DL low-cost carrier to be named "Song"

[DoinTime]

And I thought Pinnacle was pretty dam stupid.

 

[B737G]

I heard about this on NPR this morning...they said that the first route was going to start flying in April from JFK to Flordia...Jetblue territory. Think they are going to have some of the Delta furloughs fly these before they take apps?

Current Delta pilots will fly the LCC routes. Over the course of their rotation, 757/767 pilots will have some legs that are on Songair and others on mainline. They will be paid mainline rates while everyone else is paid less than their mainline counterparts. This is the opposite of how the groups are paid on Express.

 

[skydiverdriver]

Perhaps it refers to the fact that you can fly for a "song." That's an old saying for all of you young people.

 

[greg20]

Song's IFE

Race Pilot said:

On JetBlue they can watch real entertainers sing for them on their individual Live TV screen from their comfy leather seat.

This is from the Song PR:


"The most advanced in-flight entertainment technology available (October 2003). Song is partnering with Matsushi ta (flightinfo.com didn't like "Matsush ita") Avionics Systems and EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network™ satellite TV service to provide a complement of on-board amenities, which will include:

Personal video monitors at every seat with "touch screen" technology and credit card "swipe" capability.

Live, all-digital satellite television programming from DISH Network.

Digitally-streamed MP3 audio programming, which will allow passengers to create a personal play list from an extensive library of audio files.

Pay-per-view programming available on demand, which will feature a wide-range of current offerings for all ages.

Multi-player interactive games that allow play between passengers.

Interactive iXplor moving map program with zoom capabilities and points of interest information.

Connecting gate information broadcast directly to personal in-seat video monitors.

Expandable in-flight entertainment technology which will facilitate the opportunity to integrate additional services in the future:

In-seat Internet connectivity

In-flight shopping and on-line product purchase capabilities

33 inches of legroom throughout the entire aircraft. This is the most legroom available from any low-fare service’s fleet and more than most major carriers.

<<end PR>>

JetBlue will no longer have a competitive advantage in available IFE or seating layouts.

 

[MarriedToIt]

Website is up.

www.songair.com

 

[MetroSheriff]

Well the website is a hoot.

 

[generaltso]

Not much on that website, but it is nicely done

 

[VFR on Top]

Perhaps it refers to the fact that you can fly for a "song."

Actually, I think it refers to what they'll be expecting the flight crews to work for.

 

[greg20]

VFR On Top said:

Actually, I think it refers to what they'll be expecting the flight crews to work for.

Actually, the flight crews are going to be treated exactly like DL mainline and are going to be paid current mainline wages.

 

[snowback]

The flight crews ARE Delta Mainline working under the same contract, with same work rules, pay and benefits. I'd guess the Song trips will be built into our regular trip rotations.

Everyone else will be employed apart from Delta.

 

[MetroSheriff]

Actually, I think it refers to what they'll be expecting the flight crews to work for.

Swing.....and a miss!!!!

 

[azpilot]

Maybe Song can take advice from AOL/Time Warner and lose 100 Billion dollars in one year. How the hell do you do that? Glad someone could top all of the troubles in the airline industry.

I agree that a unique name vs Delta X is a good idea. I don't see how they think they are going to save so much money using the same crews.

If folks are loyal to JetBlue they will do just fine.

 

[KingAirer]

Im going to go against the grain here and say I think they may do OK. They have or will have a comperable product to Jetblue, plus the benifits of codeshares, connections, FF miles, etc...As i mentioned before i think the whole new look, even it is a bad name, will help their chances.

 

[dmspilot00]

So with a name like "Song," are they going to have a "Theme song" to go with their airline? They can play it on the TV monitors in the 757. US Airways already plays this horrendously corny panflute music in the introduction to their safety video.

 

[VFR on Top]

The flight crews ARE Delta Mainline working under the same contract, with same work rules, pay and benefits.

Okay, then would somebody care to explain how exactly DL is going to make money with the same cost structure as mainline ops, more $$ spent on IFE setups, paint jobs, etc, but lower fares? It can't be solely load factors, I thought those were doing okay again (albeit on reduced schedules).

So with a name like "Song," are they going to have a "Theme song" to go with their airline? They can play it on the TV monitors in the 757.

They already do, it's on their website -- www.flysong.com. I've actually been listening to it in the background for the better part of the evening.