Originally Posted by
B757200ER
Baldanza is right---Spirit isn't for the elite passenger who wants to be coddled, it's strictly for passengers who want to save money and are willing to pay extra for traditionally-free frills. People will fly an airline like that---just look at RyanAir, Easyjet and Air Berlin.
The problem with this country is the 'Wal-Mart-ization' of the airline industry. Airlines have programmed passengers in the US to expect Nordstrom's quality and service for Wal-Mart/K-Mart prices; and passengers demand this, not expect it. The US is still over-supplied with airlines, seats and flights; the prices are too low, and passengers expect nonstop, transcon flights for under $200 round-trip. It just isn't realistic or economical anymore.
You, sir, are 110% correct. In peoples' minds, many see air travel as something out of the 60's still, until they have to pay for it. They want the service, perks, and luxury that the airline's advertise and that's their expectations.
The internet has killed the yield for the airlines. As one CEO said at a former company, the passenger will not pay $5 more than the fare of a competing carrier, but will pay $5 for a Snickers bar once on the aircraft.