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US Appears to be finally starting the new IFE test

When we had RoachFEST '04 we had the pleasure of having both Brad Beakley and Andrew Nocella visit with us along with 8 other CCY execs

Andrew maintains that the general flying public is sooooo price sensitive that a shift in price as little as $2.00 will cause bookings to drop. Now I happen to be a bit skeptical of Andrew's assertions. However I have to defer to Andrew as I happen to be of the opinion that he is one of the smartest men I've ever met.
Thanks. That answers my question, more or less. People love the IFE (who wouldn't?), but the majority are not willing to actually pay to have it. In reality, JB still has to match fares (didn't Jetblue just start a $39 fare sale in some short haul markets?), thus operating their IFE at a loss, as compared to airlines that do not offer IFE.

Therein lies the problem.
 
Will the IFE include Springer. or do I have to wait for a spontaneous Kettle eruption?

Maybe if US Airways could be the official Springer airline. It could be on IFE, and there would be actual guests flying to and from the show.
 
Not in most cases -- certainly not for the IFE alone with that price differential. But not everybody buys on price alone. If someone who is familiar with both brands were flying on a transcon, they might pay $325 for 34" of pitch on B6 instead of $198 for 31" of pitch on US. And (correct me if I am wrong on the pricing) for another $50 or $60 or so each way they could have 38" of pitch. Those extra inches are very valuable on a transcon to someone who is not so price sensitive & is looking for a good value. Oh....and the IFE is an added bonus.....as is the water and Terra Blue chips (or whatever they're called). Not everybody finds value in extra seat pitch, so US definitely would have an advantage over B6 with many (but not all) customers at those price points.

I have stated many times on this board that US is entitled to provide and price their product in any manner which they see fit to maximize revenue. By the same token, customers are just as entitled to choose what airline to fly with based upon factors which are important to them. I personally think that IFE is a value-added service which enhances an airline's brand. By US not offering it right now in any form on transcons I believe that they are losing market share to their competitors.

Agree about the "value added" ideas for some, but unfortunately, not the majority of travelers. Most are extremely price sensitive, and with the impending economy, those who weren't as price sensitive might just be soon. IFE is an "added bonus" that an airline pays a lot of money to operate, while unable to recover the cost of operation from its customers.

When I see JB fares significantly higher than those of its competitors for similar routes, I will change my opinion. As of now, JB has to match the fares of US/AA/WN, etc in competing markets, and are unable to charge more because of a "value added" amenity such as IFE.
 
What? Spend millions on Direct TV. Other airlines, or airline, has been there for years.

Tie ins are the answer.

Fly in those Springer, Judge Joe Brown, and Maury (think of the congregating outside the lavs) guests. And put them all on the same flight.

Free advertising on the shows. Weekly stories on CNN about US Airways passengers running amok.

Talk about an IFE premium. You could run charters and sell the empty seats.

Stop being so boring.

I miss Shannon. Where is my wack back-up?
 
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