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United Airlines President Says If You're Uncomfortable In Coach, It's Your Own Fault
"Seat pitch has come down because that's what customers voted with their wallets that they wanted," said United Airlines President Scott Kirby. "I know everyone would tell you, 'I would like more seat pitch.' But the history in the airline industry is every time airlines put more seat pitch on, customers choose the lowest price." You see, oh silly passenger. Your discomfort is caused by your parsimoniousness. If you gave the airlines more money, they'd… (www.inc.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
"You get what you pay for". Think that's been around longer than the pyramids.
The rule of any corporation is to charge absolutely as much as the market will bear (same as reducing amenities) in order to return the most to the shareholders. People forget that corporations are not charities. The shareholders are the boss.
People whine about the amenities and the fares, but the airports are jammed. We will know when we have reached the level the market will bear when people decide NOT to make that visit for Grandma's birthday and the airports are less crowded. Clearly, we have a good ways to go still to get to that point.
People whine about the amenities and the fares, but the airports are jammed. We will know when we have reached the level the market will bear when people decide NOT to make that visit for Grandma's birthday and the airports are less crowded. Clearly, we have a good ways to go still to get to that point.
I only fly with JetBlue and international carriers, will not book a flight with United.
The CEO is correct, the cheapest airfare from point A to point B (4 hour flight) s the prevailing market force. So, if ABC Airlines' fare is $700.00 and XYZ Airline is $650.00 for this round trip, Airline XYZ wins!
Nothing else matters, consider (non-frequent flier):
Airline ABC - free beverages and hot meal, seat pitch 34 inches, width 19 inches, pre-seat selection with logical boarding process.
Airline XYZ - no beverage and snacks, seat pitch 30 inches, width 17 inches, Southwest style boarding process.
These characteristics have no market influence, the airlines are forced to compete with publishing the lowest fare through online booking sites.
And by the way, international airline services are trending towards US quality levels, Cathay Pacific is a horrible example. However, Japan Airlines maintains high quality of services, pioneer in "real" premium economy product.
The US carriers recently discovered this "premium economy" marketing product, perhaps a 50% fare increase for an extra inch and early boarding...
The CEO is correct, the cheapest airfare from point A to point B (4 hour flight) s the prevailing market force. So, if ABC Airlines' fare is $700.00 and XYZ Airline is $650.00 for this round trip, Airline XYZ wins!
Nothing else matters, consider (non-frequent flier):
Airline ABC - free beverages and hot meal, seat pitch 34 inches, width 19 inches, pre-seat selection with logical boarding process.
Airline XYZ - no beverage and snacks, seat pitch 30 inches, width 17 inches, Southwest style boarding process.
These characteristics have no market influence, the airlines are forced to compete with publishing the lowest fare through online booking sites.
And by the way, international airline services are trending towards US quality levels, Cathay Pacific is a horrible example. However, Japan Airlines maintains high quality of services, pioneer in "real" premium economy product.
The US carriers recently discovered this "premium economy" marketing product, perhaps a 50% fare increase for an extra inch and early boarding...
I disagree you buy what is offered. I fly the legacy carriers because I want the perks offered that the low fair carriers don't offer. When I look at United's & American's Website's I have to purchase the ticket and then upgrade to premium. Delta gives me the price up front before I commit to a flight. Maybe United should take a page out of Delta's website and allow me to see the prices of all seats before I select.
Singapore Airlines new A350 is coming from the factory with only Premium Economy seating. I'm old enough to remember that this was what economy was before you turned it into sardine can seating. Maybe Singapore Airlines has a good idea. These new aircraft are more cost efficient to fly and it is possible to offer Premium Economy at a more affordable price and still fill the plane. I know if I was on a long haul flight I would want the extra leg room. To me any flight over 2 hours should have the extra leg room.
Singapore Airlines new A350 is coming from the factory with only Premium Economy seating. I'm old enough to remember that this was what economy was before you turned it into sardine can seating. Maybe Singapore Airlines has a good idea. These new aircraft are more cost efficient to fly and it is possible to offer Premium Economy at a more affordable price and still fill the plane. I know if I was on a long haul flight I would want the extra leg room. To me any flight over 2 hours should have the extra leg room.
Take my peanuts and 1/3 can of soda away but give me more seat pitch. That's how I would vote.
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