UA CFO Rainey on Bloomberg: Global First "Effectively the Same" as J
Sep 4, 2014, 4:58 pm
#46
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The main advantage of UA's Global First product is the seat and its privacy. GF can be made better by increasing the soft product amenities such as food quality, amenity kit, and providing pajamas as many of the other international carriers do.
Sep 4, 2014, 5:07 pm
#47
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UA C was competitive when it was first rolled out (flatbeds were pretty new at the time). CO J was rolled out when direct aisle access was being introduced.
But currently, the products are OK, nothing spectacular.
But currently, the products are OK, nothing spectacular.
Sep 4, 2014, 5:16 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2003
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* better in-flight service (pax/FA ratio)
* much better pax/lav ratio
* UA IFL lounge access and some *A partner F lounge access
None of which is enough to justify a huge price delta.
SunLover
Sep 4, 2014, 5:18 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2010
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It's not so much that he said what all of us on FT are thinking, it's that he effectively shot any current attempt at marketing GF in the foot. Imagine if you were a customer getting ready to pay double the cost of business so you could fly international first class... and then you saw this video. Would you pay for GF?
Granted, there are very few companies and individuals that pay outright for GF, but those that do have just been told by United's CFO that they're wasting their money. This man has got to be one of the most incompetent public speakers on the planet.
Granted, there are very few companies and individuals that pay outright for GF, but those that do have just been told by United's CFO that they're wasting their money. This man has got to be one of the most incompetent public speakers on the planet.
Its one thing to say GF is going to be transitioned out in favor of BF on most or all flights. That is a decision many airlines are contemplating or have already executed. It is a statement that is made without disparaging a product UA currently offers and charges a premium for over and above J.
It is something else altogether to disparage an existing premium product level that people pay money, miles or upgrades for, over and above J.
Sep 4, 2014, 5:30 pm
#51
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Sep 4, 2014, 5:31 pm
#52
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Amazing commentary..Mr Smisek needs to pull Mr Rainey aside at the next board meeting and explain to this Armani clad Diogenes that truth to the public is a corporate strategy we do not support.
Sep 4, 2014, 5:45 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2013
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International First is a product with shrinking demand globally, and especially in the North American market where virtually every major international player has reduced or eliminated its longhaul F footprint (except the ME3, who don't fully abide airline laws of gravity in the first place).
Sep 4, 2014, 5:56 pm
#54
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Exactly. The service tends to be better, the crew is not racing to get everyone served. The seat is great!
Sep 4, 2014, 5:59 pm
#55
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Sep 4, 2014, 5:59 pm
#56
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Which brings on an important question:
Do people actually pay for GF? Like actual people, not someones employer, clinet or as a business expense.
Its great to hear all the GS declaring that *I* pay for GF when its not really them paying, but do actual people pay for it?
I know that people do pay for the likes of EK and CX F, but UA, I have a hard time imagining anyone but corporate spending money on GF.
Do people actually pay for GF? Like actual people, not someones employer, clinet or as a business expense.
Its great to hear all the GS declaring that *I* pay for GF when its not really them paying, but do actual people pay for it?
I know that people do pay for the likes of EK and CX F, but UA, I have a hard time imagining anyone but corporate spending money on GF.
Sep 4, 2014, 6:23 pm
#57
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia
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My response was: "Did you just wake me up at almost midnight to ask me if I was eating?"
Crew member: "No one told us you didn't want to be disturbed"
I totally agree with you and the other posters that the seat is infinitely better than the J seat with more than enough storage and direct aisle access.
Sep 4, 2014, 6:30 pm
#58
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That was my question.
Also, if you are paying for GF, why would you not pay for LH A380 that departs about an hour apart from the UA flight??
Sep 4, 2014, 6:41 pm
#59
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Don't understand why you differentiate on "who paid". Why does it matter?
Sep 4, 2014, 6:47 pm
#60
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Of course it matters!
I am asking who in their right mind would spend their own money on United GF. The premise being if you have enough money for F, who would buy United?
Are you saying that paying with OPM vs paying your own money, you would behave the same when making purchasing decisions?
I am asking who in their right mind would spend their own money on United GF. The premise being if you have enough money for F, who would buy United?
Are you saying that paying with OPM vs paying your own money, you would behave the same when making purchasing decisions?