Spirit Will Offer Wine in a Can to Passengers - Stay Classy...

[johnsonrod]

Spirit continues to innovate... Does not surprise me. You can't argue with Spirit's success - they are seeing great growth. Probably a good move because it will appeal to Spirit's primary customer demographic who won't have a problem with it... That's smart marketing (focusing on what the target market wants). Thankfully, Spirit will still serve little wine bottles as well for the snobs who don't want to guzzle wine cans. :laugh:



Cheers! Spirit Airlines Serving Wine?In Cans

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Published: Wednesday, 5 Jun 2013 | 2:53 PM ET

This is one of those moves that is sure to generate a few chuckles. The folks at Spirit Airlines, a low-cost airline known for extra fees that include charging passengers $100 for a carry-on bag, is now taking wine service to a new level in the sky.

The airline is serving wine in a can. For $7.00 passengers can buy a can of Friends white or strawberry moscato wine. Friends Wine in a Can, which is distributed by the Friends Beverage Group out of Aventura, Florida, contains 6 percent alcohol.

Wine snobs may scoff at the idea of drinking vino in a can, but Spirit executives think they're on to something. For those who simply cannot bring themselves to drink wine out of a can, the airline still sells mini bottles of Sutter Home wine.

Smaller, lighter, different

For Spirit, adding wine in a can makes sense because storing and serving cans on airplanes is easier and lighter than full bottles of wine. That's always a consideration given the space and weight limitations of planes.

More importantly, Friends Wine in a Can represents the type of quirky and different service the airline embraces.

Spirit CEO Ben Baldenza knows there will be people who will chuckle at the idea of someone asking for a can of wine, but I'm sure he doesn't care. Skeptics have a long track record of dismissing Spirit whenever it tries something different. Baldenza isn't trying to win a fine wine competition, he's trying to give Spirit passengers a taste of wine for $7.

(Read More: Airline Report: Complaints, Bumped Passengers Rise)
?By CNBC's Phil LeBeau; Follow him on Twitter: @Lebeaucarnews

 

[CapnVegetto]

Yep. People bitch and whine and moan and gripe, but their planes are full and they are making money.

The American people have proven over and over again that they want a cheap ticket, that's it and that's all. People love amenities, sure, they just don't want to pay for them.

VA = #1 in service, and they are losing their a$$.
Spirit = Dead last in service and they are making a killing.

This is quite simple, and it is proof positive of the thought process of the American consumer. Why do so many people shop Wal-Mart? Because people talk big about wanting quality, but at the end of the day, they are just cheapasses.

Spirit's got it right. They'll continue to make money as long as they do things the way they do. They'll continue to be reviewed badly by whiny a$$ people that can't understand why they don't get first class on a 747 for $59 bucks, and they'll continue to not give a $hit. Good for them and their management. It's smart.

 

[1.3XVso]

Yep. People bitch and whine and moan and gripe, but their planes are full and they are making money.

The American people have proven over and over again that they want a cheap ticket, that's it and that's all. People love amenities, sure, they just don't want to pay for them.

VA = #1 in service, and they are losing their a$$.
Spirit = Dead last in service and they are making a killing.

This is quite simple, and it is proof positive of the thought process of the American consumer. Why do so many people shop Wal-Mart? Because people talk big about wanting quality, but at the end of the day, they are just cheapasses.

Spirit's got it right. They'll continue to make money as long as they do things the way they do. They'll continue to be reviewed badly by whiny a$$ people that can't understand why they don't get first class on a 747 for $59 bucks, and they'll continue to not give a $hit. Good for them and their management. It's smart.

And don't forget aviators who won't apply to nk because of their product.

 

[bri5150]

And don't forget aviators who won't apply to nk because of their product.

I am sure that is aimed at me, so I will retort. My past statements may have contradicted what I say here, but this is my statement. I did apply to Spirit when I was at Mesaba/Pinnacle/Endeavor. I have said before that I am happy that Virgin America hired me and I still feel that way. I really enjoy our product and I really enjoy my job. If I was still at Pinnacle would I be applying and pursuing Spirit? HELL YEAH!! If Virgin got shut down tomorrow, would I apply to Spirit? At this point I probably would. It sounds like pilots are generally happy there. Given recent financial statements, I guess I don't understand making a lateral move at this point, but hey...everyone senior to me is welcome to make the transition!! They have their niche and we are developing ours.

 

[1.3XVso]

I am sure that is aimed at me, so I will retort. My past statements may have contradicted what I say here, but this is my statement. I did apply to Spirit when I was at Mesaba/Pinnacle/Endeavor. I have said before that I am happy that Virgin America hired me and I still feel that way. I really enjoy our product and I really enjoy my job. If I was still at Pinnacle would I be applying and pursuing Spirit? HELL YEAH!! If Virgin got shut down tomorrow, would I apply to Spirit? At this point I probably would. It sounds like pilots are generally happy there. Given recent financial statements, I guess I don't understand making a lateral move at this point, but hey...everyone senior to me is welcome to make the transition!! They have their niche and we are developing ours.

your not the only species that have spoken negatively about nk and their product. there was/is a lot of people who would spit on the guys who left to spirit. some even congratulating them with " congrats on the pinnacle of airbuses" and then finding out they too were applying! my favorite canidate is the one dude who had 2 interviews with nk. the first one he got hired but turned down the job because he didn't become a checkirmen to go to nk. the second time nk told him thanks but no thanks then telling guys here at pinnacle that he wants to go to a airline who serves REAL food I kid you not. I'm telling you that this industry never stops amusing me.

