Will Any Of The Newer Low Cost Airlines Become Another Southwest

[Palumboism]

Will Jet Blue, Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant ever grow to be as successful as Southwest?  Each of them is growing fast, but there's always a controversy about some of these airlines.

[Palumboism]

Allegiant focuses on vacation travelers going from colder climates in the North to warm vacation locations in the south.  They often fly to the smaller cheaper airport in the area.  For example in Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa, they fly to the smaller Orlando Sanford, St. Pete–Clearwater, Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport.  At all three airports they are the only airline flying there.  

Part of the airline's lower cost structure includes operation of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets, which the airline can purchase and refurbish for as little as $4 million. Given the low cost of ownership, Allegiant is able to operate its aircraft less (seven flight hours per day on average versus 13 hours per day at JetBlue Airways), which helps keep labor costs lower.  Overall, Allegiant operates with 35 full-time workers per plane compared to more than 50 at other carriers.

[Mr Anabolic]

Now matter what airline you are on, flying is pure torture.  I avoid it whenever possible.

[El Diablo Blanco]

To fly to Vegas I have to get to the airport 2 hours early. Endure long lines. Deal with shitty people, fly and hour then deal with the shitty airport. Or just drive 4 hours. Driving always wins. Flying has turned to complete shit.  Sort of mirrors the economy. Either you're super rich and fly in luxury or you sit in the back with the goats. No more middle of the road flying.

[Mr Anabolic]

To fly to Vegas I have to get to the airport 2 hours early. Endure long lines. Deal with shitty people, fly and hour then deal with the shitty airport. Or just drive 4 hours. Driving always wins. Flying has turned to complete shit.  Sort of mirrors the economy. Either you're super rich and fly in luxury or you sit in the back with the goats. No more middle of the road flying.

I used to fly a lot for work.  I would fly 60-100K miles/year and I hit the highest tier frequent flyer status many times.  I was upgraded to F during 90% of my flights.  Even F has become intolerable.  I cannot believe some people actually pay for F seats.

[Palumboism]

Now matter what airline you are on, flying is pure torture.  I avoid it whenever possible.

I've actually never flown a low cost airline.  I usually fly United, Delta, or American.  I'm afraid if I flew Southwest it would be like flying with the people who shop at Walmart.  

I've heard Spirit's an ultra low cost airline meaning they pack as many people on the airplane as they can and there's no leg room.  You also have to pay extra to bring a bag.  Spirit's the airline the had the brawl at Fort Lauderdale airport recently.

I'm just wondering if an airline that pisses it's customers off as much as Spirit does will ever become as successful as Southwest no matter how cheap it's flights.

[Hypertrophy]

To fly to Vegas I have to get to the airport 2 hours early. Endure long lines. Deal with shitty people, fly and hour then deal with the shitty airport. Or just drive 4 hours. Driving always wins. Flying has turned to complete shit.  Sort of mirrors the economy. Either you're super rich and fly in luxury or you sit in the back with the goats. No more middle of the road flying.

x1000.  I fly weekly for business. Unless you are in First or Business Class you are nothing but cattle, jammed into the smallest seat possible. All the majors keep shrinking their seats.

The exception- Southwest is still good for coach since they don't have First Class. Probably the best all around airline if you are flying economy.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-refuses-to-stop-airlines-from-shrinking-seats/

[SF1900]

x1000.  I fly weekly for business. Unless you are in First or Business Class you are nothing but cattle, jammed into the smallest seat possible. All the majors keep shrinking their seats.

The exception- Southwest is still good for coach since they don't have First Class. Probably the best all around airline if you are flying economy.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-refuses-to-stop-airlines-from-shrinking-seats/

Not on JetBlue. I find Jetblue to be quite comfy.

[tres_taco_combo]

FAA 135 chartered flights will become more popular as times goes on in the US -

[El Diablo Blanco]

Not on JetBlue. I find Jetblue to be quite comfy.

Are you 5'2"?

[SF1900]

Are you 5'2"?

JetBlue has the most legroom out of all the flights. Comfy may have been the wrong word. Perhaps the most tolerable.

[tres_taco_combo]

China

[Irongrip400]

Southwest is terrible, fucking corral seating. I haven't flown them in probably 8 years. I fly Delta most of the time and never economy. If you're going to fly, pay to fly first/business.

[The_Punisher]

Will Jet Blue, Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant ever grow to be as successful as Southwest?  Each of them is growing fast, but there's always a controversy about some of these airlines.

I like JetBlue,Delta, but fucking United Airline will charge you for onboard entertainment while JetBlue give it for Free.....on the other hand, Spirit and frontier are two of the shitiest airlines in my experience....I flew them once and never again.....Southwest seems to have found their formula for success, it's just too crowded for me...their lines always backed up..

