Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Airline Math--You Didn't Learn it this way in School

My hubby had to fly to Florida for two days. A non-stop flight on United was due to depart at 9:15 am and arrive in Miami at 12:46 pm. The cost for that ticket, from NY to Miami, was $500 for a non-stop economy class ticket. United's math had us puzzled. Since when does it take 3-1/2 hours to fly non-stop from NY to Miami? It only takes 4-1/2 to 5 hours to Las Vegas, and it's over twice the distance. And then there was that cost for the ticket. Actually, that was on the "cheap" end for United, as they also had plain economy class tickets for $584 and way up. (Keep in mind that hubby had to fly on a certain date and return on a certain date, because, yes, you can sometimes get cheaper fares--not much cheaper but cheaper--if you fly odd hours on odd days) You could fly to Las Vegas for $150 less and to LA also for $150 less. So it costs more money and takes more time to go shorter distances than it does longer distances? Hmmm.

Just a note: the flight landed exactly on time in Miami, at 12:46. Only problem was the plane sat on the ground in Newark for more than an hour past the takeoff time before it actually left. So am I now to assume that the 3-1/2 hours scheduled for the flight just "happened" to be for the amount of time a passenger will be stuck in the airplane rather than elapsed flying time?

We fly fairly routinely twice a year. We also know many others who fly way more often, mostly on business, and they aren't happy campers either. It's not exactly that you are getting more by way of amenities or services from the airlines. Seats have gotten to the point where a thin 6-year old might be comfortable. Amenities? What are those? Service? Not so you could notice. Convenience and on-time flights? May be found in a dictionary but not with an airline.

Honestly, there is a word for when people pay to get screwed, and it didn't use to be air travel--it is today.

Note: due to recent regulations by the FAA, airlines now must include in the posted price of their tickets all taxes and airport fees. This may account for some of the steep rise in posted prices for tickets. Also note the following: the FAA monitors the on-time statistics for flights, both departures and arrivals. Strangely enough my husband's flight, according to the FAA, left on time. Why? Because to be called on time a flight has to depart the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure. So my husband's flight pulled away from the gate "on time" but sat on the tarmac for an hour, and that's not being late according to the FAA. It would be really lovely if our government agencies spoke the same English that we do.

7 comments:

Allan said...

I've given up on trying to figure out flying time according to how the airlines give it to you. When I have to fly for business I allow one day going and one day coming for travelling. I've learned never to make an appointment on the same day I'm flying, because as soon as I do that, the airlines completely screw me up.

Those tickets to Florida can be gotten much cheaper than you give the price for, but you are right that you have to be willing to fly on the dates and at the times those cheap tickets are available. You also may not be able to fly with the airline you want if you are trying to save money.

The Continental/United merger did nothing for the passengers, and their ticket prices are among the highest for any airlines flying to a particular spot like Florida. You might consider a different airline if money is the issue.

Avi Greengart said...

"So am I now to assume that the 3-1/2 hours scheduled for the flight just "happened" to be for the amount of time a passenger will be stuck in the airplane rather than elapsed flying time?"

YES! Would you rather they tell you flight times that do not take into account the average delays you get flying out of the world's most crowded airspace (and consistently get there late)? Or would you rather know how long it's probably going to take (and get there precisely on time)?

"Seats have gotten to the point where a thin 6-year old might be comfortable."

Seats have not gotten to the point of anything. Seats -- and airplane fuselage size, which dictate to an extent how wide the seats can be -- have not changed in width in the past three decades. Our behinds have (which I agree is a still a problem, but let's not pretend that airline seats have changed). Most United flights do offer wider seats up front at a higher price.

"Amenities? What are those?"

Inflation adjusted fares have come way, way down. You aren't getting what you aren't paying for. Just curious, though - what amenities would you like? Many flights now have TV or video on demand, and WiFi is coming to United's fleet next year. Nearly all flights offer a magazine for you to read and bottled water or soft drinks to drink. JetBlue has a whole selection of kosher snacks (and they fly from NY to Miami multiple times daily). Seriously, what are you missing?

