Chances of 77W
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 11
Chances of 77W
I booked round trip business class award flights from DFW to LHR back in August for April 2018. When I booked the flights, I specifically picked flights that were the 77W. The planes have since switched to 772's. I see now that that there are now other flights that are 77W's. Is it worth setting up alerts on Expert Flyer to change the flights to the 77W's or should I wait in case there is an equipment change once again? The flights are AA80 on April 10 and AA79 on May 2. I don't want to keep switching flights if they are going to keep switching out aircraft. Thanks.
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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I booked round trip business class award flights from DFW to LHR back in August for April 2018. When I booked the flights, I specifically picked flights that were the 77W. The planes have since switched to 772's. I see now that that there are now other flights that are 77W's. Is it worth setting up alerts on Expert Flyer to change the flights to the 77W's or should I wait in case there is an equipment change once again? The flights are AA80 on April 10 and AA79 on May 2. I don't want to keep switching flights if they are going to keep switching out aircraft. Thanks.
The 772 can get switched between two configurations with Zodiac J and one with Super Diamond J with minimal notice if it’s necessary to substitute another aircraft, and for now a Premium Economy vs non-PE switch is possible too.
But 77W vs 772 is usually only when there is a formal schedule change.
Only 77W has F, so if you have an F seat that is a problem.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2015
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As an equipment change qualifies for re-accommodation (even if award seats aren't available on the 77W), agents can oversell the 77W to give you two seats.
You might want to do it if you want the consistency of the 77W business seat versus the toss-up between the two 772 Zodiac/Super Diamond seats that JDiver highlighted.
Have a great trip!
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 11
They are business seats. There was no schedule change on flight 80 and only a 10 minute change on flight 79. It seems that the flights that were originally the 77W are now the 772 and the original 772 flights are now a 77W. Since the flights are such a way out, I'm wondering if there is any way to figure out which plane I will have based on flight history so I don't wind up constantly changing my flights back and forth.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2008
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They are business seats. There was no schedule change on flight 80 and only a 10 minute change on flight 79. It seems that the flights that were originally the 77W are now the 772 and the original 772 flights are now a 77W. Since the flights are such a way out, I'm wondering if there is any way to figure out which plane I will have based on flight history so I don't wind up constantly changing my flights back and forth.
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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They are business seats. There was no schedule change on flight 80 and only a 10 minute change on flight 79. It seems that the flights that were originally the 77W are now the 772 and the original 772 flights are now a 77W. Since the flights are such a way out, I'm wondering if there is any way to figure out which plane I will have based on flight history so I don't wind up constantly changing my flights back and forth.
You do have options and you may want to exercise them. Enjoy!
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
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I'm not sure your reasoning for wanting the 77W specifically, but to me in J class, there is no longer a reason to avoid the 772's since all NGBC 777's have been converted. All are lie-flat now.
As JDiver said above, there are two 772 seats - the Zodiac seat, which is basically the same as the 77W seat, and the Super Diamond seat which some (myself included) think is superior to the Zodiac seats.
If it was me, I'd hope for the 772 with super diamonds, but overall the seats are 95% alike, and all lie flat/aisle access/etc. Take the schedule that works best for you.
As JDiver said above, there are two 772 seats - the Zodiac seat, which is basically the same as the 77W seat, and the Super Diamond seat which some (myself included) think is superior to the Zodiac seats.
If it was me, I'd hope for the 772 with super diamonds, but overall the seats are 95% alike, and all lie flat/aisle access/etc. Take the schedule that works best for you.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Just to clarify and expand on my comment and JDiver's comment, in case you didn't know, the equipment change from 77W to 772 is deemed a schedule change which allows you to change your flight without charge.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 34
They have just done the same to me .... 77W to 772. They brought the seat assignment across as well.....the problem being that the seats on the 77W don’t exist on the 772. I found this out by chance as they didn’t bother to tell me. I was livid and complained. I told them I could accept the aircraft change (reluctantly) but their incompetence with the seat assignments was disgusting. The response was “lacking” to say the least.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2008
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They have just done the same to me .... 77W to 772. They brought the seat assignment across as well.....the problem being that the seats on the 77W don’t exist on the 772. I found this out by chance as they didn’t bother to tell me. I was livid and complained. I told them I could accept the aircraft change (reluctantly) but their incompetence with the seat assignments was disgusting. The response was “lacking” to say the least.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
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This is actually one of the biggest problems with booking International first class on American, especially if you do it six or eight months in advance. They have been playing around with where they put the 77W planes and between those various cities and London you can wind up with first tickets and no effective way to fly the route you want. I somewhat regret having my family of five on a flight in first with American this summer, where we pick up the 77W in London and take it to LAX. It’s not until August 16, and I now fully expect that our particular flight won’t have the 77W on it by the time that flight rolls around.
#12
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#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Expert Flyer Alerts
ExpertFlyer alerts for equipment changes are very useful. Also, set an alert for the seat you're assigned to so you'll know if it opens up (meaning you were moved!).
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,233
In any event, I image by T-3 months the schedule should be fixed in terms of 77W vs. 772, but with the 772 you never do know what you'll really get. I think you can tell from the seat map that if it has 12 rows of J you'll be getting Zodiac, but with 10 rows it could be either, and I would imagine that is subject to substitution until the last minute.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
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If you are booked in business class on a plane with a lie-flat and it switches to one without one, you are entitled to a free flight change (not sure if that's an official AA policy, but AA will do it without problem). But the 772s all have lie flats now. No free change (or, in this case, no forcing award availability).