E+ gets competition from DL
 

Toss this in the future of E+ mix:
Delta has announced an E+ product called "Economy Comfort"

This should help fuel the E+ debate as the top UA/CO int'l competitor matches UA E+ on some and goes one better on others.

Highlights:
-Up to four inches more legroom
-On 747, 757, 767, 777 and Airbus A330
-$80-$160 one-way through Delta's website, kiosks and call centers

Better than E+:
-50% more recline than reg Delta economy
-Free booze

Should note that Delta Skyteam buddies AF/KLM have Premium Economy already and bolster it with some of the worst reg economy (E-) among major carriers (eg 10 abreast on 777s).

Article link:
http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engine...atw_dn&YM_RID=

They are only doing a few rows per plane, 4 I believe. Further, and not a good sign perhaps for E+ on UACO, is that DL will charge some elites for this. This may be because of the limited quantity of seats.

With regard to DL matching AF and KLM, I have ridden in KLM's E+ product in a 747 and 777-330ER. The 747 was great (has its own cabin b/t BizFirst and the staircase), the 777 was only about 2 more inches. On KLM it is really needed as 10 across for 11hrs on that 777 was TIGHT. :td::td::td:

Or Maybe 6"
 

On another thread it mentions 6" more legroom

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...l-flights.html

And falls way short on the most important one relative to Elites.

E+ is available on smaller planes than what DL is going to do... for now at least.

Didn't AA try this 10-ish years or so ago?

Hmmm, well, it deff peaks my interest. I fly to Asia, alot, and they are always beating UA from DEN on both price and time. The only thing that keeps me going United is the E+ for which I typically have to go an insane route to keep the price comparable (although I do MR on occasion, so its not much difference for me). I wouldnt mind checking it out if it was feasible to get a seat (and not Delta Elites sucking up all the seats).

Otherwise, I will stay put for awhile. At any rate, lets hope it gives some type of competition for UACO to think about....

AA was not charging for anything, as it was MRTC (More Room Throughout Coach) (entire Y cabin).

No. More Room Through Coach, the AA program, was fleet-wide, and not something you could purchase separately.

Given that it's international-only AND is going to require 75K+ miles to get for free on DL, I think it's still an open question if E+ will be retained fleetwide on UA in it's current format- though I suspect it makes DL's move makes it very likely that E+ will be retained in some capacity on longhaul.

That being said, I am :( because DL's A330s were at 33" pitch in the front rows, and it's a lead-pipe cinch that is going away... and you only needed DL Silver (or partner elite) status to get one of those seats gratis.

the DL move is an active topic in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...expansion.html

Only international flights and smaller E+-like section (only 4 rows?) than seen in UA aircraft
and free only for Diamonds and Plats

Who here would really rather pay for E+ in order to get free booze? Even on the low end of DL's range, saving the $80 by flying UA/CO is more than enough to get you all the alcohol you should drink on a single flight.

It is up to 4", not 6", officially mentioned by Delta in the press.

https://www.delta.com/traveling_chec...ECOMCOMC-A-A-A

+1.

One would need to do a good deal of drinking to make-up the difference.

I can see FA struggling to serve free booze to clamoring Delta E+ passengers :eek:

Yeah, if I've paid that much for the seat you can be sure I'm going on a bender.

This doesn't seem like real direct competition for E+, especially as a benefit for elites, given that it's limited to higher level elites.

Actually, that's a bit misleading. IIRC, it was the opposite, they were charging everyone (as in higher fares to make up for revenue lost through the seats they had to take out on each flight). That's why it didn't work, because when Joe traveller and TA went to book flights, AA would never show up on top, and therefore bookings fell, as most people book based on price. E+ on UA has survived because rather than bringing up the price for all, it served as a benefit for loyal customers, and an upsell opp (not at first, but eventually) for those who aren't elites, allowing UA to get incremental revenue.