STAR ALLIANCE

[gizmo_sc]

WOULD one think that the STAR ALLIANCE would require US AIRWAYS to provide F/C SEATING in all markets on A/C that has seating capacity over 50 seats.

EXCOP

 

[PHL]

WOULD one think that the STAR ALLIANCE would require US AIRWAYS to provide F/C SEATING in all markets on A/C that has seating capacity over 50 seats.

EXCOP

No. It's not a requirement, despite all the rumors. And I don't think *A should dictate those kinds of business decisions upon it's members.

Other airlines in *A that fly intl. routes also have only 2 classes. And then there's UA with "Ted" that flies with all coach configured Airbuses.

 

[aredeeyou22]

No. It's not a requirement, despite all the rumors. And I don't think *A should dictate those kinds of business decisions upon it's members.

Other airlines in *A that fly intl. routes also have only 2 classes. And then there's UA with "Ted" that flies with all coach configured Airbuses.

No requirement whatsoever. Recently flew LOT, and their domestic fleet has no FC. Why should *A have a say in cabin configurations?

 

[PHL]

No requirement whatsoever. Recently flew LOT, and their domestic fleet has no FC. Why should *A have a say in cabin configurations?

Good point, too. LOT's widebody fleet consist of 5 767-300 and 2 767-200 aircraft with 3 and 2 rows of biz seating, respectively. NO first class. That may change when they start taking delivery of 787's in a year or two.

Oddly, only 4 of the 5 -300's have new lie-flat seats where all the rest of more traditional biz seating (53" pitch, recliners w/leg and foot rests).

 

[TechBoy]

What a ridiculous notion! I don't think that there is a single European carrier that offers First on an intra-Europe flight. Many offer "business" class which is something akin to Ted.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

What a ridiculous notion! I don't think that there is a single European carrier that offers First on an intra-Europe flight. Many offer "business" class which is something akin to Ted.

Take a look at BMI's Europe fleet,

BMI Fleet

Interesting!

 

[flyingcat]

Take a look at BMI's Europe fleet,

BMI Fleet

Interesting!

European first/business class is not what you think it is. In europe the premium seats are the standard coach seats with the middle seat blocked out. Thes service is better as are the meals. The center seat has an expanded armrest built into the back of the center seat. Some airlines have convertible seats that widen the seats while shrink the center seat width. Thus they can be either a business row or a coach based on flight loads.

Imagine that, elite seating on demand! 😛

It looks wierd when the FAs are have a huge rank key and look like they are starting a model T. :blink:

I never understood why the euro model was not adopted here seems much more flexible and cost effective. I expected with all the trouble carriers were having here post 9/11 that someone would switch to it. Maybe US might be the first.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

European first/business class is not what you think it is. In europe the premium seats are the standard coach seats with the middle seat blocked out. Thes service is better as are the meals. The center seat has an expanded armrest built into the back of the center seat. Some airlines have convertible seats that widen the seats while shrink the center seat width. Thus they can be either a business row or a coach based on flight loads.

Imagine that, elite seating on demand! 😛

It looks wierd when the FAs are have a huge rank key and look like they are starting a model T. :blink:

I never understood why the euro model was not adopted here seems much more flexible and cost effective. I expected with all the trouble carriers were having here post 9/11 that someone would switch to it. Maybe US might be the first.

Of all the travelling that I do, I have yet to go to europe, or anywhere other than Canada and Mexico and Aruba. Next month I will be travelling to Germany.

I like the idea of the flexible seat idea, if you need more FC/BC whatever you want to call it, you can expand the rows. The rows in question could be blacked out for assigned seating till the capacity is known, therefore its the best of both.

 

[flyingcat]

It is better from a felixiblity standpoint but it will be a big change. The pitch is the only slight better than coach usually by only a couple of inches. However it does retain complimentary drinks and meals.

Here is a good interaactive presentation of LH convertible seats

I have done some checking and US did introduce "Business select" on a few 737-200s.

I do not know too much about it but it involved the euro business seat.

It also holds the dubious honr of being introduced on the day flight 427 crashed 🙁

 

[CLTFlyer]

I have done some checking and US did introduce "Business select" on a few 737-200s.

Business Select was (from my memory) a colossal failure for the Schofield regime at US. It only flew in selected markets (for example GSO was a Business Select market, but it was only for selected cities), and from what I remember, it became a mess since only certain aircraft were configured for BusSelect, and it may not have been the easiest thing to convert the seats.

But those who were there likely know better than I on this. Using those seats could work - but not a smart thing to try since no other domestic carrier does that. That it works in Europe means nothing. After all, they liked David Hasselhoff as a singer. Not quite the same reaction here.

 

[as the prop turns]

Business Select was (from my memory) a colossal failure for the Schofield regime at US. It only flew in selected markets (for example GSO was a Business Select market, but it was only for selected cities), and from what I remember, it became a mess since only certain aircraft were configured for BusSelect, and it may not have been the easiest thing to convert the seats.

But those who were there likely know better than I on this. Using those seats could work - but not a smart thing to try since no other domestic carrier does that. That it works in Europe means nothing. After all, they liked David Hasselhoff as a singer. Not quite the same reaction here.

Boy, do I remember Business Select. What a mess. Another bad business decision.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Business Select was (from my memory) a colossal failure for the Schofield regime at US. It only flew in selected markets (for example GSO was a Business Select market, but it was only for selected cities), and from what I remember, it became a mess since only certain aircraft were configured for BusSelect, and it may not have been the easiest thing to convert the seats.

But those who were there likely know better than I on this. Using those seats could work - but not a smart thing to try since no other domestic carrier does that. That it works in Europe means nothing. After all, they liked David Hasselhoff as a singer. Not quite the same reaction here.

Wasn't that like to compete with CO when they did their CO Lite?

 

[CynicalResAgent]

I remember Business select. People often referred to it as fake first class.

 

[aredeeyou22]

I remember Business select. People often referred to it as fake first class.

Yah and the flight attendants are trying to move the "fake" bulkhead before boarding to make the "Business" section larger... that was always a sight to see..... total nightmare..

 

[CLTFlyer]

Wasn't that like to compete with CO when they did their CO Lite?

I don't think so. I seem to recall that Business Select came before CO Lite (which used GSO as a base of operations too). CO Lite caused everyone to reduce fares dramatically out of GSO. However, if I'm wrong on the timeline, please let me know.