Flying the Family Friendly Skies

   By drodriguez  Sep 24, 2008
56

The phrases family friendly and the airline industry do not often find their way in the same sentence.  It is difficult enough to travel alone as an adult, especially if you add on flight delays, cancellations, layovers, etc.  But to be confined in a cramped seat for hours with nothing to do but look at a Sky Mall can be downright impossible for a small child. 

 

With rising fuels costs, the airlines seem to be worrying less about a passenger’s comfort and more about trying to make a profit.  One company, which claims to have a different take on the whole idea of air travel, is Family Airlines.  Earlier this year, Family Airlines submitted an application to fly with the DOT (Department of Transportation). 

 

The Las Vegas based company is still in the beginning stages and waiting for approval before they can begin sending flights out.  According to their website, Family Airlines would target families as well as travelers on a budget.  Their fares would be drastically lower than most airlines, boasting coast-to-coast one-way tickets for $69 and shorter trips for just $19. 

 

The airline also plans to open a “family section” designed specifically for passengers traveling with children.  So when your four year old decides he needs to go to the bathroom for the third time in ten minutes, fellow passengers from the “family section” would probably be more sympathetic than most.

 

Family Airlines founder and CEO Barry Michaels explains how the airline plans to make money while offering such low cost fares, “While the primary source of revenue for most airlines is passenger ticket sales the Family Airlines strategy will depend on the development of alternative profit centers to generate additional sources of revenue.”  This means they will rely heavily on extra purchases like food, drinks, movies, video games, and email access.

 

 

What do you think of the idea of a more family friendly airline?

 

Do you think Family Airlines’ business model will work if it receives approval from the DOT?

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Comments
Happyme by Happyme | Shell Lake, WI
Oct 08, 2008

I love the idea. I would really want the company to focus on safety. I would not buy to much, but, food that kids like for a treat would be nice. A big bathroom for changing diapers in, or being able to bring in a couple of kids. I would like a breast feeding area.

jcwilson517052 by jcwilson517052 | Deland, FL
Oct 08, 2008

I think it is a great idea. We fly back home every year & it gets harder & harder as the children grow. Three hours on a plane ride is not fun for anyone. Especially when you are surrounded with people who don't have little children.

We like to fly through atlanta aiport. They have a big slide in terminal B I believe. We always try to allow enough time for them to play & get worn out before we have to get on our connecting flight.

Plus I love the fares.

jen_taylor by jen_taylor | Santa Clara, CA
Oct 07, 2008

I would absolutely LOVE that. I am def. the kind of person who doesn't really like children. So when i fly and see parents just letting their children do whatever they want, and don't have control of them it REALLY annoys me. May sound kind of mean... but if all the children would be on a different plane, let alone different airport i would be EXTREMELY happy :)

jenrik06 by jenrik06 | Hallock, MN
Oct 07, 2008

I love to fly but it's hard to do with the kids. Sounds like this has great potential if marketed and managed properly. I'm actually surprised none of the other airlines have thought of this before. Many businesses are getting revenue from all sorts of places these days instead of the mainstream customer. It would be REALLY great if they fly to a lot of different cities. The airlines with cheaper rates tend to stay with only certain flight patterns. We happen to live a considerable distance from popular routes so it's hard to find a cheap rate. I wonder if they'll have a mini playground in their terminal? lol

vickles711 by vickles711 | Vallejo, CA
Oct 07, 2008

I would really love to see this work. If they offer these deals then I would for sure book through them.

misseltoe by misseltoe | ESCONDIDO, CA
Oct 06, 2008

I like the idea of being able to afford an airplane ticket. We are going home for Thanksgiving and since my daughter will be 2 when the trip takes place we would have to buy a ticket. For all three of us it is going to be $2000. We simply can't afford that so we are having to drive, which will still be expensive since we have to rent a car and of course the gas!

On the kid front, I flew once with my husband and baby last year, and once with the baby alone. Everyone was super friendly. We were seated in the back, and the plane wasn't completely full, so that may have helped. But my baby didn't fuss very often and when she did the engines were louder. When I flew with her alone she slept the entire flight. The ENTIRE flight. I can't tell you how happy I was as I was pretty nervous. Oh, I also nursed during both flights, and for the one where I was alone with her I was in the front of the plane. Never did anyone say anything. A few months later I read some horrible experiences of other nursing moms and found out that I was maybe lucky that no-one was rude to me.

grammasue50 by grammasue50 | KALISPELL, MT
Oct 06, 2008

I also agree this is an interesting concept. I extend best wishes to any airline that tries to introduce "family friendly prices", too.

michieshell by michieshell | Houston, TX
Oct 05, 2008

I absolutely love this idea. I am a frequent flier and I have been finding it much more difficult lately to afford the airfare (not to mention the luggage fees etc) I would definitely take advantage of these reduced fares and don't mind travelling with children :)))

MS_Cat by MS_Cat | WORTH, IL
Oct 04, 2008

This sounds GREAT! With lower cost fares and NO scrowling passengers,I would be less afraid of buying drinks for the children(lids would be great) and the more trips to the bathroom that comes along with them. Even if I am going without the kids ( which doesnt happen often,but who knows I just may do it!) I would have no objection to being in a family airplane. This also could mean that we could afford more family trips.

Mamato5 by Mamato5 | Athens, AL
Oct 04, 2008

Sounds like a great idea!!

armywife98 by armywife98 | fort bragg, NC
Oct 04, 2008

I think that this is a wonderful idea. At least then you can spend more on the actual vacation versus the airfare. This is especially helpful for large families.

tripletsnthree by tripletsnthree | florence, OR
Oct 03, 2008

GREAT IDEA!!...interesting way of balancing the bill there has to be more to it $19 for a ticket is a little...hmmmm unheard of. Does that mean a $89 lunch on the flight and a $129 movie? I'm sure they have calculated things out for this but it seems a bit pie in the sky (pun intended) "target families as well as travelers on a budget" may not have as much money...and bring along a lunch bring a DS or PSP, they would have to balance this out differently I'm sure.

bray-rhi-mommy by bray-rhi-mommy | Lorena, TX
Oct 02, 2008

Finally, what a great idea

-Roo- by -Roo- | Madison, AL
Oct 01, 2008

Finally! Yes, I would definately use these people!

We have an almost-four-year-old son who I have flown with several times when he was younger. During one leg of the flight the attendant refused to serve a meal to him because he was a lap child and therefore was not entitled to food. I was furious, especially since during another leg with the SAME airline, the attendant was constantly offering snacks to my child, and even presented him with a very special bib that he loved.

My child was most intrigued with other children that happened to be on the same flight, so this will also be a plus - the kids will make new friends and keep each other entertained.

Excellent idea, I am so excited to hear about it!

sadawna by sadawna | BEEVILLE, TX
Oct 01, 2008

You know, working with children and families like I do, I can see where this would be a benefit. BUT I can see this airling working for a very short time. They want to target families and individuals with lower income so they will rely heavily on movies, food purchases etc. I think they are expecting too much from the passengers. Personally, I can't afford the extra stuff. I would love to see an airline like this come to fruition BUT the reality is, this isn't likely. Not in todays society and economic level. Who would dictate the terms for budget restricted individuals? I have been turned down for food stamps simply because I own a car. Seriously. I don't make enough to buy food. I rely on my friends and family and my work family to bring that kind of thing to me. I now it will get better for me...but will this actually work?

I have a vacation coming up. I won a trip to Hawaii. Unfortunately I have to PAY to get TO Hawaii and back. If this airline would get me there and back on an amount I can afford, that would be AWESOME! I would use the airline but I won't buy into the products they want me to buy in addition to my ticket.