I think you will find that pricing is generally reasonable at the early stages of selling seats and just like any other airline, as they seats dwindle down, the more expensive it gets. This is both first class and coach. The consumer really has no way of knowing and matching seat availablity and pricing at each carrier. All the consumer sees is price of the seat on the day they search.
First Class, no Class?
- Thread starter WCT
- Start date
As far as I know, the First Class fare does not vary a la "Yield Management". The coach fares are the ones adjusted due to demand (real or imagined).
When I first started working for this outfit (Allegheny), the was no such thing as First Class on the line, however, the product and passenger experience were well above anything now offered by USAirways in ANY class.
bear
When I first started working for this outfit (Allegheny), the was no such thing as First Class on the line, however, the product and passenger experience were well above anything now offered by USAirways in ANY class.
bear
flybynite
Veteran
I received a CBS message yesterday about testing Premium Beverages in coach in selected markets. It didn't say a word as to what was being tested. Is this what you are refering to?
Art at ISP
Veteran
UW Cactus,
With all due respect, please stop overdosing on the Tempe KoolAid.
US Airways CONSISTENTLY prices above others in similar markets, and where they have limited or no competition they out and out gouge the market. Furthermore, their NONrefundable fares are often significantly higher than the competition's refundable fares, and the competitions' premium cabins are often less expensive than US in Y. We all know about yield management-it is not an acceptable excuse in this case.
I completely understand, as LCC#1 said, but although you SAY the company values business travelers more than I think, I can promise you their actions send the opposite message. These so called product improvements are likely to be too little too late for previously loyal customers, who cannot count on US to provide RELIABLE transportation. If a customer can't have a REASONABLE expectation of arriving where they need to be within a reasonable margin of scheduled time, then it doesn't matter how good (or crappy) the product is.
The fact is that the competition gets it, and are actively wooing US Elite customers. Those that have left are now asking why they stayed so long.
Other airlines have been improving their product and marketing to business travelers all along--US has not.
Other airlines are adding first class seats to good portions of their fleets--US keeps reducing them.
Other airlines are providing REASONABLE fares in most markets--not necessarily the lowest, but FAIR for the market--US does not--they are artificially cheap in some markets, but consistently overpriced in most.
It is all about value and reliability--neither of which is being offered by the current US Airways.
Spin all you want, unfortunately if you believe all you say, then you don't get it either.
I'd be happy to run through a point by point comparison with you some time......
I'd also be happy to share with you how much I have spent on air travel in the last month, and how much went to US.
I am not alone in this sentiment. MANY have left, never to return.
Oh and WCT, I remember that HP had excellent premium service way back when--I was a regular on the JFK-PHX 747 for a while.
I hope to have the privilege of flying with you one of these days, but as my days as a Chairman Preferred are numbered (I will be lucky to get Silver this coming year), it will probably be in the back of the bus.
My best to you all...
With all due respect, please stop overdosing on the Tempe KoolAid.
US Airways CONSISTENTLY prices above others in similar markets, and where they have limited or no competition they out and out gouge the market. Furthermore, their NONrefundable fares are often significantly higher than the competition's refundable fares, and the competitions' premium cabins are often less expensive than US in Y. We all know about yield management-it is not an acceptable excuse in this case.
I completely understand, as LCC#1 said, but although you SAY the company values business travelers more than I think, I can promise you their actions send the opposite message. These so called product improvements are likely to be too little too late for previously loyal customers, who cannot count on US to provide RELIABLE transportation. If a customer can't have a REASONABLE expectation of arriving where they need to be within a reasonable margin of scheduled time, then it doesn't matter how good (or crappy) the product is.
The fact is that the competition gets it, and are actively wooing US Elite customers. Those that have left are now asking why they stayed so long.
Other airlines have been improving their product and marketing to business travelers all along--US has not.
Other airlines are adding first class seats to good portions of their fleets--US keeps reducing them.
Other airlines are providing REASONABLE fares in most markets--not necessarily the lowest, but FAIR for the market--US does not--they are artificially cheap in some markets, but consistently overpriced in most.
It is all about value and reliability--neither of which is being offered by the current US Airways.
Spin all you want, unfortunately if you believe all you say, then you don't get it either.
I'd be happy to run through a point by point comparison with you some time......
I'd also be happy to share with you how much I have spent on air travel in the last month, and how much went to US.
I am not alone in this sentiment. MANY have left, never to return.
Oh and WCT, I remember that HP had excellent premium service way back when--I was a regular on the JFK-PHX 747 for a while.
I hope to have the privilege of flying with you one of these days, but as my days as a Chairman Preferred are numbered (I will be lucky to get Silver this coming year), it will probably be in the back of the bus.
