David Siegel, CEO, US Airways

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

David Siegel, CEO, US Airways A MAGAZINE FOR AIRLINE EXECUTIVES OCTOBER 2003 T aking your airline to new heights EXTREME AIRLINE MANAGEMENT A conversation with … David Siegel, CEO, US Airways INSIDE Traditional carriers launch low-fare subsidiaries How airlines weathered "the perfect storm" Cathay Pacific Airways’ crisis management process Optimal performance for airlines and airports Taking your airline to new heights OCTOBER 2003 Publisher James Filsinger Sabre Airline Solutions 1 E. Kirkwood Blvd. Southlake, Texas 76092 www.sabreairlinesolutions.com Editors Stephani Hawkins B. Scott Hunt Designer James Frisbie Print Manager Shari Stiborek Contributors Pam Ashley, Nejib Ben-Khedher, Holly Burkholder, Jack Burkholder, Al Comeaux, Cameron Curtis, Melissa Deaton, Karen Dielman, Rick Dietert, Walter Di Luca, Vinay Dube, Tim Finholt, Greg Gilchrist, Sam Gilliland, Gretchen Greene, Vicki Hummel, Brad Laser, Craig Lindsey, Gianni Marostica, Apurva Mathur, Michael McCurdy, Heather Parham, Marcus Pearson, Russ Perkins, Michelle real Porter, Gary Potter, Jim Quilty, George Schenck, Cathy Smith, Thomas Sondey, Anchawan Sukrachun, James Sun, Chris Vasiliou, Elayne Vick, Carla Warren and Gabriel Young. Reader Inquiries If you have questions about this publication or suggested topics for future articles, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Address Corrections Please send address corrections via Why do more than 200 airlines around the world choose Sabre Airline Solutions as their technology e-mail to [email protected]. partner? Because they rely on us to deliver integrated solutions to real-world problems such as operations, Sabre Airline Solutions, the Sabre Airline crew scheduling and fleet planning. Solutions logo and products noted in italics in this publication are trademarks and/or service marks of an affiliate of Sabre Holdings Corp. Times like these demand fresh thinking. Proven, ROI-based solutions. And a technology partner that All other trademarks, service marks and trade names are the property of their respective can not only see the future, but can help you reach it. Times like these demand Sabre Airline Solutions. owners. ©2003 Sabre Inc. All rights www.sabreairlinesolutions.com reserved. Printed in the USA. contents 56 62 75 regional industry products company New Distribution An Inside Improving Interline Web-Enabling Asia/Pacific Carriers From Russia, Getting Back The Winning 4 30 54 60 62 67 72 75 Paradigms: Controlling Job Electronic Ticketing Revenue Management Open a Portal With Success on Track Combination Costs in the Internet Age Many carriers are looking at New solutions enable Remote connectivity offers Sixteen carriers have Russian carriers continue Recently emerging technology United Airlines takes Airlines must take specific creating a low-cost “carrier airlines to use interline access to advanced technology launched the first region-wide to realize substantial growth offers hope to help airlines aggressive steps to steps to maximize the benefits within a carrier” to more effec- electronic ticketing. with a low cost of ownership. online travel portal. despite an industry-wide efficiently recover from off- maximize revenue and of online distribution. tively compete. Through a remote connection, downturn. schedule operations caused control distribution costs Just Right: Aerolineas Argentinas utilizes Capitalizing on by inclement weather, by leveraging winning Preparing for the 56 key functionality at a lower cost. 65 mechanicals and labor actions, technology. 10 Song Reaches The Resource Consolidation Looking Through the Changing World of 30 70 saving money and increasing Top of the Charts Management Systems The consolidation of the “Contact” Lens In-Flight Services customer satisfaction. As Delta’s low-cost start-up, An integrated resource Chinese aviation market A new state-of-the-art call Many airlines are embracing Song is helping keep a key management suite can has positioned China Eastern center improves customers’ “buy-on-board” programs to market profitable. help airlines save up to to become a key player. ability to contact Gulf Air. better serve their customers. 25 percent on labor costs. You’ve Come a Expecting the 31 14 Long Way, bmibaby! Unexpected bmi’s low-cost subsidiary is Cathay Pacific executive helping the group defend its with Tom Klein Group President, Sabre Airline Solutions Alan Wong discusses how the home turf. perspective airline benefits from its crisis management process. Extremely Prepared 38 here’s little doubt that the past decade in the dous challenge bringing US Airways through Chapter 11 for the Future Riding the T airline industry has been one of extremes. bankruptcy proceedings. And he completed the process 19 US Airways CEO David Siegel Storm Out discusses the radical steps his From the lows of the early ’90s to the highs at the end more quickly than any other major corporate restructuring Airlines have weathered the airline has