Some major pain points for buying airplane tickets are that prices fluctuate by the minute, there are so many different classes of tickets, and there are so many hidden fees. The result is that few people know how much they will end up spending on a flight when all is said and done. Some customers who know how to game the system come out winners with unbelievably cheap tickets, while others feel ripped off because they don’t know how the system works.
I propose a “no-nonsense airline” where ticket prices do not fluctuate much, there is only one seating class, and there are no hidden fees. This airline should operate much like a bus system, but without the confusing timetables. Imagine an airline that has pricing like this:
Washington D.C. to San Francisco: $499
San Francisco to Washington D.C.: $499
Washington D.C. to Los Angeles: $499
Los Angeles to Orlando: $499
Orlando to Washington D.C.: $299
San Francisco to Los Angeles: $299
Isn’t that much easier? You may have noticed that these prices are a bit steep, but that’s because there are no hidden fees, no price fluctuations, and no seating classes. I think many customers will pay extra for this convenience.
I wouldn’t stop here either. There should also be no shenanigans when it comes to check-in luggage, in-flight food service, and other amenities. Remember, this is a no-nonsense airline. The ticket price includes one check-in luggage. Only one. You can’t pay extra to make it two. There are no weight limits. That way it’s impossible to get charged an extra fee at the ticket counter. In-flight snacks and beverages are included. Perhaps it is all-you-can-eat-and-drink. You cannot pay extra for more food or drinks.
Think of it like how a fine restaurant may serve a prix fixe dinner. You walk into the restaurant, give them $80, and they treat you right. They do everything they can to make you feel like it was an $80 well-spent. If you don’t like what you got for $80, you don’t go back. Maybe airlines can learn from this model.
Would you pay more for no-nonsense plane tickets? Let me know in the comments.
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