Re:Self-flying planes are now a marketing issue more than a ...
by JumpCrisscross on Monday August 28, 2017 @11:20PM
(#15121858)
> airlines were one of the first of many industries to use fees, line by line cost breakdown, obscure deals and a baffling purchase process to strand customers on an island of price comparison and nothing else
I'm one of those Americans who doesn't buy the cheapest ticket. I buy comfortable seats at convenient times with airlines I'm loyal to. Guess what I see none of? Any of those things! My bags are free, my drinks are free, I get to go to the front of the check-in line and, many times, security line. On occasions where I've been charged a change fee, a quick phone call gets it reversed. I board a 6:30AM flight tomorrow and am honestly looking forward to a few hours of cool views, relaxing reading and maybe a touch of alcohol.
Airlines tried competing on pitch and leg room. Their behinds got handed to them by travellers switching to budget airlines. If you want better service, there are business class tickets available at prices cheaper than pre-deregulation fares.
Note that this effect isn't constrained to Americans. European non-business passengers' demand for air travel is also extremely elastic with respect to price [1].
I'm one of those Americans who doesn't buy the cheapest ticket. I buy comfortable seats at convenient times with airlines I'm loyal to. Guess what I see none of? Any of those things! My bags are free, my drinks are free, I get to go to the front of the check-in line and, many times, security line. On occasions where I've been charged a change fee, a quick phone call gets it reversed. I board a 6:30AM flight tomorrow and am honestly looking forward to a few hours of cool views, relaxing reading and maybe a touch of alcohol.
Airlines tried competing on pitch and leg room. Their behinds got handed to them by travellers switching to budget airlines. If you want better service, there are business class tickets available at prices cheaper than pre-deregulation fares.
Note that this effect isn't constrained to Americans. European non-business passengers' demand for air travel is also extremely elastic with respect to price [1].
[1] http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/handle/1871/48303/140307.pd...