Cases Where You Are Better Off In Economy
Dec 4, 2012, 5:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Cases Where You Are Better Off In Economy
Just flew AA 1564 PHX-ORD this morning and it was the best flight I've ever been on in economy. Load factor was probably somewhere around 30%, but first class was full or nearly full with only 1 empty seat. In the back however there were about 10 people (including me) with an entire row to themselves. I've never been a flight with such a low load factor, and I'm shocked that it still happens with how strict revenue management has become at airlines.
First class looked cramped compared to economy. I know this isn't the first case of this happening as I've read on Flyertalk before, but this was one flight where I don't think it would have been worth it to upgrade.
Economy flyers need to have positive posts too!
First class looked cramped compared to economy. I know this isn't the first case of this happening as I've read on Flyertalk before, but this was one flight where I don't think it would have been worth it to upgrade.
Economy flyers need to have positive posts too!
Dec 4, 2012, 6:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
I would rather have one F seat than 3 Y seats, especially on a meal flight like this.
As always, YMMV.
As always, YMMV.
Dec 4, 2012, 6:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
I was on a DFW-BOS flight (757) with 10 people in F and 10 people in Y. The best part was that it was a mileage run and I had just spent the last day flying or waiting for flights, so I got some good sleep.
Dec 4, 2012, 6:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,975
Take the F seat and enjoy the meal. Then take your stuff back to an empty row and stretch out.
Back in the late 90's lower load factors and empty rows were not such a novelty. And with AA's "heart healthy" special meal option you could actually get something like a nice grilled salmon dinner in Y. Stretched out and well fed, I did not envy the folks crammed up in first class.
Back in the late 90's lower load factors and empty rows were not such a novelty. And with AA's "heart healthy" special meal option you could actually get something like a nice grilled salmon dinner in Y. Stretched out and well fed, I did not envy the folks crammed up in first class.
Dec 4, 2012, 6:14 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,617
Redeye flights with a 757.
I'd take a bulkhead coach seat over the F any day.
If it's low load and there are entire rows - even better.
I'd take a bulkhead coach seat over the F any day.
If it's low load and there are entire rows - even better.
Dec 4, 2012, 6:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 446
Once had an early morning TUS->DFW flight. Very light load in F. So light in fact that they offered kiosk upgrades...that were snapped up by a large family traveling with 5 kids under the age of 5. Somehow I doubt the rest of the cabin was too happy with that (and yes, I could hear them screaming from back in the cheap seats).
Dec 4, 2012, 6:41 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
Before true 180 flat business class seats, I preferred to have an entire row in coach for sleep. I get to actually be flat and stretched out.
Dec 4, 2012, 7:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Back in the 1990s...
Flying LAX-LHR-LAX, always in Coach. Five seats to myself. Get a seat belt extender and rig up a proper seat belt even while sleeping. Five pillows, five blankets, and Yours Truly in, essentially, a lie-flat cozy bed.
I don't care about the alcohol served up front, and as far as I am concerned, airplane food is still... airplane food. The chance to get 180-degree flat bed sleep for a good seven hours or so on a ten hour flight is golden.
Flying LAX-LHR-LAX, always in Coach. Five seats to myself. Get a seat belt extender and rig up a proper seat belt even while sleeping. Five pillows, five blankets, and Yours Truly in, essentially, a lie-flat cozy bed.
I don't care about the alcohol served up front, and as far as I am concerned, airplane food is still... airplane food. The chance to get 180-degree flat bed sleep for a good seven hours or so on a ten hour flight is golden.
Dec 4, 2012, 7:59 pm
#9
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21H on a 763 TATL when 21J is unoccupied 
Dec 4, 2012, 8:07 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: TBD
Programs: AA since 1988 (ex-elite status); Alaska; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 497
Back in the 1990s...
Flying LAX-LHR-LAX, always in Coach. Five seats to myself. Get a seat belt extender and rig up a proper seat belt even while sleeping. Five pillows, five blankets, and Yours Truly in, essentially, a lie-flat cozy bed.
I don't care about the alcohol served up front, and as far as I am concerned, airplane food is still... airplane food. The chance to get 180-degree flat bed sleep for a good seven hours or so on a ten hour flight is golden.
Flying LAX-LHR-LAX, always in Coach. Five seats to myself. Get a seat belt extender and rig up a proper seat belt even while sleeping. Five pillows, five blankets, and Yours Truly in, essentially, a lie-flat cozy bed.
I don't care about the alcohol served up front, and as far as I am concerned, airplane food is still... airplane food. The chance to get 180-degree flat bed sleep for a good seven hours or so on a ten hour flight is golden.
I once had the front row all to myself... stretched & slept... shame it wasn't LHR>SFO!
Dec 4, 2012, 10:28 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Colombia, South America
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Dec 4, 2012, 10:41 pm
#12
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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I might take empty Y over packed F on leg room and meal challenged DL or UA, but not on AA. Although the only AA Y cabin that I don't mind for a couple hours is 20BD or 21BD on the Mad Dogs.
Dec 5, 2012, 1:32 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: HNL
Programs: AA EXP, Global Entry
Posts: 217
as a PLT, I didn't even try to upgrade my next 757 redeye. I just can't spend hard dollars on that F cabin when sleep is the priority. going to try out row 9 instead, based on recommendations from FT members, and stretch my long legs out.
737 midcons are fine in an exit row, especially when the middle seat is unoccupied. with gogo working I can relax and enjoy those flights.
I like the 763 biz class, but the mini cabin outfitted with MCE was fine for today's dFW-HNL flight. for the redeye return I spent the money and got the stickers to upgrade.
good thread!
737 midcons are fine in an exit row, especially when the middle seat is unoccupied. with gogo working I can relax and enjoy those flights.
I like the 763 biz class, but the mini cabin outfitted with MCE was fine for today's dFW-HNL flight. for the redeye return I spent the money and got the stickers to upgrade.
good thread!
Dec 5, 2012, 5:15 am
#14
Join Date: May 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors-Diamond, Marriott-Silver, SPG-Gold
Posts: 391
Just flew AA 1564 PHX-ORD this morning and it was the best flight I've ever been on in economy. Load factor was probably somewhere around 30%, but first class was full or nearly full with only 1 empty seat. In the back however there were about 10 people (including me) with an entire row to themselves. I've never been a flight with such a low load factor, and I'm shocked that it still happens with how strict revenue management has become at airlines.
First class looked cramped compared to economy. I know this isn't the first case of this happening as I've read on Flyertalk before, but this was one flight where I don't think it would have been worth it to upgrade.
Economy flyers need to have positive posts too!
First class looked cramped compared to economy. I know this isn't the first case of this happening as I've read on Flyertalk before, but this was one flight where I don't think it would have been worth it to upgrade.
Economy flyers need to have positive posts too!
Glad you enjoyed your flight, but I'll still take F over Y. The meal is worth it when you had to get up at 4:30 AM to get to the airport.
Dec 5, 2012, 5:45 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,827
I recently had a row of 5 to myself on a TATL with J full and no upgrade. I had a great sleep- 6+ hours. Nobody waking me up to use the loo.