Raising fares is relatively hard for airlines. Raising fees, on the other hand, tends to work out reasonably well. JetBlue is about to find out just how well as it increases fees for checked baggage and phone-based customer support.
ancillary fees
Allegiant looks to big cities in Summer 2020 expansion
Limited frequency seasonal service is the hallmark of Allegiant’s network planning approach. How well will that work as the company targets three larger cities as part of its Summer 2020 expansion plans?
Putting AirAsia’s new GX WiFi to the test
Deploy quickly and work out the bugs along the way. That’s not a typical approach to anything in the aviation world, and for good reason. But for AirAsia’s GX Aviation WiFi deployment that’s the plan, even if it means some hiccups along the way, as were experienced during a recent demonstration flight.
AirAsia looks beyond the pipe for inflight connectivity value
Selling inflight connectivity packages to passengers proves to be a poor business proposition. Prices are high, take rates are low and the economics rarely deliver a return to justify the investment. But AirAsia has another plan in mind, one that could deliver a profitable version of inflight connectivity on a LCC airline.
Avatar’s incredible, hypocritical plan to fly 747s across the USA
No, you’re not going to see a new 747-based airline crisscrossing the USA anytime soon. The Avatar Airlines dream is not new. And, despite a recent FAA application, it likely will not take flight. But it makes for some entertaining reading.
A new player in the race for inflight WiFi over India
The race to bring the first aircraft online in India took an interesting turn in recent weeks. While SpiceJet has talked about its plans to add the GX Aviation system from Inmarsat to its new 737 MAX aircraft other players have been less public about their efforts. But installations are underway to deliver a fleet-wide solution, potentially within a year.
PaxEx Update: FTE Asia edition
AirAsia is (still) making big moves in the ASEAN region and digital bag tags are evolving to a level that might be useful soon. Plus some news on IFE/C going active and getting profitable. The 2019 Future Travel Experience Asia was a great show and these are just a few of the highlights.
Introducing Blue Basic: JetBlue’s new, most limited fare option
JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare is now for real. The basic economy offering limits flexibility, effectively introducing a fare hike. And the overall reshuffling of fare families brings a couple surprising adjustments to the company’s offerings.
Austrian updates seat selection with 3DSeatViewVR
Passengers who can see what they’re buying are more likely to spend extra for more legroom and other seating improvements. That’s the theory Austrian Airlines is working with as the carrier announced the introduction of a 3D preview during the seat selection process. The new service is available today on the airline’s website for flights operated on its Boeing 777 fleet.
Live from the CRJ550: PaxEx Update 25 Oct 2019
United’s newest aircraft type takes flight this week and the CRJ550 interior really is as special as the company has been hyping. Airbus orders and Boeing delays plus some fancy new wifi and upgraded airports on the horizon. Another busy PaxEx week.