Correction-- US Airways is NOT a Low COST Carrier--it is a Low CLASS Carrier (with no offense to the great PEOPLE of the airline-I refer entirely to the product that mis-management has provided).
Nothing low cost about US....just about the highest costs of any airline.
In other industries, there are federal laws against dumping, that is, selling your product KNOWINGLY below your cost. Can you imagine the furor if they tried to enforce that law in the airline industry?
I am NOT a proponent of government regulation, but the only way to stabilize and rationalize fare structures industry-wide, may be some form of re-regulation. The value fare proposition which failed before only did so because not every airline adopted it. The ala carte fees represent an opportunity to commit fraud--false advertising--lower fares plus higher fees equal higher end cost to the consumer--misleading at least.
PRICE THE PRODUCT PROPERLY AND YOU WON'T NEED TO NICKEL AND DIME PEOPLE.
The fact is that the flying public is getting tired of the fees.....and there is a backlash coming.
WN got it right. I just flew to BNA last week on a last minute trip. Booking 36 hours before travel, WN was not only the lowest fare (by only $15 but still...), but it was unrestricted and offered Business Select at that price--meaning I was free to change flights (which I did) without penalty.
The next lowest fare on a legacy carrier was restricted, non refundable and would have cost $150 for a change...
The key is to come up with REASONABLE unrestricted fares, and then you'd see more people spend up a little to gain the flexibility.
The missing ingredient to the pricing formula today is VALUE. Add a little VALUE for the customer for the extra money and keep it reasonable and more people will spend up....
There is growing sentiment amongst business travelers that we're tired of subsidizing Ma and Pa Kettle....time to level the playing field a little--by any means necessary.
My BEST to you all....