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?

Make a Comment

 
SHARE
Comments
trigg93 by trigg93 | WESTERN SPRGS, IL
Oct 01, 2008

Love it!! I would definately want to try an airline like this.

mommy1313 by mommy1313 | Ansonia, CT
Oct 01, 2008

That sounds great! It is soo expensive to fly when you have little kids, plus inconvenient. I would love to fly with an airline that accomodates kids.

sunspirit161819 by sunspirit161819 | BRICK, NJ
Oct 01, 2008

What a wonderful idea! My children are now over 18, but I remember flying with all three when they were very young to see their Grandpa. It was quite an experience. From then on we drove for vacations. The expense was too great for all of us to fly. I love the idea because more families will be comfortable flying. I will also be able to visit my Dad and friends more often.

Texmel by Texmel | COLORADO SPGS, CO
Sep 30, 2008

I love this idea! My mom, 6yo and I just returned from a car trip to a family funeral that took us four days of driving, with a day off twice. A friend asked why I didn't fly and basically we could not afford to spend $2K on two tickets at the drop of a hat! So we would definitely be interested in this--maybe we'd get to take more family vacations! I'd also love to see movies that are child-appropriate, which has been an issue for us in the past.

pattycasey by pattycasey | Boise, ID
Sep 30, 2008

I think this would be a wonderful thing, especially where I travel so much with my 2 year old and the person sitting in front of us on our last trip was not too thrilled that my 2 year old had a cold and that his ears were bothering him. We always end up buying all these treats at the airport and if I know there will be things to buy on the flight then I will wait to buy them then. Love the idea, hope they can get it off the ground.

shessburg by shessburg | Groveland, FL
Sep 30, 2008

I think this would be a wonderful idea. In the past, I have not got a seat next to a family and if you have a small child and someone is not willing to switch it makes things very difficult. Plus if the airfare could be much less it would benefit families that want to travel together. Good idea.

am_i_lost by am_i_lost | Centralia, IL
Sep 30, 2008

I haven't flown with children in years, but I think that it would be a great idea! I do recall flying when I was still breast feeding. I always covered up with a light weight receiving blanket so it's not like anything was showing; and the very rude, man who I had asked and the flight attendant had also asked before the plane departed to trade me seats; he had the aisle; REFUSED to do so. He complained and wanted to be moved to a different seat and said, "She is being very vulgar, unbuttoning her shirt over here!" "I want a different seat now!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing! I was 21 years old. very discret about breast feeding and I broke out in tears right then and there. Several of the other female passengers spoke up and defended me and said that in NO way was any part of my breast exposed and that he was just being rude! He didn't want to sit next to me because I had a baby and he had voiced that as he saw me headed towarws him looking for my seat. Needless to say, he finally let me have the aisle seat and passed out on my arm but at least I didn't have to deal with 2 babies on the whole trip! LOL So, yes I think it will be a great idea and that anyone that has had a bad experence flying will love it!!!

IndianaMomofThree by IndianaMomofThree | Granger, IN
Sep 30, 2008

Wow! What a great idea!

trieschman by trieschman | CARMEL, IN
Sep 30, 2008

I like this idea. We travel with young children and this would benefit us. I now business people don't want to be bothered with us.

carolyndancliff by carolyndancliff | Plumas Lake, CA
Sep 30, 2008

I think it would be wonderful. It is very difficult to travel with children, especially the longer flights. I would certainly use this service at the rates they are talking about!

Berylt by Berylt | Kannapolis, NC
Sep 29, 2008

It would be great. I am a widowed mom of 5 and most of my kids have never flown because I have never been able to afford it. I would be one of the first in line to purchase tickets.

Mom2many by Mom2many | Gilbertsville, PA
Sep 29, 2008

Great idea! I'd fly with them. My kids are very well behaved and we still get people rolling their eyes when we board. Flying cheaper sounds great, too!

GeologyMom by GeologyMom | WESTFORD, MA
Sep 29, 2008

I certainly like the idea of cheaper tickets and a family friendly airline. I would be wary, however, after so many 'budget' airlines have gone under.

gather by gather | Vineland, NJ
Sep 29, 2008

I like this idea with prices of everthing going thru the roof, this plan might just help alot of different businesses. The food industry, hotel, motel, rental car. by being able to fly cheaper you can spend money on someelse you would have to cut out before.

highlights by highlights | PATERSON, NJ
Sep 29, 2008

I think this is a wonderful idea. I like that its airline tickets are very reasonable. I think families and people who travel alone would really like it.