American Airways 777-300ER
The route will begin 7 September, flight numbers and instances shall be introduced later.
Why it is a huge deal for American flyers
Incomes Standing
If you wish to earn standing with American and don’t purchase premium fares, it’s vital to fly on American flight numbers and/or American jets when attainable. That is much more vital with the brand new AAdvantage program. Proper now the one means of flying to Hong Kong on American metallic is to fly via DFW and catch AA137. LAX is the right place for American to introduce a brand new route and I can think about the one factor delaying the announcement was negotiations with Hong Kong authorities (since there isn’t any open skies settlement between the USA and Hong Kong).
Systemwide Upgrades
For Govt Platinum flyers who need to use their Systemwide Upgrades, the present DFW-HKG-DFW route is without doubt one of the hardest within the system, just because so many individuals are shopping for the premium seats! I’m at the moment taking a look at my improve possibilities for a type of flights in a couple of weeks and it’s not trying good…
At any price, the LAX-HKG flight will alleviate a few of the improve stress on the super-long DFW-HKG flight, which, selfishly, I’m enthusiastic about since I’m based mostly in DFW for now. Hopefully it will imply extra upgrades clear on each routes so EXPs can use their SWUs earlier than any potential Premium Financial system adjustments begin hitting the SWU advantages.
Passenger Consolation
The 777-300ER is American’s premium long-haul jet. Each seat has new in-flight leisure and energy shops (each USB and AC). These jets additionally function cheap satellite-based wifi, which I’ve been very proud of in my expertise. Financial system isn’t very snug sadly, since American has 10-abreast (3-4-3) seating, however the present version of Principal Cabin Further (3-3-3) isn’t too unhealthy. Sadly as soon as the Premium Financial system product is put in Principal Cabin Further will revert to 10-abreast seating with extra legroom.
The place the 777-300ER shines is the Enterprise Class cabin. Seats are 4-abreast with a reverse-herringbone format that offers each seat entry to the aisle. I’ve featured this seat earlier than and nonetheless make the declare that it’s the perfect enterprise class seat within the sky. The First Class cabin is smaller on these jets (and can finally be the one worldwide First Class in American’s fleet as soon as the 777-200s are refurbished) and their service will not be aggressive with the Asian carriers like Cathay Pacific and Singapore. However regardless of First Class, as a result of the Enterprise Class seat is healthier than Cathay’s (it’s a bit extra non-public) and the jets have wifi, in order that units American aside from its accomplice/rival.
Why it is a huge deal for American the corporate
Plane Utilization
American Airways desires its planes within the air and stuffed with passengers for so long as attainable. Airways must pay to park planes at airports, and Hong Kong is understood for being one of the crucial costly locations to park an airplane on the planet. Presently American has to park their 77W (American’s designation for the 777-300ER) at Hong Kong for 19 hours between flights 137 (DFW-HKG) and 138 (HKG-DFW). This prices American a number of cash. With the timing of the brand new route, American will truly have the ability to work this route right into a very nice utilization window mixed with LAX/DFW-LHR flights. Principally American can whittle their parking time at HKG from 19 hours from one jet all the way down to 8-10 with two jets.
Contract Employees Utilization
It prices American some huge cash to employees a flight, particularly at a world hub like HKG. American skilled up contract employees (in addition to full-time workers) to greet the coming 137 flight and to check-in and get flight 138 prepared for departure. Including one other flight permits them to make higher use of those assets and unfold the fee throughout a number of flights.
Jet Gas Value
Jet gasoline is at its lowest level nearly previously decade. Routes which will have been skirting the road of profitability a couple of years in the past at the moment are worthwhile for American Airways, notably as a result of American ended its fuel-pricing program a couple of years in the past. With jet gasoline as little as it’s this route will no-doubt be a moneymaker for American and will help them get a foothold into the profitable premium-cabin Asian market.
The way it advantages everybody
Hong Kong is considered one of my favourite cities on the planet! Extra competitors will hopefully drive costs down, permitting all of us to benefit from the stunning metropolis that’s a gateway to the remainder of Asia.
Dawn over Hong Kong, by Andy Luten
