platbrownguy

E175 is probably without a doubt the best narrowbody in the domestic sky other than the A321T.

After getting spoiled in 1A on these suckers, it's really hard to go back to mainline (or PSA regional) flights.

3Cforme

Delta has been upgauging some SEA and LAX flights as they approach practical limits on frequency at both airports. That route today is all 738/739 - it's a summer Monday.

OP shouldn't expect a hot meal on Delta for a flight of that length. Flights less that 1400 miles generally get a cold plated meal.

I'm happy with E75s. OP's comment about pilot experience is fair - the lure of mainline flying is strong for those who qualify and are chosen. But space and meal comments are off the mark.

C17PSGR

Among other things, it's worth noting that the e175 is designed to carry 76 passengers but is configured by American to only carry 70 because of the contract with its main line Pilots. That means, the plane has two less rows and very good legroom.

of course... The CR7 experience is very different even though it is a plane with the same capacity.

Often1

Rather than debating the relative merits of the aircraft, the practical answer here is:

1. If OP booked an AA mainline ticket and the operating carrier has been changed, DOT rules require AA to refund the ticket at the passenger's option, allowing him to purchase whatever else he wants.
2. If OP booked this service as it is being performed, one should note that DOT rules specifically require that when the flight is not operated by the marketing carrier, that must be prominently disclosed. AA does so on its booking screen in language and size which can't be missed. But, may be ignored. In addition, the type of aircraft scheduled is also disclosed.

As to the why, the answer is simply that it makes economic sense for AA. It does not have unlimited aircraft and perhaps has found a route with better PRASM for the larger aircraft. Another way to put the question is, to ask what service OP would recommend cancelling somewhere in the AA route system so that the particular service in question may be performed by a mainline aircraft.

ashill

colpuck

Could have flown UA with a CR7 on that route

not quite...all of CP's and MQ's 175s are configured with 76 seats and booked to 76 seats. There are some Republic 80 seat 175s floating around but those I think are being reconfigured for 76 seats. So far IIRC only Mesa has ordered 70 seat E-175s configured with 70 seats, and I suspect those will be replacing UA CR7s out of IAD.

ashill

I think the E175 is designed to carry more like 80 or 84 passengers in a configuration with typical mainline legroom and F:Y ratio. Most E175s in the US are limited to 76 seats by mainline pilot contracts (some of AA's to 70 but some to 80, as you and @colpuck noted), hence the relatively high number of F seats and the very comfortable configuration. Much of the comfort of the E175 is due to the cabin height (large enough for a tall person to stand upright in the aisle) and the 2x2 seating with mainline-width seats (which are of course the same regardless of configuration), but the slightly higher pitch (or more F/MCE seats) to accommodate only 76 seats helps.

quemalo

I have no idea why AA continues to fly the E175 SEA-LAX, but I also avoid it constantly. It's not that it's a bad aircraft, but it's the hassle of dealing with the remote terminal. I've only had the misfortune of landing there a few times, and every single time I remember why I avoid it like the plague. Luckily for the most part I can just fly AS between SEA-LAX instead of dealing with that place.

SamOF

Definitely not true by policy or in practice, at least at dinnertime.

marnold3

Actually I quite like the E175 on the LAX/SEA route. I'm particularly fond of the single seat side in first class and almost always sit in 1A or 2A. Also, I find the bus ride from the Eagles' nest to T4 fascinating. You get to ride on the airport tarmac surrounded by passenger aircraft of all types. For an airplane geek like me, it's pretty much heaven!

3Cforme

AA.com lists E175s as 76-seat and 80-seat versions.

As others have alluded, AA doesn't see much demand on the route (unlike Alaska, king of SEA; unlike Delta, who sees this as a hub-to-hub route). It uses smaller planes to be able to offer decent frequency (better than UA but still far fewer than AS or DL).

If the OP thinks this is too small a plane for the distance he needs to be wary of 1400+ mile routes that are flown by E75s in the U.S. SEA-LAX is only 954 statute miles.

Catbert10

I'd pay extra to fly the E175 over any narrow body plane in the fleet other than the A321T. And while the Eagle's Nest isn't the best experience, I don't find it that bad.

guv1976

Not sure if the Compass E75s are configured the same way, but when I flew SYR-DCA on an AA E75 not too long ago, I took the port side aisle seat in the first row of Coach, and had more leg room than any passenger in First. (The bulkhead does not extend to the aisle seats in that row.)

And since it's a Main Cabin Extra seat, alcohol is free, but no meal service.

MarkOK

The -only- problem to me with Eagle flights is the potential for delays and cancellations on later afternoon and evening flights (most of these planes have a dozen or more legs in a day with very little turnaround time built in). I only noticed something 'odd' about a pilot's performance once (A flight that went off the normal route on a clear evening, had very odd sharp turns both at depature and arrival, and who piloted a very hard landing)

Otherwise, I think they the Eagle flights are roomy enough (even the old ERJ140 I have on my local route), are quick to unload/load, there are no middle seats!, and the FAs on Eagle flights are more often great (in my opinion) compared to mainline coach FAs. Also, the really nice thing is that there is only 30-70 other people on the jet to do something of special annoyance to everyone else (crying babies, yappy pets, DYKWIA fusses, etc), Even on a packed RJ, I find that the cabin to be much quieter and more peaceful, to the point, I only notice it is a packed plane when I actively look around.

Now, I do use DFW for my hub and most RJ flights, and DFW Term B is just as pleasant and convenient as any other there (though, I am unsure how I feel about the future use of the Term E satellite terminal). And, I don't carry on roller bags so the gate check on the small RJs means nothing for me other than I always have plenty of space for my laptop up above, which is very nice and lets my feet have plenty of space).

ashill

Pretty sure that all 2-class E75s (or really all planes in which the aisle[s] is not in the same place in different cabins) are configured that way to accomodate the necessary zig (or is it a zag? ) in the aisle while maintaining accessibility and perhaps the ability to move a food cart down the aisle. It's probably more extreme on the E75 than DC-9 derivatives because the aisle in the 1x2 F section is more off-center than the aisle in the 2x3 Y section of DC-9 derivatives, so the zig is bigger.

The aisle seat on the 3-seat side of a DC-9 derivative likewise has infinite legroom (though it comes with the increased probability of getting bumped by passing passengers or carts).