![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-96883-100x100.png\")
I flew Silverjet last summer to London, when they had a $1600 fare promo. It was absolutely wonderful, especially considering that steerage class on the regular carries was running $1200 for similar flights to Europe. I believe EOS was about $3500 round trip, but I'm sure it was delightful.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-3241-100x100.png\")
I'm guessing the biggest problems with the seemingly (not really) recession-proof business model of targeting the rich folks were:
1) You can offer an all-business-class flight experience, but you can't offer an all-business-class airport experience, and really, the airport is where the majority of the headache is.
2) The high-end of their target market can afford private jets, the low-end of their market is presumably too invested in frequent flyer miles with mainstream airlines.
3) Low-volume, high-margin business is fine if your bottom line weren't so directly tied to fuel prices
Yeah, this wasn't going to work, like, ever.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-169925-100x100.png\")
God damn it, I loved that airline and I had a bunch of miles on it too. Definitely one of the best flight experiences I've had. You will definitely be missed.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
The subtle jabs that you make at fliers who may prefer the services of a business class only airline annoy me. You run the risk of alienating your readership base. Framing posts from the point of view of someone who is poor and hates people who purchases luxury items will cause me to quit reading.
@jpx72x: You'd think wealthy, successful people would not be insecure or suffer from persecution complex. But you'd be wrong.
I'm sure that flying into Stansted (connections mainly with low-cost airlines, 40-min train connection to London) didn't help.
yeah, everything @spinachdip said.
Also, why would anyone want to fly to STN (\"London\" Stansted). 45 minutes train (plus the wait) or 1hr+ drive into London...
Wow. I didn't even know this airline existed. Maybe that's why they're going under.
@jpxt2x: c-ya
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-16563-100x100.png\")
Damn. Because the overweening levels of schadenfreude that I would have wallowed in following the Consumerist complaint of a customer trapped in a cabin filled with well-coifed yet horrible children would have been delicious.
De.
Li.
Cious!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-25741-100x100.png\")
I flew MaxJet before they went under. They also flew into STN. I loved the location, although I usually went north into the Midlands. There's this delightful B&B near Thaxted, in the middle of the country yet only a few minutes from the airport. A great place to spend one's last night in UK before flying home.
EOS = End Of Service
Damn I wish these airlines were succeeding. Coach makes me want to kill myself, private is too bad for the environment, even if I could afford it, and I don't want to pay major airlines extra money for business class on principle (even if it's cheaper than all-business airlines). So these sounded like a nice option.
@Web2PointOhShit:
Because if you're heading for the City, it's a darn site quicker to take a 45 min train stright into Liverpool St than 20 mins into Paddington from Heathrow, then an hour on the tube or sitting in the traffic in a taxi!
How much was EOS charging for NYC->LDN?
I saw someone comment that EOS fliers could just take a private jet for the trip. Doubtful. Firing up a private jet is terribly expensive, far more so than anything offered by the airlines.
Agree w Jamar0303. If you're a business traveller, flying into Heathrow is the absolute worst, esp. if you have to get into the City. To get in , it'd take minimum 20minutes on the train, plus another half hour in a cab - total cost of close to £50. Meanwhile, the train from Stansted goes direct to the City and will run you less than £20.
Business class isn't any better than Economy.
2 inches more legroom! Woohoo!
Lame.
You're a moron, and obviously haven't flown EOS in the past. Trust me, it's 10x more than just 2 more inches of legroom. How about a fold flat seat with fresh linens and blankets, portable entertainment unit with tons of free premium movies, complimentary Bose noise cancelling headphones during the flight, they give you pajamas to change into, their meals are to order and served on china with real cutlery, free alcohol, special terminals where they escort you through security and customs (one time I got from the airport curb to the lounge in 10 mins flat)....I could go on and on.
If you don't know what you're talking about just move along.
Their main competition here was Virgin Atlantic's \"Upper Class\" not United/American/etc. business classes. Even MaxJet and SilverJet aren't in the same league. In both EOS' and Virgin's case it is really first class service coded as business class so it can get approved on the expense report.
mobilehavoc has it right this is 10x more than \"2 more inches of legroom\"
Guess it's back to Virgin Atlantic
.
hmmm.... This effects like maybe 8 people in the whole world. Not including the two pilots that worked for them.