So I'm booking a trip in August SFO-ORD-SFO. I do the route every 4 - 6 weeks, the majority on UA, but occasionally on AA. Rarely on VX. I'm too old to fly economy and generally book the discounted F cabin (A fares). They typically have restriction for changes (I rarely do that) but have the 1.5 eqp that I like and don't cost me miles or regionals to upgrade. Gets me status quicker, which is fine.
I was surprised at the differential in fares between the major carriers on the route (UA, AA, VX). UA's fares were $1416 RT AA's---$898 VX---$1127.
The difference between AA's and UA's is $518. Significant, IMHO. The flight breakdown shows UA has 18 non-stops per day (summer schedule). AA has 7 non-stops (summer schedule) and VX has 3. UA's equipment has gone heavily into the 737-900, which it is cycling into this route, often with no wi fi or IFE, in an effort to get the new planes going on the route, I suspect. They can get about 170 pax onto the planes.
AA is all 737-800's. All with IFE and most with wi-fi. VX has superb IFE and wi-fi on the Airbus's. FF program not my main one, though.
So, how does one figure UA's product to be worth >$500 over AA's? This one escapes me. I've occasionally seen these A-fares at $1190 on UA, but AA's is almost always much less. Flew UA's 737-900 last weekend with spouse on the p-fare for $1193 each in total sensory deprivation (no IFE, nothing) and wondered why I did it. Booked remaining summer flights on AA.
Still don't know how UA prices it and commands the fare, though.
I was surprised at the differential in fares between the major carriers on the route (UA, AA, VX). UA's fares were $1416 RT AA's---$898 VX---$1127.
The difference between AA's and UA's is $518. Significant, IMHO. The flight breakdown shows UA has 18 non-stops per day (summer schedule). AA has 7 non-stops (summer schedule) and VX has 3. UA's equipment has gone heavily into the 737-900, which it is cycling into this route, often with no wi fi or IFE, in an effort to get the new planes going on the route, I suspect. They can get about 170 pax onto the planes.
AA is all 737-800's. All with IFE and most with wi-fi. VX has superb IFE and wi-fi on the Airbus's. FF program not my main one, though.
So, how does one figure UA's product to be worth >$500 over AA's? This one escapes me. I've occasionally seen these A-fares at $1190 on UA, but AA's is almost always much less. Flew UA's 737-900 last weekend with spouse on the p-fare for $1193 each in total sensory deprivation (no IFE, nothing) and wondered why I did it. Booked remaining summer flights on AA.
Still don't know how UA prices it and commands the fare, though.