China Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Airlines promise a return to civility, for a fee NEW YORK (AP) — Airlines are introducing a new bevy of fees, but this time passengers might actually like them. Unlike the first generation of charges which dinged fliers for once-free services like checking a bag, these new fees promise a taste of the good life, or at least a more civil flight. Extra legroom, early boarding and access to quiet lounges were just the beginning. Airlines are now renting Apple iPads preloaded with movies, selling hot first class meals in coach and letting passengers pay to have an empty seat next to them. Once on the ground, they can skip baggage claim, having their luggage delivered directly to their home or office. In the near future, airlines plan to go one step further, using massive amounts of personal data to customize new offers for each flier. "We've moved from takeaways to enhancements," says John F. Thomas of L.E.K. Consulting. "It's all about personalizing the travel experience." Carriers have struggled to raise airfares enough to cover costs. Fees bring in more than $15 billion a year and are the reason the airlines are profitable. But the amount of money coming in from older charges like baggage and reservation change fees has tapered off. Revenue from bag fees in April, May and June fell 7 percent compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the government Monday. So now the airlines are selling new extras and copying marketing methods honed by retailers. Technological upgrades allow airlines to sell products directly to passengers at booking, in follow-up emails as trips approach, at check-in and on mobile phones minutes before boarding. Delta Air Lines recently gave its flight attendants wireless devices, allowing them to sell passengers last-second upgrades to seats with more legroom. And just like Amazon.com offers suggested readings based on each buyer's past purchases, airlines soon will be able to use past behavior to target fliers. "We have massive amounts of data," says Delta CEO Richard Anderson. "We know who you are. We know what your history has been on the airline. We can customize our offerings." Other airlines are experimenting with tracking passengers throughout the airport. Click on the link for the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Genius Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Maybe we should all question why Southwest is able to allow bags to fly free, keep rates low, not have assigned seating, and be successful at the same time while the other 100 or so airlines can't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveakl Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Maybe we should all question why Southwest is able to allow bags to fly free, keep rates low, not have assigned seating, and be successful at the same time while the other 100 or so airlines can't? Clearly it is because they use only illegals as their labor force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Maybe we should all question why Southwest is able to allow bags to fly free, keep rates low, not have assigned seating, and be successful at the same time while the other 100 or so airlines can't? They hedged on gas futures in the early 00s and were able to then benefit when oil prices went through the roof. That bought them a decade of fuel expenses about a 3rd of what every other carrier was paying. That got them market share. Anymore though, SW fares are in line with most other carriers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sacase Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Maybe we should all question why Southwest is able to allow bags to fly free, keep rates low, not have assigned seating, and be successful at the same time while the other 100 or so airlines can't? Southwest is the greyhound of the skies, I really dislike flying them and I fly them once a month for work. I can't stand the unassigned seating, It makes me check it 24 hours prior to my flight to ensure I get an aisle seat. I have had to change flight because I was to low in the order to get an aisle seat. Bags...meh. they only give you a small glass of whatever you drink. ITs not the best airline. Thankfully I am only flying an hour when I fly them so its tolerable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Screw all the other amenities - I'll pay an extra $10/flight hr to have a plane with no children under 16 allowed on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertim Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I generally will opt for the upgraded leg room, etc. It really is worth it...besides most of the air travel I do is for work anyway so I get reimbursed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Screw all the other amenities - I'll pay an extra $10/flight hr to have a plane with no children under 16 allowed on board. Right now the only airline I'm aware that offers this is Scoot Airlines: Scoot airline to offer child-free zones on flights Although, you aren't the only one wanting this service: Passengers Push for Child-Free Flights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forehead Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 That was one of my million dollar ideas a few years ago, an entirely child free airline, no exceptions. I wanted to call it ECLB Air (Every Child Left Behind Airlines). Every person I pitched the idea to (mostly other MBA students I was taking classes with) thought it was a great idea, but that I'd get sued for discrimination. Also, there's the whole startup money issue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCSaints_fan Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 That was one of my million dollar ideas a few years ago, an entirely child free airline, no exceptions. I wanted to call it ECLB Air (Every Child Left Behind Airlines). Every person I pitched the idea to (mostly other MBA students I was taking classes with) thought it was a great idea, but that I'd get sued for discrimination. Also, there's the whole startup money issue... If clubs can prevent people under 18/21 from walking through their doors, they why couldn't an airline do the same thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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