Who serves who?
First we had airline owned travel agencies...then the CRS was invented. The CRSs were eventually divested by airlines....then along came the Internet. At first airlines wanted to use the Internet to...
View ArticleLow fare airline congress
The airline industry has been in a state of turmoil…well, for a really long time. It has been a while since my last post. Sorry. I had a doctoral dissertation to defend and have started a new job. A...
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Another year...another crisis
2009 promises to be an exciting year for aviation, unfortunately this is based on a weakening of the fundamentals that have aided past growth in the industry. On the one hand, we are seeing...
View ArticleSegregation is slowly disappearing in the airline industry
It wasn't too long ago that large network carriers looked down upon those pesky low-cost carriers and wouldn't give them the time of day. This arrogant attitude by FSCs changed as those LCCs began to...
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Future airline business models
With so much turmoil in the airline industry at the moment one obviously questions in what direction the industry is heading. The belief that I hold is that the industry is slowly converging and that...
View ArticleCustomer empowerment to a whole new level
Don't we all just love those companies that draw us in and ask us for our honest opinion? What about those companies that ask us to help them excel and be the best in category? They certainly make us...
View ArticleCustomer experience to a whole new level
While the previous post was related to customer empowerment, here is one about customer experience.A bad experience on a flight is one that leaves a lasting negative impression. An average flight is...
View ArticleToo little time
I am a fan of technology but if one wants to communicate effectively it is imperative that time is set aside to make use of this technology. Unfortunately, I have been pressed at my new job back in...
View ArticleSouthwest's virtual linkup with Volaris
Southwest and Volaris will eventually codeshare, however to pass the time Southwest has implemented an online link to Volaris's website. This is the same as that offered to customers wishing to travel...
View ArticleWoe the airline that convinces itself that an LCC is not a competitor
Southwest will begin service to Milwaukee in the fall. Milwaukee hometown airline, Midwest Airlines, says that its focus on the business segment will insulate it from Southwest as it has a different...
View ArticleAll you can fly for a month!
Summer is coming to an end. Most airlines are experiencing heavy declines in passenger numbers. Slashing prices is one way to attract bottoms into those seats, but competitors are doing the same. It's...
View ArticleLet's start the year off with annoying our competitor!
It has been a long time since my last post. Teaching and other duties has stolen my time, however my intention is to be more active in 2010. Gotta try to keep those New Year's resolutions. So, a...
View ArticleAccomodating passengers
It appears that the size of individuals is growing. See here for an animation of obesity levels in the US, and here for a BBC article on conditions in the EU. Our infrastructure is matched to...
View ArticleRegulate...deregulate...reregulate
The airline industry is inherently global yet often overly protected at a national level. The airline industry is considered deregulated, yet the "de" implies that there is no regulation, while a more...
View ArticleNext stop...charges for bathroom visits
Many of you have undoubtedly read about Ryanair's remarks about one day charging for bathroom visits, well it seems that North American carrier, Spirit, has added a charge before Ryanair. No...not to...
View ArticleLCC or hybrid
Well, it appears as if JetBlue is at it again. This time the LCC has inked a codeshare deal with South African Airways which will allow passengers to check in all the way to their final destination,...
View ArticleGoing the extra mile in Mile High City
A service company proves its worth when something goes wrong. If service is a commodity and similar across all competitors, it's not until a service failure that I know if I have chosen the right...
View ArticleAirlines want to talk to you
Social media is the new communication carrier. It is the 21st century direct mail, but it allows users to let their voice be heard too. The technology has been seeping out from under the carpet of the...
View ArticleVisualization
Came across a funny view of the world of travel. Click here for some drawings showing an alternative view of the travel experience. It's a nice, take-it-slow perspective that I think we can all relate...
View ArticleA new year...a new tax...but same old story
1 year365 days8760 hoursThis is approximately the time since my last post on my blog. That is just too long, but a job as an assistant professor with family and social commitments requires priorities....
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