taken to restructure. of the decade and back to the lows of the past few years, the in recent memory. so-called “perfect storm” – airline industry has been on a roller coaster ride of ups and Dave also drove an incredibly rapid set of strategic initia- are the skies now clearing? The New Revenue 41 downs that have forced executives to look for radical ways tives including a key codeshare agreement, joining the Star Reality to adjust to the changing environment. Alliance and placing a record order for regional jets. Fast? Lufthansa “D-Check”s 26 Multiple factors are driving its Organization It reminds me of the new X-treme sports, or X-games, You bet. Dangerous? Maybe, but I'd call it brilliant despite airfares downward. and Processes that have become popular during the past several years. the risks. Done before? Not like this. US Airways is setting a A thorough process of examin- Young athletes have created new games, new rules and are new standard. From the ing the airline has helped 46 Ground Up taking new risks. More and more, airline executives are practic- All throughout the industry, we see extreme ideas being Lufthansa stay competitive. By building its own airports, ing “extreme” management. They are challenged to compete tested — be it Lufthansa with its all-business-class trans-Atlantic Bangkok Airways opens in new arenas, to try things never done before and to take service, America West with a new pricing structure or jetBlue new markets. greater risks. changing the rules in the low-cost segment. We dedicate this A willingness to try new ideas and learn, either “failing issue to the leaders in the industry who are rapidly driving Turnaround First, 48 fast” or finding success, is a valuable attribute for all of us innovation and taking risks — those “extreme” leaders who Then Privatize in and close to the industry. Airline managers are using aren’t afraid to fail in an effort to drive a healthy air trans- By first improving operations, extreme plans and radical decisions to create new realities portation industry. flag carriers can better prepare themselves for privatization. in the industry. Our cover story features Dave Seigel, president and chief executive officer of US Airways. Dave faced a tremen- 26 industry New Distribution Paradigms: Controlling Costs in the Internet Age The growth of the Internet offers airlines more channels to distribute their product. As airlines increase use of these channels, they can take specific steps to control costs and maximize the benefits of online distribution. By Stan Boyer | Ascend Contributor he advent of the Internet provides has also had a severe impact on revenue. inventory agencies such as Hotwire. T airlines with the opportunity to make The consequences of consumer-direct The most recent statistics indicate substantial changes to the way they distribution include: that the top six online agencies in North distribute their product. Not surprisingly, Passengers use the increased price America now account for about 25 percent some airlines have recently placed more visibility of the direct distribution of all travel agency bookings in the region. focus on direct distribution, interacting channel to find lower fares, reducing What does this mean for airlines? directly with travelers and bypassing ticket yields, If they plan to conduct business in the intermediaries, such as global distribution Travel agencies react to airline direct- North American market, they should systems and travel agents. Although air- sell competition, obtaining lower fares include these agencies. For carriers lines have always possessed this capability for their passengers in order to maintain based outside of North America, these in their reservations centers, Internet- viability, again reducing ticket yields, agencies provide an opportunity to based distribution has taken the call Airlines incur increased costs to main- distribute their product much more center concept further by allowing more tain Web sites and other direct-distri- widely and with less effort than setting customers to interact with their schedules bution channel centers, often displacing up sales teams in individual cities. and fares than previously possible. any savings gained by decreased travel The advantages of online agencies agency commissions. include their widespread use for instant Airline Consumer Direct The bottom line — Web-based, purchase, resulting in quick inventory Web-based distribution has taken consumer-direct models often result turnover, and the breadth of products several forms, and different models con- in both product dilution and
Recommended publications
  • AWA AR Editoral
