Why am I Not Sold More Stuff on Planes?
This past year I have flown a lot, I mean a lot. Over 115,000 payed miles one United alone, 3 free flights on United, and a couple random flights on Northwest and Hawaiian. All in all about 150,000 miles spent in the air. And the year isn’t over yet!
During that year in the air there have been a lot of changes to the industry due to every single airline except Southwest loosing money because of high fuel prices. Airlines are going out of business. Airlines are charging for baggage. Most airlines have done away with free food, although that was mostly last year, this year a lot of airlines have cut out the free bag of mixed pretzel things. And, although I’m not sure on other airlines, United has cutout Champagne in first class.
On top of all these changes, routes are getting cut to reduce capacity which means crowded flights full of extremely grumpy people and long standby lists.
While these changes might be necessary to cut costs and stay in business I for one think they were poorly implemented, but that’s another story. What this article is about is why airlines aren’t doing more to produce more revenue rather than cutting costs?
Why aren’t they selling me things in the air?
First, accept credit cards, you have the persons name with more security than any other place on earth, its not a security thing, figure out how to do it. Hawaiian only accepts credit card by the way….
Next, why not sell better snack selections? I as recently on a flight that instead of $6 snack packs they sold huge pringles stacks and trail mix for $3. How about a candy bar, healthy snacks, better food choices?
Next, why not get rid of some storage that weighs 200 pounds, gotta be able to cut that out of something, and bring on board 50 personal video players all loaded with 20 movies each, charge $10 per flight to rent them.
How about you sell headphones, noise canceling. Offer for people to try some on the plane, accept credit cards, then sell them a pair.
How about other things to rent? (and that doesn’t mean pillows and blankets, what a dumb idea that was whichever airline it was)
Best idea of all to sell to this captive audience….. Don’t know yet, but be innovative, think of something, and make more revenue. Don’t cut costs to make your service worse.
I writer this while I sit on the runway waiting for our gate to open.
Comments
Comment from Erik
Time: December 1, 2008, 4:08 pm
Unions?
Comment from Andrei Istrate
Time: December 13, 2008, 9:48 pm
I believe when your above ground and left off on air, you seem to have a less purchasing behaviour, you dont like to eat, non can you sleep well, and your fitting into a space seat where your legs can even expend out, now how does that make a person want to buy something, only makes me want to get the flight over with asap.
Comment from sound of music
Time: September 7, 2009, 8:21 pm
It is really a nice post with have a good info ……………….keep it up…
Comment from Magnolia TX Computer Repair
Time: September 14, 2009, 1:53 pm
This is actually a really interesting article. You know, I have never been sold anything on an airplane before unless it was something from a stewardess. But when you really think about it - an airplane is the perfect place for a salesman to pitch something to you. They have hours upon hours to convince you to buy the product or service!
Comment from printing
Time: November 2, 2009, 1:30 am
hi,
keep it up[…………….
Comment from Tiens estore
Time: November 12, 2009, 12:35 am
Great post.I think sales don’t go well on an airplain because the stewardesss provides the passengers with what they require.
Comment from Magento Development India
Time: November 12, 2009, 11:46 pm
Nice post. Thanks for sharing. Keep writing.
Comment from Southwest Airlines Fan
Time: December 9, 2009, 5:43 am
Trying to sell me something on the plane would be incredibly annoying. Just because there is an opportunity for sales, doesn’t mean you should take it. I enjoy flying without any hassle or pressure to buy anything else, unless of course I want some food or a cocktail.
Comment from glutamine
Time: December 23, 2009, 1:15 am
it’s not electronical devices it’s devices that emit radio frequencies. you can use cd players and laptops and things like that. and if your phone has airplane mode (turns off radio signals ) you could use the phones features as well.
Comment from glutamine
Time: December 25, 2009, 7:27 pm
i think it is called fozzchek(spelling),not sure id dow makes it, the company that made agent orange
Comment from wordpress video tutorial
Time: January 11, 2010, 9:31 am
The specific refunding policies of major China domestic airlines vary and … Any passenger holding an economy class adult ticket or a half-price ticket is … Each Chinese airline company has a different method and rate to charge.
Comment from oyun
Time: January 27, 2010, 11:58 am
I enjoy flying without any hassle or pressure to buy anything else, unless of course I want some food or a cocktail.
Comment from job
Time: January 29, 2010, 5:35 pm
Brilliant idea. Really an informative one. Thanks for sharing your precious ideas.
Comment from webthesurfi rugs webdesign
Time: February 21, 2010, 4:38 am
sorry, but i have no credit card
Comment from Ahmedabad Climate
Time: March 29, 2010, 3:58 am
I had found this before. Airport is a beach view from the top plane exquisite. But people are soul-stirring below.
Comment from Marriage counseling Brisbane
Time: March 29, 2010, 4:01 am
A curious, if generally underappreciated, feature of a highway or a road is that it sometimes becomes a runway.
Comment from Web design Dubai
Time: March 29, 2010, 4:54 am
I got your point. I also experience that here in our local airlines. I can only buy snack or maybe junkfood. There are no sandwiches to choose from. I think these are the thing an airline must improve.
Comment from Marriage counseling Brisbane
Time: April 1, 2010, 10:15 pm
I guess I would rather land on a highway than crash. When Wonderful Husband was a teacher he looked out the window and saw a plane rapidly approaching – he ordered all the kids to get under their desks immediately. Fortunately, the plane landed safely on the school playing field.
Comment from Limoges Boxes
Time: April 8, 2010, 7:09 pm
I understand what you feel. I’ve also experience that before. Thanks for sharing yours.
Comment from chicago airport limo service
Time: April 18, 2010, 5:08 am
Try to book a flight is a class A airplane I’m sure the service there is much better.
