Changes in First Class Catering?

[BoeingBoy]

It doesn't deal specifically with catering, but more with general amenities for the FF's and what the competition is doing in that regard.....

By Darrell Dunn
InformationWeek

Feb 1, 2006 11:00 AM

Members using American Airlines' Admirals Club facilities may soon find access to computing resources easier after the airline on Thursday revealed an alliance with Lenovo that will bring PCs, notebooks, and printers into each of the airport lounges.

Beginning this quarter, American plans to begin installing computer equipment in each of its 43 Admirals Clubs worldwide. Each club will receive a minimum of four PCs, two notebooks, and two printers. In total, Lenovo is expected to provide 206 ThinkCentre desktops, 206 ThinkVision 17-inch flat-panel displays, 43 ThinkPad X41 notebooks, 43 ThinkPad z-Series wide-screen notebooks, and 113 IBM printers.

The relationship is expected to aid American in building a stronger relationship with its business clients who use the clubs. It also provides a link to Lenovo, which has long been the largest PC manufacturer in China, as the airline carrier begins operations between Shanghai and the United States in April. For Lenovo, which acquired the PC operations of IBM last year, the relationship allows the company to establish visibility in the marketplace in the United States among the many Admirals Club members.

 

[luvn737s]

American must be proud to offer it's most elite members the type of amenities once found only in public libraries.

 

[US1YFARE]

This is an email I received from UA today. Ever since the status match, they email me several times a week advising me of offerings, promotions, and thanking me for being a customer. Hey, you know what, a thank you is more than I got from the new management at US, so, something so little as a thank you goes a long way:


United news for our most loyal customers

Dear US1YFARE,

Today, United Airlines is more committed than ever to providing the services that best serve the needs of our most loyal customers. I personally wish to thank you for your ongoing business with United®. We know as an elite member of Mileage Plus®, your satisfaction is key to our long-term success. That is why we will continue to build on the improvements we’ve made over the last few years:


We've expanded our international network. In all, we've added more than 74 routes to both domestic and international destinations.
We've expanded Economy Plus® throughout our fleet, giving you the comfort of up to five extra inches of legroom in the forward section of the economy cabin.
We're delivering new premium services like p.s.SM, our transcontinental service connecting New York with Los Angeles and San Francisco, and explusSM, the new regional service that redefines the regional jet experience.
We now fly to more of the most popular vacation destinations, including Mexico and the Caribbean. With TedSM, you now can enjoy low fares and also earn Mileage Plus miles.
We have enhanced united.com with features like the flight search side by side display, flexible date searches for award travel, and Easy Check-in Online.

We are gratified by your support and dedicated to improving your future travel experiences.

I look forward to seeing you onboard soon.

Dennis Cary
Senior Vice President of Marketing

 

[Twicebaked]

We are a LOW COST CARRIER. We are the only LOW COST CARRIER with full club/first class. You people CANNOT expect what US used to serve. WE ARE LOW COST. Buy your food in the airport like everyone else does. You are getting a comfy seat and free drinks thats it. Isn't that enough for a LOW COST CARRIER? Cry all you want...it's our reality.

 

[US1YFARE]

We are a LOW COST CARRIER. We are the only LOW COST CARRIER with full club/first class. You people CANNOT expect what US used to serve. WE ARE LOW COST. Buy your food in the airport like everyone else does. You are getting a comfy seat and free drinks thats it. Isn't that enough for a LOW COST CARRIER? Cry all you want...it's our reality.

Do you read the posts? Or, do you just roll your eyes. You must really be twicebaked. Put down the doobie and listen to your customers. YOUR FARES ARE NOT IN LINE WITH THE PRODUCT YOU ARE OFFERING. We don't want champagne. We don't want caviar--well at least on the airplane.

And, could someone please tell me what the "old" US offered that they are not offering now? For crying out loud, we ate meals in FC out of boxes. We are only saying that the price they charge is not in line for what they are offering. And we are saying that they these dramatic changes to the DM program, that cost nothing to keep by the way, are not supported by their justification that upgrades are "rich" at US. It simply is not true. It's a joke.

And you are not offering FULL FC. It's a minimal FC product--sell it that way. You can tell me it's a rolls royce but I see with my eyes that it is a KIA.

Wah wah wah...we will cry and we will moan and we will go to another carrier.

 

[Whatnow?]

US1YFARE,

What is it that you want on here?......you made the switch to another Airline, so we wish you all the best. Why do you keep bashing things at US if you've made the switch? We are sorry to see you go, but the reality here is that this new mgmnt has not held back on turning this into a Low Cost Carrier! Having said that, surely you knew that things were going to change with the frequent flyer program to mirror a LCC. I'm sure once its all ironed out a lot of the perks and benefits will return, but the bottom line here is this company is STILL trying to define itself in a very competitive enviroment.