    AMERICA WEST HOLDINGS CORPORATION Annual Report 2002 AMERICA WEST HOLDINGS CORPORATION America West Holdings Corporation is an aviation and travel services company. Wholly owned subsidiary, America West Airlines, is the nation’s eighth largest carrier serving 93 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Leisure Company, also a wholly owned subsidiary, is one of the nation’s largest tour packagers. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chairman’s Message to Shareholders 3 20 Years of Pride 11 Board of Directors 12 Corporate Officers 13 Financial Review 15 Selected Consolidated Financial Data The selected consolidated data presented below under the captions “Consolidated Statements of Operations Data” and “Consolidated Balance Sheet Data” as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Holdings. The selected consolidated data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the respective periods, the related notes and the related reports of independent accountants. Year Ended December 31, (in thousands except per share amounts) 2002 2001(a) 2000 1999 1998 (as restated) Consolidated statements of operations data: Operating revenues $ 2,047,116 $ 2,065,913 $ 2,344,354 $ 2,210,884 $ 2,023,284 Operating expenses (b) 2,207,196 2,483,784 2,356,991 2,006,333 1,814,221 Operating income (loss) (160,080) (417,871) (12,637) 204,551 209,063 Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (c) (214,757)
    [Show full text]
  • Setting the Safety Standard 02 Delivering Peace of Mind
    SETTING THE SAFETY STANDARD 02 DELIVERING PEACE OF MIND THE FLEXJET SAFETY PROGRAM 04 21 BADGES OF CONFIDENCE SAFETY & SECURITY PROGRAMS AWARDS & RECOGNITION OUR PROACTIVE APPROACH 07 26 PILOT QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING YOUR DATA IS SAFE & SECURE EXCEEDINGLY HIGH STANDARDS COMPREHENSIVE DATA SECURITY 10 28 THE ART OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE FLEXJET PILOTS ARE IN COMMAND MAINTAINING OUR REPUTATION EMPOWERING OUR AVIATORS 12 31 STATE-OF-THE-ART COMMAND CENTER FLEXJET IS SYNONYMOUS WITH SAFETY ADVANCED SAFETY LOGISTICS SAFETY IS IN OUR DNA 15 33 FLEXJET SAFETY ASSURANCE CYCLE AVIATION INDUSTRY KEY INFLUENCERS FLIGHT CHECKLIST OVERVIEW SAFETY LEADERSHIP TEAM DELIVERING PEACE OF MIND “IF AT ANY TIME A FLEXJET FLIGHT IS NOT SAFE ENOUGH FOR MY DAUGHTER TO TRAVEL ON, IT SIMPLY DOESN’T FLY.” – TODD ANGUISH, CHIEF SAFETY OFFICER – Safety and security are essential traveling companions. Be Of all the safety layers that Flexjet methodically employs, assured, that the greatest threats to an aviation operation likely the most unique part of our safety culture is its ad- are the ones that a company is unaware of. Precisely why herence to voluntary reporting. Unlike other organizations, Flexjet is committed to a proactive approach to safety-risk ours has always been a culture for openly reporting poten- management with a highly-advanced, IS-BAO-certified tial issues, where there is absolutely no fear of reprisal. Safety Management System at its core. This comprehen- Furthermore, Flexjet is in constant communication with its sive, system-wide program, which goes far above and be- pilots and workforce regarding safety protocols, and any ab- yond FAA requirements, relies on formal processes, policies, normalities that are experienced are immediately assessed proprietary data, and people to help govern a strategical- and addressed without regard to potential loss of profits.
    [Show full text]
  • He Power of Partnering Under the Proper Circumstances, the Airbus A380
    A MAGAZINE FOR AIRLINE EXECUTIVES 2007 Issue No. 2 T a k i n g y o u r a i r l i n e t o new heights TThehe PowerPower ofof PartneringPartnering A Conversation with Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General Arab Air Carriers Organization. Special Section I NSIDE Airline Mergers and Consolidation Carriers can quickly recover 21 from irregular operations Singapore Airlines makes 46 aviation history High-speed trains impact Eu- 74 rope’s airlines The eMergo Solutions Several products in the Sabre Airline Solutions® portfolio are available ® ® through the Sabre eMergo Web access distribution method: ™ Taking your airline to new heights • Quasar passenger revenue accounting system 2007 Issue No. 2 Editors in Chief • Revenue Integrity option within SabreSonic® Res Stephani Hawkins B. Scott Hunt 3150 Sabre Drive Southlake, Texas 76092 • Sabre® AirFlite™ Planning and Scheduling Suite www.sabreairlinesolutions.com Art Direction/Design Charles Urich • Sabre® AirMax® Revenue Management Suite Design Contributor Ben Williams Contributors • Sabre® AirPrice™ fares management system Allen Appleby, Jim Barlow, Edward Bowman, Jack Burkholder, Mark Canton, Jim Carlsen-Landy, Rick Dietert, Vinay Dube, Kristen Fritschel, Peter Goodfellow, ® ™ Dale Heimann, Ian Hunt, Carla Jensen, • Sabre CargoMax Revenue and Pricing Suite Brent Johnson, Billie Jones, Maher Koubaa, Sandra Meekins, Nancy Ornelas, Lalita Ponnekanti and Jessica Thorud. • Sabre® Loyalty Suite Publisher George Lynch Awards ® ® • Sabre Rocade Airline Operations Suite 2007 International Association of Business Communicators Bronze Quill. 2005 and 2006 International Association • Sabre® WiseVision™ Data Analysis Suite of Business Communicators Bronze Quill, Silver Quill and Gold Quill. 2004 International Association of Business ® Communicators Bronze Quill and Silver • SabreSonic Check-in Quill.
