Customer Service Slowly Becomes a Priority for Low-Cost Carriers

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects four billion passengers to travel in 2017, and is forecasting nearly eight billion to be flying by 2036. Orders for Boeing and Airbus aircraft at last week’s Dubai Airshow will go some way to meeting that demand, but airlines are also seeking to provide a level of customer experience that ensures their brand is first choice for passengers.

The Los Angeles Times reported this week that the Disney Institute has been enlisted by a U.S. carrier to provide customer service training to frontline employees. While enhanced customer service training for frontline staff is not unique within full service carriers – some airlines incorporate it into recurrent training for their flight attendants – the fact that it is Florida-based ultra low-cost carrier, Spirit Airlines, who have enlisted Disney to enhance their brand, has surprised some observers of airline business models.

A Change of Heart at Spirit

Spirit Airlines have had one of the worst records for complaints per passengers carried, with a rate at twice of other carriers, but the L.A. Times has reported that the airlines’ President and Chief Executive, Bob Fornaro, advised employees that customer satisfaction levels were at record highs since cabin crew attended Disney training.

Fornaro has said that airport staff will undertake a customer service program with Disney to “create a common purpose and a fresh set of service standards.”

The move by Spirit follows the enhanced customer experience focus of European low-cost carrier Ryanair who initiated their ‘Always Getting Better’ initiative in 2014. The strategic approach to making Ryanair’s customers like them was seen at odds with the views of their CEO Michael O’Learey who was once quoted as saying “Are we going to say sorry for our lack of customer service? Absolutely not.”

Now in its fourth year, ‘Always Getting Better’ will this year see Ryanair look to build upon increased customer satisfaction levels by enabling customers to book connecting Ryanair flights on the Ryanair.com website, with a feeder flight service with other airlines.

Hybridization of the Airline Industry

The adoption of customer service enhancements by carriers which have based their success on the traditional low-cost business model is a further testament to the hybridization of the airline indusry.

While customers of low-cost carriers are benefiting from enhanced services at lower prices, those who travel with traditional full service carriers are being subjected to lower levels of service particularly on short-haul routes, as legacy carriers seek to lower operating costs to compete.

British Airways (BA) this week announced the adoption of a new zoned boarding process which categorizes passengers’ ability to board the aircraft by the fare paid.

While the introduction of Basic Economy fares saw similar boarding processes implemented in the U.S., the U.K. carrier’s new boarding policy has been slated by the British press with headlines such as The Independent’s “Paid the lowest fare, you’ll be last to board” and the Daily Star’s “British Airways boarding changes could ruin your holiday.”

This follows condemnation of BA’s shorthaul product changes in January which resulted in the removal of complimentary food and drinks in economy. The change led to reported food shortages on flights as the airline sought to balance supply and demand on the short-haul network, resulting in a social media backlash with complaints from customers and cabin crew.

A negative post in July analyzing BA’s current strategies under recent CEO Alex Cruz on professional networking site LinkedIn resulted in almost 2 000 comments mainly agreeing with the negative assessment.

A Need to Focus on Customer Service

While airlines continue to purchase new aircraft to cope with increased passenger demand and fit them out with enhanced interiors and features, a strong focus on customer service will continue to be strategically factored into airline operations to ensure competitiveness.

Low-cost operators such as Spirit Airlines and Ryanair have acknowledged the need to enhance their customer experience, as it would appear to be challenging legacy carriers to balance attempts at lowering their cost base with the expectations of their customers.

• Author
• Recent Posts

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry.

During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team that created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, balancing a mix of corporate and social content.

John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a Masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. He has been the course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university and a member of Heathrow Community Trust’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

John is currently living in Canada and is contracted as an external instructor for aviation-related organizations.

Latest posts by John Flett (see all)

• Fiji Airways, Porter Airlines Sign Interline Agreement - April 20, 2024
• Airlines Amend Schedules to Avoid Iranian Airspace - April 14, 2024
• Frontier Offers ‘All-You-Can-Fly’ Summer Pass for $399 - February 9, 2024