Originally Posted by
MANFOD
I agree about service levels but the fact is that quite a lot of people are still flying with them, at least at certain times of the year. Over the last few weeks, their flights have been pretty busy, including JFK, as you would expect. Whether pax were using AA by choice or because other flights were full, I've no idea.
But I don't go along with a notion that implies 'well they are rubbish so good riddance'. When they operate the B767, they provide 28 J class seats in a 1-2-1 format (newer version) and even if AA were not getting the take-up or yield they wanted, those Business Class pax will have to find alternatives. Hopefully, those pax transferring in the US will use PHL or ORD as mentioned by Dobbo, who I think sums up the position regarding TCX influence very well. Others may opt for better service and comfort from / via Heathrow. Those not in loyalty / frequent flying programs may switch to VS/DL from MAN.
But I don't subscribe to the idea that AA to JFK isn't really a loss.
Fortunately, MAN has produced plenty of good news in recent years.
It's a loss but not a loss, depending on the time window you look and from whose vantage point. If you are high status BA/AA it is a loss. For most others, the situation is still better than before TCX jumped in. Outside of J class, TCX's product is comparable with the legacy network carriers. Also, they do provide a onward feed at JFK via JetBlue.
On the idea that service and comfort are better via LHR, again that depends on the class you are flying. I have to say I find both BA's and AA's economy products to be abysmal, if you get stuck in the LHR T5-T3 transfer it falls even farther down the list.