Tuesday, October 28, 2008

No Love Left in Flying





There is no doubt that women are more inclined to notice the details when it comes to experiencing products or services across nearly every category. If stores send us a thank you note or a special coupon for our birthday, we are much more responsive than our male counterparts. The same can be said if a store offers consumers a free cup of coffee or a balloon for our kids. So if the details are so important, how come the airlines have completely failed to acknowledge this fact, or do they just not realize it? Last week I traveled on United Airlines and had the same experience that all my other fellow travelers are having these days, but it doesn't make it any better. As a woman, I am completely befuddled by the fact that the airlines have chosen to take away all the nice little details instead of asking us to pay another $25.00 for a ticket. I mean I can't imagine that the combined cost of the luggage tariff, a small bag of peanuts or cookies and renting a pillow and a blanket for an hour could cost more than about $25.00. The bad will that is created by taking away these little extras and charging us $15 for checking a bag seems like it would be far more expensive in the long run in terms of lost business, than charging us a little more for the actual ticket. I would love to hear some other thoughts on this!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Agree! Flying has become a horrible experience from arriving at the airport onwards.
Why are airports so uncomfortable? Why is there never a horizontal surface anywhere to put your cup of tea (sorry I'm another Brit) down on while you eat your sandwich. one has to resort to using the floor as your table.
And why do planes have to smell so awful?
Women will pay a lot of money for a little pampering as shown by the success of the day spa - a pair of fluffy slippers and some incense commands a huge upcharge. Perhaps the airlines can learn something from high-margin service businesses.