The article in the WSJ on this raised a valid point. Polls have rated the empty middle seat as more important than legroom--and fewer seats means less chance at an empty middle.

This also makes the exit row the worst seat on the MD-80--it loses its legroom advantage and still has the wall between seats (I'd take half an inch of width over two of legroom anyday--a big part of why I like US and AC is that they fly Airbuses).

Being 6' 4", I'll vote for more room anytime. Besides, with the occupancy loads of late, open seats just don't exist! (At least the flights I'm on! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif


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DL PM MM
Comment from one Passenger to another: "Isn't it interesting to note that parts of this plane were built my the lowest bid contractor?"

I'm glad AA took the step that it did. It certainly wasn't going to exactly copy UA, if for no other reason than for the costly failure of Executive Coach a few years back. Besides, if a flight is packed with higher tier 1K and Prem Exec, then most Permier members would never have been able to sit in Econ Plus anyway. It'll be interesting to see to what extent UA is truly "committed" to its customers, no that AA has taken the contest out of the frying pan and into the fire...

I must admit, I have not had the chance to try "Econo Plus" since my few domestic segments are always in First, but UA should one up AA by extending this program to international flights on 767,777 and 747's!

Well, UA would have to do more than that -- since AA is making the change systemwide (including international flights).

--Jim

As I posted on the other threads (AA & In the News) on this, I think there's less to AA's improvement than meets the eye.. United is giving 5-6" more to some passemgers (and fortunately "some" includes me as a 1k). AA is giving 2" to all passengers. They claim 3+", but I fail to see how a 6% reduction in seats can translate to a 10% increase in pitch.

So full fare and frequent flyers (mostly business travel, perhaps at reduced fares but not super-cheap) will gravitate to United and Mr. & Mrs. Once-a-year (flight - what were you thinking http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif)will go to American.

But if United doesn't get on the stick and publicize this difference, they'll lose anyway.

EconPlus is defintely superior to AA's marginal increase in seat pitch... (at least from the perspective of Premiers!) Now if only UA will feel pressure to extend EconPlus to Shuttle and International fleet.

[This message has been edited by dw (edited 02-09-2000).]

On several recent occasions Mr. Carty has bemoaned the fact that airlines in general have added too many seats. His prediction was/is that this was going to have an adverse reaction to airline profitability.

Could it be that this latest move is a way to generate a positive media response in the face of excess capacity, and that he's not as altruistic as he would like to make it appear?

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Robert Johnson
danville 1K

dw and the rest of UA folks. AA has already stated they are adding extra space to their entire fleet. It just takes time to refit aircraft and fly planes to make money.
As for UA FFs ,don't be so smug. AA's changes will put UA at a severe disadvantage vis-a-vis AA. UA will have to come up with a program to at least match AA. In an earlier post above ,the person correctly guessed that some of UA's changes maybe at the expense of low tier elites. Good luck.


An AA Plat. and ex - PremieEx .

I think I will stay with United and the 737,747,757,767,777 and 717 Airbus 319/320.. and stay away from all those MD-80's... I really hated the aircraft.

I do not care how many seats they take from that craft... 4 hours with no entertainment from ORD-LAX is painful!