 

[US1YFARE]

US1YFARE,

What is it that you want on here?......you made the switch to another Airline, so we wish you all the best.

Press ignore if you don't want to listen to me. It's very easy to do if my posts bother you that much.

Having said that, surely you knew that things were going to change with the frequent flyer program to mirror a LCC.

Actually, that is where you are dead wrong. The US customers were told by Doug Parker that the BEST benefits of the program would be retained. He has not been honest. He told us this and we relied on it and kept flying US--many of us sending thousands of dollars US's way. Then, like a coward, Tempe sneaks in changes with no announcement or justification. Oh, I'm sorry, they first told us that some changes related to IT issues. That was a lie. Then they told us it was related to cost issues--wrong again because the changes don't equate to costs. So, bottom line is DP was not honest when he made that promise to the VFF when this merger occurred.

 

[Whatnow?]

Press ignore if you don't want to listen to me. It's very easy to do if my posts bother you that much.


Your post don't bother me at all.....it's the nature of this board. I think its very unfortunate what DP has promised to all including employees and FF's, seems as if he's spoken without actually thinking about any of the issues affecting all down the road. I for one, hope that DP can actually live up to his expectations and not choke on his words! I'm also hoping that all of these changes and cutbacks are only short term till a solution can be made on how to actually provide a service that sets US apart from the rest. Those are big goals, I realize....I mean c'mon this company cannot decide on Coke or Pepsi yet! :unsure:

 

[US1YFARE]

Then you do understand. They don't think anything out. They make these half-thought-out changes. US East customers were loyal to a fault and I guess that I am just really po'd that I flew US no matter what the fare because of the people on the front line. I think that is why most people will tell you they fly US East. As I sit here, Northwest just offered me a status match via email (really)--so, they need to realize that getting customers back is harder than keeping them. Some people on these boards think we expect a lot....I bet you that the vast majority of US East FA's will tell you that most US1's are the easiest passengers--you may think there is whining on here, but in reality we have learned from the old US to have low expectations and the new management has just made traveling on US more difficult for the VFF.

 

[Singleflyer]

US1yfare,

What some of the posters here don't understand the low cost in LCC is for the company, it is NOT low cost to the people who are flying the airline. The cost is the same, and what you receive is low cost. If the cost of the ticket is LOWER than the competition, then we could understand the lower cost of what they are offering.

 

[Whatnow?]

I wonder what the reaction from Tempe would be if they knew US was losing some of its most valued customers because of the changes that are being made to DM program? If you and most of these VFF's can stick it out this long w/o jumping ship, given all of the hardships this company has been through, then IMO, these are FF's you want to keep and appreciate. Have you thought about sending a letter directly to Tempe or DP addressing all of these issues?

 

[US1YFARE]

Have you thought about sending a letter directly to Tempe or DP addressing all of these issues?

We have. Ask any of the fliers. Go look on the Flyertalk board--THEY DON'T RESPOND. Read the posts in Comments and Concerns. There is no response from Tempe. We've mailed in receipts showing bookings on other carriers. They don't care. They don't value the business traveler. I've said this before and I'll say it again, when you do speak to someone in Customer Relations and you ask them this question, "Based on all of the changes you have made to the US product and DM program, why should I continue to fly US." They don't have an answer--I'm serious--complete silence. That says to me that US's own people in Customer Relations don't believe in the airline if you can't give us a good reason to fly US.

 

[Whatnow?]

That's totally absurd! You've obviously made the right decision then....I guess they will do everything they can to turn this into a rock bottom LCC. 😱 It is sad to see a lot of the little amenities we had left, being tossed away to become more and more like a LCC that AWA was and is. I believe you can still achieve that staus w/o ripping a lot of your products and services away.....the problem at US will always be controlling a management team with no vision and common sense!

 

[US1YFARE]

So what does it cost to send an e-mail to say thanks for your business?

You got it Piney. When is the last time US sent an email like the one I posted above? I've had status on UA for about a week and you wouldn't believe the emails they send thanking customers and showing appreciation. To some this may seem silly, but when people believe that their buisness is appreciated, you do even sillier things like pay $1700 to go to FAT.

For a company that is so concerned about fares and costs, their current model gives greater rewards to people who buy cheap tickets and they ignore the high fare biz traveler.

 

[Bear96]

YOUR FARES ARE NOT IN LINE WITH THE PRODUCT YOU ARE OFFERING.

Then exercise your choice as a consumer and spend your travel $ on what you perceive to be a better value.

Really, no one is holding a gun to anyone's head and forcing them to fly USAirways. If the perfect airline is out there, what's holding you back?