American Airlines’ Roadmap to ‘Long-Term Success’
Jan 25, 2019, 2:52 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,961
I'm referring specifically to the newest ones. Underseat storage has shrunk significantly, seat pitch has tightened, at least one of the little drink trays has disappeared, and I find the seats themselves to be extremely uncomfortable. There is an overall impression of cheapness.
Jan 25, 2019, 3:23 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,222
I agree. Its basically, lets keep doing what we're doing and hope somehow we get lucky.
Jan 25, 2019, 3:30 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
I don't see how the expect to increase their net promoter scores by making the narrow-body cabins so much more uncomfortable compared to UA and DL. After flying the MAX8 and the Oasis 738, the only thing I'm likely to recommend to anyone I talk to, including random strangers, is to run as far away as possible from these airplanes.
Jan 25, 2019, 3:40 pm
#19
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
American wants to increase EPS by 40% but then as another goal, they want to install TV's and wifi on a large number of aircraft, increase customer service quality, conduct construction work at their lounges, deliver 30 new gates between two airports, increase employee training, and whatever else that will cost them a significant amount of money. Investors should having meetings now as to when the CEO will be fired when they don't reach their goal(s).
Start by adding transfer partners from the large banks instead of forcing someone to either fly or get an AA card to earn AA miles.
Then you can move to the outdated flight atmosphere American provides (lack of wi-fi, seat-back entertainment, and an attitude adjustment for the few miserable flight attendants).
How about making the wifi free for first class domestic fliers?
In addition to that... How about fixing the wifi issues on planes where it doesn't work? In March I flew from JFK to RSW and the wifi didn't work for even one second on that flight. I felt like I was flying back in the 90's. Some people might think IFE is stupid, but what's stupid is having a lack of technology when all of the other mainstream carriers have it.
Start by adding transfer partners from the large banks instead of forcing someone to either fly or get an AA card to earn AA miles.
Then you can move to the outdated flight atmosphere American provides (lack of wi-fi, seat-back entertainment, and an attitude adjustment for the few miserable flight attendants).
How about making the wifi free for first class domestic fliers?
In addition to that... How about fixing the wifi issues on planes where it doesn't work? In March I flew from JFK to RSW and the wifi didn't work for even one second on that flight. I felt like I was flying back in the 90's. Some people might think IFE is stupid, but what's stupid is having a lack of technology when all of the other mainstream carriers have it.
There isn't anything material here. So AA is going to fly a safe airline, hopefully get flights to their destination on time and fix up a few ACs (by the way the SFO AC is relatively new and one of the nicest lounges in the system). How about showers at PHL, CLT and PHX? Other than getting power to LUS A/C pretty much a big yawn.
Jan 25, 2019, 4:27 pm
#20
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The loss of pitch, IFE etc. sucks though, no argument there.
Jan 25, 2019, 4:37 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
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There's a lot missing although it's a decent start.
I got hung up on the "Develop servant leaders..." and had to assume it was a typo. It turns out it was exactly what the airline meant to say, I found out in what turned into a lengthy call with an AA exec.
I had visions of Carson the butler and Mrs. Hughes (or my grandmother's butler, Josef, for that matter) but no, the airline means placing leaders in a position where they also have to serve the people who report to them.
I got hung up on the "Develop servant leaders..." and had to assume it was a typo. It turns out it was exactly what the airline meant to say, I found out in what turned into a lengthy call with an AA exec.
I had visions of Carson the butler and Mrs. Hughes (or my grandmother's butler, Josef, for that matter) but no, the airline means placing leaders in a position where they also have to serve the people who report to them.
Jan 25, 2019, 5:29 pm
#23
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
And we haven’t even mentioned Basuck Economy and it’s possible expansion.
Jan 25, 2019, 6:13 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
IMO they’ve got some pros and cons. They’re more comfortable than the slimline F seats (though the MD-80 seats are better), but the lost pitch, spare nature of the seat and the unexplained loss of underwear space are negatives.
And we haven’t even mentioned Basuck Economy and it’s possible expansion.
And we haven’t even mentioned Basuck Economy and it’s possible expansion.
Jan 25, 2019, 6:37 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
Jan 25, 2019, 7:39 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Charlottesville, Va. USA
Posts: 1,749
Well i just have to say it sounds like classic Doug Parker, all talk and no substance. One small data point about the new flag ship lounges. I was recently in the new ord flgl on rt ord/hkg. The food was very limited and very subpar. YMMV
Jan 25, 2019, 9:58 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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“The airline wants 2019 to be the year it leverages the benefits of its merger with US Airways”
From a lousy hard and soft product right on up to Discount Dougie himself, remind me what good came over from US Airways that they hope to leverage?
From a lousy hard and soft product right on up to Discount Dougie himself, remind me what good came over from US Airways that they hope to leverage?
Jan 25, 2019, 10:16 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
I think the long term plan for AA success would be the project Oasis but this time applied to Doug and his America West leadership team: the current seats/team should be removed and new installed throughout all operating fleet/ offices of the company.
Jan 25, 2019, 10:19 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 20
My team in MIA prefers flying Delta vs AA. They’d rather connect. My wife prefers JetBlue because of IFE for our kids and better seats. And I’m EP. says something. We live in MIA, and basicallly no one prefers AA. I have to fly it as I go deep South America frequently.
Jan 25, 2019, 10:27 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
- Stopped by LAX Flagship this month before boarding LAX-HKG: food offering was pathetic. I was glad that we have visited Qantas First just before.
Another day at JFK Flagship they have run out of any hot food and started offering pasta with marinara source. Now I would take the old Flagships before the merger - far less crowded and personal.