Have the Airlines Succeeded when . . .
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Big Sky Country
Programs: CO PLT, DL GM, Hertz President Circle, SPG Platinum
Posts: 450
Have the Airlines Succeeded when . . .
Have the airlines succeeded when our reality now is just asking them . . "Please get to where I am going on the same day I am suppose to??"
I can understand business and budget decisions, escalating fuels costs and competition . . . government regulations, security hassles, no food, tighter pitch . . . yada yada yada . . . but, after a moment of ranting we fall to the new regime.
Like the attention span of media, the spin trick being, manage the issue for 24 hours because after that you are yesterdays news.
Same Day service will soon be someones motto or marketing slogan
I can understand business and budget decisions, escalating fuels costs and competition . . . government regulations, security hassles, no food, tighter pitch . . . yada yada yada . . . but, after a moment of ranting we fall to the new regime.
Like the attention span of media, the spin trick being, manage the issue for 24 hours because after that you are yesterdays news.
Same Day service will soon be someones motto or marketing slogan
#2
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,508
Consumers have won, although they may not realize it. Price is the determining factor for the vast majority of travelers. Less luxury = lower cost. The market has spoken; people want cheap flights and are willing to go without the freebies they used to get in exchange for lower fares. Oh sure they love to complain, but that's because people always love to complain about something.
In the end the free market has worked. People want cheap flights. They got cheap flights. If some day the people collectively decide they're willing to pay more to get more the airlines will respond to market forces.
In the end the free market has worked. People want cheap flights. They got cheap flights. If some day the people collectively decide they're willing to pay more to get more the airlines will respond to market forces.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Actually this option hasn't been eliminated - customers can still pay more to get more. Want more legroom? Pay for an Economy Plus seat on UA (or premium seats on other airlines). Feeling nostalgic for onboard meals? Sandwiches and snacks are often available for purchase. Want to check 3 bags? No problem, pony up some cash. Works out pretty well for those of us who generally didn't need those services in the first place.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Big Sky Country
Programs: CO PLT, DL GM, Hertz President Circle, SPG Platinum
Posts: 450
Consumers have won, although they may not realize it. Price is the determining factor for the vast majority of travelers. Less luxury = lower cost. The market has spoken; people want cheap flights and are willing to go without the freebies they used to get in exchange for lower fares. Oh sure they love to complain, but that's because people always love to complain about something.
In the end the free market has worked. People want cheap flights. They got cheap flights. If some day the people collectively decide they're willing to pay more to get more the airlines will respond to market forces.
In the end the free market has worked. People want cheap flights. They got cheap flights. If some day the people collectively decide they're willing to pay more to get more the airlines will respond to market forces.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Actually this option hasn't been eliminated - customers can still pay more to get more. Want more legroom? Pay for an Economy Plus seat on UA (or premium seats on other airlines). Feeling nostalgic for onboard meals? Sandwiches and snacks are often available for purchase. Want to check 3 bags? No problem, pony up some cash. Works out pretty well for those of us who generally didn't need those services in the first place.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,508
Actually this option hasn't been eliminated - customers can still pay more to get more. Want more legroom? Pay for an Economy Plus seat on UA (or premium seats on other airlines). Feeling nostalgic for onboard meals? Sandwiches and snacks are often available for purchase. Want to check 3 bags? No problem, pony up some cash. Works out pretty well for those of us who generally didn't need those services in the first place.
You want more, you pay more. You want less, you pay less. Sounds ideal to me.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gulf Coast/Ventura County/Somewhere in between
Programs: DL GM, Marriott PP, Avis Something or other
Posts: 4,431
Actually, that has been my preference since Day One. Airlines are a business. They have succeeded when they make a profit. We, the customers, are free to use their product or not. Nobody is forced to fly. It's a choice.
#8
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 698
Since deregulation the airlines have been in sort of game of chicken with the public over the question, "How much pain and insult will passengers put up with in exchange for a cheap ticket?" The winner is obvious.
In theory, a free market is supposed to result in people getting the best value for the lowest price. Seems like air travel is exempt from that equation.
In theory, a free market is supposed to result in people getting the best value for the lowest price. Seems like air travel is exempt from that equation.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
My question: has the ala carte pricing scheme in the US actually resulted in cheaper fares, or just higher profit for the airlines? It's an honest question and I don't know the answer. Adjusting for inflation, are base fares actually cheaper now than they were when extras were included?
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Of course, this is demand in the "money talks" sense. I'm sure if you polled passengers and asked if they wanted more legroom, they'd overwhelmingly say "yes." But increase legroom by 10% and fares by 10% and everyone defects to another airline. AA learned this the hard way.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,508
Since deregulation the airlines have been in sort of game of chicken with the public over the question, "How much pain and insult will passengers put up with in exchange for a cheap ticket?" The winner is obvious.
In theory, a free market is supposed to result in people getting the best value for the lowest price. Seems like air travel is exempt from that equation.
In theory, a free market is supposed to result in people getting the best value for the lowest price. Seems like air travel is exempt from that equation.
Flying is not a good value, it is an exceptionally good value. It is just about the best value available to a consumer when considering the alternative modes of transportation.