AA Matching DM to EXP
Jan 17, 2013, 6:13 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Maine
Programs: AA Plat, FI Silver, DL alumnus
Posts: 1,432
I take my design seriously too. As far as airline paint jobs go, it's decent enough...certainly not offensive.
Nope, not really. Not unless you used the invisible emoticons
Nope, not really. Not unless you used the invisible emoticons
Jan 17, 2013, 7:30 pm
#47
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
My reaction is that it resembles the USA flag too much. That tail could become a target. There was also a lot of patriotism at the end of that AA videoclip.
Jan 17, 2013, 7:35 pm
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: DM
Posts: 1,067
I wouldn't say "dreadful", but it does not compare well to DL's lie-flats. I'd put it a notch ahead of the angled-flats in the A330's, and well ahead of the cradle seats DL still has on at least some of the 767s and 757s. The nice thing about AA is that the seats are consistent across the fleet. No guessing or getting screwed by equipment changes. In addition, AA also has F on its 777s, where the seats hands down beat anything in the DL fleet. If you buy into J it's a fairly easy upgrade to F. And AA will leapfrog DL when it starts rolling out its new J and F seats. DL's business class pillows are way better than AA's, or anyone else's for that matter.
As an AA EXP I'm not excited to see it given away like this, especially after the deluge of UA refugees last year. But I would be surprised if there were many DL takers. EXP is much more of a lateral move from DM than it was from 1K. Upgrade rates, CS and treatment in IROPs is probably equivalent. The AA SWUs kill DL's, the domestic F experience is more "first class", the lounges are better, and the companion upgrade program works like it should. DL has a better international network.
As an AA EXP I'm not excited to see it given away like this, especially after the deluge of UA refugees last year. But I would be surprised if there were many DL takers. EXP is much more of a lateral move from DM than it was from 1K. Upgrade rates, CS and treatment in IROPs is probably equivalent. The AA SWUs kill DL's, the domestic F experience is more "first class", the lounges are better, and the companion upgrade program works like it should. DL has a better international network.
I don't think AA is scheduled to begin upgrading existing aircraft until 2014???
Jan 17, 2013, 7:40 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: NH Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 542
Each SWU can be used for up to 3 segments.
Jan 17, 2013, 7:40 pm
#50
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 83
Huh? That is ridiculous. I fly all the major airlines in J and Delta is in my opinion no better or worse than any of them. There are only a handful of J middle seats so just don't take one. I have a lot of mileage in J and I have never had a middle seat. The only people who will have a middle are up-graders who are willing to take it. It is no different for Y...if there is only middles left you take the next flight. How is that an advantage for Delta?
Jan 17, 2013, 7:42 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 83
If you only get 8 SWU's, a trip from for instance LAX-FRA would eat up four of them RT, assuming you need to use one per segment. So two trips to Europe and your back in J without a method to upgrade to F. Plus, I think Delta's every seat has isle access layouts is very underestimated.
I don't think AA is scheduled to begin upgrading existing aircraft until 2014???
I don't think AA is scheduled to begin upgrading existing aircraft until 2014???
Jan 17, 2013, 7:48 pm
#52
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
Jan 17, 2013, 7:50 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
It has 10 across in Y but 9 across in Main Cabin Extra (the AA version of EC), which EXPs have free access to. Also, SWUs are good on all fares, so you can SWU any coach fare to biz and any biz fare to first.
Jan 17, 2013, 8:20 pm
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
I like AA. I genuinely do. But they are not remotely the airline DL is in terms of network and reach.
Jan 17, 2013, 9:31 pm
#58
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
Exactly! This is targeting the Medallions who get status almost entirely through cheap Mileage Runs, and subsequently, take away upgrades and benefits from lower-tier Medallions, even if those lower-tier Medallions spend a heck of a lot more. I don't think Delta cares when people do an MR or two to bump up to the next level, but there are people who make doing MRs for pennies a lifestyle, and ultimately, these people are costing Delta more than they're bringing in. The people in that boat don't like hearing that necessarily, but that's the way it is. The only case those people have is they can argue that by buying cheap fares, they're still forcing others to buy higher fares or "buying a seat that would go unused" but that argument only goes so far. The point of the revenue requirement is to ensure that you're bringing in enough revenue to DL to justify the benefits you're receiving.
Now I'm glad AA is offering status challenges still. I'm planning to do one over the summer when I fly AA in F for my honeymoon so I can have status on two airlines, especially since with government travel, I don't always get a choice in the airline I fly and will be nice to have the status on AA if/when I'm required to fly AA.
Now I'm glad AA is offering status challenges still. I'm planning to do one over the summer when I fly AA in F for my honeymoon so I can have status on two airlines, especially since with government travel, I don't always get a choice in the airline I fly and will be nice to have the status on AA if/when I'm required to fly AA.
If there are unfilled seats on airplanes and a Mileage Runner is buying them for the sake of Mileage Running and earning status, EXTRA DEMAND TO FLY IS CREATED!! Take away that demand and you will STILL be offering low fares to be competitive but you fill less seats. If a flight goes out one seat empty because a Mileage runner left Delta for someone else, that is 4 cents per mile lost of pure profit (other than sparing having to give out a few useless skymiles)