[The_Punisher]

Allegiant focuses on vacation travelers going from colder climates in the North to warm vacation locations in the south.  They often fly to the smaller cheaper airport in the area.  For example in Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa, they fly to the smaller Orlando Sanford, St. Pete–Clearwater, Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport.  At all three airports they are the only airline flying there.  

Part of the airline's lower cost structure includes operation of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets, which the airline can purchase and refurbish for as little as $4 million. Given the low cost of ownership, Allegiant is able to operate its aircraft less (seven flight hours per day on average versus 13 hours per day at JetBlue Airways), which helps keep labor costs lower.  Overall, Allegiant operates with 35 full-time workers per plane compared to more than 50 at other carriers.

Flew on a MD-88 a week ago to Kentucky and I thought these Planes were being retired...they're 25yrs old, at least some of them...Most Major Airlines are replacing these MD-88s with Embraier/Airbus...I guess it makes more sense economically than to upgrade the Avionics on these old MDs

[The_Punisher]

JetBlue has the most legroom out of all the flights. Comfy may have been the wrong word. Perhaps the most tolerable.

it depends on the Jet type with JetBlue.....they use a lot of Embraer E-190 jets and those give you very little legroom, but their Airbus 320/321 offer much better leg space

[El Diablo Blanco]

I saw some patents airlines have filed with standing seats.  Sort of like being on a gurney upright.  This way they can almost double the passengers.  They pile people up on top of each other if they could.

[Palumboism]

This is the CEO of Spirit airlines who was fired.  Consumer reports said that Spirit airlines received the lowest overall satisfaction rating of ANY company EVER.  

This is partly the reason I started this thread.  I just don't see an airline that behaves the way Spirit did ever becoming as successful as Southwest.

[gogs2]

What's the cheapest flight you know from NYC to Las Vegas?

[The Keto Kid]

Now matter what airline you are on, flying is pure torture.  I avoid it whenever possible.

Not a low cost airline, but Korean Air is a great airline, I fly to Asia twice a year long ass flights, but never had an unpleasant experience, good space, great food, every seat has a monitor with at least 100 different movies to choose from, and hot Asian flight attendants!

[Palumboism]

Norwegian Air to fly to Italy from three U.S. cities; $189 one-way fares
Ben Mutzabaugh , USA TODAY

Norwegian Air is adding another new European destination from the United States: Rome.

The service will start in November with non-stop flights from both Newark Liberty and Los Angeles. Flights from Oakland will begin in February. (Scroll down to bottom for schedule details.)

Norwegian will begin selling the Rome flights Wednesday morning. Fares from Newark will begin at $189 one-way and at $229 from L.A. and Oakland.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/05/31/norwegian-air-fly-italy-three-us-cities/102338008/


I think Norwegian Air will be the next Southwest.

[Palumboism]

Flew on a MD-88 a week ago to Kentucky and I thought these Planes were being retired...they're 25yrs old, at least some of them...Most Major Airlines are replacing these MD-88s with Embraier/Airbus...I guess it makes more sense economically than to upgrade the Avionics on these old MDs

Commercial airliners can usually last 30 years before they're converted to freighters or sold to third world airlines.  The MD-88, MD-95, 717, are all based on the DC-9 which had it's first flight in 1965.  That says something about the quality of McDonnell Douglas engineering that an airplane originally developed in 1965 could still be flying commercially fifty-two years later. 

Delta recently leased ninty 717 from Southwest after they were acquired in a merger.

[Irongrip400]

I saw some patents airlines have filed with standing seats.  Sort of like being on a gurney upright.  This way they can almost double the passengers.  They pile people up on top of each other if they could.

What the fuck is up with that dudes hairline?

[Palumboism]

China

America!  Of the fifty busiest airports in the world, 16 are in America and only six are in China.  

Of the five biggest airlines in the world, four are American and only one is Chinese.  
1.    Delta Air Lines   
2.    Southwest Airlines   
3.    China Southern Airlines   
4.    United Airlines   
5.    American Airlines   

I understand China is growing fast, but America has air superiority.  

[The_Punisher]

America!  Of the fifty busiest airports in the world, 16 are in America and only six are in China.  

Of the five biggest airlines in the world, four are American and only one is Chinese.  
1.    Delta Air Lines   
2.    Southwest Airlines   
3.    China Southern Airlines   
4.    United Airlines   
5.    American Airlines   

I understand China is growing fast, but America has air superiority.  

with China now rolling out their own fleet of Planes, I'm sure they'd get rid of their Boeings and Airbuses in 20yrs.....hahahah