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Airline business models beyond low-cost and legacy carriers

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Airline business models beyond low-cost and legacy carriers
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Airbus A380 | Airbus

Over the past three decades, the commercial aviation industry has been dominated by two primary airline business models: legacy airlines and low-cost carriers. Legacy airlines have historically catered to business travelers, operating large-scale global networks through major hubs. They have a long-standing history in the market and extensive presence.

Low-cost carriers, on the other hand, focus on reducing operational costs to offer cheaper tickets. These airlines often charge additional fees for services like checked baggage and seat assignments.

Despite the prominence of these two models, other unique airline business models exist today. One such model is the hybrid carrier, which combines elements of both legacy and low-cost carriers. Hybrid carriers offer slightly discounted fares while providing comfortable inflight experiences. They tend to operate leisure-oriented networks serving high-volume vacation destinations and typically have a few hubs rather than point-to-point models.

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Examples of hybrid carriers include JetBlue and Alaska Airlines in the US, Condor in Europe, Azul in Brazil, and WestJet in Canada. These airlines often emerged from older low-cost models but now offer more benefits like free inflight Wi-Fi or checked bags.

Another model is ultra-premium airlines that cater entirely to premium travelers with all-business class cabins. French carrier La Compagnie is a prominent example of this model, operating routes between France and the United States.

Regional subcontractors also play a significant role in the industry. SkyWest Airlines is one such profitable regional carrier that operates subcontracted flights for US-based legacy carriers under brands like Delta Connection, United Express, and American Eagle.

Lastly, general tour operators and holiday airlines market entire vacations rather than just flights. The TUI Group exemplifies this model by owning hotels, travel agencies, cruise lines, retail shops, and multiple airlines. However, this model has been declining due to competition from personalized travel experiences like Airbnb.

Organizations Included in this History
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