New Management Restores Some Us Airways Extras

[700UW]

New Management Restores Some US Airways Extras

By Keith L. Alexander

Tuesday, October 18, 2005; Page D01

It's been less than a month since America West executives took over US Airways, but the new management team has wasted no time in reversing recent cost-saving initiatives that had frustrated longtime US Airways customers.

One decision revisited by the newly combined airline-- which has assumed the US Airways brand name -- involved free snacks for its coach passengers.

Washington Post Article

 

[ringmaruf]

Mirror image, baby. :unsure:

 

[a320av8r]

More good news, I can't handle good news!

 

[AstroLounge]

It was STUPID stunts like removing the snacks in Coach, reconfiguring the 757s (24seats to 8 in F/C), eliminating glassware in F/C (all flts except TransAtl) and really offering a mediocre F/C product compared to what we did in the past, and not being concerned with what the competition offered really proved how incompetent some of these execs were. How a pax pays for a F/C seat (monetary or upgrade miles) should not diminish the product.........either an airline HAS First Class or it doesn't. Offering a larger seat (and we are NOT talking some ultra suede stratolounger w/built in Bose surround sound and a cashemere throw blanket) and hanging a customers coat does not make a premium product. Bottom line is either you go the distance and offer the full gammit of ammenities or don't offer the product at all. What also amazes me is we still continue to offer pillows & blankets while most other carriers have scrapped theirs yet having lemons and limes provisioned on ALL flights is comparable to renegotiating the Israeli-Arab Sinai accords. Hopefully this managements will clearly understand THEIR "Mission Statement".

 

[justaumechanic]

Maybe US Airways can team up with McDonalds and serve "Unhappy Meals, exclusively on US Airways".

Inside you get a $5 coupon and a kazoo!

 

[UWCactus]

It was STUPID stunts like removing the snacks in Coach, reconfiguring the 757s (24seats to 8 in F/C), eliminating glassware in F/C (all flts except TransAtl) and really offering a mediocre F/C product compared to what we did in the past, and not being concerned with what the competition offered really proved how incompetent some of these execs were. How a pax pays for a F/C seat (monetary or upgrade miles) should not diminish the product.........either an airline HAS First Class or it doesn't. Offering a larger seat (and we are NOT talking some ultra suede stratolounger w/built in Bose surround sound and a cashemere throw blanket) and hanging a customers coat does not make a premium product. Bottom line is either you go the distance and offer the full gammit of ammenities or don't offer the product at all. What also amazes me is we still continue to offer pillows & blankets while most other carriers have scrapped theirs yet having lemons and limes provisioned on ALL flights is comparable to renegotiating the Israeli-Arab Sinai accords. Hopefully this managements will clearly understand THEIR "Mission Statement".

Get ready man..there has to be changes made to first class. Europe flights should not see too much change at all, but AWA has dramtically reduced it's first class service over the past few years. No linens, no extra butter, no extra salad dressing, FA's plate some of the food and place forks, knives, napkins etc on tray, menu doesn't change very often, it's been chicken caeaser salad for quite a while lately. It works for the first class pax on AWA, they realy only care about the seat size and free drinks. Not sure what US Airways currently does, but don't expect a grandioso first class service, it's just not cost effective in a low cost environment, but you still have to de enough to keep the frequent traveler. Most business travelers seem to accept this pretty well, the leisure traveler expects more fluff.