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Billion-dollar airline routes

travelstatsman.com

51–60 of 92 posts

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#51

> I like to board last. I’ve never understood the appeal of being on the plane any longer than I need too (I’m yet to travel in business class). I don't understand that opening at all. We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we? Maybe he just never has a bag, but the reason should be obvious regardless.

> We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we? No. Overhead bins are terrible and bad. It baffles me that anyone would want to fight for overhead bin space. It's a terrible game, and the winning move is not to play. I always gate-check my luggage if it won't fit under the seat in front of me.

If you travel a lot you basically have to fight for that overhead space - otherwise you will periodically end up in travel hell when they lose your suitcase.

The good news is that if you travel a lot, you probably have status, and so you are one of the first to get on the plane.

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#52
post #20

There's still money on the table for airline operators where routes are concerned. It sounds a bit fringe, but most of these flights take off and land at airports in large cities. International airports are often zoned around industrial centers that are typically set off away from the city core. Coupled with the high frequency of inbound and outbound traffic depending on the airport, commercial flights are excellent…

This is a fascinating idea, congrats. I see major issues with the existing planes: they do not seem designed to be retrofitted with down facing cameras.

Also, near real time HiRes images means a lot of bandwidth that you don't usually have in the air.

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#53
post #44
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When checking luggage you lose significant time upon arrival, at least in Europe. From gate i can be on the train to the city in 10 minutes without checked luggade. With it is probably 30minutes.

Gate checked luggage comes to you on the skyway not at the luggage claim. Takes a little bit there but it's faster than normal checked luggage.

This depends on the airport/airline: I’ve had gate checked luggage that was unloaded to luggage claim instead of the skyway.

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#54
post #2

Don't forget about taxes and fees. When you look at the price of a domestic (US) ticket, it's surprising how much of this is taxes and fees that the airline is passing through and not directly profit.

I saw the headline and thought this was about Overflight Fees, which are the fees a country charges just for passing through their airspace.

For example, it cost $950 to travel over Afghanistan in 2020. [1]

[1] https://simpleflying.com/overflight-fees/

Faa’s fees for the US: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/international_aviation/overf...

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm the same. I stand around until the last minute. We're all getting there at the same time, and I'd rather be standing because soon I have to sit for hours. My bag fits nicely under the seat in front of me.

I stand up every hour to stretch all limbs, and I always sit aisles.

Erm, maybe it's recommended, but that is really annoying for other isle passengers on long haul flights. Well I find it annoying if someone keeps standing by my seat and stretching. I was once in front isle of economy: someone thought it was fine to keep appearing and standing in front of me at regular intervals.

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#56
post #10

> I like to board last. I’ve never understood the appeal of being on the plane any longer than I need too (I’m yet to travel in business class). I don't understand that opening at all. We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we? Maybe he just never has a bag, but the reason should be obvious regardless.

For most short haul flights yes. For international with newer 787 or A380 equipment the bin space seems adequate for everyone.

I'd imagine that airlines tend to give out free checked bags on these flights also changes the calculus.

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#57

> I like to board last. I’ve never understood the appeal of being on the plane any longer than I need too (I’m yet to travel in business class). I don't understand that opening at all. We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we? Maybe he just never has a bag, but the reason should be obvious regardless.

I've flown over 100 times and only once had to gate-check my bag due to insufficient space. I was thankful for the chance because it's free, you get your bag faster on landing, and you don't have to wrangle it down the aisle. I always board as late as possible. Why sit in a hot/cold/stuffy plane while people jostle all around you?

I flew twice a week for years and it really just depends on the route (ie airports, day of week, and time of day) that you’re flying.

Popular business routes will always have full overhead bins, so you either check your luggage, bring a week-bag that you can fit under the seat, or get on early and get the overhead space.

Personally, I prefer to travel light so always wait until the last second to board. But that also depends on the cabin - if you’re at all above average height it’s absolute hell to fly in general, even worse when your limited leg room has a backpack.

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#58

> I like to board last. I’ve never understood the appeal of being on the plane any longer than I need too (I’m yet to travel in business class). I don't understand that opening at all. We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we? Maybe he just never has a bag, but the reason should be obvious regardless.

>> I don't understand that opening at all. We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we?

I think most are doing it for the overhead space, which leads to my misunderstanding. Why did they charge for checked bags. Its the more time-consuming option, who would pay for that.

they should be charging for overhead and offering checked bags for free. Pay for the time-saving

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#59
post #20

There's still money on the table for airline operators where routes are concerned. It sounds a bit fringe, but most of these flights take off and land at airports in large cities. International airports are often zoned around industrial centers that are typically set off away from the city core. Coupled with the high frequency of inbound and outbound traffic depending on the airport, commercial flights are excellent…

That's a neat idea, and something I'd never thought of before.

I'd imagine the customers here would be looking for a way to keep an eye on competitors? Ford would like daily overhead shots of GM's factories and parking lots, McDonalds would like to check on the length of average drive-through queue at competitors, etc? All in near-real time, without waiting for quarterly earnings.

On the other hand, weather might render this too unreliable for the needs of such customers - "how busy have the Bay Area Starbucks been since they've released their Pumpkin Spice Latte?" "Uhh, not sure boss, it's the 30th cloudy day in a row, we can't see anything".

Re: Billion-dollar airline routes

#60

> I like to board last. I’ve never understood the appeal of being on the plane any longer than I need too (I’m yet to travel in business class). I don't understand that opening at all. We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we? Maybe he just never has a bag, but the reason should be obvious regardless.

>> I don't understand that opening at all. We all want to get on so we get space in the overhead bins, don't we? I think most are doing it for the overhead space, which leads to my misunderstanding. Why did they charge for checked bags. Its the more time-consuming option, who would pay for that. they should be charging for overhead and offering checked bags for free. Pay for the time-saving

this is southwests philosophy
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