VX First Switched to AS Catering (Late March, 2018)
Apr 1, 2018, 10:05 pm
#46
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,956
Lots of folks like to point at VX lack of profits as some sort indictment of VX management.
However, some context needs to be pointed out.
VS launched in the depths of the 2008 recession, after having fought for months if not years to obtain an operating certificate, which was opposed by all the incumbents. Possibly one of the worst times to launch an airline in the past 50 years.
However, some context needs to be pointed out.
VS launched in the depths of the 2008 recession, after having fought for months if not years to obtain an operating certificate, which was opposed by all the incumbents. Possibly one of the worst times to launch an airline in the past 50 years.
Alaska doesn't have a fortress hub either. Just over 50% of SEA does not a fortress hub make. You want to see a fortress hub go to DTW, ATL, SLC, DFW, IAH. Those are fortress hubs.
Regretfully, the current airline environment is mostly a race to the bottom. VX never played that game. VX has become, like Midwest Express and others, those who tried mightily to make flying better for the passenger added to the dustbin of history. I hope the next disruptive airline fares better.
Apr 2, 2018, 1:36 am
#47
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Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
Well, I remember my last flight in AS F which was a greasy chicken entree which would not pass muster in AF Y international.
I'm lucky to have escaped the PNW for BOS where I now have B6 Mint which is awesome.
Had I stayed in SF, me being a VX loyalist, I would have definitely switched to one of the majors, most likely DL, just knowing the AS experience was a huge downgrade from VX.
VX made flying fun again.
I'm lucky to have escaped the PNW for BOS where I now have B6 Mint which is awesome.
Had I stayed in SF, me being a VX loyalist, I would have definitely switched to one of the majors, most likely DL, just knowing the AS experience was a huge downgrade from VX.
VX made flying fun again.
(This was my first FlyerTalk OP after lurking for eons. I think I'll wander over to more familiar DL territory and post something less controversial like my latest gluten-free meal, lol)
Apr 2, 2018, 8:41 am
#48
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
Why would they care about VX people specifically signing up for Mileage Plan, when Elevate accounts were simply migrated over anyway at the beginning of this year.
If anything that was probably aimed at the general public.
If anything that was probably aimed at the general public.
Apr 2, 2018, 8:49 am
#49
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
Yet they did - they launched an airline, despite the economy. That was one bad decision. Then they added only markets that were nearly completely saturated and sold tickets because they offered rock bottom basement fares that other airlines were forced to match. They only started making money when fuel costs decreased substantially. Their BOD knew when enough was enough and when it was time to cut their losses and that's what they did.
In its day, AS was a cut above the other domestic carriers, but that was a long time again. I think AS has done a great job of adapting and staying relevant in a difficult environment over the decades.
VX did a good job making the experience a bit better and different as did B6. Its F product definitely was a cut above what you can get outside of TCons. I certainly didn't find VX F fares cheap, and to your point, I often choose less expensive F fares on blah domestic airlines.
Time will tell if the VX acquisition works for AS or if it becomes like the AA purchase of Air Cal and Reno Air and USAir's purchase of PSA, where the networks the airlines acquired basically melted away, which in the case of AS will have really just cleaned the deck for UA at SFO.
Apr 2, 2018, 8:54 am
#50
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
I already had a Mileage Plan account. During the switch they made another one with my VX login. Never activated (used?) that one. I'm sure they're looking at whether people are actually booking flights with their new numbers.
Apr 2, 2018, 8:58 am
#51
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
Cut their losses at a $340 million profit - LOL
In its day, AS was a cut above the other domestic carriers, but that was a long time again. I think AS has done a great job of adapting and staying relevant in a difficult environment over the decades.
VX did a good job making the experience a bit better and different as did B6. Its F product definitely was a cut above what you can get outside of TCons. I certainly didn't find VX F fares cheap, and to your point, I often choose less expensive F fares on blah domestic airlines.
Time will tell if the VX acquisition works for AS or if it becomes like the AA purchase of Air Cal and Reno Air and USAir's purchase of PSA, where the networks the airlines acquired basically melted away, which in the case of AS will have really just cleaned the deck for UA at SFO.
