RED CEE
I think you may have fallen for the spin from Qantas & Virgin employees worried about if they’ll have a job in the future. Suggest most complaints are from them.

Many small business owners, who fly, even only a handful times a year, who pay their own fares effectively, will really look hard at reducing their costs. Even business types who try to pass on their travel costs to their customers, will see their revenues tighten & their will be downward pressure on travel expenses, even to the extent that some trips might not just be downgraded to cheaper options, but cancelled altogether. Even heard of one company with huge number of reps, who are looking to do 3-5 day road trips, instead of flying at all.

I agree with. you. LCC/LHCC’s like Jetstar and Scoot have parent companies with deep pockets and like with AirAsiaX being a stand alone carrier having an established reputation will survive. With regards to Virgin and Tigerair, it will depend on what Virgin Australia owners want to do with the 2 airlines, especially with Air NZ introducing the A320eo/A321neo that are using Airbus Cabin Flex configuration on the short haul international routes with their hybrid LLC/FSC model.

I flow AKL/MEL/AKL this weekend on their new A321neo with the new seats with 74cm pitch. Whilst the seat design and leg room was good but the IFE screen was almost in your face, more so, when the person in the seat in front of you reclines. The return flight was better with the 83cm pitch. If more FSC’s adopts Air NZ hybrid LCC/FSC model, then only the well established LCC/LHCC’s or those who have deep pocket parent companies will survive.

Not sure I agree with you David on people choosing LCC’s as the recession bites. Many complain bitterly about Tiger and Jetstar, re cancelled service, lack of service and info when things go wrong. I do agree that families will take a risk on services to Nth Qld, the Gold Coast etc, as they can save a bit.

yes of course, but think Laker was only UK/USA (London/NYC ?) rather than long haul like Canada 3000 who flew same aircraft YYZ/YVR/HNL/SYD/AKL/RAR/HNL/YVR/YYZ without any long stops.

And indeed, Laker Airways started low-cost services back in 1977

with this massive recession we had to have, many leisure travellers will switch from Qantas & Virgin to Jetstar & Tiger & will choose whoever is cheapest. Finally many people have realised if you travel light, you can save money. Recently booked a British Airways flight to UK & although the fare was around $2500, no actual seat choice was included & that was an extra ala LCCs. It’s going to be a very rough 2-3 years minimum for airlines to survive. Many in Europe have already folded, as discretionary spending for travel is one of the 1st things to go, in a recession.