Comments on: Economics of the Airline Industry – First Class is Not Created Equal… http://www.amandavegablog.com/customer-service/economics-of-the-airline-industry-first-class-is-not-created-equal/ Amanda Vega, a 18 year internet veteran rants, raves, and generally runs her mouth about online advertising, web sites, advertising, marketing, and public relations. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:33:03 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Cassandra http://www.amandavegablog.com/customer-service/economics-of-the-airline-industry-first-class-is-not-created-equal/comment-page-1/#comment-208 Cassandra Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:13:21 +0000 http://www.amandavegablog.com/?p=184#comment-208 Amanda, I couldn't agree more. As a seasoned business traveler with children, I have seen first hand the disparities between the airlines and their programs/offerings. I have not run across an airline that allows families to board before first class though and am honestly surprised. First class has, over the past 5 years, become less and less appealing to pay for and at this point, I don't know that most of the first class seats are actually worth it. You no longer have a dedicated flight attendant, you have to share when the general cabin requires their refreshments. Delta doesn't serve a meal in FC unless the flight time is greater than 4 hours I think. American's process for upgrading is strange and difficult to get through. Northwest, well we won't go there. Even hot towels seem to be a fading memory and depend on the flight crew! I would guess that the airlines would complain that most their first class seats aren't actually paid for in cash, but granted to their premier fliers. You better believe me, those premier fliers have paid for enough flights and are typically dedicated to an airline that it pays off well for the airlines. Each year they cut out something from their programs even for their most elite members. Year before last they removed platinum members of delta being granted free access to their lounges and payment is now required. Even the lounges themselves have decreased in quality of services. About the only worthwhile ones were in airports like JFK and LAX. Well enough of my ranting. I am sure that flyertalk has some information that would be handy for people to compare the FC perks and amenities each carrier offers. Amanda,
I couldn’t agree more. As a seasoned business traveler with children, I have seen first hand the disparities between the airlines and their programs/offerings. I have not run across an airline that allows families to board before first class though and am honestly surprised. First class has, over the past 5 years, become less and less appealing to pay for and at this point, I don’t know that most of the first class seats are actually worth it. You no longer have a dedicated flight attendant, you have to share when the general cabin requires their refreshments. Delta doesn’t serve a meal in FC unless the flight time is greater than 4 hours I think. American’s process for upgrading is strange and difficult to get through. Northwest, well we won’t go there. Even hot towels seem to be a fading memory and depend on the flight crew! I would guess that the airlines would complain that most their first class seats aren’t actually paid for in cash, but granted to their premier fliers. You better believe me, those premier fliers have paid for enough flights and are typically dedicated to an airline that it pays off well for the airlines.

Each year they cut out something from their programs even for their most elite members. Year before last they removed platinum members of delta being granted free access to their lounges and payment is now required. Even the lounges themselves have decreased in quality of services. About the only worthwhile ones were in airports like JFK and LAX.

Well enough of my ranting. I am sure that flyertalk has some information that would be handy for people to compare the FC perks and amenities each carrier offers.

]]>