Song - Much ado about nothing

[AirplaneFan]

I noticed that Song has 6 roundtrips from JFK to FLL. All operated by Delta Airlines. Same for BOS 3 rountrips to FLL. And how about that $263 one-way fare? It would appear that Song is just a lime green paper tiger and just ANOTHER airline created by Delta management whenever some critics are calling for a plan.

 

[sfb]

jetBlue''s not a whole lot cheaper for walk-up fares - around $225 each way if booked at the last minute and availability is limited. And theoretically Delta should charge a bit more for Song since it''s a better product than Delta Express was.

 

[RJStud]

My inlaws just flew JB from JFK to TPA for the first time. They said it was the worst flight they ever had (they are million milers on several major airlines). JB is aparently overated, unless you like a lot of screaming kids, no chance for a first class upgrade, and a lot of hype.

 

[Diesel8]

Well, there you have it. No need for Delta to worry. Worst flight ever, screaming kids, overrated and overhyped.

jetBlue should just declare Chapter 7 now and get it over with!

Now, does that mean you are deleting your application?

 

[AAG2000]

That's too bad about your in-laws. I don't doubt that they were unhappy. But a couple of observations: (1) I can't recall ever being on a NY to Florida flight WITHOUT screaming children (going back to the days when I was one of them myself, usually on Eastern!), and (2) as a current NW Silver Elite and former DL Medallion, I can't remember the last time I got one of those free upgrades they're always promising. Talk about overrated!

 

[AirplaneFan]

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On 7/18/2003 8:59:12 PM RJStud wrote:

My inlaws just flew JB from JFK to TPA for the first time. They said it was the worst flight they ever had (they are million milers on several major airlines). JB is aparently overated, unless you like a lot of screaming kids, no chance for a first class upgrade, and a lot of hype.

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Wow, your inlaws have truly lived a charmed life if this was the "worst flight they ever had". You make no mention as to what annoys/infuriates most travelers; long delays, cramped seating, planes cancelled at the last minute, lost bags, etc. If a "lot of screaming kids" is the worst complaint against JetBlue than they'll be around for a long time.

 

[Diesel8]

While some of that may be true, how do you explain the biz travellers who prefers SWA because of last minute fares? No chance of upgrade, no exotic overseas destinations! Could it be, that they like not being charged an arm and a leg for a last minute itinerary. Could it be, that they consider SWA to be equal to or better than the other majors?

Considering the continued growth of SWA, they must be doing something right! Hopefully, the same will be said of jetBlue ten years down the road.

 

[RJStud]

They (my inlaws) fly enough on most majors that they usually get the upgrade. Their point was that on JB, that isn't an option. On Airtran it is. I'm sure JB will do just fine, but when the economy turns around, the frequent business travler will return to the majors because they like the perks. That includes the Crown Room, the upgrades, the free trips to all of our overseas destinations, and the priority handleing when things go bad (canx, WX, etc....).

A friend of mine lives in ATL but works in LA every week. I asked him if he had tried JB's new service out of ATL. He said it isn't worth it to him. He likes the up-grades he usually gets (nice on a 6 hour flight), the FF miles, and (most important)the frequency of flights available (he said that it is very important to be able to catch an earlier flight if he finishes work earily on a Friday). None of thes things are an option on JB, maybe they will be someday.

 

[JS]

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On 7/28/2003 7:57:42 AM RJStud wrote:

...

A friend of mine lives in ATL but works in LA every week. I asked him if he had tried JB's new service out of ATL. He said it isn't worth it to him. He likes the up-grades he usually gets (nice on a 6 hour flight), ...

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That's funny, it only takes 4 hours on JetBlue.

 

[Daedalus]

Unlike Delta, jetBlue doesn't depend on the patronage of "high-yield" business travellesr to make money. The choice of many business people to fly on JBLU during the last two years has been viewed as icing on the cake, and therefore gladly accepted. But JBLU's business model is not designed to lure business travellers (unless they're looking for low fares and being treated humanely). Normally business people who have to pay their own freight, or justify their expenses in an atmosphere of tight travel budgets, will be much more inclined to use LUV or JBLU. On the other hand, when it's somebody else's money, then pile on the perks (and costs) to lure that high-yield passenger. Either way, LCCs like JBLU will have no problem making money in either a good or bad economic environment.

 

[funguy2]

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On 7/28/2003 8:37:12 AM Diesel8 wrote:

While some of that may be true, how do you explain the biz travellers who prefers SWA because of last minute fares? No chance of upgrade, no exotic overseas destinations! Could it be, that they like not being charged an arm and a leg for a last minute itinerary. Could it be, that they consider SWA to be equal to or better than the other majors?

Considering the continued growth of SWA, they must be doing something right! Hopefully, the same will be said of jetBlue ten years down the road.

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Interesting question... and probably more appropriate for the Southwest board... but I wonder what the breakdown of Southwest business pax on MDW-DTW is, for example, vs. BWI-LAX. I'll bet they get a lot less on BWI-LAX, in part because the longer the trip is, the more ammenities the biz pax require. Maybe an upgrade from MDW-DTW is not important, but I am sure it is on the transcon!

 

[RJStud]

Wow, you guys are swimming in the blue koolaid!

 

[RDUSWF]

You my friend are clueless, how can you sit here and post crap like this.

Here are some facts:
-JetBlue, Southwest, Airtran, Frontier are all profitible. None of the majors are, unless you add their govmt handouts.
-JetBlue, Southwest, Airtran, and Frontier are all growing. All of the majors are getting smaller.

Do you see a pattern?? Maybe there aren't as many stuck up people like your inlaws as the major's (and you) think.

Your inlaws' experience, though I have my doubts about it, only ilustrates your ignorance about the industry.

I am FF on two majors, AA and DL, and fly a couple times p/week, rarely am I able to be upgraded. Forget about trying to use the miles, I have over 1.7 million combined, for free travel to those exotic destinations. You have to book two years in advance, go during the off-season, and fly through the most inconvenient connection points.

I have no allegiance to Jetblue or any of the other LCCs, in fact since JI (Midway) evaporated I fly the majors (AA & DL) most of the time. I just have a terrible time understanding why the majors treat their best customers the worst. Why penalize someone who needs to take your flight often at the last minute??

Since JI stopped scheduled service, flying has not been the same for me. I long the days of courtious FAs, Pilots, etc. I miss the fact that people really did care about my flight experience. I welcome JetBlue, Frontier, and Airtran to come and/or grow at RDU.

Ps. I am not a WN fan.

 

[RJStud]

RDUSWF,

You sound really bitter. I'll bet you are a big "Gate Gnat" who gets swatted away a lot.

 

[ITRADE]

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On 7/27/2003 2:46:22 PM AirplaneFan wrote:

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On 7/18/2003 8:59:12 PM RJStud wrote:

My inlaws just flew JB from JFK to TPA for the first time. They said it was the worst flight they ever had (they are million milers on several major airlines). JB is aparently overated, unless you like a lot of screaming kids, no chance for a first class upgrade, and a lot of hype.

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Wow, your inlaws have truly lived a charmed life if this was the "worst flight they ever had".  You make no mention as to what annoys/infuriates most travelers; long delays, cramped seating, planes cancelled at the last minute, lost bags, etc.  If a  "lot of screaming kids" is the worst complaint against JetBlue than they'll be around for a long time.

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You need to change your airline then. I had a 95% upgrade success as an silver elite on US.