AC A340-500s almost a done deal

[beachboy]

US would not win approval if we had a fleet of 20 A340s, 777s or 747-400s. Our service standards are so pathetic that they would offend the culturally sensitive Asian customer base that we would need to attract. Snack boxes, plasticware, and Calzones would be considered offensive to the Chinese.

DOT will award the China route authority only to those airlines that know how to provide a level of service that is expected - like United or American.

Can you imagine? Tempe would serve BOB to China with the same chicken sandwich just wish an Asian Sesame Dressing! They would find that cultural. Can they hire Steve Wolf to show them how NOT to be tacky? Actaully I don't think he would even give LCC the time of day anymore.

 

[N903AW]

I kind of agree, 17 hours of the snack basket thanks TEMPE!!!!!!!

They could replace the Biscoff with Fortune Cookies!

 

[EMBFA]

How long would the flight be?

 

[FWAAA]

How long would the flight be?

Depending on winds and routing, about 14-16 hours going, an hour or so less on the return.

 

[N903AW]

"When I fly to America, US Airways is my carrier of choice...low fares and low quality!"

 

[Bear96]

How long would the flight be?

Here are the nonstop times on UA for Washington-Beijing from the July on-line timetable:

IAD-PEK
12:23pm 1:55pm+1 13h32m

PEK-IAD
6:30pm 7:46pm 13h16m

 

[FWAAA]

Don't forget, Bear96, that's with UA's much faster 747; add some additional time for the A340-DOGs, since they don't cruise as fast. B)

 

[ClueByFour]

DOT will award the China route authority only to those airlines that know how to provide a level of service that is expected - like United or American.

What makes you think that Cathay is not the standard? UA and AA's service compared to most of the pacific incumbent carriers, sucks. US is not even on the map.

The DOT does not care how many aircraft any airline has of any type. What matters is how many seats, frequency and gateway.

Want to bet? The DOT is not going to assign a frequency and gateway to an airline whose equipment choice and numbers keep them from reliably serving it daily. 2 aircraft from reliably serving the route daily.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

"When I fly to America, US Airways is my carrier of choice...low fares and low quality!"

When she flys to the US on US Airways, "the US Airways Airbus 320 Congfiguration makes me feel at home , with the family all together. It's just wonderful how we can get our 200 Family members all on board 1 Aircraft. What other Airline can I do that On?! B) B)

 

[N903AW]

What makes you think that Cathay is not the standard? UA and AA's service compared to most of the pacific incumbent carriers, sucks. US is not even on the map.

Agreed, but the DOT approval is only applicable to U.S. Carriers, am I right? Therefore, of the U.S. carriers that are applying, I would say that United and American at least have experience in serving these markets whereas US Airways does not.

I would have to agree that the service provided by Cathay Pacific, or any other Asian Flag Carrier for that matter, would be by far the best product offered over the Pacific or the Pole.

 

[zethya]

Buy v. Lease - doesn't really make a difference in this case. Modify my post to "acquire" instead of "buy" if that makes you happier.

Used A340s have a market value not substantially greater than their aluminum value, like used 767-200s.

This post is at best laughable.

 

[zethya]

...Want to bet? The DOT is not going to assign a frequency and gateway to an airline whose equipment choice and numbers keep them from reliably serving it daily. 2 aircraft from reliably serving the route daily.

Of course you are guessing on what the DOT will base this decision on. The fact is the route award is based on which geographic area will most benefit "economically" from the route. Obviously, if it's apparent an airline cannot provide the service because of lack of equipment, they would consider that a negative. To make an assumption that X aircraft are required to compete is really not meaningful. Makes little difference if an airline with 50 777s, of which at least 47 are always in use competes with the remaining 2, or an airline with 3 340s competes and dedicates them to the route. In either case, only one spare is available without compromising another route.

Suppressing your typical US negativity for a moment,do you really think US is dumb enough to acquire several long haul aircraft for this competion without fully understanding the requirements, or their chances, to win? Also, do not discount the political influence of the Philadelphia MSA, especially in a pre-presidential election year.

Unrelated:
It always amazes me as to how the group of US Airways employees in this Forum can turn a potentially very positive event for the airline into a bashing exercise. If this route is awarded and is successful, US will step into a whole different arena and should quickly attain global recognition. This is the biggest event for this airline, bar none, since the 333 was acquired. Further, Asia is competing with big time players, not 757s to Europe. US will need to significantly learn how to provide a premium service/attitude if it hopes to attain acceptable market share.

 

[USA320Pilot]

US Airways in Talks for Air Canada Jets, Person Says

See Story

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[Dog Wonder]

US Airways in Talks for Air Canada Jets, Person Says

See Story

Regards,

USA320Pilot

Now it is official according to a 'person'.

 

[N903AW]

It always amazes me as to how the group of US Airways employees in this Forum can turn a potentially very positive event for the airline into a bashing exercise. If this route is awarded and is successful, US will step into a whole different arena and should quickly attain global recognition. This is the biggest event for this airline, bar none, since the 333 was acquired. Further, Asia is competing with big time players, not 757s to Europe. US will need to significantly learn how to provide a premium service/attitude if it hopes to attain acceptable market share.

I promise that when US Airways offers a product that can compare to other "world-class" International carriers (on both domestic, and international sectors) that the bashing will cease. Until then, the floggings will continue.

It would be nice to post on here, gloat even, about how superior our product is, how proud our employees are. etc. Unfortunately, management persistantly disappoints the customer and the workforce with a product that is grossly inadequate and pathetic.

Sorry, but I can't get excited about the remote chance that we'll be flying to China, or anywhere else for that matter, when we know that the powers that be will only screw it up and embarass us further as they have in the past.