Aircraft changes to premium transcon flights; widebody to narrow or nonlayflat
Apr 21, 2020, 2:42 pm
#18
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To clarify, I was talking about "economics" from the airline's perspective, not the overall economy--I've clarified that in my OP. Apologies for the miscommunication.
That said, my concern still stands that this could be extended into some form of "market research" to see how the market responds to non-flatbed seats on the transcons, once we have some semblance of a functioning air travel market again. I just wanted to raise this point while setting aside the economics of UA's current situation (which probably justifies the move in the short term).
That said, my concern still stands that this could be extended into some form of "market research" to see how the market responds to non-flatbed seats on the transcons, once we have some semblance of a functioning air travel market again. I just wanted to raise this point while setting aside the economics of UA's current situation (which probably justifies the move in the short term).
Apr 21, 2020, 3:06 pm
#19
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... That said, my concern still stands that this could be extended into some form of "market research" to see how the market responds to non-flatbed seats on the transcons, once we have some semblance of a functioning air travel market again. I just wanted to raise this point while setting aside the economics of UA's current situation (which probably justifies the move in the short term).
Any market research gather in the next few months / distressed conditions would only be valid if the next few months become the norm for the future.
Apr 21, 2020, 3:07 pm
#20
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Happy early birthday, to you and my sister! 5/4 is just a huge schedule change, reflecting what Kirby was talking about in one of the town halls when he alluded to "starting from scratch." I go into it in more detail in the schedule thread, but it is generally a radical change in service patterns, frequency, day-of-week flying, stand-downs of entire fleets, etc. It also represents the first schedule where UA is required to meet certain service minimums at various airports, under the CARES Act.
Pretty dramatic.
Pretty dramatic.
Apr 21, 2020, 3:13 pm
#21
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Looks like they are only charging $679 in business/first class one-way, even for flights within the next 2 weeks. Also, I guess they are not proactively blocking middle seats in coach?
There are a lot of flights after Memorial Day with sold out first class cabin.
Unfortunately, they parked all PMUA 757.
There are a lot of flights after Memorial Day with sold out first class cabin.
I used PP to upgrade to FC on a 777-200. A lot of empty seats, a lot of space between pax.
Now its a 738 with 16 seats totally full in FC.
At least if they had changed it to a PMUA 757 there would be 28 seats upfront, and more space if they controlled the upgrades.
Alaska is blocking all middle seats in coach and limiting upgrades to FC for social distancing.
Now its a 738 with 16 seats totally full in FC.
At least if they had changed it to a PMUA 757 there would be 28 seats upfront, and more space if they controlled the upgrades.
Alaska is blocking all middle seats in coach and limiting upgrades to FC for social distancing.
Apr 21, 2020, 3:30 pm
#22
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Happy early birthday, to you and my sister! 5/4 is just a huge schedule change, reflecting what Kirby was talking about in one of the town halls when he alluded to "starting from scratch." I go into it in more detail in the schedule thread, but it is generally a radical change in service patterns, frequency, day-of-week flying, stand-downs of entire fleets, etc. It also represents the first schedule where UA is required to mneet certain service minimums at various airports, under the CARES Act.
Pretty dramatic.
Pretty dramatic.
Interesting... I will have to look at that thread. But a quick question here - is that a schedule change that is going to be loaded May 4th or one that is already loaded effective May 4?
Thanks.
Apr 21, 2020, 3:37 pm
#23
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As of May, not just PMUA, but every 757... and 767... and A320... and 737-700...
Apr 21, 2020, 3:47 pm
#24
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Thanks - when you say "as of May" when is that through - just the end of May? It does not appear to be past that as I am seeing some 757 in the schedule (for example IAD-SAN) in June.
Last edited by fwfdan; Apr 21, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Apr 21, 2020, 4:23 pm
#25
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June schedules are a work of fiction, I would put zero trusting anything on the June schedule. You dont park planes for a few weeks.
Apr 21, 2020, 4:24 pm
#26
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The schedule beyond May is completely aspirational, insofar as nobody (maybe not even United) knows exactly what it's going to look like. In an ideal world, UA would be operating everything as filed, but I don't think anyone expects that to be the case, especially with reports that June will see similar cuts to May in the order of ~90%. So, I would anticipate June ends up more like May, with more optimism toward the end of the month.
Apr 21, 2020, 5:15 pm
#27
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Apr 21, 2020, 5:37 pm
#28
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They'll still get their guaranteed monthly minimum pay, unless they took a voluntary leave or reduced-pay line. Just, no flying save for maybe a trip to TK for a few sim landings if needed.
Apr 21, 2020, 7:14 pm
#30
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UA is going to narrowbodies for all domestic flights so domestically cargo must not be sufficient issue for UA (there is probably sufficient cargo capacity domestically from traditional cargo carriers). Narrowbodies can handle some cargo and mail deleviers.