All I want For Christmas is for airlines to…
Dec 18, 2014, 1:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 192
All I want For Christmas is for airlines to…
All I want For Christmas is for airlines to…
Re-design flight attendant uniforms beyond fast food standards.
Give us updates about mechanicals, weather or air traffic issues in real time when we are trapped in the plane.
Stop pilots from bragging about the flight arriving early before we actually arrive, only to be slowed down in flight by air traffic control, or sit on the tarmac when we land because our gate is occupied or because there is no one to operate the jetway.
Serve cold beer.
Move the supporting leg of the aisle seat in first class towards the aisle about 8” instead of right in the middle where you want to put your feet.
Install wi-fi that actually works.
Install retractable foot or leg rests (except in emergency rows). I don’t buy the safety argument- look at business and first class fully reclining seats that block the window seats from a quick exit.
Never even consider allowing cell phone use in-flight. For the love of God.
Don’t automatically rebook us on the next flight when a flight is delayed or cancelled without actually getting our permission.
Move the emergency gear somewhere else so those in bulkhead seats have some overhead storage.
Heat and cool the entire interior of the planes consistently. These planes cost $200 million, tell Boeing, Embraer and Airbus to figure it out.
Design websites that remember your most current flight search criteria when you return to the reservation page.
Require phone agents to be fluent in the language that most of their customers speak.
Do what they promise in their advertising and PR within months, not years.
Happy Holidays!
Re-design flight attendant uniforms beyond fast food standards.
Give us updates about mechanicals, weather or air traffic issues in real time when we are trapped in the plane.
Stop pilots from bragging about the flight arriving early before we actually arrive, only to be slowed down in flight by air traffic control, or sit on the tarmac when we land because our gate is occupied or because there is no one to operate the jetway.
Serve cold beer.
Move the supporting leg of the aisle seat in first class towards the aisle about 8” instead of right in the middle where you want to put your feet.
Install wi-fi that actually works.
Install retractable foot or leg rests (except in emergency rows). I don’t buy the safety argument- look at business and first class fully reclining seats that block the window seats from a quick exit.
Never even consider allowing cell phone use in-flight. For the love of God.
Don’t automatically rebook us on the next flight when a flight is delayed or cancelled without actually getting our permission.
Move the emergency gear somewhere else so those in bulkhead seats have some overhead storage.
Heat and cool the entire interior of the planes consistently. These planes cost $200 million, tell Boeing, Embraer and Airbus to figure it out.
Design websites that remember your most current flight search criteria when you return to the reservation page.
Require phone agents to be fluent in the language that most of their customers speak.
Do what they promise in their advertising and PR within months, not years.
Happy Holidays!
Dec 19, 2014, 6:13 am
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
All I want For Christmas is for airlines to…
Re-design flight attendant uniforms beyond fast food standards.
Give us updates about mechanicals, weather or air traffic issues in real time when we are trapped in the plane.
Stop pilots from bragging about the flight arriving early before we actually arrive, only to be slowed down in flight by air traffic control, or sit on the tarmac when we land because our gate is occupied or because there is no one to operate the jetway.
Serve cold beer.
Move the supporting leg of the aisle seat in first class towards the aisle about 8” instead of right in the middle where you want to put your feet.
Install wi-fi that actually works.
Install retractable foot or leg rests (except in emergency rows). I don’t buy the safety argument- look at business and first class fully reclining seats that block the window seats from a quick exit.
Never even consider allowing cell phone use in-flight. For the love of God.
Don’t automatically rebook us on the next flight when a flight is delayed or cancelled without actually getting our permission.
Move the emergency gear somewhere else so those in bulkhead seats have some overhead storage.
Heat and cool the entire interior of the planes consistently. These planes cost $200 million, tell Boeing, Embraer and Airbus to figure it out.
Design websites that remember your most current flight search criteria when you return to the reservation page.
Require phone agents to be fluent in the language that most of their customers speak.
Do what they promise in their advertising and PR within months, not years.
Happy Holidays!
Re-design flight attendant uniforms beyond fast food standards.
Give us updates about mechanicals, weather or air traffic issues in real time when we are trapped in the plane.
Stop pilots from bragging about the flight arriving early before we actually arrive, only to be slowed down in flight by air traffic control, or sit on the tarmac when we land because our gate is occupied or because there is no one to operate the jetway.
Serve cold beer.
