Sun Country CEO outlines no-frills strategy for MSP airline

[question everything]

Source: StarTribune

Sun Country Airlines' new boss is overhauling how it operates — and customers will feel the changes.

Jude Bricker, who was appointed its chief executive last month, outlined his vision for the Eagan-based carrier in a memo to staff Tuesday. He praised Sun Country’s strong reputation, but he stressed the need to cut costs, increase revenue through add-on fees and expand beyond its hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Bricker’s formula mirrors the model of ultralow cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit airlines, which charge passengers for things like carry-on luggage and in-flight beverages.


Read more: http://www.startribune.com/changing-direction-in-flight-sun-country-ceo-outlines-no-frills-strategy-for-msp-airline/440782193/

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Next they will charge for using the bathrooms, perhaps even sell seats on the wings. If they could

[SoCalNative]

1. Here's an idea

why doesn't someone start an "all frills" airline? I'd fly them over others any day, especially if they scheduled 18 and over only flights.

[Plucketeer]

3. Sounds good to me!

Larger - not smaller - seats in coach - maybe nothing BUT coach seats. Beverages - fine. Pillows and blankets - fine. That's it. Slogan: Fly us and relax - fly them and schedule a chiropractor appointment.

[SoCalNative]

7. Sure maybe all coach class

but seats like First/Business..with plenty of room and fully reclining.

[Plucketeer]

9. I'm sure no business whiz,

but I think they'd be competitive.

[EX500rider]

14. If they were competitive Pan Am would still be flying.

[EX500rider]

10. We have that now on bigger airlines, it's called 1st Class.

But it turns out most people prefer low costs/no frills over hi cost/hi frills.

I've flown to Colombia twice this year from Fla:

American Airlines, no luggage fee, large carry-on allowed, free food & drink on flight: $471 R/T.

2nd time I flew the very low cost Colombian airline Viva Colombia (owned by Ryan Air), luggage fee, small carry-on, just one class, small seats, pay for food & beverage...but the R/T including luggage fee was $230...and the sandwich & drink was around $5.

Guess which airline I will fly next time?
I really don't need anything fancy for a 3-1/2hr flight.
Going to Asia on a 18+hr flight maybe but no way I could afford that ticket anyway.

[SoCalNative]

12. Not me

I almost always book first or business..especially for international flights (which are most of mine). But I prefer comfort over low fares.

[EX500rider]

13. However it seems to me to be very elitist to have a issues with those..

....who can't afford that and are happy low class/zero frills airlines exist so we can travel too.

As it is anybody who wants to can book 1st class tickets anywhere and travel in the style and comfort they prefer.
Some of us can only travel if it is dirt cheap and LOVE VivaColombia/RyanAir/Spirit etc as it allows us to travel too.

[DemoTex]

2. No frills, indeed. They are boarding through the galley service door.

I'm gussing that there is no forward galley. Just high-density seating. Entry doors are usually aircraft left, the captain's side, and all jetways that I have ever seen are configured for aircraft left. But no jetway either .. just rolling stairs.

[jmowreader]

15. I get the strange feeling they aren't passengers

That bird appears to be in a hangar.

[not fooled]

4. Mooo!

[link:|]

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Really.

[geek tragedy]

6. that's a shame, Sun Country has been a pretty good airline up until now nt

[pansypoo53219]

8. i rode an 'air taxi' in denmark. little aiport to copenhagen. no rug on the floor, no biggy.

seats plain, but fine. very short flight. still, we got a little cookie + tea. the BEST tea i have ever had actually. and i had room. tho, it was years ago. wish they went that way.

[YOHABLO]

11. I'm just worried they'll cut costs on inspections and aircraft maintenance.