Great online companion piece to the recent New York Times story on life as an air traveller in the US these days. Yes, flying isn't what it used to be. But - hate to tell you - as most in the industry know, US travellers did it to themselves by acting in a way that shows that price is pretty much all that matters. Yes, there is something to be said for hubs and dominance allowing for poorer inflight experience, but mostly it's the fact that travellers vote with their wallets. And now, the airlines are convinced and are acting accordingly.
I would be interested in knowing how Air Canada's move to differentiate by allowing buyers to add-on to their tickets online is working out. Certainly, their moves to sell online-only passes and only-from-them fare classes are commercially smart. But regardless, their inflight experience and pitch is so much better than virtually any US based carrier that it doesn't really matter. They - and WestJet too, for that matter - are in frankly a different league.
Too bad Canadian travellers don't seem to appreciate that.
