New A319 Seat Configuration Confirmed: 8/18/102
Jun 2, 2013, 7:40 am
#31
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There are lots of valid answers to that question, but foremost is, becase that's what US and NW bought 10-15 years ago, maybe when oil (as a proxy for jet fuel) was $14/barrel not $94/barrel as it is today. Aircraft and training are all sunk costs - spares, somewhat less so.
The A318 is such a pig that Frontier scrapped (not dumped on some other operator, scrapped) some planes that were less than three years old.
There's no doubt a 319 costs quite a bit more per seat mile to operate than a 321. It's easier to fill ~120 seats at higher average fares than ~180 seats, however; maybe that will cover the higher cost per passenger. AA as an enterprise is going to be big enough to have economically viable fleets of several (even many) types. It's a lot harder to make a case for supporting all 763/787/772/77W/332/333/358/359. IMHO, that's a situation ripe for rationalization.
The A318 is such a pig that Frontier scrapped (not dumped on some other operator, scrapped) some planes that were less than three years old.
There's no doubt a 319 costs quite a bit more per seat mile to operate than a 321. It's easier to fill ~120 seats at higher average fares than ~180 seats, however; maybe that will cover the higher cost per passenger. AA as an enterprise is going to be big enough to have economically viable fleets of several (even many) types. It's a lot harder to make a case for supporting all 763/787/772/77W/332/333/358/359. IMHO, that's a situation ripe for rationalization.
Jun 2, 2013, 7:48 am
#32
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There are lots of valid answers to that question, but foremost is, becase that's what US and NW bought 10-15 years ago, maybe when oil (as a proxy for jet fuel) was $14/barrel not $94/barrel as it is today. Aircraft and training are all sunk costs - spares, somewhat less so.
The A318 is such a pig that Frontier scrapped (not dumped on some other operator, scrapped) some planes that were less than three years old.
There's no doubt a 319 costs quite a bit more per seat mile to operate than a 321. It's easier to fill ~120 seats at higher average fares than ~180 seats, however; maybe that will cover the higher cost per passenger. AA as an enterprise is going to be big enough to have economically viable fleets of several (even many) types. It's a lot harder to make a case for supporting all 763/787/77W/772/332/333/358/359. IMHO, that's a situation ripe for rationalization.
The A318 is such a pig that Frontier scrapped (not dumped on some other operator, scrapped) some planes that were less than three years old.
There's no doubt a 319 costs quite a bit more per seat mile to operate than a 321. It's easier to fill ~120 seats at higher average fares than ~180 seats, however; maybe that will cover the higher cost per passenger. AA as an enterprise is going to be big enough to have economically viable fleets of several (even many) types. It's a lot harder to make a case for supporting all 763/787/77W/772/332/333/358/359. IMHO, that's a situation ripe for rationalization.
I suspect AA will be quite happy to keep the recent US birds on the property (they'll ditch the 762s)- the A333s and A332s have the same seat model in C that AA is deploying, and the A332 could be used on some TPAC routes out of LAX.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Jun 2, 2013 at 8:28 am
Jun 2, 2013, 8:08 am
#33
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Actually, I disagree with your claimed percentage.
What we know so far is that of the first 130 Airbus delivered, half of them will be A319s, equipped with just 8 F seats. 100% of the A319s, 50% of the Airbus.
I don't think that AA has hinted or announced how the "neo" order (the second 130 Airbus) will be split between A319s, A320s or A321s.
If AA ends up with just 65 A319s, then that would represent just 14% of the 460 total single-aisle planes on order (260 Airbus, 200 737s). Don't forget that US already has 93 A319s in its stable, making it the most numerous type at US.
Jun 2, 2013, 8:18 am
#34
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Just checked ORD > SJD to EOY and was 'elated' to find my Luvable Mad Dogs 2 + 3
seating, still on this run.
seating, still on this run.
Jun 2, 2013, 8:56 am
#35
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Am I the only one that finds that this is a truly hilarious thread?
