How travel could be improved: If we ran airlines, hotels and cruise ships

[Doug_Westcott]

We've all thought it at one time or another: if I ran this joint, things would be different. It's a notion that usually arises from annoyance. An overlong wait. A brush with rudeness. A bad plate of food. Under-delivery on over-promises. Substandard experiences bombard us in day-to-day life, be they traffic jams, overcrowded buses, exorbitant power bills, terrible TV shows or disappointing football teams. That's why we go on holidays – because quite often, real life sucks.
Here's what airlines, cruise ships and hotels would be like if we ran them

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not what I was expecting! Only read the airline one but it seemed somewhat sensible! US airlines have been offering 'economy plus' for years. I wish carriers outside the US also offered such a product.

 

[Mattg]

US airlines have been offering 'economy plus' for years. I wish carriers outside the US also offered such a product.

Isn't this what VA Economy X is?

One could argue the Euro-business class is also 'economy plus'.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Isn't this what VA Economy X is?

Oh, poor VA. Yes I forgot about them!

I did a flight in AA's main cabin extra last month, 35 inch pitch. Thought it was pretty good.

 

[davidj]

Fast lane at airport security. For those who are prepared and just need to 'walk through' without undressing.

 

[Forg]

Only read the airline one but it seemed somewhat sensible! US airlines have been offering 'economy plus' for years. I wish carriers outside the US also offered such a product.

My mum & dad went to the UK circa 2000 or 2001 on one or the first Premium Economy offerings, which was BA (I think it was called World Traveller Plus). I suspect you’re wanting what it was; basically just a more roomy seat (may even have been the E seat but with more legroom) & slightly better catering, and for ~$2400 where E was ~$2100. AFAIK the first QF equivalent was the same.
However all those airlines have obviously decided it’s more lucrative to offer a little more & charge quite a lot more ... eg. business travel from Oz to most of Asia for a lot of companies is too short a flight to allow J, but it allows PE, so airlines can offer a closer-to-J-cost product that doesn’t cost them near as much as J & get closer to breaking even (airlines aim to break-even at best don’t they? ).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I suspect you’re wanting what it was; basically just a more roomy seat ...

Exactly. And main door emergency exits aren't always the answer... they're exposed, can be slightly narrower, and you don't have access to seat pockets to store stuff. The 'main cabin extra' had the best of everything!

 

[love_the_life]

Actually I thought the article was pretty trite, with very little substance. YMMV though.

 

[JohnK]

Reward loyalty and don't make promises that you cannot deliver.

 

[PointsFinder]

I like the suggestion to allocate 5% of all seats for frequent flyers regardless of demand/route etc. I wonder how realistic this is today?