    [Show full text]
  • Aircraft Tracking: What Is Currently Available?
    Aircraft Tracking: What is currently available? Andrew Burton, 31 Dec 2014 With the third major commercial airline crash of 2014 where the aircraft could not be located for 48 hours or more, there is a growing discussion around the issue of real-time flight following of aircraft. There is a lot of conjecture from armchair experts about what could be done, and what is currently available, and why it isn’t being widely used. Apex Flight Operations and its predecessors have been involved in aircraft tracking since 2003, and we are uniquely positioned as both a hardware manufacturer and a flight tracking data accumulator to shed some light on what is currently available in the market. Firstly, there are three major types of aircraft tracking: traditional radar-based, ADS-B/ACARS and dedicated flight following – the majority of recent discussion around aircraft tracking has omitted this last type. There are also several new systems or planned improvements to existing systems that may bring increased oversight in the future. Traditional Radar-Based Tracking This has been the predominant means of tracking aircraft in real time globally until the advent of ADS-B, and remains the only means of flight following in areas with no or limited ADS-B coverage. It has major shortfalls in that tracking is only available when the aircraft is in range of the radar – the rest of the time the aircraft is estimated to be at a certain location based on expected speed on a planned flight path. It is now generally accepted that a better alternative needs to be urgently found.
    [Show full text]
  • Air Transport Industry Analysis Report
    Annual Analyses of the EU Air Transport Market 2016 Final Report March 2017 European Commission Annual Analyses related to the EU Air Transport Market 2016 328131 ITD ITA 1 F Annual Analyses of the EU Air Transport Market 2013 Final Report March 2015 Annual Analyses of the EU Air Transport Market 2013 MarchFinal Report 201 7 European Commission European Commission Disclaimer and copyright: This report has been carried out for the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport in the European Commission and expresses the opinion of the organisation undertaking the contract MOVE/E1/5-2010/SI2.579402. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the European Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the European Commission's or the Mobility and Transport DG's views. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the information given in the report, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof. Copyright in this report is held by the European Communities. Persons wishing to use the contents of this report (in whole or in part) for purposes other than their personal use are invited to submit a written request to the following address: European Commission - DG MOVE - Library (DM28, 0/36) - B-1049 Brussels e-mail (http://ec.europa.eu/transport/contact/index_en.htm) Mott MacDonald, Mott MacDonald House, 8-10 Sydenham Road, Croydon CR0 2EE, United Kingdom T +44 (0)20 8774 2000 F +44 (0)20 8681 5706 W www.mottmac.com Issue and revision record StandardSta Revision Date Originator Checker Approver Description ndard A 28.03.17 Various K.
