Skylink Airways

[schmooze]

I was reading USA Today the other day and I saw where a new startup airline is in the making. One of the co-founders is an ex-top gun at Midway Airlines. It is said that Skylink is going to be based out of IAD and they will be a low-fare airline specializing in trans-atlantic flights. Some people say that by doing this, they are taking a huge stab at the majors.

So far, they plan to fly out of IAD and BWI, with flights to Paris and London. Fares are said to be 15-70% lower than that of the majors. Has anyone else obtained anymore info on Skylink? Perhaps someone has an 'inside track' as far as any other cities they plan to serve or more importantly.....HIRING!


Thanks.
Fly safely.
Schmooze

 

[sayagain?]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/busines...02,0,177116.story?coll=bal-business-headlines


Here's the article.


sayagain?

 

[Snakum]

After reading a book about Laker Airways, I wondered why no one else has since tried to break into International "LCC" flying. To the uneducated observer, it seems like someone with enough $$$ could work with Southwest here, and Ryan Air in Europe to provide connecting trans-Atlantic traffic to and from JFK and LHR/CDG, etc. Sort of a 'Southwest Express'.

You'd think it could work the same way over the Pacific, as well. You fly 744s and 767s from LAX to connect with 'regional' partners out of NRT/HKG/SYD, etc., using their gates and handlers.

Anyone wanna take odds on the success of this startup, or Sir Laker's newest, similar venture?

Anyone wanna loan me a few hundred million for a couple 757s, and a contact at Southwest to discuss handling?

Minh

 

[schmooze]

ATA

I hear that even ATA is considering dipping their toes in the trans atlantic market.

 

[fracflyer]

I'm not sure why everyone thinks that flying international is a license to print money. This time of year it's not hard to find tickets to London or Paris for about $100 bucks each way. The rest of the price is taxes and fees.

 

[JJJ]

Hasn't this been tried before? I want to say there was a company that was flying 747's and selling cheap seats.

 

[skyward80]

I don't know much about this stuff, but low-fare transatlantic stuff sounds like the quality of life for the crews would be somewhere between crappy and $hitty. High utilization rates, low pay, few bennies to make the whole thing cost-effective.

Am I wrong?

Skyward80

 

[B190Captain]

IMHO, I say that these guys need a $hitload of money to get this runnin. Flights are longer, Fuel costs are rising and I don't think you can please a trans-atlantic traveler with a bag of jetzels and a soda.

 

[Freight Dog]

Yeehaw B190Cap'n!

 

[storminpilot]

From Michael Boyd

News & Reviews

From The Hope-Springs-Eternal-Department: With the appropriate fanfare usually surrounding flights of mental fancy, we have another proposal to start yet another grand-idea airline, this time on an international basis. Skylink, hyped in news stories as the invasion of Southwest-type service into trans-oceanic routes, has announced plans to start service from Baltimore to London and Paris. All the usual danger signs are present. Like, a DOT application that has been determined "deficient" because it fails to name the sources of the airline's start up capital. Then, the grand pronouncements of how the new carrier will lower fares. And we can expect the earnest statements about how they are negotiating with aircraft suppliers as-we-speak. Here's a flash: there are lot of low-fare airlines now operating across the Atlantic. It's called the economy cabin of every major airline.

 

[mach zero]

I don't know much about this stuff, but low-fare transatlantic stuff sounds like the quality of life for the crews would be somewhere between crappy and $hitty. High utilization rates, low pay, few bennies to make the whole thing cost-effective.

Am I wrong?

Skyward80


__________________


Yes, you are wrong...to a degree. It depends on the airline and how it is run. Just because it is an LCC does not mean it will have a bad contract with absurd utilization rates, low pay, and few bennies. At ATA, our overseas crews enjoy decent schedules, high pay, good bennies, and retirement. It is possible to run a low CASM airline and still pay and treat your pilots well. Don't believe all the hype you are hearing from Legacy carriers mgmnt about pilot salaries and productivity being the root of all their woes.

 

[B767300ER HEAVY]

I don't know much about this stuff, but low-fare transatlantic stuff sounds like the quality of life for the crews would be somewhere between crappy and $hitty. High utilization rates, low pay, few bennies to make the whole thing cost-effective.

Am I wrong?

Skyward80

Simply wrong, maybe right; most likely wrong.

 

[scabseeker]

Who is lamer? The guy above me that posted to a 10 month old thread or me for reading it? Or am I doubly lame now for also posting to a 10 month old thread?

 

[storminpilot]

Who is lamer? The guy above me that posted to a 10 month old thread or me for reading it? Or am I doubly lame now for also posting to a 10 month old thread?

Not sure, but if you want to apply here is the link

http://www.skylinkairways.com/

 

[captboy2001]

i think if u have the type they will want you...they were nice enough to send me a letter and say i did not meet the requirements....not many companies are doing that anymore...at least i got the letter...

 

[cl-65link]

Hasn't this been tried before? I want to say there was a company that was flying 747's and selling cheap seats.

I believe you are referring to People Express. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/685429/M/