That’s why American Airlines calls its fees program “Your Choice” and suggests that it makes the “travel experience even more convenient, cost-effective, flexible and personalized.”
Here’s the thing: in order for fees to work, there needs be something worth paying to avoid. That necessitates, at some level, a strategy that can be described as “calculated misery.” Basic service, without fees, must be sufficiently degraded in order to make people want to pay to escape it. And that’s where the suffering begins.
The necessity of degrading basic service provides a partial explanation for the fact that, in the past decade, the major airlines have done what they can to make flying basic economy, particularly on longer flights, an intolerable experience.
In the time it takes to arrive at Denver airport (1.5 hours before boarding), check bags, clear TSA, board, and taxi down the runway, travelers in Europe have boarded a train in Italy and arrived in Switzerland.
BE THIS GUY about 5 years ago
The new age of customer service.
rekam Premium Member about 5 years ago
Darrin, please don’t give them ideas.
Silly Season about 5 years ago
https://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/airlines-want-you-to-suffer
That’s why American Airlines calls its fees program “Your Choice” and suggests that it makes the “travel experience even more convenient, cost-effective, flexible and personalized.”
Here’s the thing: in order for fees to work, there needs be something worth paying to avoid. That necessitates, at some level, a strategy that can be described as “calculated misery.” Basic service, without fees, must be sufficiently degraded in order to make people want to pay to escape it. And that’s where the suffering begins.
The necessity of degrading basic service provides a partial explanation for the fact that, in the past decade, the major airlines have done what they can to make flying basic economy, particularly on longer flights, an intolerable experience.
Bill The Nuke about 5 years ago
Another good reason to have only carry-on luggage.
Rabies65 about 5 years ago
In the time it takes to arrive at Denver airport (1.5 hours before boarding), check bags, clear TSA, board, and taxi down the runway, travelers in Europe have boarded a train in Italy and arrived in Switzerland.
DCBakerEsq about 5 years ago
I prefer the bus.
bakana about 5 years ago
Fly Spirit.
We call it that because we enjoy Breaking Yours.