Flagship Business Plus???
Jan 19, 2022, 6:27 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: New York
Programs: AA, Bonvoy, Delta, Hyatt
Posts: 92
I'm afraid don't see this as a good move from a frequent flyer perspective. The prices shown in the OP are deepest discount. I'm sure we'll see much higher fares just as soon as demand returns - pricing on the t-cons is as low as I've ever seen right now, with cheapest J fares at $539 OW and Systemwides to J and F abundantly available. I'm sure AA hopes to return to $1800 for J and $2500 for F (or "Business Premier") one-way just as soon as they can.
It will further degrade value of SWU for me, and I am definitely concerned about the potential/likely loss of FFD on the t-cons, which remains one of the very few aspirational experiences in domestic US flying.
It will further degrade value of SWU for me, and I am definitely concerned about the potential/likely loss of FFD on the t-cons, which remains one of the very few aspirational experiences in domestic US flying.
Jan 19, 2022, 6:46 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,069
My opinion....We can expect them to start quietly removing the F seats and converting to J/MCE/Y. This move is most assuredly to compete with the others with a "premium" business class (direct aisle access, more privacy) while they contemplate how to retrofit the fleet. The premium, full fare paying F customers may not be back for quite some time. The old saying of Doug and company in the early days of the HP-US merger....jump over a quarter to save a dime....
Jan 19, 2022, 7:01 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Interesting development. If permanent, then, yes, I think it addresses the current lack of F sales (and weak soft product differentiation), as well as a recognition that competitors (including partner B6) are increasingly focusing on all aisle-access for premium transcon routes (particularly NYC-LAX).
I suppose it could be temporary, but I don't see F surviving if AA commits to all aisle seating (which seems likely)
I suspect FFD will be out, but given the "plus" seats do not appear to be available for instrument upgrades, it's possible the F seating may be made availabile to certain elites on a complimentary basis while they survive...
ETA: I was not able to replicate this as of 9pm EST. Flagship First still for sale both on aa.com and in Sabre for both near and far dates. So, either an error or a premature change that's been addressed.
I suppose it could be temporary, but I don't see F surviving if AA commits to all aisle seating (which seems likely)
I suspect FFD will be out, but given the "plus" seats do not appear to be available for instrument upgrades, it's possible the F seating may be made availabile to certain elites on a complimentary basis while they survive...
ETA: I was not able to replicate this as of 9pm EST. Flagship First still for sale both on aa.com and in Sabre for both near and far dates. So, either an error or a premature change that's been addressed.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Jan 19, 2022 at 7:12 pm
Jan 19, 2022, 7:10 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 265
I was seeing this an hour or two ago but just looked again and it seems to have disappeared, as least on my end. Fwiw if this is true I think it’s the beginning of a long term effort to remove F. Kinda sad but I guess we’ll have to see what actually happens. I don’t think they’ll actually go through and retrofit the 321T’s and 77W’s to physically remove the F seats but I think they’ll just get retired over the next 5-10 years and that’ll be the end of F. But again, I guess we’ll see what happens.
Jan 19, 2022, 7:10 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: New York
Programs: AA, Bonvoy, Delta, Hyatt
Posts: 92
My opinion....We can expect them to start quietly removing the F seats and converting to J/MCE/Y. This move is most assuredly to compete with the others with a "premium" business class (direct aisle access, more privacy) while they contemplate how to retrofit the fleet. The premium, full fare paying F customers may not be back for quite some time. The old saying of Doug and company in the early days of the HP-US merger....jump over a quarter to save a dime....
Jan 19, 2022, 7:15 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Jan 19, 2022, 7:17 pm
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
Right now AA IMO has the best product for the t-cons, but if UA leaves the Polaris equipped aircraft on these routes, that's advantage UA on the J seat. DL lags but loyalists will continue to fly them regardless how much their product sucks.
Jan 19, 2022, 8:58 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: New York
Programs: AA, Bonvoy, Delta, Hyatt
Posts: 92
Strange. I feel like we saw something that we weren't supposed to and it was a big IT mistake. It's all reverted back for me too.
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
Jan 19, 2022, 9:25 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 515
Strange. I feel like we saw something that we weren't supposed to and it was a big IT mistake. It's all reverted back for me too.
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
Jan 19, 2022, 9:38 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,251
That said, I'm pretty sure that AA isn't quite that capable.
Jan 19, 2022, 9:38 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,424
Strange. I feel like we saw something that we weren't supposed to and it was a big IT mistake. It's all reverted back for me too.
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
Jan 19, 2022, 9:44 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Strange. I feel like we saw something that we weren't supposed to and it was a big IT mistake. It's all reverted back for me too.
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
However I was able to put a JFK-LAX on hold for later this year at the Business Plus (F-discounted) price. I wonder if I end up purchasing it, they'll still honor that price??
I cannot find these "plus" fares filed in the GDS, so I presume this was only a change made in the labeling on aa.com before it was corrected and that the offering online mapped to an existing first class or business class fare.
Jan 19, 2022, 9:45 pm
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
LoL, you two said the same exact thing.
I’m thinking not AB testing since it wasn’t out there long enough to glean a ton of real data, plus there wasn’t enough info on what J+ would have been to get a proper assessment of buyers’ decisions.
But clearly something is afoot with three class F.
Just wish I’d picked up some tickets at J+ prices!
I’m thinking not AB testing since it wasn’t out there long enough to glean a ton of real data, plus there wasn’t enough info on what J+ would have been to get a proper assessment of buyers’ decisions.
But clearly something is afoot with three class F.
Just wish I’d picked up some tickets at J+ prices!