AA announces Main Cabin Extra

[markis10]

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 1, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines today announced plans to outfit its entire mainline fleet with Main Cabin Extra, which will offer more leg room as well as priority boarding. American plans to begin installations this year, and over time will update all of its existing aircraft. New Boeing 737-800 aircraft being delivered to American will come equipped with Main Cabin Extra seating beginning this fall. Anticipated future aircraft, including Airbus A321s, and A319s, and Boeing 777-300ERs and 787s, will also offer Main Cabin Extra.
"Customers traveling in Main Cabin Extra seats will enjoy four to six inches of extra leg roomcompared to a standard Main Cabin seat, as well as priority boarding privileges," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer. "We continue to provide our customers with choices that enable them to customize their travel on American to be the experience they desire and value."
Main Cabin Extra seats will be located in the front portion of the Main Cabin, allowing easier boarding and deplaning. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, and AAdvantage Platinum® members, and customers who purchase a full-fare economy class ticket will receive complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra, subject to availability. Also, AAdvantage Gold® members will receive complimentary access to the new seating product through Dec. 31, 2013. American will continue to reserve a significant portion of Main Cabin Extra seats and other seats in the Main Cabin exclusively for elite customers who can select these seating options at the time of booking up until check-in.

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[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Read more here: American Airlines Continues Fleet Modernization With Plans for Main Cabin Extra - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee[/FONT]​

 

[serfty]

Couple be a bit like UA's E+.

Then again, maybe AA are heading towards Y+/PE?

 

[ReLoad]

Interesting news, I wonder what impact it will have on YUP fares.

 

[JohnM]

Could this end dom F and therefore mess with my DONEx's :shock::?:.

 

[ReLoad]

Could this end dom F and therefore mess with my DONEx's :shock::?:.

Right, that's it don't even think about that kind of crazy talk, stop it at once!

 

[NM]

Could this end dom F and therefore mess with my DONEx's :shock::?:.

I don't see that happening. Domestic F is needed as an upgrade class to appease their loyal FF members, so its not going away any time soon.

From my reading if the announcement, its just a section with more space between the seats (pitch) in coach/economy and nothing more in terms of in-flight services, so its not even close to a premium economy product.

Remember that many years ago AA removed a few rows of seats from most of their aircraft and offered increased seat pitch throughout the aircraft. Then they put them back in so they could carry more passengers. Now it seems they are going part way back, with a section of the Y cabin having greater pitch and those with AAdvantage status getting first chance to snaffle those seats.

I see this is part of the Chapter 11 recovery plan. I expect they are trying to:

• Retain their AAdvantage FF member loyalty
• Increase revenue by offering the extra space seating for a fee to those without FF status
• Adjust the market perception to show them as a high-value carrier and not just another LCC competing only on price

Seems like a logical marketing plan to me.

 

[drewbles]

Interesting. On the MegaDo Susanne did mention that 'they're doing what they can to compete with an airline that rhymes with 'shmelta'. Didn't said airline just introduce something similar?

It's a shame they can't go back to their 'more legroom throughout coach' days; everyone (except AA) won

 

[Princess Fiona]

AA have stated on their Facebook page that MCE seating will also be complimentary to OW Elites.

 

[openseat]

It's a shame they can't go back to their 'more legroom throughout coach' days; everyone (except AA) won

I agree. MRTC made flying more bearable.

 

[coyote25]

AA have stated on their Facebook page that MCE seating will also be complimentary to OW Elites.

Now that's good news

 

[Carlous Moochous]

As long as it doesn't affect YUP fares.. Although is is just making the first row and exit rows more expensive or will they be actually removing rows?

 

[serfty]

AA have confirmed that no changes are planned to the number of seats in Business / First class.

A row is being removed from coach class.