US1YFARE
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they are
US Airways to Customers--NO IFE for You!
- Thread starter Art at ISP
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BoeingBoy
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Other than Kirby/Parker saying so, do you have any proof to back up your assertion?
Jim
All of my current and past cross country flights priced lower on DL than they did on US. DL offers an IFE that US doesn't. So I didn't pay more for having IFE on DL. On a few of those cross country flights where I didn't get upgraded to FC (where IFE is free) I actually paid to use the DL IFE.
If it's there most people use it even if they have to pay for it from what I've witnessed.
Even on flights of 2.5 hours or less it's nice to have free videos playing to occupy your time. Do I watch them all the time? No. But it's there as a nice distraction to keep the passengers occupied.
What I find to be a raping of the customer is "choice seats". What choice does US offer? There's no extra leg room like on UA. All US offers for "choice seating" is closer to the front of the plane. Give me the option of paying for IFE over a "choice seat" any day. One will keep me happy while the other is just a waste of money.
A Choice seat is a seat assignment that you pick and should be guaranteed. Some people like to pay a few dollars extra to get a seat they like for whatever reason. If it's not an issue you don't have to purchase the seat assignment. It's a great idea for increasing revenue without increasing cost. Surprisingly enough, people are more than willing to pay for it.
I'm not sure if some people don't watch the news or read the paper but credit for businesses is very hard to get at the moment. Even businesses that are not negatively affected buy the current economic cycle are finding it tough going when it comes to getting a loan. It's not a vote of confidence on the business but a bank survival issue.
It's also important to note that DL started the IFE installation before the current credit "crisis". If I remember correctly, it is not going on all aircraft either. DL is probably not the best comparison for this discussion. Does anyone know of any other airline that wants to install seat back IFE?
My husband and I just flew on JetBlue. We had XM radio and Direct TV and watched tv the entire flight. I caught up on the news-HLN and Fox and watched several comedies. When we began our descent into CLT, we were completely surprised as time seemed to, well, fly. Despite being on the plane for over 2 hrs, we were actually energized and did not have that horrible airline hangover from being on a plane with nothing to do but count the MEL stickers. Also, the flight attendants were pretty funny too. Great snacks as well-a choice of blue potato chips, a dorito mix, cashews, double chocolate chip cookies-and free. Clean plane too.
And Kirby, FYI, we will choose JetBlue any day over this hell you have helped to create. Not only were THEY on time but also about $150 cheaper than you. So much for your theory, Einstein.
And Kirby, FYI, we will choose JetBlue any day over this hell you have helped to create. Not only were THEY on time but also about $150 cheaper than you. So much for your theory, Einstein.
It's going to be nice when Obama is done with Chrysler and GM so he can buy US Airways and insist on IFE. AFL-CIO, etc should be calling on the whitehouse for a return of favor for all the money spent on the Obama campaign. They should be able to get Parker, etc. fired.
Choice Seating on US is not "choice". It's closer to the front of the plane nothing more. There's NO EXTRA LEG ROOM. There's NOTHING Choice about it other than someone figured out how to extract more $$$ for a product that sucks.
Would I pay extra for E+ on UA? Hell Yeah because it gives me extra space. I'd pay for comfort. That's worth paying for.
Apparently it costs several hundred thousands of dollars to equip just one plane, so it would be a rather big expenditure. That said, I wish US would pony up the money to atleast equip its TATL and Hawaii B757/767s with a new IFE system.
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A new IFE being is being installed on all ETOPS Hawaii 757s. We just flew PHX-LIH today on aircraft 910AW, it just came out of C check and is the first plane in the Hawaii fleet with the new system. It features very large flat panel overhead video screens, the First Class pull down screen has been removed with large flat panels on each bulkhead. Also the First Class closet has been removed. Along with the new extended overhead bins and blue leather seats it looks very sharp.
Also, the Hawaiian themed meals (along with the Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians) are well received by the passengers. The product is definately being upgraded.
Aloha from the island of Kauai.
[/quote]
A new IFE being is being installed on all ETOPS Hawaii 757s. We just flew PHX-LIH today on aircraft 910AW, it just came out of C check and is the first plane in the Hawaii fleet with the new system. It features very large flat panel overhead video screens, the First Class pull down screen has been removed with large flat panels on each bulkhead. Also the First Class closet has been removed. Along with the new extended overhead bins and blue leather seats it looks very sharp.
Also, the Hawaiian themed meals (along with the Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians) are well received by the passengers. The product is definately being upgraded.
Aloha from the island of Kauai.
fudgerunyard
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Overhead video screens aren't exactly cutting-edge, flat panel or not. On the other hand, jetBlue and Delta's inflight personal video monitors are. Plus Delta, along with American, are in the process of adding wi-fi connectivity to their domestic fleets. I included some of Delta's offerings as a teaser.
vantheman63
Senior
WN will have in-flight wi-fi on their flights as well....I can't remember the date they said.
Now, for the group that believes what Mr. Parker and Mr. Kirby pontificate.....
I can assure you of one thing: In flight wi-fi ABSOLUTELY will be a selling point to me...just as a First Class cabin is. I own my business...I like to, I NEED to be able to work when I travel, especially on long haul flights. Often, that is my one time....be it 3 hours or 8 hours, when I get relative peace and quiet, no phone and no other interruptions.
So, despite the friggin insanity I continue to hear, that we pax only care about the time and price of a flight 99.9% of the time, I'm here to assure you, WRONG. This is one high-yield, VFFer who does look for value. Sadly, I find little on board for former "airline of choice."
vantheman63
Senior
You clearly didn't read or assimilate all of what I said...it's an overall value picture that drives the decision. While I may never have purchased a ticket STRICTLY because of a meal or a movie, I can assure you, I've let that, as a factor, influence my decision...and comfort probably ranks over price in my book...I need an F of J cabin on long haul flights to be able to work.
