AS F service dropping to new lows
Jun 5, 2018, 1:26 pm
#62
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,957
Perhaps you'd have a point if AS followed industry standard and offered a pre-departure drink. But they don't. Compared to their competitors, you're already at a deteriorated service level on AS by the time you're getting into the air. Then to see Y get a beverage before F, I can understand the complaint. I just laugh at it, because it's just typical AS. Add to that there's usually a Y pax in the F lav by that point, and it just completes the AS experience with complete disregard for the F experience.
the only two solutions under the current service standards are - A) start offering plastic cups of room temp water at row one so nobody feels left out or B) wait until F has completed their first bev service before starting in the main cabin. PDB would be nice - I'm all for it. Management needs to get on board as well - and then the FA's that will, undoubtedly be very inconsistent about this. We can debate about how that's ridiculous, and chances are I would agree with you but it's the reality.
I suppose I didn't make my point clearly enough - it isn't that we compete with Air NZ, obvi we don't, it's simply that this isn't some idiot AS idea - at least one other airline is doing it.
Jun 5, 2018, 1:33 pm
#63
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,957
I don't get bent out of shape by Y folks getting water before F but I had to chuckle at your post. There's nothing more elitist than marketing a product as First Class and happily taking my money on that pretext. If you're going to talk it and charge for it, then walk it.
Jun 5, 2018, 7:24 pm
#64
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
I have to say that I don't have a problem Y getting water before me if I am sitting in F, as long as the F cabin FA is doing her/his job. This will be the last thing I worried about.
Jun 5, 2018, 9:23 pm
#65
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Sounds like a catering issue. These happen from time to time... Or a lot of thirsty pax. Was this catered RT? I hope not. Used to be an issue on Hawaii turns.
Jun 7, 2018, 1:42 pm
#66
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Charlotte NC USA
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I am typing this on Flight 32 SEA-PHL today in FC. Attentive service, neither better or worse than I've come to expect.
One oddity though. The FA is blocking use of the FC lav for an inordinate amount of time--easily a cumulative 30-45 min so far, probably more. Dunno if there's a sick pilot or what... but between that and some usual turbulence, there's been less time to use the lav than on any other flight I can recall. This seems unfortunate when congestion left us in line to take off for an hour or so,
If there is an illness or something, I'm sympathetic....otherwise it seems something AS would try to be more mindful of.
One oddity though. The FA is blocking use of the FC lav for an inordinate amount of time--easily a cumulative 30-45 min so far, probably more. Dunno if there's a sick pilot or what... but between that and some usual turbulence, there's been less time to use the lav than on any other flight I can recall. This seems unfortunate when congestion left us in line to take off for an hour or so,
If there is an illness or something, I'm sympathetic....otherwise it seems something AS would try to be more mindful of.
Jun 8, 2018, 12:40 am
#67
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I am typing this on Flight 32 SEA-PHL today in FC. Attentive service, neither better or worse than I've come to expect.
One oddity though. The FA is blocking use of the FC lav for an inordinate amount of time--easily a cumulative 30-45 min so far, probably more. Dunno if there's a sick pilot or what... but between that and some usual turbulence, there's been less time to use the lav than on any other flight I can recall. This seems unfortunate when congestion left us in line to take off for an hour or so,
If there is an illness or something, I'm sympathetic....otherwise it seems something AS would try to be more mindful of.
One oddity though. The FA is blocking use of the FC lav for an inordinate amount of time--easily a cumulative 30-45 min so far, probably more. Dunno if there's a sick pilot or what... but between that and some usual turbulence, there's been less time to use the lav than on any other flight I can recall. This seems unfortunate when congestion left us in line to take off for an hour or so,
If there is an illness or something, I'm sympathetic....otherwise it seems something AS would try to be more mindful of.
Jun 12, 2018, 1:05 am
#69
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
How on earth did this thread get so long? Alaska is not leading the pack and offering lie flat suites. Alaska is not offering turn down service on their transcons. Alaska is not offering showers or some kind of private dining in their lounges for revenue F pax.
They have larger, more comfortable seats in first class with more legroom. If your flight is long enough you can even get a menu with a nice meal (although I think the menu is now universal?). The food can range from mediocre to excellent. The service is always excellent from the flight crews, at least in my experience, and FA’s are always the best in the business up front. I don’t consider AS’s first class to be cutting edge by any means, and when I get upgraded out of my exit seat, I consider it a bonus. It’s not cutting edge or winning any Michelin awards for their inflight dining.
