Could SWA be looking after AA/US ???

Reply Subscribe

Page 8 of 8

« First

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

03-06-2013 | 04:00 PM

#71

shoelu

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,207

Likes: 0

From: CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clear Right

JetBlue Ka-band high-speed internet now arriving in early 2013, eight times faster than the competition

JetBlue will probably offer a "basic Wi-Fi", e-mail etc. for free, then they will charge for the Broadband KA product which is supposed to be 8 times faster than KU band Wi-Fi.

But, I do like the SWA idea, you really don't need the TVs anymore, now that most people fly with some type of tablet. The question is, will they pay for the product? I think research has proven that only about 10% of customers pay for Wi-Fi, but everybody will sit there and watch TV for free or use the Wi-Fi to stay connected with e-mail for free. It'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

It sounds like JetBlue is doing it the right way. The satellite based service allows connection anywhere not just over a land mass where ground based signals are available. If their service truly is that much faster, it will have been worth the wait.

03-06-2013 | 04:04 PM

#72

Clear Right

Line Holder

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 556

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Dick

Never bet on the preferences of your passengers. Offered a lower fare and more frequency, they'll put up with just about anything, be it SWA or Spirit.

True, but B6 will tell you they consider their product in the "value" category. Better service, more legroom, more entertainment features than any coach or low cost product, but less than the typical business or first class product. That is their niche.

03-06-2013 | 04:34 PM

#73

shoelu

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,207

Likes: 0

From: CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clear Right

It seems that the only "niche" that means anything to consumers is the lowest price.

03-06-2013 | 07:35 PM

#74

tomgoodman

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 6,248

Likes: 0

From: 767A (Ret)

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoelu

It seems that the only "niche" that means anything to consumers is the lowest price.

That was Bob Crandall's observation. No friend of labor, but he did know a lot about marketing. Customers say they want better quality and service, and that they would be willing to pay for it, but when it's time to get out their wallet.....

03-07-2013 | 03:53 PM

#75

KC10 FATboy

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 4,196

Likes: 51

From: Legacy FO

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoelu

Are there actually people that still do not travel with an iPad, Kindle, smart phone or laptop? I suppose there are at least a few. As far as the JetBlue passengers not wanting the "cattle call mentality", I will submit that they will go where the low fares are like all the other customers do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Dick

Never bet on the preferences of your passengers. Offered a lower fare and more frequency, they'll put up with just about anything, be it SWA or Spirit.

Out of touch? Not picking on you guys, but I deadhead a lot and I rarely see anyone using an electronic devices connected to the wifi. In fact, it is so rare I often wonder how it makes any money. Also, most coach seats don't have the space available for a laptop. The angle between the seat in front of you and the tray tables is too small so the laptop screen can't open all the way up (annoying when you're trying to get some work done). And Southwest is reducing the spacing between seats which makes this worse.

And I have to ask, do you honestly think Southwest still has cheap fares? Companies like Spirit and Allegiant are the Southwests of current day. Southwest has lost its way but it is still a good company to work for and an airline that usually treats its customers right.

03-07-2013 | 10:34 PM

#76

Flyby1206

SDQ Base Chief

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 6,056

Likes: 34

From: 320 CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy

And I have to ask, do you honestly think Southwest still has cheap fares? Companies like Spirit and Allegiant are the Southwests of current day. Southwest has lost its way but it is still a good company to work for and an airline that usually treats its customers right.

Agreed 100%, but it is all about public perception (in regards to low fares). SWA is still doing a good job of maintaining the LCC image even if they are more legacy than anything else.

03-08-2013 | 11:20 AM

#77

gloopy

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 12,823

Likes: 168

From: window seat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyby1206

Agreed 100%, but it is all about public perception (in regards to low fares). SWA is still doing a good job of maintaining the LCC image even if they are more legacy than anything else.

Yes they are. They do have a savvy marketing campaign that is aces at framing the debate from the beginning. Not only do they continue to get that perception past the average consumer but pretty much every airport board out there not yet served by them buys into it (literally) and is willing to sell their souls for a bite at the "Southwest Effect" apple, regardless of how soft and brown it has become.

Plus they have a little help