Is Skybus Airlines going to be successful?

[Random Variable]

Skybus Airlines is a privately held airline based in Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is an ultra-low-cost carrier, modeled after the European airline Ryanair. Skybus plans to be the cheapest airline in the United States, with fares up to 25% cheaper than Southwest. Its business model includes advertising on the interior and exterior of its aircraft as well as selling merchandise onboard to increase revenue.

Ryanair might be the most detested airlines in the world, yet they have been quite successful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skybus_Airlines

 

[mugs]

I worry about how much they're spending on maintenance.

 

[TheoPetro]

I felt like I was playing roulette with my life while flying ryanair

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
I felt like I was playing roulette with my life while flying ryanair

As far as I know they have a good safety record. As for the OP's comment that they are the "most hated," only among other airline companies. They might just be my favorite company on Earth.

 

[DainBramaged]

Tell me why you believe that Ryanair is detested? I've never heard this though I've talked to many people who have flown with them.

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
I felt like I was playing roulette with my life while flying ryanair

As far as I know they have a good safety record. As for the OP's comment that they are the "most hated," only among other airline companies. They might just be my favorite company on Earth.

I never looked into their safety record but just flying on them creeped me out. The colors on the plane were bright yellow and blue. Not the most calming colors to say the least. The planes themselves didnt look too hot either. I just had a bad feeling about flying with them. It may have been completely unfounded but it was still there.

 

[Random Variable]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Tell me why you believe that Ryanair is detested? I've never heard this though I've talked to many people who have flown with them.

Ryanair has been voted the world's least liked airline because of cramped seating, unfriendly staff and delays.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6087016.stm

 

[aphex]

the only airline I've ever felt "unsafe" on was Aer Lingus... When the engines crapped out while flying over the Irish Sea (London -> Dublin) and the look of fear on the flight attendants faces... eeek, not fun...

never had a problem (other than delays) on Ryanair or Easyjet

 

[DaWhim]

they should just make "stand" seats to maximize space.

 

[Corporate Thug]

. Starting pilot wages will also be well below average, starting at $65,000 annually. The average commercial airline pilot wage is approximately $135,000.

this concerns me.

 

[Aharami]

flew RyanAir to Cancun for senior year spring break. We were packing in like sardines. Worst flying experience ever

 

[ultimatebob]

I hope not... We don't need another excuse for airlines to nickel and dime us for everything like hotels and rental car companies do.

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

. Starting pilot wages will also be well below average, starting at $65,000 annually. The average commercial airline pilot wage is approximately $135,000.

this concerns me.

The wording should be noted though. What do they mean by "starting pilot wages". - A new pilot?

It would have been more clear if the article read "Skybus pilot wages will avg X dollars, while the industry average is 2X dollars" - That is if this is what the the article was trying to say.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I hope not... We don't need another excuse for airlines to nickel and dime us for everything like hotels and rental car companies do.

I got from Dublin to Frankfurt for $25. Some people just have different priorities I guess. Paint the plane bright pink for all I care, just keep those fares low.

 

[jpeyton]

Hugely successful; if they go public, I'd invest heavily in their stock. They are going to see their profit surge much like Ryanair, and their stock price will follow.

We live in a WalMart nation; a budget national airline is going to be hugely popular (despite all the drawbacks). Once SkyBus ups its fleet size, it will be unstoppable.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Hugely successful; if they go public, I'd invest heavily in their stock. They are going to see their profit surge much like Ryanair, and their stock price will follow.

We live in a WalMart nation; a budget national airline is going to be hugely popular (despite all the drawbacks). Once SkyBus ups its fleet size, it will be unstoppable.

I can't imagine what the trans-Atlantic market is going to turn into once Ryanair gets its hands on it.

 

[Born2bwire]

I bet they'll do really well. Just like that other low cost airline. What was it called? Oh yeah, Valujet!

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I bet they'll do really well. Just like that other low cost airline. What was it called? Oh yeah, Valujet!

Valujet still exists - they changed their name to AirTran.

 

[elmro]

How can they enforce a policy where you can't bring your own food or drink? What are they going to do, confiscate my water and animal crackers? Force me to buy a $2 bottle of water to take my medication with? It's their airline, they get to set the rules, I am just curious how this is playing out with RyanAir (if they have the same policy). Everything else, I like.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: elmro
How can they enforce a policy where you can't bring your own food or drink? What are they going to do, confiscate my water and animal crackers? Force me to buy a $2 bottle of water to take my medication with? It's their airline, they get to set the rules, I am just curious how this is playing out with RyanAir (if they have the same policy). Everything else, I like.

Seeing as how flight attendants will get paid a low base salary and commission on everything they sell during the flight, my guess is that they'll confiscate any food or drink before or during the flight.

It's written into the contract you agree to when you purchase a ticket.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I hope not... We don't need another excuse for airlines to nickel and dime us for everything like hotels and rental car companies do.

Meh. As a no frills kind of guy, I prefer the a la carte fare model

 

[DVK916]

Wonder if they will allow cancelations without paying a fee, southwest is the only airline to allow you to cancel even up to the day of the flight without paying a fee, even for the cheapest ticket. Hell if you miss a flight by mistake they will even work their hardest to get you into a later flight at no additional charge. Great service.

 

[db]

Expect the experience to be like taking a bus on a long trip.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: db
Expect the experience to be like taking a bus on a long trip.

Except it's 15 times faster and the same price.