No more XM confirmed
Dec 19, 2011, 3:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,520
Southwest's chief commercial officer Bob Jordan, who also serves as president of AirTran, told employees in a recorded message Monday that the airline decided to remove the satellite radio service from the AirTran fleet of planes to offer "a consistent product" between Southwest and AirTran.
An enjoyable enhancement to the flying public gives way to birthright superintendency.
Bold Bob's the right man in the right place.
Dec 19, 2011, 5:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,412
Stupid, stupid move.
If they're so bent on a consistent product, they could have expanded XM to Southwest.
Yeah, Bob, why would an airline ever give passengers something to make their trip a little more enjoyable?!?!?!
And, why make this announcement now, when you know you're going to be keeping AirTran as a subsidiary for quite some time to come.
Makes me glad that I have moved a good portion of my travel to other carriers.
If they're so bent on a consistent product, they could have expanded XM to Southwest.
Yeah, Bob, why would an airline ever give passengers something to make their trip a little more enjoyable?!?!?!
And, why make this announcement now, when you know you're going to be keeping AirTran as a subsidiary for quite some time to come.
Makes me glad that I have moved a good portion of my travel to other carriers.
Dec 19, 2011, 6:38 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: AA GLD Skymiles DM MM, a+ rewards lifetime elite, AS, Marriott plat, PC plat, HH gold
Posts: 1,276
I now know how Lando Calrissian felt when Darth Vader came to the cloud city
Dec 19, 2011, 7:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,520
They had lunch over this.
Dec 19, 2011, 7:49 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Platinum, WN A-List Preferred, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 296
I love Bold Bob's half-assed reasoning that taking satellite radio out of the planes will reduce the weight and fuel capacity.
Yeah, my Honda SUV just drags uncontrollably from the weight of the 3 oz. satellite antenna on my roof.
Yeah, my Honda SUV just drags uncontrollably from the weight of the 3 oz. satellite antenna on my roof.
Dec 19, 2011, 8:23 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
Southwest, in my opinion YOU SUCK FOR DOING THIS...
I can remember flights sitting in business class, listening to "HAIR NATION" at top volume, drinking my vodka and cranberry; these were some of the best flights I ever had. I can see now that you will slowly WRECK a perfectly good airline!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a sad, sad, day when Southwest bought out Airtran.
I can remember flights sitting in business class, listening to "HAIR NATION" at top volume, drinking my vodka and cranberry; these were some of the best flights I ever had. I can see now that you will slowly WRECK a perfectly good airline!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a sad, sad, day when Southwest bought out Airtran.
Dec 20, 2011, 7:29 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Cambridge, Mass. USA
Programs: Former business traveler now working from home
Posts: 217
My next birthday wish is that some other airline will run widebodies with business class between BOS and BWI for my weekly commute.
Dec 20, 2011, 7:37 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 187
Southwest, in my opinion YOU SUCK FOR DOING THIS...
I can remember flights sitting in business class, listening to "HAIR NATION" at top volume, drinking my vodka and cranberry; these were some of the best flights I ever had. I can see now that you will slowly WRECK a perfectly good airline!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a sad, sad, day when Southwest bought out Airtran.
I can remember flights sitting in business class, listening to "HAIR NATION" at top volume, drinking my vodka and cranberry; these were some of the best flights I ever had. I can see now that you will slowly WRECK a perfectly good airline!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a sad, sad, day when Southwest bought out Airtran.
Dec 20, 2011, 8:19 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 622
Unfortunately, as much as I hate this, I think WN can get away with this. They have been weaning people off of XM by stopping supply of earbuds. So only the diehards listen to it.
I am will be curious if they start jacking up BC upgrades before they eliminate BC so they can get the public turned off upgrades.
I am will be curious if they start jacking up BC upgrades before they eliminate BC so they can get the public turned off upgrades.
Dec 20, 2011, 8:25 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
It looks like XM Radio has already been removed as an inflight amenity from the website.
http://www.airtran.com/inflight_entertainment.aspx
For posterity purposes, here is the press release announcing XM Radio as an inflight amenity:
I knew the writing was on the wall, when an FA told me earbuds were no longer available...customers need to bring their own.
http://www.airtran.com/inflight_entertainment.aspx
For posterity purposes, here is the press release announcing XM Radio as an inflight amenity:
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2004--AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), today announced that the airline has selected XM Satellite Radio as the airline's new inflight entertainment system. As the launch airline customer for XM Satellite Radio, AirTran Airways will provide its passengers with the best selection of digital audio entertainment available.
XM Satellite Radio is the industry leader in digital satellite radio and offers listeners up to 100 digital audio channels including live news, sports, weather, talk and music programming. The service will be free for all passengers.
Each one of AirTran Airways' Boeing 717 and 737 aircraft will be equipped to offer the new service at every seat, and the airline will begin installation in the summer of 2004 with all aircraft completed by the end of 2004.
"AirTran Airways is proud to announce the addition of the latest in inflight entertainment technology to the most distinctive low-fare service in the industry, which already includes an affordable business class, all new aircraft and service to 45 destinations across the country," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. "From takeoff to touchdown, our passengers will be able to experience everything from hip hop to classical music as well as live news, sports, talk, comedy, kids and entertainment programming onboard. AirTran Airways is excited to partner with an innovative company like XM Satellite Radio."
"AirTran Airways is setting a new standard in air transport, offering new levels of convenience and value to their customers. We are truly excited that AirTran Airways has chosen XM for their live inflight entertainment, providing their passengers the opportunity to experience our outstanding audio content wherever they fly," said Hugh Panero, XM's President and CEO.
XM Satellite Radio is the industry leader in digital satellite radio and offers listeners up to 100 digital audio channels including live news, sports, weather, talk and music programming. The service will be free for all passengers.
Each one of AirTran Airways' Boeing 717 and 737 aircraft will be equipped to offer the new service at every seat, and the airline will begin installation in the summer of 2004 with all aircraft completed by the end of 2004.
"AirTran Airways is proud to announce the addition of the latest in inflight entertainment technology to the most distinctive low-fare service in the industry, which already includes an affordable business class, all new aircraft and service to 45 destinations across the country," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. "From takeoff to touchdown, our passengers will be able to experience everything from hip hop to classical music as well as live news, sports, talk, comedy, kids and entertainment programming onboard. AirTran Airways is excited to partner with an innovative company like XM Satellite Radio."
"AirTran Airways is setting a new standard in air transport, offering new levels of convenience and value to their customers. We are truly excited that AirTran Airways has chosen XM for their live inflight entertainment, providing their passengers the opportunity to experience our outstanding audio content wherever they fly," said Hugh Panero, XM's President and CEO.
Dec 20, 2011, 9:12 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA, Hertz Gold, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 825
I was only born yesterday but am now wondering if "a consistent product" includes two free checked bags on AirTran?
Dec 20, 2011, 9:43 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Arlington, MA USA
Programs: AA LifetimeGold, WN A-ListPreferred, B6 Mosaic, ChoicePrivileges Diamond, BestWestern Diamond Select
Posts: 417
Dec 20, 2011, 12:36 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 369
What I dread as much as the removal of XM is the removal of GoGo inflight internet from every AirTran flight in exchange for Southwest's implementation of inflight internet on a very small percentage of flights.