U. S. Airlines Lose More Business to Asia

PanAsianBiz ^ | June 23, 2006 | Dr. Bill Belew

[G. Stolyarov II]

While US airlines cut and slash service -- care and feeding -- of their travelers, the Asian airlines have been buying new planes, installing elaborate entertainment systems, and allowing passengers in-flight e-mail and web surfing options. Add to that plush seats and meals created by celebrity chefs, and the result is that America doesn't know service.

Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines services beat all American carriers, hands down. On the long-haul flights, choices of movies, frequent meals (America doesn't need this) -- Western or Asian style -- and friendly service are the standard.

Not only are the US airlines behind, they have a long way to go to catch up. The difference is old-fashioned service -- doing more for less rather than wanting more for less.

The International Air Transport Association says that if it were not for the US airlines, the world's aviation industry would be profitable.

Hear that!? America is bringing the whole world down. Last year, the worldwide industry loss was $3 billion. The US airlines lost $6.9 billion.

Get back to work, America! Asia is outcompeting us!

[G. Stolyarov II]

Interesting; some dynamic, innovative Asian airlines are actually making profits while the heavily pampered, regulated, subsidized American airlines are floundering. Perhaps it is time for the American airlines to learn some lessons from their Asian counterparts. The American airlines should be deregulated and cut off from government largesse; they should be allowed to stand (or fly) on their own -- which will be a prime incentive for efficiency.

See Dr. Belew's blog at PanAsianBiz

[dc27]

One day in my lifetime, I will fly first class on Singapore Air. The scenery inside the plane is top notch.

[elfman2]

Absolutely. I hope the foreign airlines eat our carriers' lunch for turning high profile stewardess service positions for the young, adventurous and beautiful into high paying union careers for the burned out, bored and crabby.

[MJRitter]

The next time I head over to Tokyo, it will be aboard either JAL or ANA. I was treated better in the tail end of a JAL 747 than I had been in the nose of any domestic flight.

I especially liked the excersizes they displayed from time to time. Stuff you can do in your seat, that doesn't disturb your seat mates.