American Announces Md80 Upgrades

WingNaPrayer

Veteran
Aug 20, 2002
1,742
0
EYW
Visit site
American Airlines Adds Amenities to MD80s; Cabin Improvements Enhance Customer Travel Experience



FORT WORTH, Texas
, May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Passengers onboard American Airlines Super 80 aircraft can look forward to having more powerports at their fingertips and larger overhead bins for stowing carry-ons during their travels on MD80s.

Today, American announced plans to make several improvements to former TWA MD80 (S80) aircraft -- improvements that will bring the airline closer to fleet standardization, one goal of American's Turnaround Plan. The improvements are a result of employee feedback as well as customer input.

"Seeking feedback from employees and customers helps us provide more of what our customers value," said Dan Garton, American's executive vice president - Marketing. "Feedback from Flight Attendants was instrumental in our decision to make these cabin improvements."

The powerport initiative calls for installation of powerports for every First-Class seat on the former TWA MD80 aircraft, and 45 outlets in every Coach-Class cabin on the MD80s. American already has more powerports than any other U.S. carrier and more powerports in Coach seats than any other airline.

"We understand our customers want to stay connected via powerports inflight, and they've told us they like the convenience of storing their carry-ons wheels first in the overhead bins, which allows for quicker deplaning after landing," Garton said.

American's powerports deliver 15 volts of direct current, using a cigarette-lighter type plug. Customers already familiar with American's powerports know that in addition to powering laptops and recharging cell phones, they also can be used to operate CD players and DVD players. Installation will begin later this year.

The bin expansion calls for extending bins on the former TWA MD80s, which will create more carry-on space on the triple-seat side of the aircraft and simplify the boarding and deplaning process for passengers. American already has increased overhead storage capacity on many of its aircraft, a move that has been praised by customers who now can store their roll-on luggage wheels first.

American also will replace the galleys on 33 of the MD80s, making them consistent with the galleys on the rest of the AA MD80 fleet. The projects should be completed by fall of 2005.

ORIGINAL STORY - LINK - DOW JONES
 
But too bad they are not putting the coat closet aft of F/C and the FWD entry coat closet back onboard. Reall is inconvenient for pax. and crew to have that one little closet that is not FAA approved for luggage stowage.
 
s80dude said:
But too bad they are not putting the coat closet aft of F/C and the FWD entry coat closet back onboard. Reall is inconvenient for pax. and crew to have that one little closet that is not FAA approved for luggage stowage.
There is a Mod out there to do just that. AA had a bunch of planes with a similar configuration which they changed by moving the lav aft a couple of feet. Its a pretty big job and probably too expensive to do right now
 
American Airlines MD80 configurations:
SP8I 36 - NON EFIS, ANALOG MD82 AIRCRAFT

M83N 50 - SEVEN FORMER TWA MD83 AIRCRAFT CONVERTED TO 83G AIRCRAFT BUT REMAINING ON THE TWA MAINTENANCE CERTIFICATE.

SP80 22 - STANDARD AA MD82, EFIS EQUIPPED, STANDARD AA GALLEY

MD83 33 - AA MD83 AIRCRAFT, STANDARD AA GALLEY, EFIS

SP8V 35 - AA MD82 AIRCRAFT, EFIS, LIMITED OVERWATER EQUIPPED, STANDARD AA GALLEY

M83G EF - FORMER TWA MD83 CONVERTED TO 219 POWER, EFIS EQUIPPED, ATLAS GALLEY

SP8N 8D - FORMER TWA MD82 CONVERTED TO AA STANDARD WITH AA STANDARD GALLEYS, AND EQUIPPED WITH EFIS
 
Too bad those 80's can't be improved or enhanced by having their former crewmembers on them.