In the last of my “Three Things” posts on the New American, I thought I would talk about the things I am fairly certain will not be changing when US Airways and American Airlines become one. Again, nothing is 100 percent in the airline industry, and I’m just looking to have a little fun and generate discussion. That said, these are my honest thoughts on what won’t be changing.
The Passenger Service System – Now hear this. You will not have to worry about enduring SHARES at American Airlines. If nothing else, the United experience teaches us that it’s best to adapt the systems of the larger airline. All else said, the AA system is better. Now…as to when we can expect a remade system reflecting the latest technology….I don’t know.
The Domestic Upgrade System – The riskiest bet on my part, and the one that I have the least faith in (and that nearly everyone on earth will disagree with me on). Still…. I admit it here…. I like the current AAdvantage system of upgrades, and not just because it increases the likelihood that an elite of lesser status than Executive Platinum might get an upgrade. Personally, I think it is a mistake to cheapen even the domestic First Class cabin with “complimentary” space available upgrades. I like the “sticker” system, and I don’t apologize for feeling that way. đŸ™‚ Now…… what do the financials on that system look like vs. the comp. upgrade system of the other airlines. We’ll soon know.
Something Silver – Yes, I know I speculated that something is changing with the new AA livery, but “silver bird” has a special meaning, and even the new AA livery acknowledges that with the silverish paint that is being applied to all the AA birds. While I think the AA tail art is changing, I’m convinced that the baseline AA livery revolving around something silver isn’t changing.
You have my thoughts, so tell us yours. What do you think won’t be changing when US Airways and American Airlines merge into the new American Airlines?
-MJ, November 20, 2013
[…] written a bit here and there about Doug Parker and the new American Airlines. For the record, I’m solidly in the […]
I totally agree that keeping the sticker system – some revenue for the airline and a way to get the upgrades to those who actually care enough about them to buy the stickers.
@ffi – you talkin’ about United, the ‘new’ Continental, USAgony or AA . . . lol . . they all suck
I bet American keeps the ‘stickers’ . . There’s revenue to be had with that, plus with the recent announcement of being able to buy your way into First, the stickers are one way to ensure that the cabin has space to upsell to the economy crowd. Maybe they give Plats & Golds some comp ‘stickers’ per year or something like that to placate the crowd coming in from US
Poor customer service experience, dirty old planes and angry staff with labor issues