Equipment Price Differences
 

Looking to go LAX-MIA nonstop in the fall. Probably will pay $$ for J tickets. Most of the flights are $1,300 for the 32B Airbus A321. The 777 flights are $650 more.

For more experienced AA cash flyers, is that $650 increase common?

And coach seats are $539 on either aircraft, with no increase for the 777. Is THAT common too?

Lie-flats on the 772?

Yep.

And yes, normal pricing.77W, netter than 772

Is it a 3 class 777? If so, it's not surprising that the 777 would be closer to sold out upfront- same number of seats, but much more space (albeit in an older seat).

On the flipside, Y fares in the 777 will likely stay lower longer, because there's so much more inventory.

Yeah, it's 3 class. I figured they'd charge more for a nicer/bigger plane, but I didn't expect it to be 50% more. Interesting.

It has been my experience that the LAX-MIA route does in fact see a surcharge for the 777/77W flights.

Note that all of the MIA flights do see better meal service (well, same as the 77W/777 meal service) and improved transcon blanket/pillows, at least last time I flew route in the fall.

That does seem a little high for that route. Not sure if you're flying on a holiday or high demand day.

Might be worth considering driving to FLL for the FLL-LAX nonstop in B6's Mint Class.

Cheaper flights have the following restrictions in the fare rules:

IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN MIA AND LAX
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON BOEING 777 AIRCRAFT.
AND
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN MIA AND LAX
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON BOEING 777-300ER AIRCRAFT.
AND

So they can charge more for equipment but equipment type is not guaranteed?

+1

I have paid more to get international routing on 77W and 787 to ensure all aisle access in business only to have the planes switched out. When I mentioned that I had paid a premium to get the scheduled equipment, I got the response that equipment is not guaranteed. They are happy to charge a premium for the superior product, but if they choose to sub for a lesser plane you have no recourse.

With international itineraries, you can call to make a change or get a refund due to equipment change it's part of the CoC.

You can as well for domestic segments, however it's not guaranteed, and could take a couple calls. I used to fly DEN-LAX/DFW-ORD-michigan instead of DEN-ORD-MI so I could fly the 787, and I got it swapped out for 737s a couple times. They didn't have to do that though for an all domestic itinerary.

Right?! How convenient. :rolleyes:

DL adds a specific surcharge for domestic F fares on D1 equipment (up to $150 for a 744). So I suppose you could request a refund in the case of an equipment swap.

A SURCHARGE OF USD 100.00 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL IN AIRBUS INDUSTRIE
A330-300 EQUIPMENT.
AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 100.00 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL IN BOEING
777-200LR EQUIPMENT.
AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 100.00 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL IN BOEING
767-400 EQUIPMENT.
AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 100.00 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL IN BOEING
777 EQUIPMENT.
AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 100.00 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL IN BOEING
767-300 WINGLETS EQUIPMENT.
AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 150.00 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL IN BOEING
747-400 PASSENGER EQUIPMENT.
AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 75.00 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL IN BOEING
757-200 WINGLETS EQUIPMENT.

For MIA/LAX they have to keep at least a 3 cabin (J/F) plane for the 777 route. On it they actually sell First, not just Business aka Domestic First like the rest of the MIA/LAX flights.