Are you able to corroborate, Jon?

I did in fact hear the same rumor a few hours ago with a big question-mark attached. At that time I considered the rumor to be far-fetched (just timing-wise, really.)

At this point, however, I'd have to say it seems to be a very very solid rumor with a good likelihood of being true. But I'll admit, I'm a bit flummoxed by the timing.

Any info on the structure of it (if it occurs)? Full-fledged PE similar to CX/BA or somewhere between MCE and PE?

I wonder if AA has received requests from prospective passengers on the Sydney and Auckland flights to offer a competitive Premium Economy product.

Unknown, but I certainly can see the logic behind the question. Only thing that looks for sure at this point is that they're doing it. And all the safe $$ is on them announcing it Wednesday.

Personally, I don't ever hear anyone talking about it working that way-- entertaining requests from prospective customers.

Probably just a Premium Economy product.

Wow indeed. Should do quite well though - AA's Y is just horrible. Am curious to see what happens to upgrade lists after this, and if AA adjusts their upgrade requirements. No one is going to pay 25k+350 to upgrade just to PEY.

It's a good point. And maybe there will even be a silver lining to (the AAdv component of this) it all.

But my expectation-- a highly speculative expectation-- it some/many here are not gonna like how this all shakes out in terms of who gets to sit in business class and by what methods and means. Again, my speculation.

I don't think it's been discussed upthread, but I would speculate that there's a good chance co-pays disappear (or are dramatically reduced) if only one-class upgrades are allowed (Y-PE-J). Having to buy PE to upgrade into J is effectively paying a co-pay. Also, pretty sure BA doesn't have co-pays, FWIW.

It will be great if it happens but a couple of stray thoughts triggered by the article.
I wonder if they'll try to put PE on the 757's? The only carrier I can think of that has done so is OpenSkies.

Also the article doesn't mention the 763. I wonder if that's deliberate because the airframes will be going away relatively soon? Or simply journalistic shorthand?

763s I'm sure are to be excluded due to their age-- they're very actively being retired from AA's fleet already. 75L would be a closer call needless to say.

In any event, all signs point to more info available today. Then we'll have to start absorbing and analyzing the impact on the FF angle.

Well, that explains a lot about airline product quality. :-)

I have to admit, I've always found the option of a real PE offering to be quite attractive, assuming the quality is good. I don't mind paying a reasonable premium for comfort, and would be much happier trying to use my SWUs if my fallback was something tolerably comfortable instead of the awfulness that is coach on most airlines these days. As others have alluded to, presumably this will somewhat reduce competition for upgrades to business as well, which is a nice side effect.

On the other hand, when considered in the context of the recent reduction in the number of SWUs for (most) EXPs, it's really a striking devaluation of EXP benefits. Going from either 8 to 4 SWUs or limiting the SWUs from going Y->PE or PE->J would have seemed fairly reasonable to me, but doing them both in close order is really a significant clawback in benefits, and a sneaky one to boot given that it's broken into two separate-seeming announcements.

Sounds pretty good to me

Wow! Did not see this coming! I love the fact the A330s are getting refurb'd! I assume when the 330s get PEY we will get new Y and J cabins!!! I am so excited for this!

As the manufacturer is B/E Aerospace I suspect the new J seat is the Super Diamond!

This thread has been retired and archived, as AA has announced Premium Economy will be installed in its widebody aircraft (other than the remaining 767-323ER).

Please see the current thread here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ey-coming.html

/AA Forum Moderator team