A319 F capacity: why not increase it?
Jan 15, 2019, 4:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
A319 F capacity: why not increase it?
Why doesn’t UA increase F seating from 8 to 12 or 16? It’s appalling when regional jets like 175/190 have more F capacity than this mainline aircraft!
Jan 15, 2019, 4:55 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
The answer to your question is simple: UA uses the A319 for missions where they don't feel they can sell more than 8 F seats profitably. Putting in four more F seats would require a dramatic reconfiguration in the rest of the plane and result in 12 fewer Y seats (or 6 fewer Y seats and no E+).
Jan 15, 2019, 6:30 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,026
Jan 15, 2019, 7:20 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Even if the pitch were the same, every additional row of 4 F seats replaces 6 Y seats. And the pitch differential bumps that ratio down. Unless you have data to support the proposition that UA is better off selling 4F than 6Y for your route, this is a non-starter and a poor idea.
Jan 15, 2019, 7:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
...The answer to your question is simple: UA uses the A319 for missions where they don't feel they can sell more than 8 F seats profitably. Putting in four more F seats would require a dramatic reconfiguration in the rest of the plane and result in 12 fewer Y seats (or 6 fewer Y seats and no E+).
) One would ASSUME that a longer flight means more people willing to purchase F thus the need for more F seats. I nearly always get upgraded going to ORD. Maybe 50% on IAH, DEN, Nearly 0% to SFO.Yes, you configure the seats to whatever configuration you think is most profitable, but then you should carry that over to match the routes with the demand. I guess the later is alot harder to do.
Jan 15, 2019, 7:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,540
I would settle for useful bin space in F on the 319, but as I have said in other threads. the 175 is much better aircraft in F than the 319 IMO
Jan 15, 2019, 7:46 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
rows.
Jan 15, 2019, 7:47 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
It's also possible that while a larger plane might be profitable on SFO-PHL, it's more profitable elsewhere. Aircraft utilization is very much an art.
Jan 15, 2019, 9:05 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
Jan 15, 2019, 10:28 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold
Posts: 430
Range might also be a factor, the A319 has a range of about 300 miles longer than the A320 which would really help on the PHL-SFO route which is pretty close to the limits with reserves. Not sure what the longest A320 UA route is, anyone knows? Other carriers fly longer routes, but perhaps those are sparser configs (e.g. JetBlue transcontinental).
Jan 16, 2019, 4:48 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
For some reason the sentiment of the OP makes me think of a possible UA reaction:
Air liberté : Le rideau - Culture Pub
Air liberté : Le rideau - Culture Pub
Jan 16, 2019, 5:02 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Jan 16, 2019, 5:12 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Absolutely not! If you're sitting in the front row(s) of coach and the curtain moves, you get bumped to the [worst] seat at the back of the plane. Much, much better to know exactly what seats are available when you book and select.
Last edited by J.Edward; Jan 16, 2019 at 7:06 am Reason: Masked profanity clean up.