New International Economy Comfort Section for Long-Haul Flights
Feb 4, 2011, 6:29 am
#2
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Feb 4, 2011, 1:13 pm
#5
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Six more inches of leg room for $500 additional fare. Five rows on most international flights, phased in over the next few years starting with 757s. Cheap or free upgrades maybe possibly available for medallions if nobody bids for the seats? Still no use for SWUs.
Feb 4, 2011, 1:35 pm
#6
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Maybe they will follow AF/KL rules on SWUs -- SWU can be used for Y to Y+ or for Y+ to J.
Feb 4, 2011, 1:45 pm
#8
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Now, if Delta were to take old Domestic FC seats or, even better yet, old BusinessElite seats (adjusted to provide movement consistent with decreased pitch) and offer that product along with modest in-flight service enhancements (free ABs, domestic snack basket available throughout the flight, warm second meal choice), I could then see them wanting to charge a modest "uplift" (say 1/2 an SWU, for economy to "better economy").
Feb 4, 2011, 1:54 pm
#9
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Well, that would further dillute the value of SWUs if the supposed "Premium Economy" product is simply a seat with 6" more legroom. That means that, by definition, all exit row seats would automagically become "Premium Economy" so, as a PM, instead of being able to select an exit row seat, I'd have to use an SWU or 25K miles?
Now, if Delta were to take old Domestic FC seats or, even better yet, old BusinessElite seats (adjusted to provide movement consistent with decreased pitch) and offer that product along with modest in-flight service enhancements (free ABs, domestic snack basket available throughout the flight, warm second meal choice), I could then see them wanting to charge a modest "uplift" (say 1/2 an SWU, for economy to "better economy").
Now, if Delta were to take old Domestic FC seats or, even better yet, old BusinessElite seats (adjusted to provide movement consistent with decreased pitch) and offer that product along with modest in-flight service enhancements (free ABs, domestic snack basket available throughout the flight, warm second meal choice), I could then see them wanting to charge a modest "uplift" (say 1/2 an SWU, for economy to "better economy").
Feb 4, 2011, 1:55 pm
#10
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I would love to see an upgraded economy cabin, such as Premium Economy on Air France, but unfortunately I think Delta will follow KLM and United, where the same economy seats are used but with more legroom. Sure hope I am wrong...
Feb 4, 2011, 2:29 pm
#11
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Agreed. DL could justify charging an extra 500 for proper premium econ seats, but I fear they will try charging 150 for standard econ with extra leg room. That said, KL offers Economy Comfort as a free bennie to FB Plats, and DL would likely follow (another reason a small proper Y+ cabin would likely be more profitable, IMO).
Feb 4, 2011, 3:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 246
"Big announcement" regarding international economy coming on Monday -- thoughts?
In Richard Anderson's weekly recorded address he hints about a "big" announcement about international economy on Monday. Have you guys got any idea on what topic he speaks of?
Feb 4, 2011, 3:22 pm
#13
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Nothing is perfect but kudo's to Delta for staying innovative for US legacies in introducing something new. One can shop around to AF or BA etc but there now may be a DL option (more like UA E+ but again a new option). 1+
Feb 4, 2011, 3:25 pm
#14
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Maybe a separate three cabin config? BE, "proper premium econ" and coach, each with their own defined cabin space. 