sbm12

Also just announced on the conf call.

bmg42000

Also sounds good. If you pay the extra $ you should get more value for it .

sbm12

Like 4" extra pitch, for example? Or the increased likelihood of an empty middle seat?



I don't mind either way, but I also wouldn't rush the boarding area unless the flight appears VERY full.

bmg42000

They have raised the prices for EML seating (and evidently one cannot use the travel bank for EML seats anymore) (which is what I did when the price went down on flights)), at least now I am getting something more . And if it makes traveling with my 7 year old a little easier (then I can justify it more often) ).
What they need to do next if offer priority security access at those airports (LAX/LAS) who have a reputation for long lines.
Also this does not cost the airline much to implement and it helps the perceived value to the customer.

Brigri

ANything else noteworthy announced on the call?

Where are all those 7 A320's going the rest of the year?

AMF in NJ

Hooray!

I always seem to have angst that I'll lose out on the overhead bin nearest my seat.

at me all ya want. :-:

sbm12

Only gonna be 6 now, not 7. And most ASMs growth is BOS and Caribbean. BOS-PHX/RSW start in November. Ditto the BDL service. With an average utilization around 12 hours/airframe the few new ones are mostly already spoken for.

There were some other interesting notes in the call, including that they do not see a lack of WiFi as a competitive disadvantage. I was on the CO call right after the B6 call so I haven't had time to go through my notes fully yet. I will soon.

Brigri

I can see that. With take rates of less than 10% per flight for paid wi-fi, I think they are being very careful about offering it. It is a game changer to me, but I know they want to offer something for free with would be great.

Keegan99

Still no word about complimentary EML upgrades for a "elite status" TB members, I assume. Disappointing. Would it kill 'em to chase loyalty with a handful of those seats instead of a few extra bucks?

Maybe with casual customers. But some of us that spend too much time in the air see it differently.

Keegan99

I'm also curious about the impact this will have on boarding times. EML seats are at the front of the aircraft. Letting all those people on first HAS to slow things down for everyone else.

sbm12

Actually they did comment on this.
I'd be a bit surprised to see free EML based on that but who knows...
The problem is that there aren't enough of "us" who drive sufficient revenue to make the in-flight WiFi cost-effective for the airlines from the stats I've seen.

BeantownFlyer

This is interesting. I have never flown Jet Blue, but have my first trip planned for early August (BOS-SFO). Returning on Virgin America. I am travelling with the family, and thus would not be able to upgrade everyone on AA where I have status, so I opted for EML and Virgin's MCS product for the return.

I can tell you that the big issues I have with Jet Blue before I even set foot on the plane are: the mediocre frequent flyer program with no elite status benefits, the inability to get early boarding (some reason why they need another 6 weeks to implement this, btw?), no priority security lines, and the lack of inflight wifi. I think they are underestimating the revenue they are giving up through not capturing the business travellers who are less price sensitive but are looking for these perks - most of which wouldnt cost much to implement.

sbm12

They're actually getting quite a few business travelers - around 20% of their passengers and growing - and they're doing it without the higher costs of operating a loyalty program like the one that you're talking about.

Keegan99

That, coupled with no plans for WiFi, signals to me that I need to leave B6 as soon as another carrier with elite status offers WiFi and a reasonable route from the San Fran bay area to AUS. They just don't give a rip about their high revenue customers.

Unfortunate.

nerd

How are they measuring this?