Move the supporting leg of the aisle seat in first class towards the aisle about 8” instead of right in the middle where you want to put your feet.
Install wi-fi that actually works.
Install retractable foot or leg rests (except in emergency rows). I don’t buy the safety argument- look at business and first class fully reclining seats that block the window seats from a quick exit.
Never even consider allowing cell phone use in-flight. For the love of God.
Don’t automatically rebook us on the next flight when a flight is delayed or cancelled without actually getting our permission.
Move the emergency gear somewhere else so those in bulkhead seats have some overhead storage.
Heat and cool the entire interior of the planes consistently. These planes cost $200 million, tell Boeing, Embraer and Airbus to figure it out.
Design websites that remember your most current flight search criteria when you return to the reservation page.
Require phone agents to be fluent in the language that most of their customers speak.
Do what they promise in their advertising and PR within months, not years.
Happy Holidays!
I can't think of anything to add, pretty good wish list!
Dec 19, 2014, 6:31 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,373
Require gate agents to be fluent in the language that most of their customers speak.
Require gate agents to speak intelligibly when making PA announcements.
Require gate-area PA systems that don't distort announcements.
Require gate agents to speak intelligibly when making PA announcements.
Require gate-area PA systems that don't distort announcements.
Dec 19, 2014, 7:11 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
Bring airlines' websites up to 2005 standards from their current 1998 standards. I should be able to book any award an FFP offers, anywhere in the alliance or network of partners, online, period. It's not like when I call an agent, they're sitting in a magic warehouse full of sticky notes listing all available awards for the next year. They're logged into (wait for it...) a computer system.
Dec 19, 2014, 8:49 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
- just provide 2 levels of award tickets: low and normal. Not this nonsense of 5/6/7/38 levels
- stop charging for checking baggage, or start charging for carryons. I am sick of the OH bin battles and all the symptoms that come with that (stampedes, gate lice, etc)
- enforce your boarding procedures. Yes, people showing up before their group is called should be put in a holding pen and made to board last.
- take meal orders in F based on paid/status. First people that paid for that seat, then elites based on level.
- provide lounge access on BE tickets both for departure AND arrival. Yes, I'm looking at you Delta, you cheapskates!
- stop charging for checking baggage, or start charging for carryons. I am sick of the OH bin battles and all the symptoms that come with that (stampedes, gate lice, etc)
- enforce your boarding procedures. Yes, people showing up before their group is called should be put in a holding pen and made to board last.
- take meal orders in F based on paid/status. First people that paid for that seat, then elites based on level.
- provide lounge access on BE tickets both for departure AND arrival. Yes, I'm looking at you Delta, you cheapskates!
Dec 19, 2014, 9:15 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
All I want for Christmas is to see airlines stop justifying draconian, brutal cutbacks by saying "it's what passengers want." Passengers don't set the fares and crappy service levels, and more passengers than ever are unhappy with their flying experience. The ridiculous contention (which I've heard from airline employees) that "you customers caused this mess by refusing to pay higher fares" has got to stop. Of course people will choose rock-bottom fares if they're offered, but raise fares, provide more, and it's not like those same people will suddenly flee to Megabus.
Dec 19, 2014, 12:27 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
All I want for Christmas is to see airlines stop justifying draconian, brutal cutbacks by saying "it's what passengers want." Passengers don't set the fares and crappy service levels, and more passengers than ever are unhappy with their flying experience. The ridiculous contention (which I've heard from airline employees) that "you customers caused this mess by refusing to pay higher fares" has got to stop. Of course people will choose rock-bottom fares if they're offered, but raise fares, provide more, and it's not like those same people will suddenly flee to Megabus.
But the lack of competition in the industry has led to airlines that charge a premium price and have no incentive to provide a premium product.
Dec 19, 2014, 12:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
- Consistency; there's far too much inconsistency between levels of service and product. I feel like AC had done a fairly good job with this, but now there's 4 different J products and AVOD systems.
- Keep frequent flier programs valuable; don't just devalue because you can still call your program competitive while the others devalue. Make it worth people's while and you'll see a level of loyalty unrivaled by other airlines who's programs are "competitive"
- Alliance alignments!; work together for the betterment of the alliance. A Star Gold member should be able to get an E+/AC preferred/etc seat at no extra charge as long as it's in the same cabin.
