Originally Posted by
1KPath
Hence the need for a real differentation between E and E+...There are those of us that will pay more for a seat...I work for a non-profit, so no C or F for me, unless I upgrade...but we are willing to pay more for better service. I have experienced the premium economy products on NZ and BA, and it is quite nice and well worth the added expense without breaking the bank for C and F!
Sadly, the pricing of tickets in the industry is completely out of wack...I just made two reservations next month for work LAX-BOS, and UA offered fares of $199 RT...I was paying more than this in the mid-70s during a fare sale! For the survival of the industry, re-regulation (heaven forgive me for saying this) might be necessary.
Totally agree. I saw a RT between PNS and SAT on Airtran was $190 RT. How can they possibly make money on that? I just wish they would charge what it takes to make the product, not charge ridiculously low prices for coach and then pound FC and B to make up the difference.
Originally Posted by
ORDflyr
Forget regulation, how about leadership that can maintain and sell a premium service? How about giving the boot to Unions? There's a good place to start if you really want to get the govn't involved.
Just too easy an excuse. Back in regulation you had unions and both the unions and airline made money. Why? Because they charged enough for their product. Then, you had deregulation and everyone cheered lower fares and more competition. But what you also got was cheaper fares and lower quality products. You can't get both unfortunately. Any carrier that has tried to be the Premium high quality airline has gone out of business pretty quick due to lack of available traffic willing to pay that $.
Unionized labor of all major airlines are making wages equivelent to what they were paid in the early 80's now, so union costs are not the issue. Even non-union airlines can't make money right now with these fares at high oil prices. With oil staying low, I think you will see profits from the airlines in 2009. Airlines charge what they think the public will pay, and the public will pay mostly walmart fares these days. Thus, you end up with walmart type flights, and walmart type workers.
I agree those paying for upper fares in FC and B deserve a better product, especially good food. BOB in business is wrong. I also think it ridiculous that we don't have at least pretzels for folks in coach. You can't claim to be a premium airline and still give out a walmart product and deny a can of soda. You either charge a premium fare and be a premium airline, or charge airtran rates and be an Airtran. Don't charge premium fares and then give an Airtran product IMO.