    [Show full text]
  • Skyteam Global Airline Alliance
    Annual Report 2005 2005 Aeroflot made rapid progress towards membership of the SkyTeam global airline alliance Aeroflot became the first Russian airline to pass the IATA (IOSA) operational safety audit Aeroflot annual report 2005 Contents KEY FIGURES > 3 CEO’S ADDRESS TO SHAREHOLDERS> 4 MAIN EVENTS IN 2005 > 6 IMPLEMENTING COMPANY STRATEGY: RESULTS IN 2005 AND PRIORITY TASKS FOR 2006 Strengthening market positions > 10 Creating conditions for long-term growth > 10 Guaranteeing a competitive product > 11 Raising operating efficiency > 11 Developing the personnel management system > 11 Tasks for 2006 > 11 AIR TRAFFIC MARKET Global air traffic market > 14 The passenger traffic market in Russia > 14 Russian airlines: main events in 2005 > 15 Market position of Aeroflot Group > 15 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Governing bodies > 18 Financial and business control > 23 Information disclosure > 25 BUSINESS IN 2005 Safety > 28 Passenger traffic > 30 Cargo traffic > 35 Cooperation with other air companies > 38 Joining the SkyTeam alliance > 38 Construction of the new terminal complex, Sheremetyevo-3 > 40 Business of Aeroflot subsidiaries > 41 Aircraft fleet > 43 IT development > 44 Quality management > 45 RISK MANAGEMENT Sector risks > 48 Financial risks > 49 Insurance programs > 49 Flight safety risk management > 49 PERSONNEL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Personnel > 52 Charity activities > 54 Environment > 55 SHAREHOLDERS AND INVESTORS Share capital > 58 Securities > 59 Dividend history > 61 Important events since December 31, 2005 > 61 FINANCIAL REPORT Statement
    [Show full text]
  • Automation Playbook Airlines/Aviation (Al)
    AUTOMATION PLAYBOOK AIRLINES/AVIATION (AL) AUTOMATION PLAYBOOK - AL Table of Contents 1. PREFACE ........................................................................................................... 3 2. CONTEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT ................................................................................. 5 3. TRENDS IN AIRLINES INDUSTRY AND RELEVANCE OF AUTOMATION ............................. 5 4. AUTOMATION ACROSS THE AIRLINES INDUSTRY VALUE CHAIN .................................... 8 5. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES ......................................................................... 12 6. INTRODUCING PROCESS DRIVEN AUTOMATION .......................................................... 14 6.1. Process catalog ........................................................................................................................... 16 6.2. Function wise Automation Propensity ....................................................................................... 16 7. INTRODUCING THE DIGITAL WORKFORCE – PERSONA DRIVEN AUTOMATION ..................... 18 7.1. Flight Analyst ................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 7.2. Dispatch Planner ......................................................................................................................... 20 7.3. H R Manager .............................................................................................................................. 21 7.4. Finance Manager .......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter Two: Evaluating the Economic Benefits of Connected Airline Operations
    Chapter Two: Evaluating the Economic Benefits of Connected Airline Operations Dr Alexander Grous Department of Media and Communications London School of Economics and Political Science ¥ $ € £ ¥ In association with 1 SKY HIGH ECONOMICS FOREWORD 3 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES 39 • Surveillance • Communication EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 • Navigation o Fuel Efficiency THE CONNECTED AIRCRAFT: o Flight Inefficiency TRANSFORMING AIRLINE OPERATIONS 10 o Efficiency and Flight Stages • The Connected Aircraft Ecosystem o Efficiency and Delays • Forecast Industry Efficiencies o Separation • Next Generation Connectivity Services • Future Services CONNECTED OPERATIONS SERVICES 13 o Benefits to Safety • The Airline CONCLUSION 50 o Pre- and Post-Flight Reporting REFERENCES 51 o Fuel and Weight Optimisation Disclaimer • The Aircraft o Cybersecurity • The Airport o Arrival Prediction o Turnarounds and On-Time Departure MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS CONTROL SERVICES 18 • Maintenance, Repair and Operations o Line Maintenance o Unscheduled Maintenance o No Fault Found o Resale Value • Aircraft Health Monitoring • Data Off-Loading • Predictive Maintenance AIRLINE OPERATIONS CONTROL SERVICES 24 • Crew Connectivity o Flight Crew o Cabin Crew o Virtual Crew Room • Flight Optimisation o Live Weather o Turbulence o Turbulence and Injuries • Environmental Factors • Irregular Operations o Diversions for Medical Emergencies o Other Irregular Operations • Disruption Management o Passenger Compensation • Safety and Operations Risk • Future Regulations 2 SKY HIGH ECONOMICS Philip Balaam President Inmarsat Aviation Foreword It is my pleasure to introduce to you the second chapter of Sky High Economics: Evaluating the Economic Benefits of Connected Airline Operations. Conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science, the Sky High Economics study is the first of its kind to comprehensively model the economic impact of inflight connectivity on the aviation industry.
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Low-Cost Long-Haul Business Model a Threat to European Major Airlines?
