There is already discussion in the AA forum, but here is the news release from AA's major annoucement this morning:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/000203/dc_america_1.html

AA will take out up to two rows of economy seats from each plane, increasing the seat pitch for ALL economy seats. The press release is not completely clear, however, stating: "It will expand the living space in the airline's coach cabins from the present industry standard of 31 and 32 inches to a predominant level of 34 and 35 inches of space, with some reaching as much as 36 inches.... When the project is complete, about 58 percent of American's coach seats will have a seating pitch of 34 inches or more -- and about 98 percent of coach seats will have seat room greater than today's industry standard." So while it sounds like nearly all economy seats will get more legroom, not all seats will have the legroom EconPlus offers. The first converted plane enters service next week.

However, the press release states that during the conversion process, NEW ergonomic seats (with adjustable headrests) will be added to all aircraft, with computer power ports available in select economy rows. Furthermore, this entire conversion will be done to ALL of its aircraft, both domestic and international.

Though the details are not clear, it sounds like AA is one-upping UA and EconPlus here-- expanded legroom in all aircraft (compared to no EconPlus for the Shuttle and international fleets), and new seats in all domestic aircraft by November. In comparison, only certain UA fleet types are scheduled to receive the new economy seats... do any have power ports in economy?

[This message has been edited by dw (edited 02-03-2000).]

The seats in many of UA's fleet types--especially United Shuttle 737, 767, 727, and DC10--are looking forlorn. Some upgrades would certainly be nice.

And it's ridiculous that UA announces a new color scheme for its interiors that can only be found on a small fraction of its fleet--at present, only a few A320s, right?

I sure hope this means UA tries to one-up AA by making more room on the intn'l flights!

United has posted a press release, saying that they are already doing this and are glad that American is following their lead...
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/000203/il_united__1.html

I think this is TERRIBLE news for 1K's! In order to compete with American's commitment to improve all economy seats means that UA will shift more of its resources from perks, services and upgrades for VFF to system-wide improvements, like more space for all economy seats. I was thinking that UA's perks and service for 1K's was marginal at best, but now that they will have to compete with American there's little hope of them improving our benefits...

There is a big difference here (from what I can see).

AA is reconfiguring the seating in the entire plane, whereas UA is only doing a certain percentage of the plane (with their econ. plus seating).

So, I would personally give the nod to AA on this one.

I agree that United is not winning this... at all! The shuttle fleet is comparable to the planes AA acquired from Reno Airlines. If those planes are being reconfigured,but UA is not doing international and shuttle, then there is a problem. UA is forgetting the 1000's of business travelers on the west coast who frequent their shuttle service. I think upgrades to the SHUTTLE are in order.

The only problem with the AA deal is that...well...you have to fly AA!

Well, UA's original thinking was sound. The plan was to offer a product for the elite flyers who couldn't upgrade for one reason or another, by way of better seat pitch in economy. AA's new product blows that out of the water. It would be interesting to see what UA will do in response.

I would still give credit to UA, since this is one of the few PROACTIVE things that came from UA. Most other things (ie. no expiration on miles) was done in reaction to another airline.

As for Shuttle, its just not clear what their goals are, to compete against WN, or AA's west coast flights. As it is, they are failing against both. The aircraft interior is aging badly, service is no-frills, price is higher, and ontime record poor. My last LAX-LAS trip was beverage only, and the beverage was WATER! This has to be a new low! I think UA needs to start ordering new aircraft for Shuttle, and provide EconPlus seats, otherwise it will be harder and harder to justify flying with them.

What's really funny is to re-read some of the comments American officials made when United came out with Economy Plus. Poo-pooing the thing. Talk about foot-in-mouth!

United comments on this outside of the press release:
-------------------------------------

United Airline's Atkinson on Airplane Seating Changes: Comment
By Mary Schlangenstein

Chicago, Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- United Airlines Inc.'s Graham Atkinson, senior vice president for marketing, discusses United's creation last August of an Economy Plus seating area on its planes. Atkinson spoke after AMR Corp.'s American Airlines said it will pull 7,200 seats from the coach cabin of its planes to give passengers more leg room. United's program adds leg room to business travelers in a specific seating area. United, a unit of UAL Corp., is the world's largest airline.

``We've obviously been tracking customer satisfaction ratings. Those ratings have spiked dramatically for customers traveling in Economy Plus. That and anecdotal evidence suggests we're increasing loyalty and exceeding satisfaction levels.''

``They (American) are approaching the issue in a different way. We are a little surprised in the way they have gone about it, and we're interested to see what their top customers say, because they are getting very little out of this.''

``I think we're moving into an era, both domestically in the U.S. and as you look internationally of genuine product wars in which the life cycle of any particular seat configuration or arrangement or, indeed, seat design is getting shorter over time. I think you'll see further reactions from our competitors in the American marketplace.''

Also don't forget that AA has more first class seats in their short/mid haul fleet than UAL usually does (AA 738/MD80 vs UA A320).

It really doesn't matter what AA does to their cabins.

AA is a loser airline domestically. I have not flown AA internationally. I mentioned in a previous post having to pull out my platinum card just to get a full can of dr. pepper on the first pass of the beverage service (row 9 on a "super" 80)....on more than one occassion. I could also talk about the flight ORD-TUL where they forgot to schedule the plane but 3.5 hours after scheduled departure and 3 gate changes later we were on our merry way. Or two different cases of Lubbock to DFW last year when I call AA in the morning to make sure the flights are on schedule, get to the airport, and find out that the crew didn't get enough beddie bye and there will be a 1 hour departure delay then get to dfw and find out that the next two DFW-ORD flights are sold out because AA loves to fly the small equipment between their hubs.

A stupid 80 is still a stupid 80...the boeing website lauds it as the most economical airliner to fly yet AA still charges fares at the level of DL and UA.

One thing that UA will always have over aa is that they do not fly the "super" 80 and that I'll likely never have to show my PE card to get the full can of soda. And since I'm a VFF I am ambivalent to their reconfiguring the entire cabin.

kst8wct-- I can't agree with you more. I've flown AA a few times and the big problems I have with them are:

1. Bistro Bags. Granted, they are comparable to UA's snack boxes, but I really don't like the idea of having to pick them up myself during the boarding process.

2. As you said, the "Super" 80-- AA uses these on flights that are too long, like ORD to the West Coast (so does TWA from STL) for an aircraft with so few amenities-- no audio and no video. In comparison, UA has audio on all aircraft (except for the 737-200), and also flies aircraft such as the Airbus 319/320 or 757 on shorter flights (around 2 hrs), showing their short subject video entertainment. I am unable to work or sleep on planes, so the video entertainment really kills time.

EconPlus on Shuttle and International fleets would be nice (hopefully UA is carefully watching AA's moves!), but UA's 35/36" for Premiers seems a lot nicer than AA's 34"-- and only for about 50 percent of the seats! On another internet discussion board today there has been a lot of talk about AA's idea being revolutionary because it benefits all travelers, not just the elites. But frankly, from a business perspective, gaining loyalty through an elite program (and through perks just as EconPlus) are really important. Many of us will go out of our way or pay slightly more to fly UA, not just choosing whichever airline has the most convienient connections or cheapest fares.

[This message has been edited by dw (edited 02-03-2000).]

Are you listening United? The Shuttle is making many of your customers very unhappy. It was a good idea at the time but now it's time has passed.