Comment from Börek Tarifleri
Time: April 19, 2010, 12:04 pm
Your article helped me so much on my works.Thanks.
Comment from David McBee
Time: April 21, 2010, 9:08 am
How about a quality magazine or book selection?! Especially when I’m done reading the one I brought on board and there’s still two hours left to fly!
Comment from horse fence
Time: April 24, 2010, 4:20 am
you dont like to eat, non can you sleep well, and your fitting into a space seat where your legs can even expend out, now how does that make a person want to buy something, only makes me want to get the flight over with asap.
Comment from Real Estate Moorpark
Time: April 30, 2010, 1:12 am
Such a nice post and informative one too..
Comment from car audio electronics
Time: May 13, 2010, 10:49 pm
I’d take free wi-fi over a “meal”. Last meal i got on a plane was ham drowned in may and rolled into a wrap then cut in half. And we only got the one half. I can make that at home and keep the whole thing.
Comment from lurex
Time: May 14, 2010, 9:09 am
What a Great Article it its really informative and innovative keep us posted with new updates. its was really valuable. thanks a lot.
Comment from car audio electronics
Time: June 2, 2010, 8:56 pm
The straight line block-in seems to me to be very similar to the Bargue drawing approach, the production of the initial schematic in straight lines. I do think it helps to get curves right if they’re reduced to straight lines first.
Comment from car audio electronics
Time: June 18, 2010, 8:27 am
I dont know if I would want anything sold to me on an airplane
Comment from Bodybuilding Supplements
Time: June 27, 2010, 2:28 am
Really awesome article post. it’s not electronically devices it’s devices that emit radio frequencies. you can use cd players and laptops and things like that. and if your phone has airplane mode you could use the phones features as well.
thanks for sharing with me.
Comment from Growing Sales Revenue
Time: June 27, 2010, 6:54 am
I love to read every post on your blog. It always provide me good knowledge. Great post. I think sales don’t go well on an airplain because the stewardesss provides the passengers with what they require. keep updating like that.
Comment from online ads
Time: June 29, 2010, 8:41 am
Mostly airlines services increase the fair and less the facilities of traveling due to high fuel prices.So people do not purchase anything in plane because they become more conscious about their money.
Comment from acai
Time: June 30, 2010, 1:10 am
I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.
Comment from Real Estate Moorpark
Time: July 8, 2010, 7:48 am
Love to read such type of informative posts. I admire those writers who share the best of their knowledge in writing such articles. Keep up the good work and continue inspiring readers.Thank you so much.
Comment from Gold ‘N Hot Flat Iron
Time: July 21, 2010, 10:43 am
This is so true, thanks for the great info
Austin
Comment from video
Time: July 22, 2010, 9:44 am
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Comment from used tires
Time: July 22, 2010, 12:25 pm
Wow that is alot of air mileage for sure! I rarely get to travel by plane lol! I’ve only flown maybe 5 times in my life time. I think some airlines though have already begun implementing what you are saying.
Till then,
Jean
Comment from watts
Time: July 28, 2010, 11:14 pm
I was thinking about going on a trip to New York next week and my Passport expired and I was wondering if a Student ID good enough, my Student ID has my name and a picture, will that be OK?
Comment from Bidet
Time: August 3, 2010, 12:52 am
Wow thats a lot of flying youve done in just a year. I agree they should start selling things, Im sure they would make a lot of money. Most airlines now only accept credit cards and not cash.
Comment from printing
Time: August 3, 2010, 1:37 am
Hi thanks for nice sharing all is really very intercity thanks for it….
Comment from acai
Time: August 3, 2010, 10:03 am
Really great idea. I have never been sold anything on an airplane before unless it was something from a stewardess. But when you really think about it - an airplane is the perfect place for a salesman to pitch something to you. Awaiting for next..
Comment from car battery
Time: August 4, 2010, 12:25 am
I agree, it’s a lost opportunity for most airlines, it seems. They could rake in a good sum if they played their cards right in this area. I think in the future, as airlines get more destitute, they will have to think up of better ways to sell stuff in the planes. I think the passengers would welcome it too. The more enjoyable ways you can pass your time on long flights, the better.
Comment from Kendall Howard
Time: August 9, 2010, 5:59 am
I feel like I could run an airline company so much better then what is out there. I think they enjoy getting gov’t money so they don’t try. Europe is able to stay profitable why can’t the US.
Comment from professional search engine optimization
Time: August 10, 2010, 12:57 am
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Comment from Tej Kohli
Time: August 11, 2010, 12:11 am
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Comment from Cannes apartment rental
Time: August 13, 2010, 12:21 am
Great post. I think sales don’t go well on an airplain because the stewardesss provides the passengers with what they require. keep updating like that.
Comment from car battery
Time: August 15, 2010, 4:06 am
But they only provide the most basic stuff to the passengers. Speciality items could be sold separately to all the classes on the aircraft.
Comment from acai
Time: August 17, 2010, 6:49 am
Great article. Very well-written. Trying to sell me something on the plane would be incredibly annoying. Just because there is an opportunity for sales, doesn’t mean you should take it. I enjoy flying without any hassle or pressure to buy anything else.
Looking few more from your end.
Comment from apartments cannes
Time: August 22, 2010, 6:39 am
I agree they should start selling things, Im sure they would make a lot of money. Most airlines now only accept credit cards and not cash.
Comment from Web design company NCR
Time: August 31, 2010, 8:04 pm
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Time: September 1, 2010, 8:22 pm
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Comment from Atniz
Time: November 30, 2008, 5:06 pm
I think all airline companies need to check the economy airline companies method and policies. How the economy airlines are making good profit that the big companies failed to do?