Jan 2, 2013, 3:42 am
Last edit by: Microwave
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST
For inquiries into the best economy or Main Cabin Extra seat on this aircraft type, see this thread:
Best 77W / 777-300ER Economy Class / Main Cabin Extra / MCE seat (consolidated)
For inquiries into the best economy or Main Cabin Extra seat on this aircraft type, see this thread:
Best 77W / 777-300ER Economy Class / Main Cabin Extra / MCE seat (consolidated)
Seating confirmed: 3-4-3 on the 777 / 77W ... boooooooo
May 13, 2012, 11:35 pm
#121
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
Just curious - what was the LH plane and what was the advertised seat width? I don't think they fly 777s, so I'm curious what you are comparing to what.
May 14, 2012, 12:02 am
#122
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
What they seem to be doing this time is to redo a small part of the cabin with better pitch; it is a shame , I think, that they haven't gone with putting in a proper premium economy cabin; with a smaller section available for those prepared to pay a bit extra for better comfoirt and a regular cabin for those thatr won't, maybe this time it will work
I would also prefer a "proper" premium economy cabin, with a separate cabin and wider seats (most premium econ products appear to be 2-4-2 on 777). But that might be a double-edge sword - for example, would an upgrade from Y put you in J or in premium econ? I think on BA it's the latter.
May 14, 2012, 12:37 am
#123
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 529
You'd have to pay me to fly in 10 abreast coach. I like the points that others have made: think you'll just upgrade out of it, well what about IRROPs?
May 14, 2012, 12:41 am
#124
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,617
I'm betting you've never sat in a Y seat in a 3-4-3 configuration. I have. It is bearable if your seat mate isn't obese. If he/she is, it is a miserable experience.
May 14, 2012, 1:14 am
#125
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 95
The market keeps wanting the lowest price; price is being rated much higher than quality.
AA will be offering an improved product with better seating for those prepared to pay a bit extra for extra comfort. The swathes of people who choose the cheapest may have a better chance of finding AA to be so; those that do care more about comfort can pay a bit extra and get it
Given that it isn't going to be a new section for status holders but for those prepared to pay, seems a logical move for a company that needs to turn around and start making money
AA will be offering an improved product with better seating for those prepared to pay a bit extra for extra comfort. The swathes of people who choose the cheapest may have a better chance of finding AA to be so; those that do care more about comfort can pay a bit extra and get it
Given that it isn't going to be a new section for status holders but for those prepared to pay, seems a logical move for a company that needs to turn around and start making money
May 14, 2012, 3:29 am
#126
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Seats in MCE will be free for
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum®, oneworld® Emerald, oneworld® Sapphire and customers who have purchased a full-fare economy class ticket
AA Gold / OW Ruby will get access until end dec 2013
That suggests to me that only Y and B fares will get complimentary access
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum®, oneworld® Emerald, oneworld® Sapphire and customers who have purchased a full-fare economy class ticket
AA Gold / OW Ruby will get access until end dec 2013
That suggests to me that only Y and B fares will get complimentary access
May 14, 2012, 3:45 am
#127
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
It is most certainly the latter. And I agree with you -- I'd rather forego a real Y+ product on AA so I can continue to use my eVIPs to upgrade from Y to J.
That said, if the worst (in this case) does come to pass, there are some people who do very well with the BA model: get the Chase card, put your BA tickets on it, fly, and use the combined miles to MFU from the cheapest WT+ fare to CW. Apparently if you do it correctly, it's almost self-sustaining. I'm sure something similar is possible with AA and Citi (or AA and MBNA, if you're based in the UK).
That said, if the worst (in this case) does come to pass, there are some people who do very well with the BA model: get the Chase card, put your BA tickets on it, fly, and use the combined miles to MFU from the cheapest WT+ fare to CW. Apparently if you do it correctly, it's almost self-sustaining. I'm sure something similar is possible with AA and Citi (or AA and MBNA, if you're based in the UK).
May 14, 2012, 4:44 am
#128
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
"up to 45 MCE seats"....1/3 of those will be middle seats.....only 1/3 of them aisles. Tell me that on a DFWNRT segment, these won't be filled weeks ahead of time.
I think the worst part of 3-4-3 - HAVING actually flown NZ's product which can't be too-different measurement-wise are the aisles....you can't sleep....you are constantly being bumped.
I think the worst part of 3-4-3 - HAVING actually flown NZ's product which can't be too-different measurement-wise are the aisles....you can't sleep....you are constantly being bumped.
May 14, 2012, 5:35 am
#129
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, FB Plat, AS Gold, Marriott Gold, Fairmont Plat, BA wannabe
Posts: 684
"up to 45 MCE seats"....1/3 of those will be middle seats.....only 1/3 of them aisles. Tell me that on a DFWNRT segment, these won't be filled weeks ahead of time.
I think the worst part of 3-4-3 - HAVING actually flown NZ's product which can't be too-different measurement-wise are the aisles....you can't sleep....you are constantly being bumped.
I think the worst part of 3-4-3 - HAVING actually flown NZ's product which can't be too-different measurement-wise are the aisles....you can't sleep....you are constantly being bumped.
May 14, 2012, 8:00 am
#130
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,473
This again. How do we know passengers wouldn't pay a small premium? Was a statistically valid survey taken? Was there a controlled experiment where all other variables were held constant?
With MRTC there were many variables at play, including fares, broader economical issues influencing travel demand, schedule of flights, FF program, etc.
Isn't AA today charging extra for seats with more legroom? I'm certain it must be at least marginally lucrative since they're still doing it.
May 14, 2012, 8:54 am
#131
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SEA
Posts: 12,485
This again. How do we know passengers wouldn't pay a small premium? Was a statistically valid survey taken? Was there a controlled experiment where all other variables were held constant?
With MRTC there were many variables at play, including fares, broader economical issues influencing travel demand, schedule of flights, FF program, etc.
Isn't AA today charging extra for seats with more legroom? I'm certain it must be at least marginally lucrative since they're still doing it.
With MRTC there were many variables at play, including fares, broader economical issues influencing travel demand, schedule of flights, FF program, etc.
Isn't AA today charging extra for seats with more legroom? I'm certain it must be at least marginally lucrative since they're still doing it.
May 14, 2012, 9:14 am
#132
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LTP, Bonvoy Titanium; AA CK before I retired
Posts: 1,597
It's difficult for seating to have a quantifiable impact on yield. However, that's not to say that seating has no influence on overall demand. If BA and CX have "N abreast" but AA has "N+1 abreast", there can be defections within the OW alliance -- and that's exactly what I expect to happen.
May 14, 2012, 10:00 am
#133
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,473
But some passengers are electing to pay a small premium for better seats, as AA's charging for certain seats demonstrates.
B6's yields have nothing to do with whether AA is able to charge and get extra $ for certain Y class seats.
May 14, 2012, 10:19 am
#134
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SEA
Posts: 12,485
The key word is some. Hence, why airlines can be financially successful offering a small number of premium economy seats, but fail at obtaining a revenue premium for having a superior coach product.
May 14, 2012, 10:27 am
#135
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MSY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Plat, VS Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,531
If anything, I was more fit in high school, and my chest was bigger then than it is now!
Still planning on jumping to AA.. I don't do enough international travel for this change to bother me much. Sorry in advance if I'm crowding into your seats.