Please Don't Reduce Pitch On U Shuttle

[RowUnderDCA]

I flew Delta shuttle and was noticeably more comfortable than U shuttle. Of course, the plane was cleaner. I later checked and Delta states that it's pitch is 35-37. I think U states that it's pitch is 34-35.

With the rumored switch to standard A319s, the pitch difference will be extreme! I'll definitely switch.

 

[ITRADE]

I second that thought - although my alternate might be Acela...

 

[AtlanticBeach]

I flew Delta shuttle and was noticeably more comfortable than U shuttle. Of course, the plane was cleaner. I later checked and Delta states that it's pitch is 35-37. I think U states that it's pitch is 34-35.

With the rumored switch to standard A319s, the pitch difference will be extreme! I'll definitely switch.

The decision to use mainline aircraft for the Shuttle will improve conditions for 12 passengers per flight and decrease the comfort for 108. There have been few, if any complaints about the current pitch on the Shuttle (and I actually liked MetroJet, too).

Commonality of fleet is one thing, but is there really savings by having only one interior?

As the Rower said, this US choice may be the best thing that ever happened to the Delta Shuttle.

 

[UsPerfEngr]

Row,

I would be seriously amazed if DL is using a 35 inch seat pitch throughout the entire plane (absolutely astounded if your talking about "Song"). Perhaps you were seated in an emergency exit row. That extra inch or two seems like more than it really is.
I have dealt with seat pitches and interior aircraft layouts for quite a few years. I can tell you that 35 inches is a "business class" or "coach plus" seating configuration. 37 to 38 inches is US Airways standard for 1st class. Coach on US could be anywhere from 31 to 33 inches. Quite a few airlines that have come and gone (Legend Air from TX comes to mind) trying to stretch the standard coach seat pitch beyond 34 inches. Bottom line is that less seats = less $$$. Everyone in the industry is pretty much in agreement that if you want the leg-room you'll have to pay for it....

 

[RowUnderDCA]

Row,

I would be seriously amazed if DL is using a 35 inch seat pitch throughout the entire plane (absolutely astounded if your talking about "Song"). Perhaps you were seated in an emergency exit row. That extra inch or two seems like more than it really is.
I have dealt with seat pitches and interior aircraft layouts for quite a few years. I can tell you that 35 inches is a "business class" or "coach plus" seating configuration. 37 to 38 inches is US Airways standard for 1st class. Coach on US could be anywhere from 31 to 33 inches. Quite a few airlines that have come and gone (Legend Air from TX comes to mind) trying to stretch the standard coach seat pitch beyond 34 inches. Bottom line is that less seats = less $$$. Everyone in the industry is pretty much in agreement that if you want the leg-room you'll have to pay for it....

Usperfeng-

Thanks for the insight. I understand what you mean about 'paying for the space.' Since I have no idea about the current business significance of the Shuttle market, anyway, perhaps, it is no longer 'all that.' While, it would definitely be better for me, as a low-time SP on U, to keep the pitch in coach and NOT add the first class, I'll defer that it's a better biz decision for commonality. In any case, it's another example of my ability to be endlessly facinated by obscure, insignificant issues, while those of great import are being argued all around. Good luck to all.

However, here is my source for the Delta Shuttle pitch. I was in the second row, but alas, without my tape measure, which I had left in my other suit :huh:

http://www.delta.com/travel/maps_guides/ai...uttle/index.jsp


Wing Span: 93 ft (29 m)
Length: 110 ft 2 in (31 m)
Tail Height: 36 ft 6 in (11.1 m)
Seat Width/Pitch: Economy class: 17.2 in/35-37 in (43.7 cm/89-94 cm)
Under Seat Dimensions: Economy class: 13-19x15x10 in (33-48x38x25 cm)
Accommodation: 120 passengers
Cruising Speed: 502 mph (808 km/h)
Range: 2,280 miles (3,669 km)
Engine: 2 jet engines, wing mounted
Cargo Capacity: 850 cu ft (24 cu m)

 

[Light Years]

I understand the fleet commonality issue but the way they are trying to sell this as an improvement to the service is soooo lame. Who wants to sit in our poor excuse for First Class on a Shuttle flight?

I think the Shuttle should be expanded to include PHL. One cabin, all the Shuttle amenities hourly between the four major NE business centers, one of which is our major hub with onward connections. These are short, business flights that are competing with the train. It needs to feel less like a drama filled airline flight and more like a convienient way to get to that meeting in a short amount of time. We should be trying to make it as hassle free as possible- work on seperate check-in, priority security screening etc.

Reconfigure the planes? Absoloutely- but not by adding a small premium cabin and taking away from the rest of the crowd. There should be two small gallies with no ovens instead of the usual huge aft galley. This could also allow MORE SEATS (arent we losing seats with the reconfiguration and making the majority of them less comfortable?) I may be laughed at for this one, but I think U should look into a dual boarding system for the Shuttle (Southwest does this in some places). Two jetways at 1L and 2L, boarding commences at :20 minutes prior. This enhances the customer perception of quick on, quick off.

Yes, the Shuttle is not what it used to be, but you better believe it would be snapped up in an instant if we put it up for sale even in these times. Blending it into our questionable mainline product will lose us cutomers. The Shuttle is a seperate brand and should be marketed as so. Failure to market the product as a brand in itself (this includes not only advertising but seperate livery and such) will help the public in assuming only Delta still runs an Air Shuttle.

The aircraft can be used on weekend only service that doesnt neccessarily need a premium cabin (Florida, some Carribbean, weekend service to Vegas from the focus cities). I really think U is messing up on this one and not realizing the potential of the Shuttle with the right tools. Do any of our customers on here agree?