What Do We Expect

[TiredOldFlyer]

As I read the various comments posted on this site I wonder if we are expecting too much from airline travel.
Compared to 30 or 40 years ago airline travel has gone ahead in leaps and
bounds.
Firstly look at the prices.
An airfare today is not to much different to what it was in the 80's. Adjust that to the increase in the annual wage and in real terms my research shows an effective cost of about 50% of what it was.
Look at the service.
Sure, perhaps not as good as the glory days of the 50's but generally still not bad.
Flat Seats.
Unheard of years ago. I know some airlines offered reclining seats in premium classes way back but no comparision to the suites etc these days
Entertainment.
Compare to the pull down screens and one or two movies on long flights
Of yesterday.
Airline lounges.
Only previously avaliable to the favoured few in the past.
Safety.
Dramatically immproved.
And so the list goes on.
Do we (and I include myself in this) really have the right to winge about
the quality of the wine, or the fact that mý menu selection is not available ?
I guess where I am coming from is that the competitive airline business offerings are far better than years ago and at a much more affordable price.
Not much more than one weeks annual pay for a return ticket to the USA !

 

[LZ66]

That certainly puts it into perspective.

 

[Dr Ralph]

That certainly puts it into perspective.

Really?

How about an airline supplies the services that it advertised and that I paid for.

For me that puts it into perspective.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

IMHO TiredOldFlyer no place for sensible rational accurate posting here on AFF - might I suggest you refrain in future?

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

IMHO TiredOldFlyer no place for sensible rational accurate posting here on AFF - might I suggest you refrain in future?

Thanks for pointing this out. I am chastised. I will try not to do it again !

 

[LZ66]

I'll certainly refrain from posting in the future - everyone should be able to voice their opinion without having others slam them down!!

 

[serfty]

Thanks for pointing this out. I am chastised. I will try not to do it again !��

I'm sure you realise CE's post was most definitely tongue-in-cheek ...

 

[LZ66]

Thank you - and, yes, I did realise CE's post was tongue-in-cheek - thank goodness some of us have a sense of humour.

 

[opusman]

Just because air travel is better than it used to be (if indeed it is), it doesn't mean it's as good as it can be!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

First post edited with addition 2 winks - yes totally tongue in cheek - personally I thought OP was a fabulous post.

 

[Quickstatus]

The tension between passenger and airlines and between airlines drives innovation and positive disruption

Without innovation comes stagnation.


So I say to all airline passengers. Expect and demand what's advertised and more.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Well said TiredOldFlier.

Excellent points made.

I would argue that that the cost of an airfare to LAX from OZ is now less than average weekly earnings.

 

[sinophile888]

Firstly look at the prices.
An airfare today is not to much different to what it was in the 80's. Adjust that to the increase in the annual wage and in real terms my research shows an effective cost of about 50% of what it was.

I remember an acquaintance telling me that he paid A$1500 in 1972 for a return economy flight to London. Not much has changed.

 

[mannej]

I remember an acquaintance telling me that he paid A$1500 in 1972 for a return economy flight to London. Not much has changed.

If you are looking at the figure alone you are correct, but I'd argue your statement doesn't take anything else into account.

 

[sinophile888]

Just a comment on how prices appear have changed very little.

 

[opusman]

$1500 in 1972 would also buy you a car.

 

[Hvr]

As I read the various comments posted on this site I wonder if we are expecting too much from airline travel.
Compared to 30 or 40 years ago airline travel has gone ahead in leaps and
bounds.
Firstly look at the prices.
An airfare today is not to much different to what it was in the 80's. Adjust that to the increase in the annual wage and in real terms my research shows an effective cost of about 50% of what it was.
Look at the service.
Sure, perhaps not as good as the glory days of the 50's but generally still not bad.
Flat Seats.
Unheard of years ago. I know some airlines offered reclining seats in premium classes way back but no comparision to the suites etc these days
Entertainment.
Compare to the pull down screens and one or two movies on long flights
Of yesterday.
Airline lounges.
Only previously avaliable to the favoured few in the past.
Safety.
Dramatically immproved.
And so the list goes on.
Do we (and I include myself in this) really have the right to winge about
the quality of the wine, or the fact that mý menu selection is not available ?
I guess where I am coming from is that the competitive airline business offerings are far better than years ago and at a much more affordable price.
Not much more than one weeks annual pay for a return ticket to the USA !

Checking spelling and grammar before printing was also a normal function 30-40 years ago when providing information and/or comment.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As I read the various comments posted on this site I wonder if we are expecting too much from airline travel.
Compared to 30 or 40 years ago !

You cannot simply compare the price of a fare from yesteryear and the price of a fare from today. In years gone by, there things like duopolies and cosy arrangements, Gov't sanctioned to prohibit genuine competition. Also, how about thinking about economy of scale. Years ago, due to many factors, no where near the number of passengers flew. Economy of scale dictates huge reductions in supply cost. Think computers as an example. It wasn't so long ago (in my book) I bought my very first business computer. An IBM JX. That computer with associated dot matrix printer and programs cost me about $5000. Nowadays you couldn't even buy something so antiquated, but if you could, once you stopped the shopkeeper form laughing, the cost would likely be three for a dollar.

Whilst talking about technology, back in the days of which you speak, cathode ray TVs pretty much meant seat back screens were just not possible. These days small economic lcd screens are not just possible, but a dime a dozen, so why wouldn't an airline fit them (perhaps we should ask penny-pinching VA that question).

You mention suites but didn't touch on the price. Let's briefly ignore the AFF knowledge base about how to obtain a suite affordably, but for most mug punters, a suite is simply out of the question, price wise. I guess the money men/women of the world may be happy, but I don't see that as being a big advancement over yesteryear. It's simply filling a gap to gain an edge in a competitive market.

I do agree wholeheartedly that airline travel these days can be better than days gone by, but it can also be worse and to be honest, most of what is "whined" about here is the inclusions that are advertised but not delivered.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Aaaah, the heady days of airline travel whereby people dressed up to fly.....

Interesting topic actually, and something I hadn't really thought about...not that I remember back to the 50's....

For me, the fact that I can actually afford to fly now (compared to the pricing of the late 90's from my experience) is just awesome. There haven't been too many occasions that I've felt that what I've paid for isn't fair value for what product/service I've received (there have been a couple of bad instances, but only a couple), so regardless of anything else, it really does come down to the fact that I have the privilege of actually being able to travel. In the current economic climate where many people are struggling to make ends meet, I'm just happy that I can.

 

[RB]

The tension between passenger and airlines and between airlines drives innovation and positive disruption

Without innovation comes stagnation.


So I say to all airline passengers. Expect and demand what's advertised and more.

I am thinking many of these "positive disruptions" are going to end in tears.