Cry, cry, complain, complain: I can't believe that I will not receive my F class seat. How dare AA try to improve their bottom line and not give me complimentary upgrades. It doesn't make sense why they are configuring the aircraft like this.
The point of upgrades for elites is to keep the elite happy by giving them upgrades if there are any other seats available. If you want F, buy F.
I'm starting to laugh at the notion of people actually choosing to inconvenience oneself by flying a more indirect routing to avoid this aircraft.
Cry, cry, complain, complain: I can't believe that I will not receive my F class seat. How dare AA try to improve their bottom line and not give me complimentary upgrades. It doesn't make sense why they are configuring the aircraft like this.
The point of upgrades for elites is to keep the elite happy by giving them upgrades if there are any other seats available. If you want F, buy F.
I'm starting to laugh at the notion of people actually choosing to inconvenience oneself by flying a more indirect routing to avoid this aircraft.
Jun 2, 2013, 9:03 am
#36
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Perhaps... but UA realized long ago that they needed to placate elites who did not get upgraded with pretty generously sized Econ+ cabins. That's not the case with AA's A319 config.
Jun 2, 2013, 9:14 am
#37
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I am curious to see whether they will charge for tv, only charge for films, allows elites free access (with everyone else paying) or a combination if the above.
AA truly has a chance to up their game from the other legacies by offering free tv.
Jun 2, 2013, 9:16 am
#38
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What may be more interesting here is that it's AA projecting MCE hasn't been going so hot for them in terms of ancillary revenue $?
Jun 2, 2013, 10:24 am
#39
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Yikes...I remember when AA converted the S80s to 16F years ago and were touting how then all planes in their fleet would have a minimum of 16F seats....guess that doesn't matter to them anymore!
Jun 2, 2013, 11:45 am
#40
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Jun 2, 2013, 11:47 am
#41
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Also, while $misek may have been incredulous to the fact, PMUA's E+ actually made a good amount of $$$. So much so he had to do a 180 on his belief that they'd scrap it post-merger.
What may be more interesting here is that it's AA projecting MCE hasn't been going so hot for them in terms of ancillary revenue $?
What may be more interesting here is that it's AA projecting MCE hasn't been going so hot for them in terms of ancillary revenue $?
Jun 2, 2013, 11:52 am
#42
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https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/mainCabinExtra.jsp
Jun 2, 2013, 12:02 pm
#43
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I'd expect AA to use their planes in whichever manner reduces their fuel or other operational costs.
Outside of transcons and a few select premium markets how often are more than 8 premium seats sold on any kind of regular basis? I'm sure that elites getting fewer upgrades is at the bottom of AA's list of concerns. I'm sure that selling more coach seats is worth more than selling two 500 mile upgrades to a Gold or Plat member for an F seat.
There are three legacy carriers remaining in the USA, and free upgrades are declining on all of them.
Outside of transcons and a few select premium markets how often are more than 8 premium seats sold on any kind of regular basis? I'm sure that elites getting fewer upgrades is at the bottom of AA's list of concerns. I'm sure that selling more coach seats is worth more than selling two 500 mile upgrades to a Gold or Plat member for an F seat.
There are three legacy carriers remaining in the USA, and free upgrades are declining on all of them.
Jun 2, 2013, 12:02 pm
#44
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Its free for Elites (GLDs will lose this benefit in 2014), but for sale for others..
https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/mainCabinExtra.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/mainCabinExtra.jsp
Jun 2, 2013, 12:05 pm
#45
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Boo. 8F is a sad statement for AA. AA, please keep these dogs on the East Coast for shorter routes... Maybe JFK connectors instead of the ERJs? Less F than the 9 on the CRJ7s, really? Less F than the recent E175 purchase (12), seriously? "Republic Airways will acquire 53 Embraer E-175 jets featuring a two-class cabin with 12 First Class seats and 64 seats in the Main Cabin"