new premium class amenities

[boston]

I'd be more receptive, if the AA's negotiating team would quit walking out of negotiations, far as I know it's one team running around in talks with each union putting everyone off. Like I said, I'd be more receptive, but it's "say the name", a personal "thank you", find the Ex Plat's in Y/C and give them this and that ( they can have what ever they want and as much..left engine no problem with me, no skin off my back), now make a bed I find this to be a little to personal. I know in Asia they don't find it so.I think it would be more appropriate to nicely present the pax with the sleep package or whatever it's called. Maybe I'll get used to it..


I'm wondering what APFA has to say, only because they to had eliminate 1 required service due to taking the extra F/A's on IFS and it went to an award for APFA.

Maybe when the Samsung tablets come on line there will be more time for this, but now there is quite a bit of time spent immediately after take off, before,during bev & dinner service fixing what have you, with the current B/C video/bose.

Whatever, honestly- I have no say in this

 

[737823]

Americans are not likely to be as servile as Asians can be, but you'd be surprised at what we can do when given the proper staffing, tools, etc. I can hand you a tacky tray with a dried out sandwich or I can carve a Chateaubriand at your seat. I can pour Dom Perignon (and open it properly) or something with a twist off cap.


It's up to management to provide the staffing, training and amenities. We can do the rest.
MK

Excellent post. Don't get me wrong AA has many stellar FAs that provide legendary service. But that doesn't change the fact that many of the senior international FAs particularly on the ORD/DFW-NRT flights that I frequent are uninterested and do less than the bare minimum for service. I've been on flights where the purser was back in the aft galley or occupying passenger seats while on duty. Pilots have a contractually negotiated privilege to occupy premium seats. FAs don't but have been furnished crew rest facilities. I've seen the crewrest bunks in the 777 by door 3L and they look very nice.

It is my hope that enhancements like this improve the service and make FAs more attentive and service oriented-a positive feedback cycle. If the above posts are true that FAs haven't been briefed on this until today that speaks entirely to dysfunctional and ineffective management.

Josh

 

[Buck]

I find this thread fascinating, it gives me a point of view of the job functions of another part of our company that I never had before. The issues here provide me with a new understanding of the Flight Attendant. I can learn from this experience, but I will never be able to fully grasp all the issues that flight attendants must go through. I would also say that these issues work in reverse also. I am going to have a wonderful day.

 

[IORFA]

Maybe when the Samsung tablets come on line there will be more time for this, but now there is quite a bit of time spent immediately after take off, before,during bev & dinner service fixing what have you, with the current B/C video/bose.

Whatever, honestly- I have no say in this

boston, please read the information provided by AA before you go all crazy on the subject. You will never be fumbling with any Samsung tablets AND performing any turn down service. All the info clearly states that the turn down service is in F/C on the 777's. No F/C on the 767-300's, thus no turn down service. Hopefully, with the Samsung tablets they will be light years ahead of those stupid PED's that weigh too much. If you aren't #1 or #6 on the 777, then you are not subject to the new service. Although I do agree that this sounds more complicated than the water service that was removed from the 777 service! Maybe there will be more to come on this.

 

[eolesen]

the number 6 is supposed to provide the turn down service if requested. It looks pretty simple.

It really is pretty simple. When I flew on JL, the topper was not out in the cabin or in the suite. They're kept in a closet between the cockpit and galley until needed. Customer gets up, FA reclines the seat into bed mode, unrolls/unfolds the topper, and puts a sheet over the top.

Took about 30 seconds for the FA to do it. Same when it came time to put it away.

From my experience, most FA's working a premium cabin "get it" when it comes to the high-touch customers. And yes, that includes AA.

Personally, I don't care to be high-touch when in-flight. I go to the galley to get my drink refills instead of ringing the call button. I don't have a problem unrolling a bed topper. But there are definitely customers, particularly Asians, who will expect this when they're paying $5000 to fly in F.

And no, the guys flying in F on an international segment are not not prone to be upgrades on cheap tickets. AA's pretty stingy with upgrades from C to F from my experience...

 

[IORFA]

Sorry Eric, no sheets on AA! Not sure why. Maybe some bean counter that made the decision will let us know on here.