 

[bri5150]

your not the only species that have spoken negatively about nk and their product. there was/is a lot of people who would spit on the guys who left to spirit. some even congratulating them with " congrats on the pinnacle of airbuses" and then finding out they too were applying!

While I don't understand going there from Virgin America right now, I certainly wouldn't spit on anyone going there. Calling me a species...good one. Can you make it a week without calling people names? It is possible to state opinions without name calling.

 

[1.3XVso]

While I don't understand going there from Virgin America right now, I certainly wouldn't spit on anyone going there. Calling me a species...good one. Can you make it a week without calling people names? It is possible to state opinions without name calling.

OK sorry lol I guess I should stop calling people names. I just can't help it sometimes when aviators talk like high god pilots and or tool bags. why can't we ALL be laid back peeps! that is all I want for Christmas !

 

[bri5150]

OK sorry lol I guess I should stop calling people names. I just can't help it sometimes when aviators talk like high god pilots and or tool bags. why can't we ALL be laid back peeps! that is all I want for Christmas !

:beer:

 

[Dart]

I will take my 17 days off per month and will make over 100k this year...oh yeah, this is on second year pay and flying 60 hours per month. Its all in creative bidding...Spirit is a great place to work and will be for a long time. Oh, and if someone spits on me....im pretty sure I will crack you in the Jaw!!

 

[snap145]

dude I love Spirit, but im on 2nd year pay too and theres NO WAY IN HELL you can make 100k

 

[RideandDrive]

I will take my 17 days off per month and will make over 100k this year...oh yeah, this is on second year pay and flying 60 hours per month. Its all in creative bidding...Spirit is a great place to work and will be for a long time. Oh, and if someone spits on me....im pretty sure I will crack you in the Jaw!!

This seems unlikely in my experience.

 

[huncowboy]

Absolutely you can. Several of my friends did it. I did it, not at 2nd year but at that time my 4th year was where 2nd year pay is now. But you work a ton of overtime and to have 17 off, you have to live in base and be very senior. Back then I was only getting 10-11 days. A year later it got better and went well over 100k but still only 12-13 days off. That is just my experience.

With 17 off, you have to be a guy who does nothing but those Bogota turns. There is like 7 lines like that. You have to bypass upgrade for a while to hold those lines.

Most guys who don't do OT, because they don't feel like or they commute and can't, make around 70-80 2nd year probably averaging 15 off with the occasional 17 off. I am hearing a lot that first year is rough though.

 

[n757st]

The ironic thing about spirit, at the end of the day when you add in all the fees and charges, you would have probably paid less on Southwest or Jetblue.

 

[SAABaroowski]

The ironic thing about spirit, at the end of the day when you add in all the fees and charges, you would have probably paid less on Southwest or Jetblue.

I still think on most cases Spirit is still cheaper

 

[Dart]

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear. I average 15 to 17 days off per month..got to love FLICA when it works.

You totally can make 100k on 2nd year pay. Its all in the bidding and transition conflict is no secret. Also, you throw in good JA trips...I credit 130 to 150 hours per month and only work about 60. This is all within the contract as well.

Just flew with a guy(captain) in fll that is on track for 230k plus. He bids the same way...

Shoot me a PM and I will give you the low down.

 

[snap145]

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear. I average 15 to 17 days off per month..got to love FLICA when it works.

You totally can make 100k on 2nd year pay. Its all in the bidding and transition conflict is no secret. Also, you throw in good JA trips...I credit 130 to 150 hours per month and only work about 60. This is all within the contract as well.

Just flew with a guy(captain) in fll that is on track for 230k plus. He bids the same way...

Shoot me a PM and I will give you the low down.

WOW...I thought those days were gone...dont get me wrong im on pace to make 85 or 90 easily. I bid about 35% as a DFW FO...but im a commuter..so I bassicly just fly my line and go home without much tweaking...plus our lack of green days makes it almost impossible to move anything around and make any money....more power to ya...

 

[Dart]

It is becoming a pain in the A$$ with coverage. Im sure my credit is gonna go down a lot over the next few months.

Trying to ride the wave while I can.

 

[Andy]

The ironic thing about spirit, at the end of the day when you add in all the fees and charges, you would have probably paid less on Southwest or Jetblue.

I was in Europe a couple of weeks ago on vacation. One airline I flew over there, Vueling, has the same model as NK. The lady in front of me was trying to check in two suitcases. Since her husband bought the ticket and only paid for one suitcase, the extra charges (second bag + exceeding weight restrictions) were around 170 Euros. A bit more than $200. That's about what I paid for two tickets, including two bags to check in.
If you know what you need to pay for in advance, airlines like NK are inexpensive. If you miscalculate and have to pay additional fees at the airport, it's going to cost you an arm and leg.