LINDEGR

Well I was specifically bashing AA transcontinental F vs. Delta transcontinental J. That stated, with the meal changes coming, I will see how 2015 unfolds and reconsider my choices (which I know are very limited) for 2016.

Fanjet

Or the 763s being refurbished. Or the increase in the number of regional jets with an F cabin (and 12 F seats in them, for that matter), while decreasing the number of 50-seaters (and below) with no F cabins. AA is practically circling the drain of the toilet bowl!!!!

jmr50

I'd be interested in seeing if the combined US/AA went another way, towards a more European model where upgrades basically don't exist. Given it's Parker, I imagine we'd also borrow some greatest hits from the ULCCs, although probably not to the extent many fear. The DL/UA model seems to be heavy on promises but low on delivery (e.g., you earn miles but it's harder to use them, everyone gets free upgrades but only the Diamond/1Ks end up sitting up front most of the time, etc). A model set in opposition to that might be provide an interesting choice at a time many FFs are deciding programs have nothing left to influence them.

eponymous_coward

You mean like VX?

I'd just mention that it took them 5+ years to pull a profit (it's not very consistent), and DL is lapping them. UA is even ahead of them in terms of ROIC.

AA would need to rip out a lot of premium-class seats if they went to a VX-style model (note that VX flies with 8F on A320s). Flying around with half full F and J cabins isn't good business when your competitors have 80% load factors.

dcdavido

Being a refugee from UA, I can tell you UA pretty much got rid of status upgrades. Every attempt is made to "sell" using points or money an upgrade to anyone of any status (Kiosk upgrades, point of sale upgrades, etc., etc..) and only, if every other attempt has been made and there is a left over seat, will they provide a status upgrade. Global Services (CK in America speak) tend to suck up the one or two seats they put aside for irrops. Occasionally a 1K sneaks in, but hardly ever anyone below that.

So smart or dumb? I left, as did quite a few others, and there is little incentive to be loyal to UA. If you have to fly UA, you can get a credit card and get a free bag checked, early boarding, etc... The real cost is in the cost of customer acquisition. So UA sells my upgrade for $50 to Ma and Pa Kettle: score $50 for Jeff & Co. However, when I take my $2k+ trip to London to AA, or my mileage run for $800 trans-con, etc., etc... and UA has to spend money to attract occasional travelers, UA loses money. Hence, their falling PRASM (Passenger Revenue per Available Seat Mile) problem. Will AA follow in UA's footsteps?

MikeORD

Great perspective. As an AA elite who is happy to pay for stickers when necessary, let's hope Dougie doesn't get too clever with the new scheme.

AeroWesty

From American's presentation at the Boyd Group's Intl. Aviation Forecast Summit this week, notes from the summary as posted to another site: "New AAdvantage to be launched with programs merging in 2015."

"New" AAdvantage. Hmm.

rankourabu

The way status is earned is not changing over at UA, duh

Please show me one person who does mileage runs for RDMs... just one.

The revenue system benefits OPMers, and screws everyone else. That is the reality of it. If we had a system that actually benefits the entity that is spending the money, not the OPM flyer - than it would be fair.


Earning RDMs from flying is just a drop in the bucket in the world of credit cards anyway. Nothing will improve with a revenue system in terms of award space etc, and status will still be earned the same way anyway.

Rebob

Aren't the new AA A320s all configured with 8F seats? Everyone I've flown has been.

TheBOSman

Those are A319s, which are a little smaller. AA has no A320s on order.

AA-Flyer-SAN

2016 will be a monetary based flyer program. Dougie has gutted the AA frequent flyer program that even the FAs are disgusted. I bet the wish they could back peddle from their shady back room deals. Though the pilots were the worst. Good luck fighting for seniority between THREE airlines. It's only going to get uglier. I can't wait to see these "savory snack baskets". I definitely am not paying for an F seat less than 3 hours again. That's for sure!

Dave Noble

Where is the proof that shows that all the FAs dislike what has happened; I would find it strange that most would even care about the FF programme

jlsw7

I don't feel that aadvantage has been gutted. The changes have been modest. I doubt very many people used oneworld explorer awards if that is what you are referring to.

austin_res

AAdvantage miles were devalued...since the Dynamic miles awards started there have been fewer sAAver awards available and many sAAver trans Atlantic awards are now in BA with their insane surcharges. At a conference in SEA, I met quite a few people who were planning to book OneWorld explorer awards then got quite the shock when Dougie axed it overnight with no warning. They were not happy campers, to put it mildly.

JoeWoodstock

So, you believe that the 2016 AA FF program will use $ spend on OneWorld to determine status for 2017? That miles will be out of the equation?

I don't buy it.

--woodstock