But at no point do I think to myself “wow I just got upgraded, now I can enjoy a cabin that is just below what CX and EK offer.” AS first class is what it is. A nice domestic first class offering, where service is really the dominating factor. If row 6 got a beverage in a plastic cup just before the FA’s got to row 3 with a glass of red wine and a napkin, then the whole experience didn’t just get ruined. Let’s all get a grip here and not pretend AS F is something that it’s not.
They have larger, more comfortable seats in first class with more legroom. If your flight is long enough you can even get a menu with a nice meal (although I think the menu is now universal?). The food can range from mediocre to excellent. The service is always excellent from the flight crews, at least in my experience, and FA’s are always the best in the business up front. I don’t consider AS’s first class to be cutting edge by any means, and when I get upgraded out of my exit seat, I consider it a bonus. It’s not cutting edge or winning any Michelin awards for their inflight dining.
But at no point do I think to myself “wow I just got upgraded, now I can enjoy a cabin that is just below what CX and EK offer.” AS first class is what it is. A nice domestic first class offering, where service is really the dominating factor. If row 6 got a beverage in a plastic cup just before the FA’s got to row 3 with a glass of red wine and a napkin, then the whole experience didn’t just get ruined. Let’s all get a grip here and not pretend AS F is something that it’s not.
Jun 12, 2018, 7:16 am
#70
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
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How on earth did this thread get so long? Alaska is not leading the pack and offering lie flat suites. Alaska is not offering turn down service on their transcons. Alaska is not offering showers or some kind of private dining in their lounges for revenue F pax.
They have larger, more comfortable seats in first class with more legroom. If your flight is long enough you can even get a menu with a nice meal (although I think the menu is now universal?). The food can range from mediocre to excellent. The service is always excellent from the flight crews, at least in my experience, and FA’s are always the best in the business up front. I don’t consider AS’s first class to be cutting edge by any means, and when I get upgraded out of my exit seat, I consider it a bonus. It’s not cutting edge or winning any Michelin awards for their inflight dining.
But at no point do I think to myself “wow I just got upgraded, now I can enjoy a cabin that is just below what CX and EK offer.” AS first class is what it is. A nice domestic first class offering, where service is really the dominating factor. If row 6 got a beverage in a plastic cup just before the FA’s got to row 3 with a glass of red wine and a napkin, then the whole experience didn’t just get ruined. Let’s all get a grip here and not pretend AS F is something that it’s not.
They have larger, more comfortable seats in first class with more legroom. If your flight is long enough you can even get a menu with a nice meal (although I think the menu is now universal?). The food can range from mediocre to excellent. The service is always excellent from the flight crews, at least in my experience, and FA’s are always the best in the business up front. I don’t consider AS’s first class to be cutting edge by any means, and when I get upgraded out of my exit seat, I consider it a bonus. It’s not cutting edge or winning any Michelin awards for their inflight dining.
But at no point do I think to myself “wow I just got upgraded, now I can enjoy a cabin that is just below what CX and EK offer.” AS first class is what it is. A nice domestic first class offering, where service is really the dominating factor. If row 6 got a beverage in a plastic cup just before the FA’s got to row 3 with a glass of red wine and a napkin, then the whole experience didn’t just get ruined. Let’s all get a grip here and not pretend AS F is something that it’s not.
They don't compete with CX or EK on a single route. Nobody is expecting them to be that. I don't think anyone said such a thing (but nice attempt at deflection). They compete with DL, AA, and UA. Wanting them to be competitive is not an unreasonable expectation. They are competitive in some aspects, not in others.
I know it's common on this board to write off and excuse any AS flaw and tell the poster to go away and fly another airline. If someone would have complained about blankets 6 months ago, that's what the apologists would have said -- fly someone else if they can better meet your expectations, if a blanket would make or break your experience, go away. Today there are blankets (at least on transcon/Hawaii), and nice ones at that -- better than UA/AA/DL (excluding premium service). AS does change, sometimes for the better. And drawing attention to their weak points helps them do that.
Jun 12, 2018, 7:48 am
#71
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: DL Diamond/MM, Hyatt Diamond, former AS MVPG 75K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,940
How on earth did this thread get so long? Alaska is not leading the pack and offering lie flat suites. Alaska is not offering turn down service on their transcons. Alaska is not offering showers or some kind of private dining in their lounges for revenue F pax.