 

[FWAAA]

Anybody want yet another example of very poor management at AA? That it took until Sept 1, 2011 for AA to introduce these amenities. Competent management would have provided these years ago. The 777 Flagship Suite rolled out more than 11 years ago and other premium international airlines have provided pajamas for many years. LHR has been open skies for 3+ years. Great management would have caused AA's service offerings to exceed BA's to/from LHR, which would require BA to improve its offerings now that the ATI has been implemented instead of the other way around. It's nice to see AA finally "getting it" even though it's at least 10 years behind.

Cue the predictable complaints about AA "spending" or "wasting" money on trying to attract higher revenues instead of raising pay rates for employees, as if they are mutually exclusive. Higher premium class revenues would, of course, make it easier (possible) for AA to increase wage rates.

 

[jersey777]

Here is more of what is coming.



Beginning September 1, all flights to/from London-Heathrow (LHR) will feature a new suite of premium class amenities. Customers traveling in First Class will receive a quilted bed topper custom-designed to fit American’s popular Flagship Suite, a light-weight day blanket, pajamas, slippers, premium duvet and pillow along with an amenity kit featuring a mid-century modern Eames Office® design containing Dermalogica® lotions and other travel necessities. 777/767/757 Business Class travelers will enjoy the same premium duvet, pillow, slippers and amenity kit.

AA is the only U.S. airline to offer a quilted bed topper, pajamas and slippers as part of a turn down service in First Class - a step that better aligns us with our joint business and oneworld Alliance® partners. We will be gathering feedback and suggestions from pursers on LHR flights during the first 2 weeks of September in order to refine the procedures before the broader implementation on October 1.

On October 1, the full suite of products, including the turndown service, will roll out in AA’s First Class cabins onboard all international flights served by B777s. Also on October 1, Business Class cabins onboard all international flights operated by B777s and B767-300s, in addition to select flights to and from Europe operated by B757s, will begin offering the new premium duvet and pillow, slippers, and amenity kit. In addition to the new premium products, F/C and B/C linens will be changed to a grey color. The first meal service for our 767/777 Main Cabin customers will feature a full sized tray with a new colorful tray mat.

These new amenities were designed to support our joint business with British Airways and Japan Airlines, making American Airlines and our oneworld alliance more competitive. We will have base blitzes so you can familiarize yourself with the new items. Dates of the blitzes are to the right.

 

[boston]

boston, please read the information provided by AA before you go all crazy on the subject. You will never be fumbling with any Samsung tablets AND performing any turn down service. All the info clearly states that the turn down service is in F/C on the 777's. No F/C on the 767-300's, thus no turn down service. Hopefully, with the Samsung tablets they will be light years ahead of those stupid PED's that weigh too much. If you aren't #1 or #6 on the 777, then you are not subject to the new service. Although I do agree that this sounds more complicated than the water service that was removed from the 777 service! Maybe there will be more to come on this.

I can't wait for Samsung tablets to come on line, sooner the better. I do fly 6 on the 777 now and again not much in line of 777 at my base, and I rather work up front On the 767, but I got to tell ya, if it's not one thing it's another, and the seat's eat everything or the seatbelt gets stuck, or it stuck in the upright position and you have to drop what your doing to take care of this.

Who knows our 767-300 may go back to 3 class as Delta is doing on all theirs that will cross the Atlantic, see Airlinepilotcentral.com under legacy info.

 

[Bob Owens]

Anybody want yet another example of very poor management at AA? That it took until Sept 1, 2011 for AA to introduce these amenities. Competent management would have provided these years ago. The 777 Flagship Suite rolled out more than 11 years ago and other premium international airlines have provided pajamas for many years. LHR has been open skies for 3+ years. Great management would have caused AA's service offerings to exceed BA's to/from LHR, which would require BA to improve its offerings now that the ATI has been implemented instead of the other way around. It's nice to see AA finally "getting it" even though it's at least 10 years behind.

Cue the predictable complaints about AA "spending" or "wasting" money on trying to attract higher revenues instead of raising pay rates for employees, as if they are mutually exclusive. Higher premium class revenues would, of course, make it easier (possible) for AA to increase wage rates.

Are passengers willing to pay more for pajamas?

AA is bringing in $5 billion more with 40000 less employees, they still say they can't give us a raise but a few amenities are all of a sudden make them enough to give us raises?

By the way what does BA pay their mechanics, AA pays their European mechanics in excess of $45/hr, not including benefits .

 

[FWAAA]

Are passengers willing to pay more for pajamas?