In fact...and here's a stat for you...in all of my trips to Europe, there are two things consistent: (a.) I've NEVER flown in coach when I'm going for work, EVER...and (b.) since Team Tempe took over, I've purchased Envoy one time...and it will, in all likelihood NEVER happen again...unless there is simply no other way to get across the pond OR it's just crazy cheap.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
And guess what?!? Almost EVERYONE has more to offer in the "package" than US does! Even WN has more, ESPECIALLY in the Y cabin...and once they get their wi-fi done...we can almost relegate US to the class of "Spirit" Airlines....another airline on the "no-fly" list.
Look, I don't think anyone at US, including Mr. Parker and Mr. Kirby are "stupid." However, I truly question whether or not they are capable of "pathfinding" and leading in the big picture.Mixed message in that last quote. Do you really feel badly for us, or do you think we're stupid?
I've heard Mr. Kirby pontificate how insane it is that "value added" exists in a business. (He doesn't say it like that...however, he may as well.) I just find that shocking. "Value Added," as any Freshman business student would tell you, is a MUCH better strategy in positioning a product than throwing price at it. "Price" is only a good strategy when you have a lock of some type on production...US CLEARLY does not.
When Mr. Kirby says things like, "customers won't pay for meals or IFE," what he's missing is that customers WILL pay for "value added" and there are airlines, like CO or WN who GET THAT. My goodness, it's so obvious when you are a customer, how they appeal to that customer who WILL purchase and pay a little more because of the overall value they are offered.
Where Mr. Kirby's idea would hold water would be in this scenario:
- The carrier can GUARANTEE they will be the lowest cost in the cabin of service selected and by city pairs
- The carrier can GUARANTEE they will be on time and with your luggage.
If they can make those guarantees...then yes, THAT is what people WILL pay for.
But most of us who are experienced enough know, "we're doing well to be within an hour of scheduled time." We EXPECT delays, we understand they happen. Thats why the whole "we were #1 in 2008" was as important to me as getting a free set of airline wings for a kid I was traveling with. Frankly, as a CO Plat and a WN loyal customer...and countless miles on DL, NW, FI and UA....I was never delayed consistently to where I thought, "screw this airline."
And I haven't even priced US in a long time...but I can assure anyone who doesn't know or understand...the product is not usually the least expensive. Yes, it's the cheapest, but not usually the least expensive. And that right there people, is the grind..."cheapest "product, not always least expensive.
So, I feel bad for the people that make US go...because you are subjected to a management team THAT DOES NOT GET IT!
Your airline HAS an identity crisis...and it's not going to get fixed any time soon...because the people in charge DO NOT GET IT! Their line of logic is just not straight and it's FULL of disconnects.
My only criticism of the people working the front lines is how you can sit and listen to Mr. Kirby or Mr. Parker pontificate the way they do and not offer up a challenge to them OR, make them answer the questions you ask.
I know some politicians in Washington that could take some lessons from these people.
jimntx
Veteran
Then I hope you will be flying AA. I was at a meeting in base (STL) last Thursday. The Regional Director told us that not only is it being expanded to the entire fleet (including the MD-80s!!!!), they have decided to lower the price. During the test the WI-FI cost was $12.95, but it proved to be so exceedingly popular they realized they could charge less and bring in even more revenue. It will now cost $9.95 to use.
vantheman63
Senior
I like AA...and I do fly them a couple times ever year...and I would pay $9.95 to use it, but I normally book AA in the F cabin into and out of LAS...it's complimentary in F, right?Then I hope you will be flying AA. I was at a meeting in base (STL) last Thursday. The Regional Director told us that not only is it being expanded to the entire fleet (including the MD-80s!!!!), they have decided to lower the price. During the test the WI-FI cost was $12.95, but it proved to be so exceedingly popular they realized they could charge less and bring in even more revenue. It will now cost $9.95 to use.
I would probably fly AA more...but they pulled from PVD last summer.
I think you are confusing E+ and Choice seats. E+ on UA is separate product in the coach cabin. Choice seats are simply seat assignments that tend to be popular that people will pay a premium for such as window or aisle seats closer to the front of the aircraft. I've never seen Choice seats advertised as anything else.
Then I hope you will be flying AA. I was at a meeting in base (STL) last Thursday. The Regional Director told us that not only is it being expanded to the entire fleet (including the MD-80s!!!!), they have decided to lower the price. During the test the WI-FI cost was $12.95, but it proved to be so exceedingly popular they realized they could charge less and bring in even more revenue. It will now cost $9.95 to use.
Delta's offering of Wi-Fi started with its MD-88s and has been progressing from there. Their prices are $7.95 for portable electronic devices only that have Wi-Fi capability, such as iPod Touches. Then it's $9.95 for flights under 3 hours and $12.95 for flights three hours or more: http://www.gogoinflight.com/jahia/Jahia/site/gogo/gogoPrice.
These are Gogo's partner airlines thus far: http://www.gogoinflight.com/jahia/Jahia/si...ipatingairlines. As you can see, it includes AA, DL, UA, VX, and is coming soon to AC.
WN has been testing their Wi-Fi on select aircraft first quarter of this year. More information about their venture can be found here: http://www.southwest.com/landing/pop_wifi_info.html. I follow Southwest on Facebook and Twitter, so I will try to find out what their implementation plans are.
And I am one of those who definitely sees the value in offering Wi-Fi. I am excited about the prospect. US better wake up and realize there's a market for an added value proposition.
