[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

I'm no businessperson (thankfully I have a wife who knows her way around a dollar bill) but I've flown a lot. I remember, back in the 70s and 80s, when airlines treated their customers as if they actually valued them. Today? Well, some of those airline and airport personnel should be issued cattle prods for the way they treat people. Unless you fly 1st class you're nothing; a mere number to get shoehorned into an ever-narrowing seat. If you're lucky you might get a free soft drink and a bag of peanuts tossed your way (actually had that happen once) but those days when customers were treated as if they really mattered seem gone forever.

Or are they?

I've thought for a long time now that if airlines offered specific flights that were ALL "business class" or something similar, with services and space to match, they'd make more money on that flight than on any of the others. Not all--just specific ones. Say, an 11:00 AM departure from MSP nonstop to Atlanta, or Orlando, or wherever. Spacious seating--maybe 75% of the seats they have on their regular packed flights. Free airport lounge privileges for all passengers booked on that flight. Lunch enroute (actual hot food, not a bag of whatevers or a package of "lunchables"). First bag checked for free plus one free carry-on. Flight attendants who made sure you knew your comfort was their primary concern. Free beverage service the entire way.

Charge maybe $100-$150 more per ticket than on the sardine-can flights.

I think people would jump at the chance. I know I would. That extra $100 or so to be treated like a human being instead of like cattle on a drive seems well worth it.

I agree. I can afford to fly first class, but the cost difference between first class and coach is so significant that I cannot justify it. I wouldn't mind paying an extra $100-$200, but their price for first class is ridiculously high.