More improvements to Virgin America’s operations

by Grant Martin on

As Virgin America evolves out of their infancy, they’re starting to tweak some of their operations to make frequent passengers happy, cater to niche interests and maximize profits. Over the last few weeks the airline has unrolled a series of small changes to their operations; we’ll fire through them quick for you so you can stay on top of things.

  • Redemption of EleVAte points: Virgin America’s frequent flyer program, EleVAte, has so far allowed you to accrue, but not spend points. The big advantage in this program among others is that members should be able to spend their miles on any flights – there won’t be any blackout dates that prevent you from traveling on weekend/evening/holiday flights.
  • Main Cabin Select: If you sit in the bulkhead or exit rows, in addition to the extra leg room you’ll enjoy the amenities of first class: movies, food, premium checkin and the like. And yes, it does cost a bit more.
  • Fully refundable fares: While the vast majority of us don’t use fully refundable fares, the 10% of people that do book the tickets haven’t been able to do so thus far. Fully refundable fares, while significantly more expensive than a regular “economy” fare give one the ability to change/return tickets at the last minute, which is why they’re good for business travelers on tight schedules. Adding this flexibility now lets Virgin America try to capture some of that business traveler market. Note, that to get fully refundable fares you still have to call the airline to book — they have yet to integrate that feature into their booking engine.

These small changes should add further leverage to the product that VA has been building and eventually broaden their market share – in case fun mood lighting and top notch In-Flight-Entertainment weren’t enough. I’m glad that the airline is adapting and responding to user feedback and desires.

Now all they need to do is start flying to the Midwest and I’m sold.

Ryanair Crews Forced to Take Unpaid Leave, but CEO Optimistic

by Josh Lew on

Low-cost carrier Ryanair will be forcing about 400 pilots and cabin crew members to take one week of unpaid leave. The airline’s brash CEO, Michael O’Leary, said that executives would be hit with a 10% pay cut. The flight crews’ mandated holiday will cost them about 2% of their yearly income.

O’Leary, usually singled out for is over-the-top antics and surly demeanor seemed to be talking sense, for once, when he said that smaller European budget carriers would not survive the current economic sluggishness. However, he was optimistic about Ryanair’s prospects, saying that the money woes will cause people to seek out the airline’s cheaper fares.

O’Leary also said that he is looking to develop trans-Atlantic routes by purchasing larger aircraft from bankrupt or soon-to-be-bankrupt airlines on the cheap. First, though, the airline will have to ride out the current economic downturn and keep their crews from bolting for other airlines.

Source

OpenSkies releases sale fares on new routes to Amsterdam and Paris

by Grant Martin on

Been eyeballing those super fancy fares on OpenSkies for the last few months but too afraid to jump on the tickets? Now’s your time to take the bull by the horns and pull the trigger on that vacation to Paris or Amsterdam.

OpenSkies just announced that they put their Prem+ cabin on sale for the first 1,000 passengers on each route. For now, tickets will be $499 one way to Amsterdam, their newest route opening on October 15th, and $599 one way to Paris.

In case you aren’t sure what “Prem+” means, that’s OpenSkies code for plush, giant leather seats and premium service — an experience better than many carriers in Business Class. Gadling got to try out Prem + first hand this past summer, and let me tell you, its well worth the dollar spent.

Sound like a good ride? You can take advantage of the Premium fares at flyopenskies.com or if you’re feeling lucky, register to win free tickets at Gadling next Friday.

Could Budget Airlines Unite?

by Josh Lew on

A recent post on Ben Mutsabaugh’s Today in the Sky blog focused on statements made by Frontier Airlines CEO Sean Menke. Menke told a Denver newspaper: “I have been very vocal about (low-cost carriers) having to be aligned through some form or fashion…and not necessarily through mergers.” That’s not a surprising statement from a Frontier exec because of his airline’s buddy-buddy relationship with fellow budget carrier AirTran. The two help each other with ticketing, destinations served and promotions.

But the current economy and gas prices may make Frontier’s approach to the budget game a model for other LCCs. While some airlines, like Southwest, have the clout to challenge the big boys on their own, most carriers are finding their low-cost business model in jeapordy. Alliances could help when it comes to ticket sales and frequent flier programs, but also with the costs of using airports. A band of small carriers could agree to make a LCC hub at all major airports, sharing gates, ticketing counters, even employees. Helping each other a little could keep them all in the game longer.

JetBlue to offer “happy hour” fares in DC this afternoon

by Grant Martin on

JetBlue seems to be kicking up their marketing tactics into high gear. Just a few weeks ago the airline started selling tickets on Ebay, and coming up in the next few weeks will be sponsoring “happy hour fares” in several target cities.

According to JetBlue spokesman Morgan Johnston, the airline will be setting up a happy hour bar-eqsue setting in select locations around the cities where people can mill about and see special last minute fares that will only be available at that location. Tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis for upcoming last minute weekend fares, and as customers see fares they like published on a blackboard, they can jump on the tickets on the spot.

Whether JetBlue will dynamically adjust the price of their last minute fares based on demand is an interesting question. Depending on how many people show up to the events, they may have a hard time selling strange flights at strange times. Or maybe people will just get excited and buy anything.

The overall goal, however, is pretty clear: get a group of dedicated JetBlue customers isolated, fired up about travel and in the spending mood then throw some tickets to the fray — let the excitement of the moment overtake any reasonable doubts on prices. The same thing applied to the earlier sales on Ebay — nobody really got a good deal, but in the heat of the moment, winning an auction is much more fun than saving on tickets.

Today’s happy hour takes place in Washington DC, between 3:30 and 6:30 PM at the Reston Town Center Pavilion (11900 Market Street at the intersection of Discovery St.) Let us know how the the sales go and if it’s a good deal we’ll post more dates.