maytrix said:JD_Midnight said:
Just curious... Nobody mentions Seaborne. They have multiple flights daily and we have used for several years without any problems. Uses to even have a quite lane for security though now that they are in the main terminal that perk has gone. Certainly not every hour but some selection. Is there a problem with them?
We do the same with Cape Air. And frankly, the smaller planes allow for more frequent flights giving more options for timing. Larger planes would mean fewer flights and fewer options. And I don't think it woudl reduce the cost either.
None of this was ever about reducing costs or prices. The plans are all about increasing convenience and reducing hassles for the travelers who are less price sensitive. Mexico, DR, Cuba will win the battles for the lower cost travelers. The BVI has no hope of ever competing in that league.
All that said when it comes to air travel do not discount the cost each time a plane must go up and go down. Those costs come from airport charges, air frame cost with each cycle, engine costs, enormous fuel burn along with all the labor and time loss. Every airline must get to +/-10 cents a passenger mile to survive. No airline can do that with short hop flights anymore. So in theory the efficient market will end up costing less to fly direct. Whether those savings are passed onto the customer is a product management decision. Figure out how much you are paying per mile for those Seaborne seats and services. Airport fees, fuel to go up, and labor going slow all add up to a money loser for the operator. So AA punted along with all the other majors who offered short haul services. Labor costs are drowning those still trying to hang on.