    Pierre Rolland Is the low-cost long-haul business model a threat to European major airlines? Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Bachelor of Business Administration European Business Administration Bachelor’s Thesis 28/04/2021 Abstract Author Pierre Rolland Title Is the low-cost long-haul business model a threat to European major airlines? Number of Pages 40 pages + 5 appendices Date 28th April 2021 Degree Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Programme European Business Administration Instructor/Tutor Daryl Chapman, Senior Lecturer The objective of this thesis is to understand the low-cost air market in Europe and identify the differences to explain to what extent the low-cost long-haul business is a threat to the European major airlines. This thesis consists of an explanation of the different low-cost long-haul air-market strategies in Europe, observe their development, successes and failures, and analyse their impact on the major airlines. The result of this research shows us that the low-cost model has affected the traditional model, and that major airlines have to adapt their offers to retain their clients. We also find out that the low-cost strategy that applies to the long-haul is not and cannot be the same as the short and medium-haul strategy. Keywords Low-Cost Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Business Model, Europe, Long-haul, COVID-19 Contents Glossary 1 Introduction 1 2 Current state of the air transport market 3 2.1 Air transport in Europe 4 2.1.1 The medium-haul 6 2.1.2 The long-haul 7 2.2 Low-cost companies 8
    [Show full text]
  • FLYHT 2019 July Investor Presentation
    July 2019 FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. TSX.V: FLY OTCQX: FLYLF 1 TSX.V: FLY OTCQX: FLYLF Disclaimer www.flyht.com Forward Looking Statements This discussion includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainty. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this discussion, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy, projected costs, future plans, projected revenues, objectives of management for future operations, the Company’s ability to meet any repayment obligations, the use of non-GAAP financial measures, trends in the airline industry, the global financial outlook, expanding markets, research and development of next generation products and any government assistance in financing such developments, foreign exchange rate outlooks, new revenue streams and sales projections, cost increases as related to marketing, research and development (including AFIRS 228), administration expenses, and litigation matters, may be or include forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on a number of reasonable assumptions regarding the Canadian, U.S., and global economic environments, local and foreign government policies/regulations and actions and assumptions made based upon discussions to date with the Company’s customers and advisers, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward- looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include production rates, timing for product deliveries and installations, Canadian, U.S., and foreign government activities, volatility of the aviation market for the Company’s products and services, factors that result in significant and prolonged disruption of air travel worldwide, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Issued 08 October 2013 Economy Class Meals Get an a La Carte Upgrade
    Economy Class Meals Get an a la Carte Upgrade IdeaWorksCompany.com LLC © 2013 Page 1 Issued 08 October 2013 Economy Class Meals Get an a la Carte Upgrade Innovative carriers hope customers will forego free and pay for better food. Contents Buy on board appears, disappears, and returns ......................................................................... 5 Cruise lines embraced specialty dining a decade ago ................................................................ 6 Enjoy the following global selection of upgraded meals ............................................................. 7 KLM adds “Choice and Control” with a la carte meals ............................................................... 9 This is more complicated than delivering a pizza ...................................................................... 11 Austrian tried full frills and now relies on a la carte .................................................................. 12 How to add sizzle to your product and beef up the bottom line ............................................... 13 Disclosure to Readers of this Report IdeaWorksCompany makes every effort to ensure the quality of the information in this report. Before relying on the information, you should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to your particular circumstances. IdeaWorksCompany cannot guarantee, and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for, the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information. The views expressed in the report are the views of the author, and do not
    [Show full text]
  • Ascend Staff
    industry Choosing a Model Today, a successful airline can take many different forms, but there are many factors to consider when choosing the right business model. By Lauren Lovelady | Ascend Staff undreds of airlines around the globe par- safe service has helped establish low- be offered complimentary or for a price — ticipate in online travel sites such as cost airlines as viable competitors for such as entertainment, Internet connectiv- HTravelocity, LastMinute.com, Expedia today’s traveler dollars. In general, no ity and meals. Some hybrid carriers offer and Orbitz, displaying their fares, destinations frills — pillows, blankets, movies or “buy-on-board” shopping, an emerging and services to approximately half a billion peo- meals — are offered and none are trend in air travel today. ple worldwide with Internet access. Even air- expected. Overhead costs are kept to a A number of airlines are now experi- lines that don’t subscribe to these travel sites minimum, and air travel is moved in the menting with and attempting to replicate usually have their own Web sites. With the pro- direction of mass transportation. the hybrid carrier formula, particularly liferation of information, it’s no wonder today’s Full-service carriers — Demand for busi- onboard shopping. It’s important to remem- consumers are more savvy and knowledgeable ness travel is once again on the rise. And ber, though, that trends are usually cyclical. than ever before. They know what kind of ser- travelers who spend countless hours in What may seem to be a good idea now may vice they want and expect, which airlines offer airports and airplanes are often more than not be such a good idea two years down it, and what it will cost.
    [Show full text]