In its day, AS was a cut above the other domestic carriers, but that was a long time again. I think AS has done a great job of adapting and staying relevant in a difficult environment over the decades.
VX did a good job making the experience a bit better and different as did B6. Its F product definitely was a cut above what you can get outside of TCons. I certainly didn't find VX F fares cheap, and to your point, I often choose less expensive F fares on blah domestic airlines.
Time will tell if the VX acquisition works for AS or if it becomes like the AA purchase of Air Cal and Reno Air and USAir's purchase of PSA, where the networks the airlines acquired basically melted away, which in the case of AS will have really just cleaned the deck for UA at SFO.
Apr 2, 2018, 10:37 am
#52
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
Aiiieeee that would be my personal nightmare -- UA already has 44% of the gates at SFO. I hope DL would take advantage of something like that ^^ and sneak in. With the current T1/T2 post-security connector straight to DL-only gates and current bleed between the two terminals with AA, there could be an opportunity. (There isn't a T2/T3 connector...yet)
I think it's pretty clear -- AA is going to focus on LAX and PHX in the West, DL has SEA, SLC and a focus at LAX. SFO has competition from both OAK and SJC. I think any expansion by AA or DL in the Bay Area will be increasing hub flights to SJC and maybe OAK. SFO will be left to UA and whatever AS does with it.
Apr 2, 2018, 11:25 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: West Hollywood
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Alaska MVP, Delta Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 173
Apr 2, 2018, 12:06 pm
#54
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 150
I think it's pretty clear -- AA is going to focus on LAX and PHX in the West, DL has SEA, SLC and a focus at LAX. SFO has competition from both OAK and SJC. I think any expansion by AA or DL in the Bay Area will be increasing hub flights to SJC and maybe OAK. SFO will be left to UA and whatever AS does with it.
Apr 2, 2018, 12:14 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: West Hollywood
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Alaska MVP, Delta Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 173
VX's first class product at launch was light years ahead of the competition. Nobody had recliner seats with that much leg room on transcons, and the legacy carriers were forced to upgrade their product in order to keep their customers. It's true that VX did not, in turn upgrade their own F seating, but it's unfair to say they didn't upend the market with their product offerings.
Apr 3, 2018, 3:36 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
We are flying VX on Thursday in F.
First time since the apparent AS changes.. Curious to see if any of the things we valued on VX will still be there. i know it really is AS, but was hoping it would not completely change until after April 25th. Will report back.
Apr 3, 2018, 6:51 pm
#57
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
Set your expectations low, but it really depends on what you "valued". Red has been gutted, catering has as well and those poor seats haven't seen a maintenance person in months...
Apr 3, 2018, 7:42 pm
#58
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Since there are Many AS flights on the LAX/SEA run to choose from, VX metal will no longer be a factor.
As soon as we could credit our miles to AS, we jumped over to VX. Now, going forward it may all be a draw. I guess schedule will now be the driver for flight choice.
I guess no more chocolate chip cookies after meal?
Apr 3, 2018, 9:52 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
Thanks for the heads up. The catering was the big draw for us . Already experienced the poorly maintained seats.
Since there are Many AS flights on the LAX/SEA run to choose from, VX metal will no longer be a factor.
As soon as we could credit our miles to AS, we jumped over to VX. Now, going forward it may all be a draw. I guess schedule will now be the driver for flight choice.
I guess no more chocolate chip cookies after meal?
Since there are Many AS flights on the LAX/SEA run to choose from, VX metal will no longer be a factor.
As soon as we could credit our miles to AS, we jumped over to VX. Now, going forward it may all be a draw. I guess schedule will now be the driver for flight choice.
I guess no more chocolate chip cookies after meal?
Apr 3, 2018, 10:16 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
I agree with you about overall comfort. UA flies the CR7, AA the E175, DL the 737. No one on that route is going to beat the AS Airbus, at least while those seats are still flying, which will be for quite awhile.