Articles tagged “airline seats”

Lufthansa is being pragmatic. The airline knows its differences with the global distribution systems will get sorted out, one way or another, over the long term. In the meantime it still needs travel agencies such as CheapOair to sell its tickets and ancillary services.

Intelligent design by SII — now we just need a smart airline to buy these.

JetBlue's changes are all part of the evolution of JetBlue from a low cost carrier to one that navigates a middle ground between Spirit and Southwest, one the one hand, and American, United and Delta, on the other, all in the name of maximizing profit and pleasing Wall Street.

U.S. airlines, including United, are finally making sustained profits and they are scrambling to reward shareholders. Employees, such as Delta's, who participate in profit-sharing plans will benefit but there is only lip-service being directed at benefiting another important stakeholder -- passengers. Too bad.

It's somewhat amusing that JetBlue states its mission is to "Inspire Humanity." As the airline's revenue initiatives highlight, JetBlue's latest mission actually is to win over skeptical shareholders and increase the bottom line.

In aviation, change takes time and patience pays off. We might have once thought pigs would fly before Butterflies, but airlines could be ready to fly convertibles.

With the soccer ball angle, Southwest should have announced this recycling program during the World Cup. No worries, there is a good message about the environment and smart business here, and it is all sustainable.

The lure of bag fees may be too much for JetBlue to resist, but it would take a big brand hit if it decides to do so. Coupled with the airline's new business class service, many passengers will wonder if the JetBlue they loved is gone forever.

We know a few travel agents who have surreptitiously sneaked a peak at some user reviews of hotels on TripAdvisor, but Sabre partnering with TripAdvisor to bring user-generated content about airline seats and amenities to travel agents is bringing things to a whole new level.

Elite travelers and big spenders will continue to relish their loyalty awards, but airlines may win even more loyal flyers when carriers sell them subscriptions for preferred seats and other perks.