Enhancements in Main Cabin Extra Seating (now Q2 2018)
Jan 28, 2018, 5:13 pm
#91
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I find it hard to believe that MCE would become at separate cabin in AA, since they are eliminating MCE except exit rows. If they made it 2-3 instead of 3-3, then yes. MCE is not PE - PE is a different seat and makes sense to sell it as a different class. AA is increasing the seat count of both the US and AA version of 321 - so does that mean current Y becomes MCE as seats in the back are squeeze together.
Jan 28, 2018, 9:33 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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Going a bit off topic here but I agree.
About a year ago, I was in F on a transcon, and a young lady gets in, puts her bag in one of the first overhead. So I thought she was in F. But then she proceeded to walk all the way back to Y. After boarding was complete, there were only 3 pax in F. I mischievously suggested to the FA that I should move the bag to the rear F overhead and when the lady would look for her bag, she could inform her that it was moved. The FA agreed with the plan and I went ahead with it. 😈
About a year ago, I was in F on a transcon, and a young lady gets in, puts her bag in one of the first overhead. So I thought she was in F. But then she proceeded to walk all the way back to Y. After boarding was complete, there were only 3 pax in F. I mischievously suggested to the FA that I should move the bag to the rear F overhead and when the lady would look for her bag, she could inform her that it was moved. The FA agreed with the plan and I went ahead with it. 😈
Jan 29, 2018, 8:39 am
#93
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
That was their number one priority!?! Not providing a higher value service to customers that paid a premium or who earned MCE due to loyalty or even finding ways to increase ancillary revenue through increased MCE sales...nope priority #1 was to make sure that any changes didn't add any additional work for the FAs. :facepalm:
And let's not stop at the FAs. They should also eliminate basic economy fares because they create additional work for the gate agents.
Jan 29, 2018, 9:24 am
#94
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Jan 29, 2018, 11:49 am
#96
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,503
They should also eliminate basic economy fares because all it does is push passengers to the actual LCCs according to this article
Jan 29, 2018, 11:57 am
#97
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
MCE Overhead Bin Placards
It's almost that time (Feb 1), when the new placards are supposedly introduced to MCE, including those for the overhead bins. Will be interesting to hear from folks how it actually works out.
If the bins are open, I wonder where is the placard going to be placed so that it's clearly visible for all the pax to read?
If the bins are open, I wonder where is the placard going to be placed so that it's clearly visible for all the pax to read?
Jan 29, 2018, 2:37 pm
#99
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
Jan 29, 2018, 2:54 pm
#100
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA - EXP
Posts: 33
Will FA's start implementing only those flying in first using those bins? And prohibit those in first from using the reserved MCE bins?
Twice in the last week, while flying seat 1A I had to go to economy to find bin space. I did board each flight somewhere between groups 1-3, so not late. Very annoying when you cannot put anything under your seat and have to travel 6 rows back to place your belongings.
The free alcohol in MCE is an intriguing new twist.
Twice in the last week, while flying seat 1A I had to go to economy to find bin space. I did board each flight somewhere between groups 1-3, so not late. Very annoying when you cannot put anything under your seat and have to travel 6 rows back to place your belongings.
The free alcohol in MCE is an intriguing new twist.
Jan 29, 2018, 6:09 pm
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
They could also easily give commissions for selling MCE seats onboard. They have tablets and accept CC to buy food/drinks, so this shouldn't be that difficult...
Jan 29, 2018, 11:07 pm
#102
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
I would only go for this if I spot a window or aisle seat open. But again, I would need to take my bag and relocate it to one of the MCE bins. Given that economy pax usually poach the overhead space upfront, that can be a difficult task since I don't think there is a mandate that FAs will protect the MCE bins even though they will now be labeled as such. Moving into MCE would be an inconvenience if my bag is still a few rows back since that makes deboarding tricky.
Definitely going to be worth keeping an eye on the seat map and upgrades during boarding to see what's open to prepare myself.
Definitely going to be worth keeping an eye on the seat map and upgrades during boarding to see what's open to prepare myself.
Jan 30, 2018, 7:37 am
#103
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
There is a new article:
https://thepointsguy.com/2018/01/aa-cracking-down-on-self-upgrades/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Ed itorial&utm_campaign=FACEBOOK-100000138464120
From the article: "A TPG reader who is also a member of AA’s cabin crew out of Phoenix (PHX) reports that crews are now “being informed that self upgrades will not be allowed onboard. Purchase must be made at the gate or during booking.”
https://thepointsguy.com/2018/01/aa-cracking-down-on-self-upgrades/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Ed itorial&utm_campaign=FACEBOOK-100000138464120
From the article: "A TPG reader who is also a member of AA’s cabin crew out of Phoenix (PHX) reports that crews are now “being informed that self upgrades will not be allowed onboard. Purchase must be made at the gate or during booking.”
I would only go for this if I spot a window or aisle seat open. But again, I would need to take my bag and relocate it to one of the MCE bins. Given that economy pax usually poach the overhead space upfront, that can be a difficult task since I don't think there is a mandate that FAs will protect the MCE bins even though they will now be labeled as such. Moving into MCE would be an inconvenience if my bag is still a few rows back since that makes deboarding tricky.
Definitely going to be worth keeping an eye on the seat map and upgrades during boarding to see what's open to prepare myself.
Definitely going to be worth keeping an eye on the seat map and upgrades during boarding to see what's open to prepare myself.
See the post quoted above yours. Specifically this part: ...crews are now “being informed that self upgrades will not be allowed onboard. Purchase must be made at the gate or during booking.
So there is nothing to keep an eye on, other than purchasing an upgrade to MCE if you do not already have one.
Jan 30, 2018, 9:14 am
#105
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,318
See the post quoted above yours. Specifically this part: ...crews are now “being informed that self upgrades will not be allowed onboard. Purchase must be made at the gate or during booking.
So there is nothing to keep an eye on, other than purchasing an upgrade to MCE if you do not already have one.
So there is nothing to keep an eye on, other than purchasing an upgrade to MCE if you do not already have one.