Delta Fares

What's wrong with crappy airlines? why can't they follow the Southwest model?

For crying out loud, I booked a ticket with america west/us airways, I later wanted to change my flight but they want to charge me $100. It stinks since the fare i paid was only $120 (short flight). With Southwest, you wont get a refund but they'll credit the amount you've paid before but without a penalty, at least that has been my experience recently. A bunch of airlines keep complaining and losing money and slashing jobs... why can't they follow the model of Southwest to stay afloat? Southwest uses a single type of aircraft (which saves a ton on pilot training and mechanic training, plus you get discounts from Boeing), they fly smart routes, etc etc. Why won't Delta and American and America West learn??

Public Comments

1. America West has to have the worst service in the industry. I would rather walk than fly America West.
2. That's just their policies. The policies are clearly stated on the websites when you book them. So I guess they feel that if people didn't want to deal with change/cancellation fees, they wouldn't book. There is always going to be a company that is better than other companies in different industries. That is a part of business. Yes, most companies could learn something from other companies, but they just get stuck in their ways and don't want to change, or they think their ways are the best.
3. Answer: Unions. Unions have ruined some of the best companies in the US (GM, Airlines) The airline has to try to get everything it can out of you because they are basically forced to pay way above the going rate and not allowed to eliminate jobs that are no longer needed. They actually pay people to do nothing! Have you ever flown with a non-us based airline? Do it if you can - expect better service, nicer planes, and often a polite and nice to look at stewardess in place of the fat grumpy 50 year old with bad breath throwing peanuts at you that you find with US airline!
4. They're legacy carriers, they still use the system of the good old days. And Delta has enough financial trouble as it is, with this pilots strike.