Are There Any Good Airlines Left?

[TheWog]

I admit, I like the jokes and songs.

Me too.

 

[lugnut33]

Yep, all the airlines are losing money. Yep, we demanded low prices above all else. Yep, it must be hard to run an airline these days.

Having said all that, I flew a couple of weeks ago and concluded that, short of crashing the plane, there is nothing a airline could do these days to make the experience more miserable. I fly with dread these days, and I used to actually enjoy it. The tiny seats, the crowds, the race for overhead space, the underpaid and overworked employees. It's just such a trial anymore -- and that goes for all the airlines. Unlike others, I don't see much difference between any of them.

I feel exactly like you and that's why I started this thread. I remember loving to fly and now I just hate it. I'm atleast hopeful after reading the responses about Southwest that I'll have a decent flight next month.

 

[lugnut33]

Until the day of your flight. That's when the legacy carriers have the flexibility.

You must work for one of the Legacy carriers? Because I find the legacy carriers to be totally stubborn.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Life inside airlines is not a happy place now. Profits are few and far between.

Let's think about it.....how long has it been since US Airways was flying Metrojet? 10 years? longer?

I can remember flying to Orlando on metrojet out of BWI for $169. Guess what, I can STILL fly to Orlando on a good day for that or less 10 + years later. I'm sorry, we cannot expect to pay the same $$$ for the same flight we took over 10 years ago and expect the experience to be the same.

Call me crazy, but I bet the cost for the airline to fly me to Orlando has gone up BUNCHES in the last 10 years. I beat $169 round trip on my last trip to Orlando this year.

Something has to give.....pilot, flight crew and maintenance salaries.....squeeze more people onto each flight, offer less, charge more, add more fees, reduce staff (reservation agents vs online, checkin machines at airports vs airline agents, customer service personnel staff cuts. Don't forget...many of the airline personnel you are meeting now have taken paycuts in the last few years.

It's no surprise 2009 has been the worst year for the airlines financially - it's been all over the news. Sadly, that has to impact our travel experience.


For me, I get on the flight and go to sleep. I fly Southwest whenever possible - I fly non-stop whenever possible (Delta LOVES to send my luggage other places when I have to change planes), I bring a good book to read, I bring a sandwich along in case there are delays, I buy a water and diet coke INSIDE security, I bring my own little fleece blanket and round stuffed Sully for my pillow. I'm pretty self-contaned and ready for most anything when I travel now. (You should see the picnic lunch I pack for our trips out to Los Angeles and DL!!!)

 

[DebbieB]

You must work for one of the Legacy carriers? Because I find the legacy carriers to be totally stubborn.

What is nice about the legacy carriers is they can put you on another airline if there's a problem. They have interline agreements. Like one time my USAirways flight was delayed, they were able to put me on Northwest. They are also more flexible with standby. SW will only move you to another flight if you move up to a full fare ticket.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I feel exactly like you and that's why I started this thread. I remember loving to fly and now I just hate it. I'm atleast hopeful after reading the responses about Southwest that I'll have a decent flight next month.

Some people are rabid fans of Southwest (ME!!) .... others don't like it at all.

They have had a business model which has worked for them most of the 30+ years they have been in business. One type of aircraft, no hub system, competitive pricing to keep the flights as full as possible.

Remember when we used to get MEALS with our flgihts? Everyone used to point fingers at Southwest for giving out only ... peanuts. Now look how things have changed, they are the airline with the least amount of fees, they actually have pillows and blankets......

Yes, I know I am not totally objective --- and I DO miss most of the flight because I'm sound asleep. What I DO know about Southwest is they do TRY to provide a good product. I rarely find a southwest person at BWI who is not pleasant.

They aren't perfect....but they try.

I'm sending good wishes for a GREAT flight on Southwest.

Don't forget to keep an eye on your flights to see if the cost goes down....you can modify your flights online and you will have that $$$ to use within a year for another flight. <<<---that's one of my favorite perks!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

No, they are not. They recently lost money for three straight quarters and, despite a profit this quarter, said they will likely lose money next quarter, once more.

July 22 they announced a profit for the last quarter - modest - but in the black again.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I suggest you check your facts. The PP is totally correct:


http://www.learningmarkets.com/index.php/200907213194/News-Feed/News-Feed/southwest-airlines-reports-profit-amr-cal-post-losses.html

I'm not sure how you can stand by your statement (which is different from the one in this post) when it has been shown to be wrong.

Uh - maybe because when one makes a profit 36 years in a row - it can be called consistent?

The PP is wrong. Speak to me next year if 2009 is in the red.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

LOL... it sounds like you find a lot of people stubborn. That notwithstanding, you won't find anything more stubborn than a SWA gate agent who insists you pay the fare difference in order for you to board an earlier (even empty) flight.

