Originally Posted by
Andy
You obviously don't commute. If you're suggesting that the seat pitch and recline (for starters) on the big 3 and ULCCs are the same, you haven't ridden on both products. There's a reason why ULCCs' CASM is lower than the big 3 - seat density. Shove 3 or 4 more rows of seats on a plane and you instantly lower CASM.
The last boarding group for the big 3 is basic economy; as close an equivalent to an ULCC offering the big 3 have, except even basic economy gets free drinks and snacks on the big 3.
Big 3 and ULCCs do not deliver the same product. Even basic economy on the big 3 is more comfortable than F9 and NK.
Lets face it, if someone is buying a basic economy on the big 3, or a ticket on Spirit / Frontier they are not looking for comfort. They want to cheapest price. I’ve seen many passenger fly an extra segment, and add 5 hrs to their travel time to save $20. don’t think they are looking for comfort at that point.