The Idea Blog

Allison Arieff’s comment in today’s NYTimes.com takes on the airlines. Here’s how she ends her Fear of Flying post:

“I don’t expect most airlines (particularly with all the mergers that are looming) to achieve the level of design sophistication of Virgin, it certainly would be nice if they could surpass their current model, which seems to look to gas station restrooms for precedents.

“Oh, but those usually have sinks.”

I returned last night via Delta from Birmingham, AL. The worst part of my delays were weather-related, so I can’t really blame Delta for the truly awful experience that took 9 hours from check-in to my bag’s coming off the conveyor. It’s just that the entire experience is broken, plain and simple.

From checking a bag to security to boarding to flying to snacks (or the lack thereof) to you name it, flying is demeaning, dirty and disgusting.

“What I think all of us poor passengers are continually amazed at … is how low the airlines are willing to go - and I’m not talking about prices,” she says. “First punctuality was all but eliminated, then food, then the pillows and blankets.”

What would you do to fix it? What would be your guide?

I’ll attempt to give you my insights in future posts. I believe anything can be fixed, but this will challenge that belief.