No, no one will pay more for pajamas. As you know, airfares (especially premium class fares) are generally the same no matter the airline.

By differentiating the product, AA hopes to attract an additional fare away from UA/CO or DL/AF/KLM or USAir. Maybe things like this will work in selling a ticket to someone who would otherwise fly a competitor. Maybe not. Maybe superior service offerings will help attract/retain corporate contracts that would otherwise go to a competitor.

That's how airlines compete for premium customers: fancy seats and nice meals and quality wines, etc. Even sleep-assisting amenities like the ones announced recently by AA. The airline that attracts more premium customers than the others will succeed. The airlines that lag - well, they lose. They eventually file for Ch 11 protection, gut wages and benefits and cancel the stock of their stockholders. Their pilots see their pensions slashed and replaced with notes, promises and new stock. Despite the widespread belief on this forum that the Ch 11 process is all rainbows and unicorns for the employees at the airlines where that has happened, the employees at those airlines know how they have fared.

AA is bringing in $5 billion more with 40000 less employees, they still say they can't give us a raise but a few amenities are all of a sudden make them enough to give us raises?

AA can't afford your current pay, let alone afford to increase your pay. During 2008, 2009, 2010 and the first half of this year, AA has lost billions of dollars.

Yes, revenues are up substantially from the post-September 11 lows. Revenues in those lean years were not enough to pay the bills in those years, leading to huge losses in those years. Fuel is up by billions of dollars per year and wages are down by about $1.6 billion per year. AA lost billions in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and has lost billions in the aggregate in 2008, 2009, 2010 and this yearl. Your massive concessions in 2003 ($1.62 billion per year from the represented workgroups or about $9 billion so far) wasn't enough to cover the more than $20 billion increase in fuel over the past 8 and a half years (compared to fuel costs in 2001-03).

Yes, the 2003 concessions were huge. Problem is, they weren't huge enough. To make ends meet, AA has burned a lot of furniture since then (billions of dollars worth) and borrowed billions of dollars since 2003. Additionally, AMR sold billions of dollars of new stock to investors since 2003.

By the way what does BA pay their mechanics, AA pays their European mechanics in excess of $45/hr, not including benefits .

I have no idea what BA pays. Are you planning to apply for a job with BA? In NYC or London? Good luck.

 

[WorldTraveler]

If AA had earned the same RASM increase that its peer airlines DL and UA received in the most recent quarter, AMR's revenues would have been $225 million higher. On an annual basis, AA is missing revenue at a rate in excess of $750 million.
.
Telling employees that they are the problem is far from accurate. AA's productity DOES lag other carriers... whether that be work-rule related or the fact that AA still has too many employees for an airline of its size, I don't know.
>
But the simple fact is that AA is MASSIVELY underperforming on revenue performance and the 4-5% per quarter has huge implications for AA's financial health and the health of its employees - and it won't be made up by adding pajamas and faux linen to a few first class seats.

 

[nyc6035]

APFA has filed a grievance over the new 777 turndown service:

http://www.apfa.org/content/category/9/17/626/


...as a customer -all I can say is...WOW

This leads one to the conclusion the service levels will never improve - even if AA provides the resources to make the service better...very discouraging.

 

[IORFA]

APFA has filed a grievance over the new 777 turndown service:

http://www.apfa.org/content/category/9/17/626/


...as a customer -all I can say is...WOW

This leads one to the conclusion the service levels will never improve - even if AA provides the resources to make the service better...very discouraging.

The biggest resource AA doesn't want to provide is man power. AA lost a grievance after they removed a F/A from the 777 around 2000. Now they think they can slide this by with no increase in man power? HAHAHA. They were forced to either add the F/A back or reduce the service. I'll let you guess what AA decided to do. I guess they forgot about that little bit of recent history. ALL they need to do is negotiate a new contract with the APFA and I'm sure all will be fine. In the end, AA will either remove the service or pay for it to be done. It will take an arbitration proceeding to get to that point, so it will be awhile. In the mean time the service will be provided, don't worry nyc6035.

 

[bob@las-AA]

Here is a good money saving idea, have the FAs pick up and do cabin service including the pilots and FO, after cleaning these dumpy planes we have I notice that they only make one pass at best, not like thier Southwest Airlines counterparts do. Sorry.....but the only thing that is not in the seat pockets or on the floor is any thing not having the AA logo on it WTF!!!! Take ownership people!! The AA way of doing biz is broken!