My best to you all...
vantheman63
Senior
This is not true....in fact, as a habit, I now send a copy of the tickets I buy to the executive offices with a "web snapshot" of what US has for pricing.
Case and point this week....
I purchased DL, F-Class, fully refundable, MCI-LGA via ATL, MD-82s....$351, all in...again, fully refundable.
US was priced, the lowest available was $459....NON REFUNDABLE...and with an Express leg on most flight choices.
US had a "Y Fare" or "Preferred Instant Upgrade," which was refundable....$819.
I buy LOTS of "premium product" air fare...for a fair number of clients and employees....it's been almost 18 months since US was competitive with CO, DL, NW or UA.
Here's where the rocket scientists in Tempe gaffe the unsuspecting....and they got me twice as well: They do in fact have a competitvely priced product in the F Cabin from, say, PVD-SFO....BUT...and it's a big BUT.....the price US quotes is NON REFUNDABLE, NON CHANGEABLE....EVERYONE else, for the same money, has a REFUNDABLE price.
That alone means US is overpriced by at least $200, what the competition offers.
Trust me....US pricing is a major reason I bagged them after being Elite on them for many, many years.
True enough, as the time draws closer, US prices rise....but guess what...that's not how it's done on the competition for Premium Serivces....the price is the price, until it's sold out.
What - you mean they are going to finally change the menu in first? I couldn't believe it today when I saw a reference on this board to the "Chicken Spinach Salad" in first class. AW was serving that sorry entree back before the merger! Give me a break - and you think they charge a fair price for what they offer as a "premium service" - I'd love some of your drugs because they must be excellent!
A "change in service" - does that mean bigger party cups for my wine? Maybe they can just start giving out the whole bottle with a straw rather than bother with the plastic cup!
legacy-to-LCC
Veteran
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patently false.
but continue to drink the tempe kool-aide...
what the customer sees is actually something incredibly different. i'll break it down for you, hopefully that will override the ideological buzz from the team tempe kool-aide.
frequent flyers: what they see is an inferior product at an inflated price, and with zero reliability.
non-frequent flyers: no reliability.
the virgins (kettles): the cheapest fare.
who do you want to support your paycheck?
SS255
Veteran
Not too long ago on US, this would have been the "salad" course, served concurrently with the bread basket, between the appetizer and the main course. 🙁
I think some of you misunderstood the point of my post. A consumer does not see the number of seats available on a given fare or flight. US flights are packed most of the time (except this month of course) or at loads that make profits (no need for you to give examples of exceptions) Even though Delta may get you somewhere cheaper, chances are US already sold the seats at that price or is unwilling to go that low for that market, if they both exist in the same market. If the don't compete in that market any airline is going to charge higher fares.
CynicalResAgent
Veteran
But I bet you won't be able to get a Red Bull on AA, LOL
leprechaun
Senior
I was sent to the "panic" meeting a few months ago to address the Qik/Shares deficiencies held by the Court Jester Anthony"I'm out the door" Mule. I could not believe the naivity of the west employees. They truely do drink the Tempe Koolaid. Guys like UW Cactus were fawning all over Mule like teenage girls with damp panties hoping for a prom date. They buy into the "It's not east vs west, its about being the best". It was so sickening, I wanted to puke. An east coast operations, and a quality service airline are beyond their comprehension.
No matter how many coats of paint you put on it, it's still a crap system.
No matter how many coats of paint you put on it, it's still a crap system.
Can we get back to the original post, First class improvement?? I for one am embarrased working with party cups and a basket full of stale chips, cashews! Meals need to be brought back, and linens, silverware. If not, just call it Economy plus, you are not getting you monies worth period! 🙄
CynicalResAgent
Veteran
Really, as a travel agent, when I have clients ask about domestic first class on US I tell them it is comparable to NK. I say NK (Spirit) calls their front cabin the "Big Comfy Seat" and that if they fly US in first class all that I can guarantee them is that they are getting a bigger seat than the rest of the passengers. If they get anything else, a lime in their drink, or an actual drink, consider it a bonus.
sky high states: Sorry, but I still use the term, passenger. Always have. Not that you are NOT a customer, but it connotates value or something extra over the word---> passenger. I'm not even sure if the word belongs in this industry. It's devalued when you deal with a THOUSAND "customers" EACH WEEK.
Here's the DEFINTION OF "CUSTOMER" IN THE DICTIONARY.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/customer
customer:
noun
someone who pays for goods or services
...<light bulb>............Hmmmm, maybe that term is appropriate.
only stating opinions
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