Virgin America tentatively approved. Effect on AA out of SFO?
Jul 19, 2007, 8:38 am
#31
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"As we look ahead the specter of high fuel prices and intense competition from several new airlines (Virgin America, Skybus, EOS ... ) will likely make the second half of the year much more challenging," said Gerard Arpey, chief executive of AMR, in a letter to employees after the parent of American Airlines reported second-quarter results Wednesday.
Jul 19, 2007, 9:07 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Will AA Match Virgin America's fares?
What's your bet?
New York-Los Angeles ... $139 each way (starts August 29)
- New York-San Francisco ... $139 each way (starts August 9)
You can fly to either city in first class for $389 each way.
This sale is for travel 7 days a week through November 14.
To find the lowest fares, book 7 days in advance.
Main cabin passengers will experience mood lighting, leather seats with 32-inch pitch and lumbar support, a nine-inch TV screen with live TV and 25 movies, and have access to power outlets.
First class passengers will receive upgraded amenities and also sit in oversized seats with 55-inch pitch and built-in massage function.
New York-Los Angeles ... $139 each way (starts August 29)
- New York-San Francisco ... $139 each way (starts August 9)
You can fly to either city in first class for $389 each way.
This sale is for travel 7 days a week through November 14.
To find the lowest fares, book 7 days in advance.
Main cabin passengers will experience mood lighting, leather seats with 32-inch pitch and lumbar support, a nine-inch TV screen with live TV and 25 movies, and have access to power outlets.
First class passengers will receive upgraded amenities and also sit in oversized seats with 55-inch pitch and built-in massage function.
Jul 19, 2007, 9:10 am
#33
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Jul 19, 2007, 9:21 am
#34
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Sfo
The rumor is that Virgin America is expected to occupy a smattering of gates in SFO's new international terminal, much as Jetblue now does. While SFO will renovate T2--the old international terminal--T2 has been closed for awhile, so it seems possible that renovation will take a bit more time rather than less, and VA could be expected to remain in the new international terminal for some time.
-Hayden
-Hayden
Jul 19, 2007, 9:25 am
#35
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Couple of questions:
* Will F get lounge access?
* Will VX use a GDS; right now they're not in EF?
* The current First fare is restricted; anyone know the unrestricted price?
* Strikes me as odd that there are two AM flights SFO-JFK, and then nothing until 9pm.
* Will F get lounge access?
* Will VX use a GDS; right now they're not in EF?
* The current First fare is restricted; anyone know the unrestricted price?
* Strikes me as odd that there are two AM flights SFO-JFK, and then nothing until 9pm.
Jul 19, 2007, 9:36 am
#36
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O/w SFO-JFK restricted F on VX is currently selling for $389+ - don't know what non-restricted F is going for...if I had to guess I'd estimate it to be around $700+-$800+ (which would put the r/t cost in your estimation).
Jul 19, 2007, 12:22 pm
#37
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AA concourse changes at SFO
A bit OT for this thread, of course Southwest will shortly begin service out of SFO, out of T1. Rumor is that it will displace Air Canada, which will relocate to a couple of AA's underused gates in T3 (or may at least share them with AA)--good news for Star Alliance fliers, who will no longer have to switch terminals when doing the United-Air Canada transfer. Maybe not the best news for AA travelers, who may see a busier security checkpoint and slightly busier concourse.
-Hayden
-Hayden
Jul 19, 2007, 12:51 pm
#38
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My bet is that VX will cater towards younger fliers that probably travel several times a year but not enought to reach status. This airline like B6 will be the "cool" airline of the young, tech group.
However, paxs logging in more than 50,000 miles per year will probably stick with AA and other legacies on the NYC/LAX/SFO routes for the UPG perks and ability to redeem miles internationally on a wide host of other carriers.
However, paxs logging in more than 50,000 miles per year will probably stick with AA and other legacies on the NYC/LAX/SFO routes for the UPG perks and ability to redeem miles internationally on a wide host of other carriers.
Jul 19, 2007, 4:29 pm
#39
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My bet is that VX will cater towards younger fliers that probably travel several times a year but not enought to reach status. This airline like B6 will be the "cool" airline of the young, tech group.
However, paxs logging in more than 50,000 miles per year will probably stick with AA and other legacies on the NYC/LAX/SFO routes for the UPG perks and ability to redeem miles internationally on a wide host of other carriers.
However, paxs logging in more than 50,000 miles per year will probably stick with AA and other legacies on the NYC/LAX/SFO routes for the UPG perks and ability to redeem miles internationally on a wide host of other carriers.
