Air travel

[ChrissyRyan]

Another budget airline has bit the dust here in the USA.

It has been having financial issues.  It likely should have failed to survive much earlier and has went through bankruptcy.  Which means it previously failed.

I never flew on it.

Southwest though is a budget airline of sorts that I have flown on many times.

[Dawn Kellie]

I flew on Spirit once. It was like a flying Greyhound

[Liz K]

When you travel by air, do you seek the least amount of time to get to your destination, or do you seek the lowest total price?  Or do you seek something(s) else?

Does it matter if it is business or personal travel?

Does it matter if it is a long flight or not?

Does the number of flight segments (stops) matter much to you, or only if you must change planes?

Deffo don't shop by price.  Low cost air travel is a race to the bottom these days.  I read that some low cost carriers are looking at 'standing berths' to pack more people onto their planes.  Yikes!

I only travel for personal reasons.  If it's a short-haul (<3 hrs), I'll consider a low cost carrier if there aren't better options.  For longer flights, I will always pay for an upgraded fare.  Premium economy at a minimum.  Business class and above when it makes sense based upon price and duration.  Comfort and my health are primary reasons.  Being crammed into a main cabin seat for 5+ hours, with little opportunity to move around, can lead to blood clots.  That's especially true as you get older.

Generally, I minimize the number of flight segments as much as possible.  Strongly prefer direct flights and willing to pay extra for them (rarely happens).  I'll live with one-stop for some destinations.  Two-plus stops is a deal breaker unless there are no other options.

[ChrissyRyan]

I prefer the upgrades except when traveling with a staffer that reports to me I will stay at the same premium leg room seat typically allowed for them.  I think that is the smart action for me to take.  It is also possible to talk some final planning if need be.

If it is a short haul flight I see no sense to pay for any upgrade other than possibly more leg room.

Chrissy

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

On my way back from Thailand ive paid extra for seats at the exit and near toilets as its an open area with lots of leg room. At 3 weeks after GRS not sure I'd be able to cope crammed in a normal legroom seat. Also not needing to move people if i need the toilet bad.

Charlotte 😻

[ChrissyRyan]

On my way back from Thailand ive paid extra for seats at the exit and near toilets as its an open area with lots of leg room. At 3 weeks after GRS not sure I'd be able to cope crammed in a normal legroom seat. Also not needing to move people if i need the toilet bad.

Charlotte 😻

Gosh, is that row 1 at the head (no pun intended) of the plane?

[ChrissyRyan]

A photon is going through airport security. The TSA agent asks if she has any luggage.


The photon says, "No, I am traveling light."

[PhilippaRees]

This is why not to use low cost carriers.

[ChrissyRyan]

I do not currently have any flights planned.

It appears that many will be "filled cattle cars" as airlines cut back on flights.

Airlines are quite the up and down industry.  Sometimes their stocks take off, other times they certainly drop.

It is amazing that many make more money from the credit card fees than on flights.

[ChrissyRyan]

Watch the airlines drop providing amenities such as snacks and drinks on shorter flights.
Some will and have increased baggage fees, as well as many other fees.

They may also cram more seats into aircraft from time to time.

[big kim]

We have Ryanair and Easyjet racing each other to the bottom. If they could get away with hanging passengers from meat hooks they'd have done it!

[Lori Dee ✅]

If they could get away with hanging passengers from meat hooks they'd have done it!

Now that would be a sight.

🫨

[Liz K]

We have Ryanair and Easyjet racing each other to the bottom. If they could get away with hanging passengers from meat hooks they'd have done it!

Meat hooks isn't too far off from the latest 'innovation' in budget travel - standing berths.  Ryanair and several other carriers are evaluating them now.

[Stottie Girl]

Meat hooks isn't too far off from the latest 'innovation' in budget travel - standing berths.  Ryanair and several other carriers are evaluating them now.

For what it's worth, Ryanair have done this sort of PR thing before. Their vile boss has a habit of releasing scaremongering stories and then uses the resulting interviews that take place as free PR where he starts advertising the "great prices" and "number of destinations". It's a very strange model but he's been doing it for decades now! I genuinely do not think standing berths would ever pass safety regulations.

[KathyLauren]

Airlines are quite the up and down industry.

Har har har! 😄