyrus
To me that says they have nothing under construction nor have they even identified space to do so at SFO. Once they do find space we all know this is at least a two year project. Thing is this is their new HUB that they have been bragging about. They knew they were going to need a lounge a year ago when they bought VX!
1. VX never realizes the need of a lounge. So SFO T2 has not reserved a space for VX and VX used the VA lounge (sort of).
2. Unless SFO moves out some retail/restaurant tenants, the only available space in T2 is the yoga room, which is not enough for a lounge.
3. The only available space in SFO now is T1 Boarding B (currently rebuilding), the current home of WN and former home of AS (and its Boardroom). A new lounge could possibly mean AS/VX will move back to T1B and abandon the investment at T2.
Dec 15, 17, 4:37 pm
#63
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Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
Funny thing; they didn't start out that way. UA owned SEA back in the 1980's.
Heck, pre-merger VX had a better footprint from SFO than AS in the 80's. VX served some like 9 of the top 10 SFO markets at the time of merger.
Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
Anyways, remind me, what lounge did VX have in T2?
Dec 15, 17, 5:08 pm
#64
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Originally Posted by garykung
The problem actually goes deeper:
1. VX never realizes the need of a lounge. So SFO T2 has not reserved a space for VX and VX used the VA lounge (sort of).
2. Unless SFO moves out some retail/restaurant tenants, the only available space in T2 is the yoga room, which is not enough for a lounge.
3. The only available space in SFO now is T1 Boarding B (currently rebuilding), the current home of WN and former home of AS (and its Boardroom). A new lounge could possibly mean AS/VX will move back to T1B and abandon the investment at T2.
1. VX never realizes the need of a lounge. So SFO T2 has not reserved a space for VX and VX used the VA lounge (sort of).
2. Unless SFO moves out some retail/restaurant tenants, the only available space in T2 is the yoga room, which is not enough for a lounge.
3. The only available space in SFO now is T1 Boarding B (currently rebuilding), the current home of WN and former home of AS (and its Boardroom). A new lounge could possibly mean AS/VX will move back to T1B and abandon the investment at T2.
1) VX master plan was to take over the AA lounge once AA moved post-T1 construction.
2) Generally, space has been identified for buildout of an AS lounge as part of the new control tower area.
3) Currently-available airside space does not appear to exist. (Note that the bowels of what is now T2 had a number of dungeon-like international airline lounges.)
Dec 15, 17, 5:14 pm
#65
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,314
Originally Posted by garykung
2. Unless SFO moves out some retail/restaurant tenants, the only available space in T2 is the yoga room, which is not enough for a lounge.
Dec 15, 17, 5:17 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS (MVP), UA (silver), AA, DL, Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 230
Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
...Please, please AS, don't blow it. There are many many loaded millennials here who will swipe you left faster than their next potential partner if you disappoint them.
Seems like a big misstep to not have a plan in place while fighting for the CA market. You'd think they'd be doing everything they can to make a splash vs missteps.
They can't always control things like weather but you can control fighting aggressively for rentable space.
Dec 15, 17, 5:27 pm
#67
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
I believe that you are partially incorrect, although maybe I'm blowing smoke out of one orifice or another.
1) VX master plan was to take over the AA lounge once AA moved post-T1 construction.
1) VX master plan was to take over the AA lounge once AA moved post-T1 construction.
Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
Anyways, remind me, what lounge did VX have in T2?
While that's certainly true, VX had a lot of appeal (deserved or not; personally, I don't think so -- I found the dark mood lighting quite unpleasant on my one VX flight, for example) for their distinctive onboard product. Having a lounge available seems like something that could help say that AS really does bring things to the table that VX didn't have.
Dec 15, 17, 5:28 pm
#68
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
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Originally Posted by ashill
They bought out VX because B6 gave them little choice. I don’t think it was long-planned.
Dec 15, 17, 5:49 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver, AS 75K 15-20
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Originally Posted by jsguyrus
Starting January 1, Alaska Lounge members will no longer have access to the American Airlines Admirals Club® in San Francisco, Terminal 2. Due to our acquisition of Virgin America, usage has far exceeded expectations leading to overcrowding at peak times.
But there are still plenty of places to relax before takeoff.
But there are still plenty of places to relax before takeoff.
- Together with our global partners, you have access to over 90 airport lounges worldwide, and starting January 1, when traveling on Virgin America flights, you can visit any American Airlines Admirals Club® location (except at SFO) with your Alaska Lounge membership and same-day Alaska, Virgin America or American Airlines boarding pass.
- You can still access the Cathay Lounge when traveling out of SFO’s International Terminal.
If I was an AS exec, I would freeze the expiration date of all Loft Members, until they have a SFO club open. Totally unacceptable if I was a SFO based member.
As for Delta Lounge option, no way. not happening. Why would DL come to the rescue only to have the same problem of AS/VX flyer inundating the amazing facility. DL is already not allowing its own SkyClub member if the member do not have a DL (or partner) flight beginning in 2019.
Jiburi
PS: VX had no lounge in SFO? Oh. Still, to remain competitive with AA, DL, UA, combined VX/AS still needs a SFO lounge ASAP.
Last edited by jiburi; Dec 19, 17 at 12:50 pm
Dec 15, 17, 6:08 pm
#70
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 280
I'll echo the sentiment- VX focused much more on casual flyers who were willing to pay for a better economy cabin experience. Alaska seems to cater to more to frequent flyers who favor more personalized service (lounge access, easy upgrades) that comes with elite status. Destroying the differentiated product on VX while failing to offer the elite perks sounds like a bad plan, but I guess we'll see.
That said, I think T2 is still a nice place to spend time- it's clean, bright, spacious, and modern with a great yoga room and great concessions.
That said, I think T2 is still a nice place to spend time- it's clean, bright, spacious, and modern with a great yoga room and great concessions.
Dec 15, 17, 6:35 pm
#71
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 48
Originally Posted by bkojote
I'll echo the sentiment- VX focused much more on casual flyers who were willing to pay for a better economy cabin experience.
What I see is gimmick lighting, annoying back of seat screens and seats with very little legroom.
Dec 15, 17, 6:44 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,488
Originally Posted by Tankerman
You really hink VX has a good quality economy experience?
What I see is gimmick lighting, annoying back of seat screens and seats with very little legroom.
Dec 15, 17, 9:28 pm
#74
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 73
[QUOTE=eponymous_coward;29178890]
Anyways, remind me, what lounge did VX have in T2?
You are correct - VX had no lounge. Conveniently, they also sold no memberships. Alaska, obviously is doing things differently. “Memberships without lounges” is apparently the new billboard for different things that work together...l
Anyways, remind me, what lounge did VX have in T2?
You are correct - VX had no lounge. Conveniently, they also sold no memberships. Alaska, obviously is doing things differently. “Memberships without lounges” is apparently the new billboard for different things that work together...l
Dec 15, 17, 11:52 pm
#75
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 280
Originally Posted by Tankerman
You really hink VX has a good quality economy experience?
What I see is gimmick lighting, annoying back of seat screens and seats with very little legroom.
You can call it style over substance but I find myself enjoying everything about the Virgin experience way more. Even the casual friendly attitude was a breath of fresh air. I don’t see a whole lot of Virgin flyers sticking with Alaska once the product is gone judging by the reactions so far.
