4 ms·

Unfortunately, due to the economics of airline class[0], privileged passengers account for about 70% of airline revenue. 0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzB

Unfortunately, due to the economics of airline class[0], privileged passengers account for about 70% of airline revenue. 0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzB5xtGGsTc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzB5xtGGsTc

paulgb 10y ago
And economy passengers benefit, too. I flew EWR-HKG round trip for under $700 tax-in a couple weeks ago. I don't think the economics of that flight would work without some passengers paying a whole lot more than that.
RodericDay 10y ago
This is the case in many industries. Movie theaters make money off of marked up popcorn and pop, videogames make money off of DLC and in-game purchases, etc. When your side business starts requiring you to sabotage your main business to ensure people engage with the "side" part, is when things get interesting. Sometimes it's better to avoid the race to the bottom altogether via regulation, ensuring that anyone who wants any improvements needs to improve things for everybody, or deal with the status quo. That's the logic many Canadians use for vociferously opposing private schools (and I agree with it).
mpweiher 10y ago
Yes. I know where it's coming from. The airlines can't actually differentiate on the basic transportation service: you're in the same noisy metal tube traveling at exactly the same speed, arriving at the same time. There is some differentiation on the service you offer, bigger seats, maybe being able to lie flat. But that's about it, and since that's all there is the airlines just start making shit up. "Global Services (and generally 1K) members have their food orders taken first"[1] Really, this is a thing? Just think about how ridiculous it is. And that it obviously has to be codified somewhere in the rule book. Along with all the other silly rules that aren't public. A friend of mine is a frequent traveller, and he told me a lot of the little tricks you have to pull to get good service. "GS members have their own phone line, [..] the agents are based in the United States and are extremely helpful."[1] Well, my Lufthansa agent was extremely helpful to "random joe with economy class ticket". [1] https://thepointsguy.com/2016/04/top-perks-united-global-services/ https://thepointsguy.com/2016/04/top-perks-united-global-ser...
- MichaelGG 10y ago
  The food order thing is ridiculous but only because United can't figure out how to take orders before loading the plane. I usually sit in the last row, makes me more comfortable. And around half the time they'll run out of the better entree.
- moftz 10y ago
  If I had the money, why wouldn't I want to fly first class and receive all the perks it entails? Hot towel? Don't mind if I do. Complimentary mimosa? Yes, please. I certainly can understand why some people choose to spend their money on first class tickets. The flight is more comfortable. The airlines wouldn't be able to offer these services to everyone on the plane unless they upped ticket prices. I, along with the majority of air travellers, feel comfortable enough in coach to not pay for all the extra service. I might pay for extra legroom but I understand why I'm paying extra for this service, I'm buying an extra fraction of the seats they weren't able to sell because they extended the legroom for X number of rows (plus additional money because they can).

paulgb 10y ago

And economy passengers benefit, too. I flew EWR-HKG round trip for under $700 tax-in a couple weeks ago. I don't think the economics of that flight would work without some passengers paying a whole lot more than that.

RodericDay 10y ago

This is the case in many industries. Movie theaters make money off of marked up popcorn and pop, videogames make money off of DLC and in-game purchases, etc. When your side business starts requiring you to sabotage your main business to ensure people engage with the "side" part, is when things get interesting. Sometimes it's better to avoid the race to the bottom altogether via regulation, ensuring that anyone who wants any improvements needs to improve things for everybody, or deal with the status quo. That's the logic many Canadians use for vociferously opposing private schools (and I agree with it).

mpweiher 10y ago

Yes. I know where it's coming from. The airlines can't actually differentiate on the basic transportation service: you're in the same noisy metal tube traveling at exactly the same speed, arriving at the same time. There is some differentiation on the service you offer, bigger seats, maybe being able to lie flat. But that's about it, and since that's all there is the airlines just start making shit up. "Global Services (and generally 1K) members have their food orders taken first"[1] Really, this is a thing? Just think about how ridiculous it is. And that it obviously has to be codified somewhere in the rule book. Along with all the other silly rules that aren't public. A friend of mine is a frequent traveller, and he told me a lot of the little tricks you have to pull to get good service. "GS members have their own phone line, [..] the agents are based in the United States and are extremely helpful."[1] Well, my Lufthansa agent was extremely helpful to "random joe with economy class ticket". [1] https://thepointsguy.com/2016/04/top-perks-united-global-services/ https://thepointsguy.com/2016/04/top-perks-united-global-ser...

MichaelGG 10y ago
The food order thing is ridiculous but only because United can't figure out how to take orders before loading the plane. I usually sit in the last row, makes me more comfortable. And around half the time they'll run out of the better entree.
moftz 10y ago
If I had the money, why wouldn't I want to fly first class and receive all the perks it entails? Hot towel? Don't mind if I do. Complimentary mimosa? Yes, please. I certainly can understand why some people choose to spend their money on first class tickets. The flight is more comfortable. The airlines wouldn't be able to offer these services to everyone on the plane unless they upped ticket prices. I, along with the majority of air travellers, feel comfortable enough in coach to not pay for all the extra service. I might pay for extra legroom but I understand why I'm paying extra for this service, I'm buying an extra fraction of the seats they weren't able to sell because they extended the legroom for X number of rows (plus additional money because they can).