Frontier it is!
Apr 13, 2010 | 8:22 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
E-mail message sent tonight to MM members
Special Announcement for Midwest Miles Members
Thank you for being a loyal customer of Midwest Airlines and a member of the Midwest Miles program.
When Republic Airways acquired Midwest and Frontier last year, it was clear both airlines enjoyed great customer loyalty and employee cultures. We made it our goal to combine the best features of these two well-respected airline brands to offer an even better travel experience. More recently, we asked travelers like you to help us determine how to move forward to deliver the best flying experience for you. If you were one of the thousands of customers who shared your comments and suggestions, thank you.
Based on that feedback, we concluded that the new single brand for our growing airline will be Frontier. And we are committing a promise to you our valued customers and to ourselves that together as Frontier we will deliver a truly different and better flying experience by providing the best care in the air.
Be assured that the decision on the brand name was difficult, but one that was based on comprehensive independent research. The research showed that while customers expressed strong loyalty to both brands, Frontier with a much larger customer base was better poised to meet our customers' needs for affordable fares and convenience.
Both airlines already share a passionate commitment to customer service and the delivery of an exceptional travel experience. Because of that common commitment, we now have the opportunity to combine these two cultures into one that is even better.
What does this mean to you?
The new Frontier will be bigger, stronger and priced right. Travelers will enjoy an expanded combined route network, enhanced schedules and better connectivity. With the addition of 15 new markets this spring and summer, we now serve 74 cities across the Americas offering more opportunities to conveniently fly to the places you want to go.
You can already earn and redeem miles in either the EarlyReturns or Midwest Miles programs when flying on either carrier. You'll realize additional benefits and an expanded selection of program partners when the two programs are fully integrated. At that time, all miles you've accumulated in both programs will be combined in a single, convenient account.
Our integration timetable was specifically designed to minimize impact on customers. We expect to integrate our reservations systems by November of this year, and over the next 12-18 months we will implement a phased approach to rebranding our operations to reflect our new identity.
Learn more about today's announcement.
We've also established a new Web site, frontiermidwest.com, to share progress of our brand integration. We encourage you to visit frequently for additional information on the integration of the two loyalty programs.
We will provide updates on our integration progress over the coming several months. In the meantime, I would welcome hearing from you regarding how we have, or have not, fulfilled our promise to you: to deliver a truly different and better flying experience by providing the best care in the air.
Thank you in advance for your patience during our integration. We truly appreciate your business.
God bless,
Bryan Bedford
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Thank you for being a loyal customer of Midwest Airlines and a member of the Midwest Miles program.
When Republic Airways acquired Midwest and Frontier last year, it was clear both airlines enjoyed great customer loyalty and employee cultures. We made it our goal to combine the best features of these two well-respected airline brands to offer an even better travel experience. More recently, we asked travelers like you to help us determine how to move forward to deliver the best flying experience for you. If you were one of the thousands of customers who shared your comments and suggestions, thank you.
Based on that feedback, we concluded that the new single brand for our growing airline will be Frontier. And we are committing a promise to you our valued customers and to ourselves that together as Frontier we will deliver a truly different and better flying experience by providing the best care in the air.
Be assured that the decision on the brand name was difficult, but one that was based on comprehensive independent research. The research showed that while customers expressed strong loyalty to both brands, Frontier with a much larger customer base was better poised to meet our customers' needs for affordable fares and convenience.
Both airlines already share a passionate commitment to customer service and the delivery of an exceptional travel experience. Because of that common commitment, we now have the opportunity to combine these two cultures into one that is even better.
What does this mean to you?
The new Frontier will be bigger, stronger and priced right. Travelers will enjoy an expanded combined route network, enhanced schedules and better connectivity. With the addition of 15 new markets this spring and summer, we now serve 74 cities across the Americas offering more opportunities to conveniently fly to the places you want to go.
You can already earn and redeem miles in either the EarlyReturns or Midwest Miles programs when flying on either carrier. You'll realize additional benefits and an expanded selection of program partners when the two programs are fully integrated. At that time, all miles you've accumulated in both programs will be combined in a single, convenient account.
Our integration timetable was specifically designed to minimize impact on customers. We expect to integrate our reservations systems by November of this year, and over the next 12-18 months we will implement a phased approach to rebranding our operations to reflect our new identity.
Learn more about today's announcement.
We've also established a new Web site, frontiermidwest.com, to share progress of our brand integration. We encourage you to visit frequently for additional information on the integration of the two loyalty programs.
We will provide updates on our integration progress over the coming several months. In the meantime, I would welcome hearing from you regarding how we have, or have not, fulfilled our promise to you: to deliver a truly different and better flying experience by providing the best care in the air.
Thank you in advance for your patience during our integration. We truly appreciate your business.
God bless,
Bryan Bedford
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Apr 13, 2010 | 8:27 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
As a former Midwest and current Republic flight attendant I also attended the presentation today. It was pretty much as I expected. I knew it was going to be Frontier, as the only part of Midwest that still remains are the cookies. Everything else is long gone. I was pleased with the announcement, maybe now Midwest can be remembered for what it was in the glory days, and we can all move on to the new Frontier. I am just proud and happy I was able to be a part of it, and also very pleased I was able to furnish my living room with signature seats!
