US Airways is trying to make it easier for their customers to save a little money while flying with them. I read an article today called Free Soda for Everyone, US Airways Drops Drink Fee. The article discusses how US Airways made a large profit off selling beverages during flights. The company has used this money to make the many improvements that the company has become proud of. However, they realize that by being one of the only companies that sells beverages it takes away from the improvements. Starting March 1st the company has decided to go back to giving free beverages to all passengers.
The company is thinking that by doing this customers will choose their airline without the added on fee of beverages and they are also hoping that all the improvements in baggage handling will also be noticed. The airline will still be charging for other services such as pillows, blankets, and bag checking. They hope to make 400 to 500 million from these things this year.
I think US Airways are making excellent strides to helping customers lower their spending. They are falling in the steps of airlines such as United Airlines, who also supply complementary beverages. US Airways realized what the way the economy is today and wanted to help its customers and still make money while selling more tickets. On long flights passengers might have a few drinks and that adds up especially if they are traveling with their families. Giving free pop, juice, and other non-alcoholic beverages will bring in more customers and they will put out a larger profit in the end. I think that since plane tickets already are so expensive if the company also offered free pillow and blankets they would bring in even more people. US Airways are making great steps toward better Public Relations already, but they could do even more.
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I have done a lot of flying over the past few months but I have yet to fly with US Airlines. Most flights that I have taken I have noticed that many people are drinking much more water and if they prefer to drink something else a mojority of the time they bring it on the plane with them. I wouldnt be againist them charging for drinks, but not water. I do agree though most airlines are charging so much already they should be offering the free non-alcoholic drinks to their customers.
ReplyDeleteAlso I have noticed that not many people use the blankets and pillow on airlines anymore. So I have no problem with them charging but also if they are going to charge the pillow and blanket both should be fresh and the customer should get to keep it as well. Now I have noticed that many people have their own neck pillows that they carry with them on each flight.
Erica great article and I found it very interesting being I have done a great amount of flying with a few different arilines the past few months.
My parents recently took a trip to Hawaii that was cut short because of a rather severe accident that my mom suffered. On the plane trip home, they were upgraded to first class and experienced the way the “other half” live.
ReplyDeleteNow, I do understand that first class tickets are much more expensive than economy or business class tickets, but my parents said the amenity differences are amazing. They received all the food and beverages (alcoholic or not) that they wanted for free, and all of it was served on real dishes or out of real glass stemware.
If things like that can be done in first class to keep those customers coming back, I should think serving free non-alcoholic beverages to those in business class would be a no-brainer.
I haven't flown since I was a senior in high school, and at that time I didn't really notice anything too major. I do know that they served the drinks and what nots in plastic cups.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree, I am sure there are many other fees they (being US Airways) can drop to help draw in more customers. I am unsure of the price of a ticket is these days, but I'm sure if the airlines wanted to they could figure in a little bit more (but not too much more), and then drop fees for the flight itself and still make a good profit at the end of the year.
I already feel that airlines are charging way too much for their services. I do not see how they could ever think about charging for a can of pop in the first place. It will only cost them approximately 20 or 40 bucks per flight, and that’s if everyone on the plane ordered a drink. As for pillows I can understand a little bit how they can charge because they probably have to wash them after someone uses it and that can make for a bit of an extra hassle.
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