Rumor: 747 B/E seat reduction
Mar 20, 2014, 9:01 pm
#16
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Perhaps the Economy and Economy Comfort product is being enhanced. Economy gets reduced to 30 inches of pitch and Economy Comfort will now be marketed as "81 Centimeters of Extra Space to Stretch Out". Taking Economy Comfort down to 32 inches pitch should get 60 seats on the upper deck. 
Mar 20, 2014, 9:14 pm
#17
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Hmmmm . . . Just thinkin' . . . . I can't seem to remember how many seats PeoplExpress squeezed in up there!!
Mar 20, 2014, 9:18 pm
#18
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Mar 20, 2014, 9:19 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CONUS
Posts: 947
It is happening.
Any wonder why the system-wide upgrades were rolled out and touted? Like we were going to actually have easier access to use them. Great bait - in reality often worthless when most of the international fleet sees a decent sum of BE seats pulled out, leaving just as tough of odds for upgrades.
Any wonder why the system-wide upgrades were rolled out and touted? Like we were going to actually have easier access to use them. Great bait - in reality often worthless when most of the international fleet sees a decent sum of BE seats pulled out, leaving just as tough of odds for upgrades.
Mar 20, 2014, 9:20 pm
#20
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Mar 20, 2014, 9:20 pm
#21
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Wow. I hope the rumor turns out to be false. The current 747 UD is the best seating/experience in Delta's entire fleet.
Does any other airline have a better hard product in the 747 UD? Certainly not within SkyTeam.
Does any other airline have a better hard product in the 747 UD? Certainly not within SkyTeam.
Mar 20, 2014, 9:21 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Delta - PM, Hilton - Diamond, PriorityClub - Platinum
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This sadly is probably my only chance to ride upstairs. My couple Op Ups were unfortunately on the main deck (looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth). It might make sense on heavy Y routes with little business demand.
Mar 20, 2014, 9:25 pm
#23
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Mar 20, 2014, 9:31 pm
#24
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Oops! That route is gone, too, right?
Mar 20, 2014, 9:31 pm
#25
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Mar 20, 2014, 9:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Well, having only flown on the upper deck of the Delta (former NW) 747, I can say that I would definitely not purposely try to target the 747 anymore if this were true. Not too long ago did the 747 have 7x BE seats.
Moreover, the long-haul 747 BE product is one of the main reasons for continuing to fly with Delta.
Moreover, the long-haul 747 BE product is one of the main reasons for continuing to fly with Delta.
Mar 20, 2014, 10:14 pm
#27
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It is happening.....by end of year.
Mar 20, 2014, 11:02 pm
#28
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Most of us know how impossible it is now to score OP availability. Just imagine how much more impossible it will be once they eliminate the BE section on the UD. The new GUCs will be worthless as will mileage upgrades with YBM. guess delta doesn't want anyone except HVCs with money to burn in BE.
Mar 20, 2014, 11:58 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: DL DM & 1MM
Posts: 618
I guess the $4,500-5,500 B or M fares will no longer be needed either. (J on the current routes are in the $7-10k range. And with cutting capacity more, they will continue to increase).
It's a very unusual move. Eliminating the already difficult to use SWU, and replacing with GUC, and then cutting the capacity...
Either I am going to be paying:
1) $1,500 for the flight now (coach),
2) $10,000 for the flight (paid J), or
3) Fly a different carrier altogether
I avoid coach as much as possible, so likely 3 will be the option assuming there is another carrier willing to sell less than $10k. Which there is now.
It's a very unusual move. Eliminating the already difficult to use SWU, and replacing with GUC, and then cutting the capacity...
Either I am going to be paying:
1) $1,500 for the flight now (coach),
2) $10,000 for the flight (paid J), or
3) Fly a different carrier altogether
I avoid coach as much as possible, so likely 3 will be the option assuming there is another carrier willing to sell less than $10k. Which there is now.
Mar 21, 2014, 12:09 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Does anyone think that paid premium seats exceed 8% of total pax on many routes at all? Delta has the data, and they clearly know what they want to do with it. I don't suspect there are many if any routes where more than 8% of pax routinely pay CASH for a premium seat.