"Service? Not so you could notice."

That's a problem.

"Convenience and on-time flights? May be found in a dictionary but not with an airline."

You directly contradict this in your piece - your husband was able to choose a flight that precisely met the schedule he needed, and it arrived at exactly the time the airline said it would.

"Honestly, there is a word for when people pay to get screwed, and it didn't use to be air travel--it is today."

Really? When was flying vastly different? In the 1970's, when that ticket cost the equivalent of $2,500? In the 1980's with People Express (which was basically a flying bus)? Did your husband arrive safely? Yes. Did he arrive on time? Yes. Did he get a soft drink and a teeny bag of pretzels? Yes. What on earth are you complaining about?

Mark said...

I agree with Avi. We've gotten fatter and kvetchier over the years. Basically, the airlines are like buses nowadays, low price, and the service is to get you there safely. Years ago (before deregulation), flight was a luxury option, you paid a lot (and I mean a WHOLE lot inflation adjusted), you dressed up, and you traveled. And back then only very few people had the means to travel by air. Today it's cheap, accessible to almost everyone, no need to dress up, and they still get you there quickly and safely.

And it happens to be that air travel used to be much worse with regards to airsickness due to airplanes that weren't anywhere near as stable as the ones we fly today.

abba's rantings said...

sort of agree with avi.
ultimately this is a business, not a chesed. are you willing to pay more for better service and amenities?

Miami Al said...

Yeah, they departed the gate when they told him, got on line for the runway, and landed when they told you. That's as on-time as can be.

I fly for business routinely, and I love the modern air industry (TSA excluded). I can quickly find a ticket based on price OR time, compare it with other airlines, and book and go. What is remarkable to me is how often I fly out the DAY I need to be somewhere. Catch a 7:30/8:00 flight to NY, and I'm there for the afternoon. Because of timezones, I can hit the west coast around the same time...

The existence of these flights means people that are wiped by flying can take a 7 PM flight to NY and be in their hotel and asleep by midnight, and someone like myself can choose to take a 7 AM flight the next morning, have dinner with my family the night before, and still be there by noon.

The flexibility is amazing.

Red eyes used to be cheap flights for people saving money while they moved planes around, they don't move empty planes anymore, but some of us LOVE red eyes. I can take a Redeye back from the west coast, get in in the morning, spend a day catching up on errands that were missed while I was gone a day or two, then go to bed at a normal time.

Others that HATE the red eye can avoid them.

Spirit Airlines, is a goofy, terrible airline, but they offer "upgraded" seats. So I get what was a first class seat, without first class amenities, for an extra $85/leg, that's outstanding.

I have frustrations with TSA, with the lack of Las Vegas flights to South Florida compared to 2-3 years ago (business takes me to Vegas 3-4 times/year), but air travel has in general, never been better.

For people that fly 1-2 times a year, it might be awful. I fly moderately, 8-10 times a year, and it's great. My friends that fly out weekly have a whole routine down complete with sending their laundry out on Thursday when they check out of their hotel so it's waiting for them Sunday night/Monday morning when they return.

abba's rantings said...

AL:

"For people that fly 1-2 times a year, it might be awful. I fly moderately, 8-10 times a year, and it's great."

agree. i fly about once a month for work. i have it down to a routine now.
even the tsa isn't so bad once you know what to expect and plan accordingly.

Miami Al said...

Abba's Rantings,

My friends that fly weekly also acquire premium status because they fly on a "preferred airline," as opposed to those of us at the mercy of the spot market... they travel on full fare tickets, rack up miles, and get to skip the hassle and aggravation.

Air travel has never been hugely tourist-friendly, though pre 9/11, it was more so.

But if you know what you are doing, allocate enough time, pack bags appropriately, it's pretty easy. I never check luggage on a business trip, but it's usually same day, one night, or at most two nights... pretty easy to get by, as a man, with a carry on. Even women can travel that lightly if they keep themselves to one pair of shoes for business, one for comfort.