Airlines fight for the bottom of the barrel

[XShipRider]

It seems airlines are fighting for the 'steerage class' passenger load
with cut-rate fares. Why is this? Apparently I have little understanding
of the economics and/or politics involved.

It seems strangely devoid of logic to have a plane full of pax paying
<$100 per seat super-saver than to have a half-full plane paying
>$300 per seat. Am I doing the math wrong?

I think it's time for airlines to cater specifically to the business class
and first class passenger. Increase fares to reflect that which will
sustain the airline. These cut-rate fares seem to continuously
go down as airline overhead is on continuous climb-out.

Would it be possible to create an all business class airline? No coach
class seating at all would be available. Fares would have to rise
to meet the need, of course. If people want to visit Grandma in
Florida they'd have to cough up a few more bucks (quite a few more
bucks).

Me? I pay premium to allow more breathing space, especially during
long flights. I only go coach if no other seats are available. I'd
rather part with a few extra bucks and be comfortable throughout
the flight than sit next to super-saver Joe who is still recovering
from last night's binger at South Padre.

I've promised my wife a trip to Hawaii. One caveat; business class or
better all the way or we don't go.

I'm not wealthy... I just am willing to part with the bucks to be
comfortable.

Note - I'm referring to the fares - not the pax with 'bottom of the barrel'

 

[calfo]

Do a search for an airline named "Legend", and see what happened to them - catering to "all business class".

And then watch "Airline" on A&E...

 

[NTS ALL 4]

Are you serious?

It seems airlines are fighting for the 'steerage class' passenger load
with cut-rate fares. Why is this? Apparently I have little understanding
of the economics and/or politics involved.

It seems strangely devoid of logic to have a plane full of pax paying
<$100 per seat super-saver than to have a half-full plane paying
>$300 per seat. Am I doing the math wrong?

I think it's time for airlines to cater specifically to the business class
and first class passenger. Increase fares to reflect that which will
sustain the airline. These cut-rate fares seem to continuously
go down as airline overhead is on continuous climb-out.

Would it be possible to create an all business class airline? No coach
class seating at all would be available. Fares would have to rise
to meet the need, of course. If people want to visit Grandma in
Florida they'd have to cough up a few more bucks (quite a few more
bucks).

Me? I pay premium to allow more breathing space, especially during
long flights. I only go coach if no other seats are available. I'd
rather part with a few extra bucks and be comfortable throughout
the flight than sit next to super-saver Joe who is still recovering
from last night's binger at South Padre.

I've promised my wife a trip to Hawaii. One caveat; business class or
better all the way or we don't go.

I'm not wealthy... I just am willing to part with the bucks to be
comfortable.

Note - I'm referring to the fares - not the pax with 'bottom of the barrel'

Are you serious?! All the airlines are in the toilet and you want some airline to cater to your upper class needs. I think you are the one "still recovering from last night's binger at South Padre".

Call one of the fractionals and get a price quote!

Your a goof X********************Rider!

 

[Diesel]

do a search. It was called midwest express

 

[pilotyip]

Legend

There was another airline 1999 time frame, strictly first class cater to the people who want something extra. It was called Legend out of DAL, it lasted about 6 months, maybe less. Pay was below average.

 

[Hutchman]

I think United runs a 757 or two from coast to coast with all 1st and business class seats. It has a name, but it slips my mind for now. I hear it is doing good, whatever that is worth.

 

[Bjammin]

There is a airline called MAX out of JFK, I think. All trans-lant to Europe.
They have 767's with all business class seats in a 2 by 2 layout. I don't know how they're doing yet. Time will tell.

 

[scoreboard]

I think it's time for airlines to cater specifically to the business class
and first class passenger. Increase fares to reflect that which will
sustain the airline.

Back your statement with cold hard cash, go get financing, start just such an airline. It won't work, it's been tried, however now that I'm thinking about it, do it and make your millions screwing with labor then bail as it folds in six months.

Let me guess, you work with Flopgut?

 

[skiandsurf]

There was another airline 1999 time frame, strictly first class cater to the people who want something extra. It was called Legend out of DAL, it lasted about 6 months, maybe less. Pay was below average.

You can thank American Airlines for killing Legend. Legend was flying from Dallas-Luv to LAX, ORD, IAD. They operated with DC9s. Then AA refitted a couple F100s to all first class and matched them route for route. As soon as Legend was gone, so was AAs service. I never flew on Legend but I did fly on AA from LAX-DAL-IAD. I think the F100 had about 54 seats and 4 flight attendants. Both flights had less than 15 pax on each flight.

Something else. when JetBlue started the red-eyes from LGB to JFK, you could buy 2 seats and they would give you the third seat for free, so you could lay down. I guess they started filling up the seats, and discontinued that offer. But if you really need space, just buy the seat next to you and keep it empty.

 

[starchkr]

I agree it would not work, but i sure do like the idea. I too shell out extra dough to get better seats, and gladly do it, along with flying on my schedule and not taking a flight at a time i do not want to travel at just because it has the "really cheap fares."