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 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?