How long til / will reverse no seatback IFE decision?
Oct 13, 2018, 8:47 am
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Plat, UA P1K
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How long til / will reverse no seatback IFE decision?
Did a search and didn’t find anything so apologies if this has been discussed. As AA continues to move on Project Oasis (only such a thing for their bean counters) and the recent financial issues vs Delta, it got me thinking. DL is putting IFE on their C Series/A220 at every seat and has gone back and added them to aircraft they modded to not put in IFE (A320’s). Delta has also stated that in all of their research its one of the top items customers seem to still want (seatback IFE screens). Personally I’m with that group, I don’t want to use my personal device for movies etc. I’m using it for work etc all while also watching a movie etc. The AA planes with seatback IFE are incredibly more enjoyable than the non-IFE planes (and the MIQ first class seat is terrible compared to the legacy AA first class seat). But with Delta able to demand higher dollar per dollar fare compared to AA and UA it seems to be that possibly IFE is a big part of that given Delta has pushed it so much. Seems like only Doug seems to think otherwise. Any thoughts?
Oct 13, 2018, 8:54 am
#3
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Did a search and didn’t find anything so apologies if this has been discussed. As AA continues to move on Project Oasis (only such a thing for their bean counters) and the recent financial issues vs Delta, it got me thinking. DL is putting IFE on their C Series/A220 at every seat and has gone back and added them to aircraft they modded to not put in IFE (A320’s). Delta has also stated that in all of their research its one of the top items customers seem to still want (seatback IFE screens). Personally I’m with that group, I don’t want to use my personal device for movies etc. I’m using it for work etc all while also watching a movie etc. The AA planes with seatback IFE are incredibly more enjoyable than the non-IFE planes (and the MIQ first class seat is terrible compared to the legacy AA first class seat). But with Delta able to demand higher dollar per dollar fare compared to AA and UA it seems to be that possibly IFE is a big part of that given Delta has pushed it so much. Seems like only Doug seems to think otherwise. Any thoughts?
phone for 4+ hours.
Project Oasis once fully rolled out might just be what sends me to Delta for good.
oh and of course we’re delayed due to maintenance 🙄
Last edited by AANYC1981; Oct 13, 2018 at 9:06 am
Oct 13, 2018, 9:01 am
#4
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I don't know how to reconcile AA's data with Delta's data on the willingness of passengers to pay for AVOD in the ticket price. I wouldn't assume that AVOD is the only - nor even primary - reason for Delta's fare premium, total passenger revenues divided by available seat miles.
Oct 13, 2018, 9:08 am
#5
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Could well be that both are correct. DL and AA may have or want to have different markets.
It could well be that customers really do want IFE. But, perhaps they don't want to pay for it. That was certainly the case for domestic Y meals. Thus, customer satisfaction is not the be all and end all of the inquiry.
Ask the average traveler if they would like a fully-reclining seat with a nice hot meal and they will say "yes". Ask them if they will pay 300% of the current tab and they might just balk.
It could well be that customers really do want IFE. But, perhaps they don't want to pay for it. That was certainly the case for domestic Y meals. Thus, customer satisfaction is not the be all and end all of the inquiry.
Ask the average traveler if they would like a fully-reclining seat with a nice hot meal and they will say "yes". Ask them if they will pay 300% of the current tab and they might just balk.
Oct 13, 2018, 9:19 am
#6
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 20
I’m based in Miami. I have an analyst who just flew DL and wants to shift our travel to DL from AA because of the difference in customer experience and IFE. She felt connecting was worth it via direct on AA. I haven’t flown DL or UA in 9yrs. Now I’m curious.
Oct 13, 2018, 9:27 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
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Posts: 1,625
Did a search and didn’t find anything so apologies if this has been discussed. As AA continues to move on Project Oasis (only such a thing for their bean counters) and the recent financial issues vs Delta, it got me thinking. DL is putting IFE on their C Series/A220 at every seat and has gone back and added them to aircraft they modded to not put in IFE (A320’s). Delta has also stated that in all of their research its one of the top items customers seem to still want (seatback IFE screens). Personally I’m with that group, I don’t want to use my personal device for movies etc. I’m using it for work etc all while also watching a movie etc. The AA planes with seatback IFE are incredibly more enjoyable than the non-IFE planes (and the MIQ first class seat is terrible compared to the legacy AA first class seat). But with Delta able to demand higher dollar per dollar fare compared to AA and UA it seems to be that possibly IFE is a big part of that given Delta has pushed it so much. Seems like only Doug seems to think otherwise. Any thoughts?
It is interesting to note Delta's initial A220 routes include flights to DFW. Could Delta win over loyal AA flyers with a better onboard product? Time will tell.
Oct 13, 2018, 9:31 am
#8
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yes they absolutely can and have already done so with NYC corporate contracts.
Oct 13, 2018, 9:39 am
#9
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 20
I flew a 73MAX that is in the new configuration. No physical divider between first and coach. Felt odd. I was in F just in front of Y pax. Looks more like a Southwest plane now. My seat was fine. Would have preferred IFE, but I was working the whole flight. So only listened to music.
Oct 13, 2018, 9:56 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Maybe time to consider a status match while I still have AA status...
Oct 13, 2018, 9:59 am
#12
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IAH too. I'm sure DL knows exactly what they're doing. Particularly at DFW, they're going to eat AA's lunch on routes like DFW-LGA. Does anyone know if DL's A220s come with ovens? That would be yet another feather in the cap for DL.
Maybe time to consider a status match while I still have AA status...
Maybe time to consider a status match while I still have AA status...
Oct 13, 2018, 10:08 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
EXACTLY THIS. Nothing is going to change until DP leaves. With shares recently hitting a 2 year low, perhaps there is some hope that this is coming sooner rather than later.
Man, I wish previous leadership would have made it through the bankruptcy. I've always thought AA would be a pretty damn good airline today under that leadership.
Oct 13, 2018, 10:23 am
#14
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 20
My first job was at AA @ Amon Carter when Crandall was there. That guy was relentless. He knew exactly what business he was in. Focus on hubs, technology, business travelers, brand differentiation. Met a lot of impressive people there. Most have moved on. There was a reason AA avoided bankruptcy for so long. It wasn’t better planes or pilots. To bad the US and AW people took over.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:00 am
#15
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Frankly, I wish they would put the money toward running an on-time airline. I'm tired of most flights being late for some reason or other.