Pondering Flying Via ULCC Going Bye Bye…

Nearly 4 months ago, TC wrote about changes making headlines in the travel industry. In this post, he ponders the ULCC, as the ultra low cost carrier business model is getting reworked. Read on! – the editor

Could it be? The ULCC** going bye, bye??

** ULCC = Ultra Low-Cost Carrier. They are also known as no-frills, or budget airlines, or discount carriers.

What happened?

Recently two airlines announced major changes to their operations. A sign of the times? It is possible.

With the botched Spirit/JetBlue merger, possible head winds for a pending Alaska/Hawaiian merger, and huge operational melt downs during the last few years, Airlines are having issues.

I believe the biggest surprise came as Southwest Airlines announced the end of its open-seating policy.

I believe the biggest surprise came as Southwest Airlines announced the end of its open-seating policy. The history of the cattle-call cues and the A, B,or C (for center) groups have been a current torture now that Southwest has been flying to bigger cities with some longer flights (looking at you, Hawaii). It got so bad that people started to abuse the pre-board system. One strategy leveraged to get the best seats, is to request a wheelchair assist, bring family with, and then have a miraculous recovery when the cabin door opens at the final destination.

[See TC Frown…-the editor]

Personally, I had been using the pre-board system, but only since Southwest flagged me 15 years ago to acquire an extra seat, due to size. Back then, I was held hostage to pay at the gate for the extra ticket, only to spend a bucket of time to call for a refund, after the flight. I found out that it wasn’t necessary as long as I request the second seat at airport. I had been lucky with that.

Traveling with Peg, now I have 2 reasons to use the pre-board.

Coming Soon to an Airport Near You…

Coming this February, Southwest will eliminate the queues (queuing up) and start assigned seating. They will also introduce premium seating. It would eliminate the early check-in fee, and replace it with advance seat selection fee. Ideally it will be good for them, as long as they do not eliminate the two free checked bags perk.

They will also jump into the red-eye flight market, starting several overnight flights, including Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando, next year. Revenue left on the table, according to the “Volatile Shareholders.”

Spirit was another issue. When the JetBlue merger was cancelled, the travel market had changed, and both airlines had to change the way they did business. Spirit is not the same airline I grew up with, being the only airline flying out of Atlantic City, New Jersey, my old hometown.

See Pondering Semantics and Travel…April 19, 2024

Spirit’s business model made sense — involved leveraging the aircraft that was sitting idle after bringing gamblers to Atlantic City. They offered to transport South NJ residents to desirable locations, like Florida and Myrtle Beach, for an affordable rate.

Today, due to many factors, Spirit’s original crew base is shutting down, to be placed in a busier airport (basically Newark NJ). They are shifting their “product assortment” now to go after premium flyers. That means, they are re-packaging their “Big Front Seat” to be a form of first class, with perks.

They will also offer a step down product, blocking the middle seat, guaranteed.

Note: The cheap seats are still there , but they looks exceptionally… well, CHEAP.

The New Normal?

As the industry turns… Various carriers have been updating its assortments (offerings). Frontier started a similar setup —blocking center seats, all without removing seats from the plane.

The big three have been competitive with these ULCC airlines. But even stalwarts like Delta cannot be a sterling carrier (and clearly can NOT recover from the most recent IT meltdown).

Furthermore, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is “helping” the consumer by implementing a slew of new regulations — aimed at improving airlines performance. Of course, compliance comes with added costs.

Least I forget, the mechanical issues with the two main aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, haven’t helped either. In many cases, the airlines keep pushing their older aircraft.

That’s a Wrap…

For me, it is brain exploding to consider all these variables as travelers “take off” this fall and beyond.