- Lower prices; between scam charges and fuel charges along with already highish airfares, AC particularly overcharges. Oil has reached 10 year lows, any length of time spent at levels like this, you can no longer justify ME paying for the gas that should be part of your airfare. I don't get on the bus, pay the fare, then pay another $1 because gas is expensive.
- Let the LCCs be; I don't mind paying a little bit more for a good consistent product, let the LCCs carry the once a year leisure flyers. They'll complain about not getting a free soda, but they should learn to read the reviews and offers first. Don't stoop to that level. We've already grown accustomed to not having food, but "Rougeing" people isn't right. Let the product stand alone and don't let it bleed into your regular product.
- Keep frequent flier programs valuable; don't just devalue because you can still call your program competitive while the others devalue. Make it worth people's while and you'll see a level of loyalty unrivaled by other airlines who's programs are "competitive"
- Alliance alignments!; work together for the betterment of the alliance. A Star Gold member should be able to get an E+/AC preferred/etc seat at no extra charge as long as it's in the same cabin.
- Lower prices; between scam charges and fuel charges along with already highish airfares, AC particularly overcharges. Oil has reached 10 year lows, any length of time spent at levels like this, you can no longer justify ME paying for the gas that should be part of your airfare. I don't get on the bus, pay the fare, then pay another $1 because gas is expensive.
- Let the LCCs be; I don't mind paying a little bit more for a good consistent product, let the LCCs carry the once a year leisure flyers. They'll complain about not getting a free soda, but they should learn to read the reviews and offers first. Don't stoop to that level. We've already grown accustomed to not having food, but "Rougeing" people isn't right. Let the product stand alone and don't let it bleed into your regular product.
Dec 19, 2014, 12:39 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,508
All I want for Christmas is to see airlines stop justifying draconian, brutal cutbacks by saying "it's what passengers want." Passengers don't set the fares and crappy service levels, and more passengers than ever are unhappy with their flying experience. The ridiculous contention (which I've heard from airline employees) that "you customers caused this mess by refusing to pay higher fares" has got to stop. Of course people will choose rock-bottom fares if they're offered, but raise fares, provide more, and it's not like those same people will suddenly flee to Megabus.
No other industry works likes. Nobody buys a $12K Hyundai and then complains that the car doesn't have a 400 HP engine. But everyone buys a $350 round trip ticket from NY to LA and then complains that there isn't a 3 course meal included with the flight.
Dec 19, 2014, 12:50 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
I wish I had the power you ascribe to customers.
Airlines set prices and of course many passengers respond to low ones. But many also hate the product they get for that price and would not change their buy/fly behavior much if the price were $345 instead of $315.
Note that prices have risen slowly but steadily since 2009 or so while service levels (and now oil prices) continue to fall, with the airlines keeping the spread for themselves and their shareholders. Passengers didn't "demand" this situation either. They have to eat it until something better comes along.
Dec 19, 2014, 1:02 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,439
I have bought many hundreds of plane tickets and have never yet seen an interface pose the question, "How much are you willing to spend?" with a blank text field, then offer a level of amenities and service linked to the amount I chose.
I wish I had the power you ascribe to customers.
Airlines set prices and of course many passengers respond to low ones. But many also hate the product they get for that price and would not change their buy/fly behavior much if the price were $345 instead of $315.
Note that prices have risen slowly but steadily since 2009 or so while service levels (and now oil prices) continue to fall, with the airlines keeping the spread for themselves and their shareholders. Passengers didn't "demand" this situation either. They have to eat it until something better comes along.
I wish I had the power you ascribe to customers.
Airlines set prices and of course many passengers respond to low ones. But many also hate the product they get for that price and would not change their buy/fly behavior much if the price were $345 instead of $315.
Note that prices have risen slowly but steadily since 2009 or so while service levels (and now oil prices) continue to fall, with the airlines keeping the spread for themselves and their shareholders. Passengers didn't "demand" this situation either. They have to eat it until something better comes along.
Customer get what customers want. Spirit is proof of that, Ryan Air is proof of that. Regular economy is proof of that. We can go on an on with evidence.
Last edited by planemechanic; Dec 19, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Dec 19, 2014, 2:00 pm
#15
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
If there's a route where my baseline expectation has been to spend $350 for a R/T seat, then I won't complain if I see a little bit better offering (E+ or whatever) for $425 or some kind of barebones 29" seat for $275. It's when the government allows a monopoly to form and the $350 seat becomes $500 *and* I get left with worse service that I'll complain.