Being the innovator is overrated.

Being the implementer is where the money is at.

fantastic news for non-revving. gonna be quite a few premium seats available going forward!

Brett Snyder’s article on the CRJ-450. https://crankyflier.com/2026/03/26/t...ve-creativity/

United is the only US airline that has done this, and they have the exclusive rights to the concept, so I'd say they are pretty innovative.

How do you think DL and AA will respond to UA’s announcements (particularly the CRJ-450 and the Relax Row)?

Ripinpeace will screech "but our FERTRESS HUB!!!" and ImSoSuss will call Kirby a drag queen. Not sure about the actual company responses though.

Delta and American can easily release their own “sky couch”. United doesn’t own the concept, just the design via domestic license with their specific seat vendor. DL or AA could license through Air New Zealand for their “sky couch” design, can make micro engineering or cosmetic changes via alternative mechanisms, or wait for the United license to expire with their vendor; or choose a different seat vendor with their own license.

As with anything in the airline world (like WiFi, IFE, premium push, loyalty, etc), one airline will do something and the rest follow. Except, AA and DL can wait and see if the idea is a bust or not.

Damn Dmeg, you should play the lotto for such timing. I like the idea though, not downplaying it. Delta is not sitting idly by, expect some big announcements of their own over the next few weeks ;)

Jesus, you're like Candyman!

lol… Aint it the truth…

unprecedented growth in unprecedented times? i would think they would batten down the hatches.

The company said a few weeks ago that revenue in the Pacific was the highest ever as well as all Premium revenue systemwide. The only segment that is down is domestic economy, which is why the LCCs are all getting crushed. I fly exclusively pacific, and every flight is packed and generally takeoff both ways at max takeoff gross weight because they have more cargo than can be carried.

we’ll find out from AA in 2035 right as United and Delta start to pivot to the next Gen

It looks like we might be getting our answer. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/26/amer...k-screens.html

Except that the deal with ANZ was exclusive only to UA in the USA (Star Alliance), of course, you can generally copy.

Not especially excited about the CRJ-200 getting another lease on life, but the Skycouch thing is pretty cool. Really informative write-up EWRflyr posted.

I’ve been wondering this since March 24th; American’s strategy in recent years has involved basically being the only option for small-town America. Does UA having the CRJ-450 pose a credible threat to that?

Man, ol' N973SW sure looks spiffier these days than when I used to fly her to Williston and back 😂

(The "CRJ450" at the launch event)

First revenue flight of new 789 today. SFO-IAD.

SFO-IAH as well.

I’m sure the new product will go down well with the pax, it’s good to see that airlines in the US are trying to compete with the foreign carriers in terms of cabin seating and amenities.

Although, I’ve already read some criticism of the Polaris window seats facing away from the window…can’t please everyone it seems!

Indeed it’s awesome that we are trying to compete, but as some says it’s a difficult task when the customer service is so bad. Don’t get me wrong I think most of the FAs are great, but for better or for worst there is something not sure if it’s the culture or what that is pushing us back. Today I flew in business on the 321, row #3. Noise canceling headphones and I was able to listening both flight attendant discussing about the hiring minimums for the FAs, can not imagine paying hundreds some times thousands of dollars and not even be able to relax in silence . My point…. You’ll never see that behavior on any of the ME3 or Asian carriers.

I doubt many will even notice since all but a few shut the window shades the whole flight.

You’ve been saying that cue what, a year? Stop being that guy.

Even DAL management is like, "whoa, relax man. Sorry I didn't answer your text right away"

Hahaha
filler

Very true. I worked for a ME carrier and it’s a completely different world.

FA’s start their trip by scanning on and off the crew bus to ensure they’re on time every time.

Check-in starts with safety questions about the aircraft they’re flying on that day, pass or fail, if it’s a fail then there’s a last chance oral exam.

Next is the briefing with hair, makeup and uniform check. There’s a beauty studio behind the briefing rooms for quick touchups, anything that will take longer results in removal from the flight and an airport standby being pulled followed by disciplinary action.

Every few flights each FA is required to get an operational report from the purser for submission to their manager about their performance.

I could go on but you get the idea.

There are a ton of reasons why you will never see that level of customer service from a U.S. carrier. The big two are our culture and our labor laws.

Yes that’s the reason their service is exceptional, but we can be at least “good” just smiling a little bit more, treating people with respect and not being screaming while all the pax are trying to sleep.

you can bash some bad apple FAs all you want about not being aware of their surroundings but pilots aren’t the picture of professionalism either.

the other day I witnessed a DH pilot standing at his seat in first class talking to another DH pilot. He was talking so loud all of first class had no choice but to listen to him describe the LOE in great detail, I was 4 rows away from him and could hear him like he was right next to me. He described the emergency’s and the failures in front of people he has no idea how they feel about flying.

Humans are going to do human things when they have no spatial awareness.

This. The bar at the EWR Marriott is cringeworthy on almost any given night, it’s either zero self awareness or it’s the “look at me” attention wh..e mentality.

Love seeing the blue iPad case out on the bar with a hardy IPA pour nearby

i saw all three pilots with their Blue IPads at the Hofbrau house in MUC.

"Why don't you wanna join us on the layover?"

Let me guess….knock off Tommy Bahama shirt, cargo shorts, and Velcro White New Balances?

I don’t know it’s a big place and I sat as far away from that disaster as I could.

they’re just pre briefing the return leg. Core4!

JFC. Dorks.

Couldn’t have been AF, no power point. Had to be Navy😄

If you looked closer, they were probably wearing their ID lanyards too.