Author Pat Lambrix

Over at the Wall Street Journal    Scott McCartney had an interesting post on commercial airlines that reaffirms the benefits of choosing business aviation. McCartney picks on American Airlines in particular, but the sticking points are a veritable list of reasons why to avoid commercial airlines when your business depends on it. McCartney writes:

“Airlines workers periodically perform badly or walkout to get the attention of management and gain leverage in negotiations. It’s a messy battle that leaves passengers as collateral damage. Late flights means families with small children get stranded at airports when they miss connections. Canceled flights mean people miss meetings, weddings, funerals, cruise trips, reunions. Business travelers get to hotels at 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. The impact on customers can be outrageous.”

I pers  Experiencing the canceled flight situation personally along with the complimentary hotel given by American Airlines, I have to admit the following day was much worse. When you add the crowds of others lined up in an endless sea of desperation waiting at the mercy of one or two over-worked and unhappy ticket agents, cue in the crying babies and you now have a perfect setting for a nightmare.  Once you get through that challenge, you wait again through TSA all the while you are sick with worry you may not make your flight because the line is moving so slow.  I am pretty sure I am not the only one that has had to run full sprint thru Chicago O'Hare to make the connecting flight. 

In the  In the concentrated world of commercial aviation, the customer is uncomfortably being squeezed into - as McCartney’s column is called- the middle seat. And that seat seems to be getting narrower, when really it should be growing in comfort. Many travelers are mistaken in thinking that commercial airlines are there only choice; they’re not.

The aircraft charter industry offer a variety of options, from light to heavy jets. Tailoring a clients travel needs by aircraft charters is based on a simple business model: it accommodates the customer first. This is a basic concept of business, that is unfortunately overlooked by many oversized enterprises.

At the most visceral level, when you go out to eat at a restaurant, good service is an imperative. So why should travel be any different? Economically, focusing on the customer’s interests above all avoids the price cuts and deep discounts that McCartney said are designed to win back travelers by commercial airlines. This is like adding more products to the dollar menu, instead of focusing on improving the entree. Furthermore, flying in chartered aircraft should make the traveler feel healthy, rested and ready for whatever they’ll encounter at their destination - just like a well balanced meal.