New Airline?
Oct 14, 1998, 10:39 am
#1
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Location: Washington, DC
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New Airline?
I came across the website for a premium service airline planning new service between Portland, OR and New York (JFK).
Is this for real or another "virtual" airline website. I must admit, the website looks beautiful and very professional.
Check it out at:
http://www.airpdx.com
Is this for real or another "virtual" airline website. I must admit, the website looks beautiful and very professional.
Check it out at:
http://www.airpdx.com
Oct 14, 1998, 11:29 am
#3
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Location: Chicago, IL (2 miles from ORD)
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I think a premium service startup airline could find a good, healthy market. Most startup airlines tend to be the super-economy and go after the budget traveler, who would otherwise not fly.
I have been at a loss as to why more airlines don't go after the premium business traveler. An airline that had all premium seats would be very attractive to the full-fare business traveler. Always first-class seats, service, and meals and a generous frequent flyer program are, in my opinion, ingredients for an upstart airline to succeed. Their routes would most certainly be "matched" or even undercut by the already-established major airlines which would mean they would have to be very efficient and have a good backing.
I have been at a loss as to why more airlines don't go after the premium business traveler. An airline that had all premium seats would be very attractive to the full-fare business traveler. Always first-class seats, service, and meals and a generous frequent flyer program are, in my opinion, ingredients for an upstart airline to succeed. Their routes would most certainly be "matched" or even undercut by the already-established major airlines which would mean they would have to be very efficient and have a good backing.
Oct 14, 1998, 11:54 am
#4
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Once upon a time... didn't MGM Grand had a
premium airline in the skies?
I think a lot of the "beautiful, movie star
people" flew it because of the service and
the room. There's also a book out about MGM,
now grounded.
(This is not a special charter carrier to the
famous casino in Vegas, but a regular airline.) CATMAN
premium airline in the skies?
I think a lot of the "beautiful, movie star
people" flew it because of the service and
the room. There's also a book out about MGM,
now grounded.
(This is not a special charter carrier to the
famous casino in Vegas, but a regular airline.) CATMAN
Oct 14, 1998, 1:20 pm
#5
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
This PDX airline sounds interesting. It comes as a proposal has been made for another
businessclass airline from JFK (I think it's called AIROne, or something like that) that
will fly between JFK and several east coast
cities.
This is NOT related to the discount airline
that "Sir" Richard Branson wants to get off
the ground.
Good luck PDX and bring on MORE competition!
CATMAN
businessclass airline from JFK (I think it's called AIROne, or something like that) that
will fly between JFK and several east coast
cities.
This is NOT related to the discount airline
that "Sir" Richard Branson wants to get off
the ground.
Good luck PDX and bring on MORE competition!
CATMAN
Oct 24, 1998, 7:25 am
#8
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Besides MGM Grand, there have been several premium airlines. As far as I know, they all went broke.
Midwest Express is based right near me in Milwaukee and I think they are great. But I don't consider them to be a premium airline.
While more like first class than coach, it isn't luxurious as first class service tends to be.
Neal
Midwest Express is based right near me in Milwaukee and I think they are great. But I don't consider them to be a premium airline.
While more like first class than coach, it isn't luxurious as first class service tends to be.
Neal
Oct 24, 1998, 2:32 pm
#10
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I registered (by curiositiy) on oct-14. No reply/info/welcome yet. I hope their flight-planning is more up-to-date than their communication with individuals.
Oct 27, 1998, 7:47 am
#11
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Midwest Express is a "business class" airline. It was orignially the corporate airline of Kimberly-Clark (the paper/feminine hygine product company). While the drinks are free, lobster is often served and fresh-baked cookies are the norm, the entire fleet consists of ancient DC-9s and the seats are comparable to the worst seats in UA 1st class.
Back when I worked for a Wisconsin Legislator, I took the DCA-Milwaukee flight often and it was always good, but certainly never "First Class"...
Back when I worked for a Wisconsin Legislator, I took the DCA-Milwaukee flight often and it was always good, but certainly never "First Class"...
Oct 27, 1998, 10:38 am
#12
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Well I've never flown Midwest Express, in their defense, their "entire fleet" does not consist of "ancient DC-9's" ... only most of their fleet.
They have 29 aircraft, consisting of:
24 DC-9's acquired from various operators
3 MD-82's acquired from JAS
2 MD-88's leased new in 1989
though these are all DC-9's (sort of, the MD-80 series is technically still DC-9 according to FAA type resistration), the MD-80 series planes are certainly more modern than the rest of the DC-9's.
They have 29 aircraft, consisting of:
24 DC-9's acquired from various operators
3 MD-82's acquired from JAS
2 MD-88's leased new in 1989
though these are all DC-9's (sort of, the MD-80 series is technically still DC-9 according to FAA type resistration), the MD-80 series planes are certainly more modern than the rest of the DC-9's.