They have larger, more comfortable seats in first class with more legroom. If your flight is long enough you can even get a menu with a nice meal (although I think the menu is now universal?). The food can range from mediocre to excellent. The service is always excellent from the flight crews, at least in my experience, and FA’s are always the best in the business up front. I don’t consider AS’s first class to be cutting edge by any means, and when I get upgraded out of my exit seat, I consider it a bonus. It’s not cutting edge or winning any Michelin awards for their inflight dining.
But at no point do I think to myself “wow I just got upgraded, now I can enjoy a cabin that is just below what CX and EK offer.” AS first class is what it is. A nice domestic first class offering, where service is really the dominating factor. If row 6 got a beverage in a plastic cup just before the FA’s got to row 3 with a glass of red wine and a napkin, then the whole experience didn’t just get ruined. Let’s all get a grip here and not pretend AS F is something that it’s not.
They have larger, more comfortable seats in first class with more legroom. If your flight is long enough you can even get a menu with a nice meal (although I think the menu is now universal?). The food can range from mediocre to excellent. The service is always excellent from the flight crews, at least in my experience, and FA’s are always the best in the business up front. I don’t consider AS’s first class to be cutting edge by any means, and when I get upgraded out of my exit seat, I consider it a bonus. It’s not cutting edge or winning any Michelin awards for their inflight dining.
But at no point do I think to myself “wow I just got upgraded, now I can enjoy a cabin that is just below what CX and EK offer.” AS first class is what it is. A nice domestic first class offering, where service is really the dominating factor. If row 6 got a beverage in a plastic cup just before the FA’s got to row 3 with a glass of red wine and a napkin, then the whole experience didn’t just get ruined. Let’s all get a grip here and not pretend AS F is something that it’s not.
I don't think anyone here expects a CX or EK F experience on AS. That being said, many have seen a strong decline in the very basic service they do offer.
Jun 12, 2018, 4:26 pm
#73
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
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Posts: 20,396
I’ve had 4 F flights on AS in the past 20 days (2 transcons, two shorthauls). I have been unable to discern any new low. My drinks got filled. The service and food was fine. But that’s probably boring and not worthy of hyperbole, or much other than some self-reported data points. Oh well.
I had recent flights in DL F as well. Their seats seemed really tight. Much like AS’s a couple years ago. Those are otherwise fine flights too.
I had recent flights in DL F as well. Their seats seemed really tight. Much like AS’s a couple years ago. Those are otherwise fine flights too.
Jun 12, 2018, 8:54 pm
#74
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
I know it's common on this board to write off and excuse any AS flaw and tell the poster to go away and fly another airline. If someone would have complained about blankets 6 months ago, that's what the apologists would have said -- fly someone else if they can better meet your expectations, if a blanket would make or break your experience, go away. Today there are blankets (at least on transcon/Hawaii), and nice ones at that -- better than UA/AA/DL (excluding premium service). AS does change, sometimes for the better. And drawing attention to their weak points helps them do that.
Alaska has been pretty clear about the market space it is trying to occupy and the customers it wants. Alaska generally has yields (and costs) an entire tier below AA, DL, and UA. It's core customer base is not the corporate and business travelers being chased by AA, DL, and UA. Alaska customers should expect some differences in the service levels between AA, DL, and UA.
Jun 12, 2018, 11:06 pm
#75
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
They compete with DL, AA, and UA. Wanting them to be competitive is not an unreasonable expectation. They are competitive in some aspects, not in others.
I know it's common on this board to write off and excuse any AS flaw and tell the poster to go away and fly another airline. If someone would have complained about blankets 6 months ago, that's what the apologists would have said -- fly someone else if they can better meet your expectations, if a blanket would make or break your experience, go away. Today there are blankets (at least on transcon/Hawaii), and nice ones at that -- better than UA/AA/DL (excluding premium service). AS does change, sometimes for the better. And drawing attention to their weak points helps them do that.
I never told the OP to go fly another carrier. My point was just that their product is what it is, and we should accept that and not try to make it something it isn’t. That’s all. Don’t set your bar for AS first on the same scale as some amazing transcon private suite service, that’s all I am saying. The OP is free to choose who they want to fly, but they should be aware of what they’re getting, and we shouldn’t try to act like AS first class is some exclusive club that is so hard to get into.