Time for Another Look at US Airways?
Published by Julia Volkovah under airlines on 7:05 AMTop shelf US Airways execs answer reporters' questions. |
CEO Parker, casual and relaxed with reporters |
"It is a more rational industry now. We don't need to merge. Our results prove that we're doing quite well. We have a model that works in a consolidated industry," he said.
US Airways secret for profitability is not such a secret. I've heard it from a number of airline bosses and it is virtually the same plan I heard United's Jeff Smisek talking about at the Star Alliance gig in December. It must raise fares, sell more things beyond airline tickets, fill more seats and take more care in selecting routes. Sounds like tough talk, the kind of plan air travelers may not want to hear. Nevertheless, Parker's report is that the airline is doing all of these things.
I'm a champion of frank talk to air travelers. The near-toxic atmosphere between airlines and their customers is due to the disconnect between expectations and reality. And when passengers get perturbed, better watch out or the politicians will step in.
My three flights last week were in keeping with Parker's claim that the airline is running a lean operation; no inflight entertainment, a buy-it-or-go-hungry meal plan, fees for just about any seat but the one in the middle. And yet every departure and arrival was on-time. The flight attendants were courteous and energetic. The plane was immaculate. Every aspect of my travel on the airline went off without a hitch.
In light of this, why would these seemingly sensible businessmen spend any time at all researching acquisition of the can of worms that is American Airlines with its high per-seat mile costs and its famously unhappy employees? Unlike American, US Airways is flying high.
Really, what is there to think about?