A legacy carrier will accommodate you on that earlier flight if space is available at no charge. I guess it all depends on your definition of 'stubborn'

You must work for one of the Legacy carriers? Because I find the legacy carriers to be totally stubborn.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

2009 is currently in the red for SWA. Should we just contact you if they end up in the black?

The PP is wrong. Speak to me next year if 2009 is in the red.

 

[MAH4546]

I suggest you check the facts - 36 YEARS of consecutive profitability - unmatched by any other carrier. I stand by my statement.

LOL.

Southwest loss bigger than expected, shares tumble
Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:51pm EDT
By Deepa Seetharaman

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) reported a surprisingly large quarterly loss on Thursday as business and leisure travel slumped and the value of its fuel hedging program fell, sending shares down almost 9 percent.

The Dallas-based carrier, widely known for its thriftiness, pinned the loss on faltering passenger demand, particularly in business travel, during the "the toughest revenue environment in our history," said Chief Executive Gary Kelly in a statement.

The results marked the third straight drop in quarterly net profit for Southwest after 17 years in the black. In an effort to trim costs and boost revenue, the No. 1 U.S. low-cost carrier said it planned to cut capital spending, capacity and offer employee buyouts for the third time since 2004.
http://www.reuters.com/article/hotStocksNews/idUSTRE53F2UW20090416

 

[lugnut33]

LOL... it sounds like you find a lot of people stubborn. That notwithstanding, you won't find anything more stubborn than a SWA gate agent who insists you pay the fare difference in order for you to board an earlier (even empty) flight.

A legacy carrier will accommodate you on that earlier flight if space is available at no charge. I guess it all depends on your definition of 'stubborn'

Really, so last time we tried to get on an early flight with NWA out of Detroit heading to Chicago and they wanted us to pay the $100 change fee that was all a mirage???

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Sounds like you make friends wherever you go! Even Northwest's website explains there is a $50 fee to change your flight on the same day. I wonder why they wanted to charge you double?

In any case... allow me to re-word my original post. A legacy carrier will not charge you the difference between the fare you PAID and the current full fare for the earlier flight you wish to take on the same day. Some legacy carriers charge no fee whatsoever to put you on an earlier flight with space available. Some legacy carriers will charge you a nominal fee for a confirmed seat same-day flight change. My point was, and remains, that legacy carriers offer flexibility on the day of travel whereas Southwest's flexibility ends the day before travel.

Really, so last time we tried to get on an early flight with NWA out of Detroit heading to Chicago and they wanted us to pay the $100 change fee that was all a mirage???

 

[lugnut33]

Sounds like you make friends wherever you go! Even Northwest's website explains there is a $50 fee to change your flight on the same day. I wonder why they wanted to charge you double?

In any case... allow me to re-word my original post. A legacy carrier will not charge you the difference between the fare you PAID and the current full fare for the earlier flight you wish to take on the same day. Some legacy carriers charge no fee whatsoever to put you on an earlier flight with space available. Some legacy carriers will charge you a nominal fee for a confirmed seat same-day flight change. My point was, and remains, that legacy carriers offer flexibility on the day of travel whereas Southwest's flexibility ends the day before travel.

Wanna bet?

 

[disfan07]

Virgin America is the best!! In my opinion it is the only way to fly from california to virginia

to and from anywhere else, southwest and jetblue

 

[Tammy32]

Decided I better keep my mouth shut so I deleted my post.

 

[Junebugwv]

I am with the others posters who say flying is no longer a pleasant experience. But, neither is driving on interstates through construction, heavy traffic, bad weather and inattentive drivers.

 

[uva185]

Wanna bet?

Are you saying Southwest offers greater flexibility for same day changes than the legacy airlines?? Because the way I see it the following airlines let you change for a modest fee while Southwest makes you pay the fare difference. (I guarantee those $49 one-way fares are not available on the day of departure.

Legacy Same Day Change Policies
US Airways: Confirmed on an earlier flight for $50
Delta / Northwest: Confirmed on an earlier or later flight for $50
United: Confirmed on earlier or later flight for $75
Continental: Confirmed on earlier or later flight for $50
American: Confirmed on earlier or later flight for $50

**These are confirmed changes, if you miss a flight or want to try your luck going standby the fee is often waived. The fee is usually waived for elites.

 

[bntlyclg89]

I used to recommend Midwest Airlines all the time and I'd look foward to flying with them. No more. They have dropped many of their destinations (including Orlando during the off season). The majority of their flights seem to be "code-sharing" and they have done away with their 2x2 seating. DH and I now fly SW.

It's really a shame what happened to MW. I wish they'd bring back their old product.

 

[MartDM]

JetBlue is fantastic! More legroom, comfortable seats, and they actually still believe in providing customers with pleasant, helpful service...what a novelty nowadays!