ryan182

I don't believe any have 9 in PE, most are 8 vs 10 in Y. There was some 777 configs that had 9 across for MCE and 10 in regular Y IIRC so perhaps that was the confusion.

cova

Yes I understand your point - and yes PE is a separate class. Last year I bought PE seats on the DFW-CDG for two of us since the price was not that much more (and you get some EQM bonuses). And it wasn't that bad - we were in the two bulk head seats - next to window - so no one next to us. The 4 in the middle is tight - I would not buy it if that is what was only available. But now the prices are significantly more.

I checked some flights to LHR and AA was offering WAS-LHR for about $2700 RT in J including connections via JFK. PE was about $2500 and coach was about $1200-1300. I would buy PE at maybe a $300 premium RT but certainly not double. The bulkhead coach rows are much better. I would even decline an comp PE upgrade if it meant moving from coach bulk head to PE middle seats.

I don't see people leaving AA in droves. I see more people realizing that FF benefits have declined so much - that it isn't really worth it anymore. I earn most of my miles from CC. I was planning to fly AA another 500K EQM to make LT Plat, but doesn't seem worth it since I have Lifetime 1K. Yes AA once offered better chance of upgrade domestically - but that has gone away. UA retains more E+ seating for international.

Even today EXP get Group 2 boarding. UK 1K get preboard - ahead for First Class (agree they have different levels of preboard and 1K is last) but it is still before Group 1. AA just doesn't offer what it used to.

People are best to choose what works best for them and forget about FF benefits - as they are minimum now and no one dominates except Alaska Air - but their route structure is minimal.

So my plans are go back to UA, and continue with AA for east coast flights - but I might consider looking at JetBlue as secondary. AA no longer flies DCA-FLL but JetBlue and Southwest do.

cova

Yes Group 9 grows and AA doesn't enforce seating like UA does. On a flight a few months ago DCA-LAX nonstop - I was in exit row aisle and middle seat was empty. As soon as door closed a guy was the last row (that had a group 9 boarding pass saying Basic Economy) moved himself up to the middle exit row. He was a tall guy who need the extra room and he was broad (not fat) and initially sat a little sideways.

But point is - AA passengers are getting smart and know they can buy Basic Group 9 and get E+ and free bag check at gate. They don't have to buy a better seat when they know they can get if for free. Now UA really checks and this would not be allowed.

Antarius

Yup. This is what no/inconsistent rules and enforcement get you.

Meanwhile, some zealous supervisor forced me to put my backpack in a sizer despite being in J on a 777 Since, you know, it may not fit in one of the TWO overhead bins I basically have to myself.

Dave Noble

With consistency , the agents would always check that bags are compliant with the rules - I suspect that inconsistency is preferred by many

There are not many airlines that I know of that object to a passenger moving from one seat to another seat within the same class of travel where a seat is free

nk15

So, if they change the upgrade rules for SWU, what would happen to miles and copay rules and rates? Geez, what a disaster this airline is...

Dave Noble

The ability to upgrade from discount economy to premium economy / premium economy to business without a co-payment perhaps

beachfan

cova

Wow - AA sells Exit Rows and MCE seats, in fact they sell preferred seats - non-MCE aisle for example. Elites get this for free (except Gold, until 24 hours). MCE is not a separate class but it offers extra benefits and costs extra. Like - reserved overhead space - label as such (hard to enforce), more leg room, free drinks, higher boarding group etc. So AA intends to make more money off those seats. So why should AA not enforce it like UA does.

Free seats on AA are middle seats toward the back. If families want to sit together then they need to buy some of those preferred seats (if they are not elite).

UA FA's see empty E+ seat on their sheet and it someone is sitting there they ask to see the boarding pass and ask for CC for payment or the passenger must move back. Again not a separate cabin but sold at a premium price and offered to Elites.

Dave Noble

my understanding is that AA is charging for advance seat selection and that the seat selection cost is variable and not that AA specifically is charging for use of specific seats

IADCAflyer

Can you clarify what you mean by this?

Dave Noble

The charge is for advance seat selection of the seats - not that the seats themselves have a higher cost on the day of departure

cova

I have been elite for so many years, not sure how it works for non-elites at check in time. So what you are saying is that at check in time anyone in Economy (including Basic Economy) can choose any Economy seat for no extra charge?

I thought at least BE restricted seats to the very back and I thought MCE was additional cost or only for Gold or higher elites.

Yes, I know agents can place anyone in any seat - which happens when all other non-preferred seats are taken.

no1cub17

Stock price at a 5 year low and AA continues to gut their product. This management team is truly unbelievable. If I was nearly as bad at my job as they are at theirs ...

no1cub17

You can buy a BE ticket and be automatically assigned MCE if that's all that's left. I'm not sure what happens if you buy BE and don't select a seat at check-in if one is available.