Apr 13, 2010 | 8:29 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MKE
Programs: Midwest Miles, AirTran A+ Rewards
Posts: 1,445
Those are some pretty good updates Blue and Hoss. I'd like to add to the pin drop moment.
At the time I was hiding behind a curtain working with some other people on the communication part of the event. ie all the emails and frontiermidwest.com. Then I heard Bryan say the new brand name in a non-shaulent way, probably catching most people off guard and then the claps came, it was somewhat the same for the employee get together before. After the presentation when most people were gone and Bryan was done with the media he even mentioned the moment to us saying that he was thinking, "come on people give me some help here." Seemed that Bryan was a little bit nervous of the moment too.
At the time I was hiding behind a curtain working with some other people on the communication part of the event. ie all the emails and frontiermidwest.com. Then I heard Bryan say the new brand name in a non-shaulent way, probably catching most people off guard and then the claps came, it was somewhat the same for the employee get together before. After the presentation when most people were gone and Bryan was done with the media he even mentioned the moment to us saying that he was thinking, "come on people give me some help here." Seemed that Bryan was a little bit nervous of the moment too.
Apr 13, 2010 | 8:36 pm
#49
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,653
As a former Midwest and current Republic flight attendant I also attended the presentation today. It was pretty much as I expected. I knew it was going to be Frontier, as the only part of Midwest that still remains are the cookies. Everything else is long gone. I was pleased with the announcement, maybe now Midwest can be remembered for what it was in the glory days, and we can all move on to the new Frontier. I am just proud and happy I was able to be a part of it, and also very pleased I was able to furnish my living room with signature seats!
I think putting the Midwest name behind them is the right thing to do. I'm looking foward to moving forward, too.
Apr 13, 2010 | 8:43 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MKE
Programs: Midwest Miles, AirTran A+ Rewards
Posts: 1,445
I just listened to a report on WISN TV's website and they say Frontier is going to build a new 2 Million Dollar hanger at the airport. Did I miss something?
http://www.wisn.com/news/23133893/detail.html
http://www.wisn.com/news/23133893/detail.html
Apr 13, 2010 | 8:43 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
Channel 58 did show the reaction by employees... there was dead silence at first. People were looking at each other, then they applauded. Interviews with employees afterwards were generally upbeat. The decision was made so move on and help build up the brand in MKE. I like Frontier so it won't be that hard for me to transition.
Here is how it all played out in Denver, acccording to the Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14874415
The article mentions that Midwest's chocolate chip cookies will be retained and served on all Frontier flights, "as a concession to Midwest," according to "Republic officials."
Apr 13, 2010 | 9:15 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 344
Apr 13, 2010 | 9:33 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
WISN TV's late news interviewed Jay Sorensen, identified as an airline industry analyst and "former Midwest Airlines executive," who said "I don't see the opportunity for success that Republic management sees, as far as their ability in being able to turn around "these two troubled franchises...Midwest and Frontier."
He goes on to say that he does not rule out JetBlue or Spirit moving in to serve MKE.
WTMJ TV interviewed Ben Mutzabaugh, who said "Having two hubs like this makes it a very strong carrier and able to compete with the likes of AirTran, Alaska Air, and possibly even Southwest."
It's amazing how their opinions can differ so.
He goes on to say that he does not rule out JetBlue or Spirit moving in to serve MKE.
WTMJ TV interviewed Ben Mutzabaugh, who said "Having two hubs like this makes it a very strong carrier and able to compete with the likes of AirTran, Alaska Air, and possibly even Southwest."
It's amazing how their opinions can differ so.
Apr 13, 2010 | 9:42 pm
#55
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards, Delta Sky Miles
Posts: 20
I just listened to a report on WISN TV's website and they say Frontier is going to build a new 2 Million Dollar hanger at the airport. Did I miss something?
http://www.wisn.com/news/23133893/detail.html
http://www.wisn.com/news/23133893/detail.html
Apr 13, 2010 | 10:42 pm
#56
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: UA Premier
Posts: 193
We'll see...
Apr 14, 2010 | 5:57 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
Brian Bedford to be interviewed live at 7:22 AM this morning, on WTMJ Radio.
http://www.620wtmj.com/home/ondemand/44930432.html
http://www.620wtmj.com/home/ondemand/44930432.html
Apr 14, 2010 | 6:16 am
#58
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MKE
Programs: Midwest Miles, AirTran A+ Rewards
Posts: 1,445
I'm thinking FL drops the FF program with Frontier within a month. Also I can see FL surpassing Frontier as the #1 carrier in MKE... Probably in 2011 if not sooner. I hope Bedford plays his cards right.
Apr 14, 2010 | 6:45 am
#59
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
Brian Bedford to be interviewed live at 7:22 AM this morning, on WTMJ Radio.
http://www.620wtmj.com/home/ondemand/44930432.html
http://www.620wtmj.com/home/ondemand/44930432.html
Question about FF agreement with FL did not get answered. Bedford's response merely said that miles are safe and that the new program will hook up customers to "a much larger international network."
Could this be oneworld?
Apr 14, 2010 | 6:53 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,800
WISN TV's late news interviewed Jay Sorensen, identified as an airline industry analyst and "former Midwest Airlines executive," who said "I don't see the opportunity for success that Republic management sees, as far as their ability in being able to turn around "these two troubled franchises...Midwest and Frontier."