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Losing even one in 10 customers would substantially reduce airlines' revenue. They don't make much money on each flight as it is; less income would likely cause them to shrink their service, flying fewer routes less frequently.
The problem wouldn't just be customers who chose not to fly. Some passengers might split trips between self-driving cars and airplanes, which would further reduce airlines' revenue. For instance, a person in Savannah, Georgia, who wants to go to London could choose to change planes in Atlanta—or take a self-driving car to the Atlanta airport, and skip the layover.
These changes could substantially change the aviation industry, with airlines ordering fewer airplanes from manufacturers, airports seeing fewer daily flights and lower revenue from parking lots, and even airport hotels hosting fewer guests. The future of driverless cars is appealing to consumers—which means the future of commercial flight is in danger.
A personal fondling session from a TSA agent named Brad, or 5 hours in your self-driving Mazda that your four-year old smeared peanut butter in?
(Score: 2) by stretch611 on Wednesday June 12 2019, @12:12AM (8 children)
Well due to wonderful customer service, I can shed many crocodile tears over this for the major airline companies.
Now if only I can find a way to get internet service without being forced to use a phone or cable company.
Now with 5 covid vaccine shots/boosters altering my DNA :P
(Score: 4, Informative) by jelizondo on Wednesday June 12 2019, @01:18AM (7 children)
With all due respect, all US airlines suck mud big time. Actually, they should be named air lies.
Other parts of the world are blessed with outstanding airlines [forbes.com]. And while not in the previous list, South African Airlines (No. 45) and AeroMexico (No. 97) are two of my favourites on this list [worldairlineawards.com].
(Score: 2) by ElizabethGreene on Wednesday June 12 2019, @02:45AM (2 children)
Blame congress and/or the airline industry lobbyists that pay to keep 80-year-old anti-competitive laws on the books.
https://slate.com/business/2007/01/the-stupid-law-that-prevents-foreigners-from-buying-u-s-airlines.html [slate.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 12 2019, @03:07AM (1 child)
Is that really what makes your airlines provide worse service, customer experience, etc? Not being able to be bought/owned by foreign companies?
If a "better" foreign airline starts a US airline headquartered in the USA but provides the same training, policies, etc it will somehow still provide worse service?
Or are the real reasons something else?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 12 2019, @04:14AM
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 12 2019, @07:15AM (2 children)
The thing is that "45 minute" flight balloons into 4.5 hours when you factor in the forced shopping period at the airport. Their business model is to keep you in their shopping center for as long as possible. The airplanes are basically a novelty attraction to get you in there in the first place.
(Score: 2) by J053 on Wednesday June 12 2019, @07:53PM (1 child)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 13 2019, @02:49PM
Heathrow forced me through a gift shop including 3 aisles of perfume stench to get to my gate.
(Score: 2) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Wednesday June 12 2019, @04:20PM
Yeah, that deregulation thing sure did work out for us, didn't it?
This sig for rent.