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Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

jumpdriveair.com

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Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#131

Post by iaw »

dannyminutillo wrote: post #77
huebnerob wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd wager that at this moment they've not done much more than ideation and (I pray dearly) feasibility studies. We won't even be able to start arguing whether this idea has wings until the first wheels leave the tarmac.

We're in the process of finalizing arrangements with our regional airline partners to operate the flights. We'll have our first flights within the next few months.

> We're in the process of finalizing arrangements...

I find it a bit misleading that you don't state this more clearly upfront.

> We'll have our first flights within the next few months.

... if everything goes as expected, if not then you'll be liable with a whole bunch of angry first customers.

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#132

Post by dannyminutillo »

hirsin wrote: post #108
dannyminutillo wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the great feedback. This was our site's first draft so we really appreciate your comments. We'll definitely update it and keep your points above the fold on the homepage. We weren't aware that the private terminals are such an appealing feature to people, but that aspect has been a feature that we've been receiving a lot of positive feedback about so we appreciate you pointing it out. Thank you again and w…

Minor optimization for the phone image? Have it show the next flight that could reasonably be booked if I had the app installed, rather than one from 2017. As in, if you had this app, you could be on the (it's 2.05 right now) 2:30 pm flight, just press this button. Helps drive the immediacy and ease home.

Yep, great idea. We were actually thinking about an interface like that. Thanks for the feedback

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#133

Post by DoreenMichele »

dannyminutillo wrote: post #87
jtchang wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

100% agree on the messaging here. Is it use it or lose it type flights? I didn't even notice the private terminal stuff (didn't get that far). I thought it was some type of group buying thing on big carriers like Delta, etc. Private terminal is a huge win. I know some friends who want to live in LA but work remotely in SF. 1-2 flights a month in a private terminal for this pricing seems like a steal especially when y…

It is use it or lose it flights. Flights don't role over. We're kicking around the idea of trying to make giving unused flights to friends or family work. Companies have shown a lot of interest in this. Most beneficial aspect is booking late with paying a high fare.

I am not your target market. I just wanted to say you are handling the feedback here better than most people seem to. I think that is a real strength, both in terms of PR and in terms of suggesting that you are prepared to learn and adapt. Both of those are important factors in success.

I will agree that the website talks too much trash about other services. Maybe list all the customary fees people expect that you don't have. That would be valuable information and doesn't require trash talking anyone. Something like:

No fee to print tickets.

No cancellation fee.

No bag check fee.

No other hidden fees.

Just one low price stated up front so you know exactly what to expect.

--

I will suggest that you might try apologizing less and thanking people more. It is more of a position of strength. For example, instead of apologizing that the site does not work on iPad, you could say something like "That's good info. We will get right on it. Thanks for letting us know."

Your replies here are fairly solid. I am not suggesting they are bad. I am only hoping to help you further up your game.

Best of luck.

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#134

Post by dannyminutillo »

fludlight wrote: post #120
dannyminutillo wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We're currently speaking with companies about something similar to this.

I noticed in your FAQ that you are flying Bombardier regional jets, which "are the same planes that are used by United Express, Delta Connection, and American Airlines". There was a big stink* a few years ago about the big airlines using new pilots on regional routes and paying them so little that many were on food stamps. I don't want to put my life in the hands of someone who is worried about where their kids' next…

Salaries for our pilots are as competitive as major commercial carriers. A reason pilots have been interested in flying with us.

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#135

Post by el_benhameen »

dmode wrote: post #118
ringaroundthetx wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The flight tomorrow is $59. January 11th. I only looked because the entire spiel ran counter to my prior experiences. Direct on Delta, Virgin America, Alaska, etc. Oh wow the same day ones later today are the same price! I know we are splitting hairs because this isn't always the case, and what you offer is intended to always be the case along with being possibly shorter flights with quicker checkins. I just think th…

I just counted the number of one way flights this Friday between SFO-LAX. There are 57 non stop flights on that day. And this doesn't even include OAK, SJC as well as BUR, LGB, and Orange County in So Cal. Fares start at $49. This will be a hard market to compete.

I'm not sure. Waiting in line at security and then again at the gate sucks, and I fly maybe once every six weeks. If I flew four times a month for business, I could see a private gate with no wait being worth some money. You're saving time, too, which I assume is worth a fair amount of money to the type of person who flies that often.

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#136

Post by 1k »

I imagine balance will be tricky. Too few flights and customers get frustrated because they can't get seats or decent times. Too many flights and you lose money. This is probably why other airlines have peak/offpeak pricing in the first place to solve the load problem.

Whats the minimum number of months to subscribe for?

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#138

Post by gech »

1337biz wrote: post #123
fludlight wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I noticed in your FAQ that you are flying Bombardier regional jets, which "are the same planes that are used by United Express, Delta Connection, and American Airlines". There was a big stink* a few years ago about the big airlines using new pilots on regional routes and paying them so little that many were on food stamps. I don't want to put my life in the hands of someone who is worried about where their kids' next…

Come on man, they are trying to get a startup running and are competing on price. Heaving a great benefit package for their employees is not core to that value proposition. If this is someone's main decicion point when choosing an airline they probably are better of with one of the big brand airlines. I am also agreeing with the other comments on don't bash your competition that much. If you have a good offer - and y…

Did you read this point of the comment?

"I don't want to put my life in the hands of someone who is worried about where their kids' next meal will come from."

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#139

Post by danaliv »

dannyminutillo wrote: post #134
fludlight wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I noticed in your FAQ that you are flying Bombardier regional jets, which "are the same planes that are used by United Express, Delta Connection, and American Airlines". There was a big stink* a few years ago about the big airlines using new pilots on regional routes and paying them so little that many were on food stamps. I don't want to put my life in the hands of someone who is worried about where their kids' next…

Salaries for our pilots are as competitive as major commercial carriers. A reason pilots have been interested in flying with us.

Just FYI this reads to me as “we are also paying them peanuts.”

Re: Show HN: Monthly subscription airline with SFO-LAX flights starting at $78

#140

Post by ringaroundthetx »

el_benhameen wrote: post #135
dmode wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just counted the number of one way flights this Friday between SFO-LAX. There are 57 non stop flights on that day. And this doesn't even include OAK, SJC as well as BUR, LGB, and Orange County in So Cal. Fares start at $49. This will be a hard market to compete.

I'm not sure. Waiting in line at security and then again at the gate sucks, and I fly maybe once every six weeks. If I flew four times a month for business, I could see a private gate with no wait being worth some money. You're saving time, too, which I assume is worth a fair amount of money to the type of person who flies that often.

Well although I have TSA Pre, and you should too, I can give your argument some merit.

Yes one thing I like about trains - their ONLY redeeming quality - is that if the trip says 2 hours, then it is really JUST 2 hours out of your day

Whereas with flights, if the trip says 2 hours then it is more like 4 and a half hours out of your day. Always have to consider showing up to the airport at least an hour early, always have to consider going to the edge of town, always have to consider sitting on the tarmac, etc.

I could see the utility of getting to skip all of this at a fixed price which is NEAR the normal prices. The next thing up is Jetsmarter for $10,000+

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