Jul 19, 2007, 4:42 pm
#40
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Jul 19, 2007, 6:01 pm
#41
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My bet is that VX will cater towards younger fliers that probably travel several times a year but not enought to reach status. This airline like B6 will be the "cool" airline of the young, tech group.
However, paxs logging in more than 50,000 miles per year will probably stick with AA and other legacies on the NYC/LAX/SFO routes for the UPG perks and ability to redeem miles internationally on a wide host of other carriers.
However, paxs logging in more than 50,000 miles per year will probably stick with AA and other legacies on the NYC/LAX/SFO routes for the UPG perks and ability to redeem miles internationally on a wide host of other carriers.
1. They were cheap ($300)
2. Flying AA wouldn't help me towards ExecPlat
3. I already have so many miles in my AA account I don't really know what to do with them.
4. Their planes look really really nice.
Further more, two of my colleagues who are loyal CO flyers also booked on VX.
I figured we'll give 'em a try. If they team up with Virgin Blue, then ^.
Jul 19, 2007, 6:59 pm
#43
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That being said, now that the operating certificate it issued and ignoring terminal location issues, I imagine Virgin Atlantic could "sell" access for Virgin America's premium passengers on a per-passenger, fair-market value rate.
Jul 19, 2007, 7:00 pm
#44
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In airports where there is no dedicated VS lounge, they are making arrangements with existing lounge operators. Here's to hoping that means the CO lounge in T6 and not tthe RCC in T7.
- T
Jul 19, 2007, 7:07 pm
#45
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Ditto. As an SFO-based AA Plat who often travels to NYC on his own dime (read: "stuck in Y"), JetBlue and now Virgin America are the biggest threats to my remaining a loyal AA passenger. Yes, I am part of that "young, tech group" that those two other carriers apparently targets. Yet despite all the other benefits that B6 and now VX can offer, I've remained with AA on this route--and oftentimes frustratingly so--because of my preference to fly out of SFO than OAK or SJC. The Admirals Club also helps.
With B6 and VX now flying out of SFO, it will be nearly impossible for me to remain loyal to AA on this route. I suspect that AA will end up losing mid-tier flyers like me--semi-frequent travelers (but not EXPs who can compete for upgrades), confined to Y for whatever reason, yet willing to pay for convenience (but not too much!).
Generally, I think everyone would agree that B6's and now VX's Y seats (especially the live sat. TV aspect) are heads-and-shoulders better than the AA 767 Y seat--even on those very rare occassions that my upgrades to J clear on this route. (and I actually have had generally positive experiences with AA's GAs and FAs).
AA's advanced booking ticket prices are rarely any lower than B6's--or VX's apparent pricing, it seems. And not enough to justify AA's subpar Y cabin.
And when traveling on a couple hours' notice, B6 is so drastically cheaper that I am rarely able to fly AA. Traveling on business, I can't justify the signfiicantly higher cost to a client. Traveling on my own dime, the miles can't justify the ridiculous price increase. Who cares about redeeming miles on international trips when I could have bought the award ticket outright with the money I saved on a single fare?
Which leads to broader issues. Were I not so dependent on the SFO-MIA non-stop and AA's selection of SFO-RDU connections, flying SFO-JFK on another airline would lead me to move my loyalty elsewhere. For those without any need for MIA or RDU, precisely that may happen.
With B6 and VX now flying out of SFO, it will be nearly impossible for me to remain loyal to AA on this route. I suspect that AA will end up losing mid-tier flyers like me--semi-frequent travelers (but not EXPs who can compete for upgrades), confined to Y for whatever reason, yet willing to pay for convenience (but not too much!).
Generally, I think everyone would agree that B6's and now VX's Y seats (especially the live sat. TV aspect) are heads-and-shoulders better than the AA 767 Y seat--even on those very rare occassions that my upgrades to J clear on this route. (and I actually have had generally positive experiences with AA's GAs and FAs).
AA's advanced booking ticket prices are rarely any lower than B6's--or VX's apparent pricing, it seems. And not enough to justify AA's subpar Y cabin.
And when traveling on a couple hours' notice, B6 is so drastically cheaper that I am rarely able to fly AA. Traveling on business, I can't justify the signfiicantly higher cost to a client. Traveling on my own dime, the miles can't justify the ridiculous price increase. Who cares about redeeming miles on international trips when I could have bought the award ticket outright with the money I saved on a single fare?
Which leads to broader issues. Were I not so dependent on the SFO-MIA non-stop and AA's selection of SFO-RDU connections, flying SFO-JFK on another airline would lead me to move my loyalty elsewhere. For those without any need for MIA or RDU, precisely that may happen.