MOAR! BETTER! FIRE THEM ALL! He never got the memo that airlines operate under thousands of regulations, with extraordinary capital costs, in a marketplace where consumers will pick the ticket that's $20 cheaper every time.
1) Everyone who has run an airline for 30 years is an idiot. It never occurred to them that people would pay more for better service, even though they all went to prestigious b-schools. The author of this blog post is a genius.
2) The author of this blog post has no idea about the myriad of government regulations and economic realities of the airline industry.
If I'm ever arrogant enough to assume #1, shoot me.
Maybe you have a solution as to why the travel industry doesn't make any money? Because obviously what they have now doesn't work.
This is what this whole article is about - not picking the $20 cheaper ticket every time. That all the companies are the same, so why should anyone NOT pick the $20 cheaper ticket every time?
What the few successful airlines have realized is that there isn't THAT much room to go premium in economy class -- that consumers might pay $20 more for an airline they like, but not $50.
This blogger wants business class service for an economy class price plus a few dollars, and it's just delusional. A Boeing 777 costs $300 million.
But what I am talking about is an entirely different travel experience. Airlines trying to be different and innovating - and airlines trying to MAKE A PROFIT.
edit: except for registered not-for-profit corporations.
Could airports, air traffic control or the security detail (excluding the TSA) actually pay for themselves from flight revenues? I would guess they should since we won't go back to ocean liners or zeppelins.
So it's TSA's fault that I can move my legs on a flight, or I have to fight over armrests?
You are saying that every airline is EXACTLY the same because of TSA? I completely disagree.
This already exists, it's called First Class and platinum status. It may not exist at the price point that OP wants.
I agree, there are minor differences in first class with airlines in my experience - but I am talking about an entirely different travel experience than what exists.
They'll fly you around the country in small jets used for business class clientele only.
Now, its pricey but it exists. That's the seperate "class" that you're talking about.
They meet you at the gate, take your luggage, and even send a limo to pick you up and take you to your destination. You never see security screening either.
I think planes ARE being divvyed up like he is saying (business and or first class, sky lounges, etc), just he's underestimating the amount of people who don't want to pay to sit in luxury at 35000ft.
