The time may be near for me to start my airline. A few things different about my airline:
* All the planes are 787-10
* We have our own airports / terminals so we control the experience door-to-door
* There is no lounge in the airport. The airport IS the lounge.
* The planes are all one class. Plenty of room per person. Broken in to single travelers, couples, and families. All groups get same legroom, just changes how many people are next to you.
* TSA happens at the jetway, not the terminal. So you can come in, enjoy your own food and beverage, watch your family take off, and still keep the plane secure.
* Every seat on the plane is guaranteed overhead space for 1 carry on item, plus the spot for their other carry on under the seat.
* Every airport includes a hotel, so if you get stranded you can stay there.
* Every airport includes an all electric EV rental company.
@PhotonEmpress@spacey.space
* Flights are direct between major cities. Los Angeles to New York, Orlando, Minneapolis, etc. No need for connecting flights.
* No boarding groups. Y’all board when we open the door(s). No need to rush the plane either as everyone is guaranteed that spot for luggage.
*No checked bag fee. It’s all built in to the base price of the ticket.
This model does have some drawbacks I need to work through.
Airline status incentivizes one to fly their particular brand or choice. With no baggage fees, no classes on the plane, and no boarding groups what incentives can I offer?
Logistics of a star topology are far more difficult than hub and spoke. See Southwest Airlines this week for an example of that.
Less room on the plane for people since everyone has ample leg room to be comfortable. So I can fit fewer people on each flight.
Couple more notes… this airline doesn’t participate in the race to the bottom. It isn’t an economy airline. It is for that weird gap between major providers and private flight that exist today. So the tickets cost more, but your experience is far, far better and should be worth the price.
You’re paying more on other airlines with fees anyhow. We just are up front about it.
Stretch goal is to make each airport a destination in an of itself. Architecturally stunning. But also something to do. Have an attached theatre (for example) so you can catch dinner and a play before your flight.
Since we control the flight and the play, no need to worry about missing your plane. We won’t leave without you. Exit from the theatre directly to the TSA jetway check.
More cool things I can do:
Simple I control the plane, airport, and terminal I can optimize all for each other.
* Arrival sleds that pull the plane in to the terminal. This ensures the plane is always in the exact correct location every… single… time…
* Same sled can be used to push back away from the gate. No need for a tug. Also ensures never having a wing / tail strike as it is a guaranteed path.
* Can optimize jetways for multiple doors to allow better dis/embark from the plane, possibly on both side
* Allows stowed luggage automation by having un/load systems lined up and ready to go for every flight. No need for a human to throw your luggage on the plane itself, robots can throw it now!
* Cooler looking jetway since it is optimized for the 787-10 specifically. No need for long extension arms, just a subtle adjustment at the end for parking slop.
