US Airways has no plans to follow domestic competitors
American, Delta and United in rolling out a premium-economy section, president
Scott Kirby said last week here during the carrier's media day. "We're open to thinking about economy plus, but no
immediate plans to change," he said.
American this month became the latest domestic carrier to
reveal plans to add a premium-economy section to its coach cabin, with
installation of its new Main Cabin Extra expected on the "vast
majority" of its domestic and international aircraft within 18 months.
Already a staple on United's fleet, the carrier this year is
expanding Economy Plus to its Continental Airlines subsidiary. Meanwhile, Delta
last year launched Economy Comfort on international routes, and by this summer
plans to install the section on its entire mainline fleet and 250 regional
jets.
US Airways' Kirby pointed to the carrier's Choice Seats
product, which makes available for sale in its economy cabin exit row seating
and certain aisle seats.
US Airways last year inked an agreement to begin selling
Choice Seats through the Sabre global distribution system, which, after delays,
is expected to go live this fall, US Airways senior vice president of marketing
and planning Andrew Nocella said. He expected other GDS providers Amadeus and
Travelport to follow.