Ok...a bit of a hijack and a major rant.
I love to fly. I have been an Alaska Mileage Plan member for almost 20 years. I respect what all the people do to make an airplane fly millions of people each day and I am all about being safe. I will continue to fly and show loyalty to Alaska Airlines and its partners. However, I am sick and tired of hearing how much $$$ the airlines are losing each day.
Take an airplane flying from Seattle to Los Angeles with 130 people on board. The average price of a seat, figuring in freebees and full fare passengers, but minus taxes or fuel surcharges is about $150 one way. The airline grossed almost $20k on that flight. They do that flight about 10-25 times a day, figuring all the airlines and airports in the LA area. Figure in Denver. Cost of a seat is higher (less flights) but the distance is about the same. So, now figure in a flight to New York City where there are more seats, and more first and business class people flying. Average cost of a seat is about $500 one way. If the plane has 200 passengers on board, the airlines is making $100k. The airlines that fly that route do it about 2-5 times a day. On top of that, the airlines are charging booking fees, cancellation fees, large bag fees, pet fees, unaccomp. minors fees, booze on board and even for food on some airlines. I know, the airlines has to pay salaries, but to save money, they are now outsourcing reservations, baggage handling, cleaning services and security. They have fewer flight attendants on board and less people working counters. They do not pay travel agents anything anymore either. They need to pay for new planes and rent, and of course jet fuel. However, I am trying to figure out how they are losing money, when the average airline is grossing millions of dollars each day, at each hub it operates out of. I am not an accountant, but this doesn't seem to add up to me. Am I missing something???