AA limits 787-8 / 788 Business seat sales to 20 (2019 Q1)
#1
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AA limits 787-8 / 788 Business seat sales to 20 (2019 Q1)
According to a post on One Mile at a Time today, AA is capping sales of J seats at 20 to avoid having to downgrade people if the equipment is reconfigured. Ben speculates that this will lead to a better chance at getting an upgrade.
Last edited by donotblink; Jan 30, 2019 at 9:42 am Reason: fixed spelling error
#2
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Well. For the time being, he’s probably right. 20 seats is terrible for upgrade chances long-term though.
#3
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Maybe AA is trying to reduce seats so they dont have a pressure of selling them, thus jacking up the price? Ill take it if they can somehow improve service by reducing the number of upgrades... (probably wont happen)
#4
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Correction: AA is capping J seat sales on the 787-8 only, not on the 787-9. The thread title has been modified to reflect that.
This “loophole” allegedly favoring upgrade possibilities will only apply to unconverted 788s, and that number of aircraft will diminish through ~June, when all 788s will lose eight Business seats and gain Premium Economy. That and unplanned equipment changes make this device temporary and less useful than it appears, but it will help AA not leave eight passengers with Business seats dumped with equipment changes - smart move, AA.
American is making one other major change to their 787-8s. While these planes are being reconfigured, they’re going from having 28 business class seats to having only 20 business class seats, which is obviously awful news in terms of upgrade and award ticket odds, and even in terms of finding cheap premium fares.
#5
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AA did the same thing when they were converting the 12 (or 13?) 772 with 45J to 37J, I didn't report it at that time but I did mention this yesterday on a private FB group when someone notice it on the 787... a day later we see a new post from Ben
As JDiver said, this is good until they finish with the conversion, which I sure they will finish by the end of April or mid May.
As JDiver said, this is good until they finish with the conversion, which I sure they will finish by the end of April or mid May.
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#10
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Happened to my flight tomorrow from ORD-DFW. Luckily I checked and was able grab a premium economy seat but that greatly diminishes my already terrible chances of an upgrade. It also looks like I'm on the lone 787-8 refresh in the AA system.
#11
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The only way to preclude that for those with existing tickets might be to choose a seat out of the line if fire - Seats in rows 1-5. Rows 6 and 7, in the minicabin, are the ones being replaced by Premium Economy during the refit. The refitting itself is expected to take place rather speedily, being concluded in June.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 30, 2019 at 9:12 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2014
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And just like that, back to the old 787-8 seating! I went from 7C to 9B. Check often when you're on these flights. Luckily I'm on a short flight and nothing international.
#13
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Any idea how they'll handle upgrades with this strategy? Will they wait until within a few hours of departure before clearing or will they clear higher elites at an earlier window if there's a few open on pre-refit aircraft?
#14
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my guess is they will wait to the gate to clear. If they are being better safe than sorry no reason to clear people ahead only to have to deal with downgrade comp if there is equipment swap or worse J-reaccondation if upgraded via SWU or miles.
#15
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They waited until the gate for the LUS 319s that were going from 12F->8F.