Posted on 04/02/2012 4:19:35 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
The cookie has crumbled.
That warm chocolate chip cookie that airline passengers relished - and that helped Milwaukee's Midwest Airlines claim "the best care in the air" - will fade into history at the end of the month, like the airline itself that's been swallowed up by competitors.
In a memo to company employees, Frontier Airlines officials announced Friday that they're removing the complimentary warm cookies from in-flight service.
In their place, bags of Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Crackers or Barnum's Animal Crackers will be offered, the company said. The snacks will be complimentary, however, only for the carrier's Ascent, Summit, Classic and Classic Plus customers, and unaccompanied minors. Those flying economy will have to pay $1 for the crackers, the statement said.
While the chocolate chip cookies have been popular, they don't factor into a customer's purchasing decision and did not provide the added value to warrant the expense, the company said in its statement to employees.
Animal crackers are nonperishable, run less risk of waste, are a better value and more consistent with the brand of Frontier, which features animals on the tails of its airplanes, the statement said.
"Frontier is the only domestic low-cost carrier offering a free perishable snack to all customers, which does not align with either the perception or financial reality of the ultra low-cost business model," said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president.
"Removing the complimentary cookie is another step in our continued effort to make Frontier a sustainably profitable airline," he said in the statement.
The cookies have been served on all Frontier flights after 10:30 a.m., company spokeswoman Lindsey Carpenter said Saturday.
~snip~
The goldfish crackers and animal crackers will be available starting May 1 on all Frontier and Frontier Express flights, she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
"This story is a bit of a requiem moment for the airlines," said Jay Sorensen, now the president of IdeaWorks, of Shorewood, an airline industry consultant. "This is the last bit of news related to Midwest Airlines. Now the book is closed effectively, which is fine. It was a grand airline."
~snip~
The cookies, along with the wide, two-across leather seats, became a hallmark of Milwaukee's hometown airline known for its service and amenities.
Wisconsin *Oh, no!* Frontier Airlines drops the complimentary cookie perk ping
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
Somewhere in this article it states that the “cookies did not influence the purchasing decision”. Wanna bet?
Too bad - they were good.
End of an era. They represented a flight where the crew actually seemed to care about the passenger.
Sad.
You know, if they charged 50cents more per ticket, they could cover the cost. No one would would notice the 50cents, and everyone would be happy.
Sorry, that makes entirely too much sense.
I think they already charge more per ticket, but people were willing to pay for it. But, will they be willing to pay the higher ticket price and get no cookie? That remains to be seen. Animal crackers bc they have pictures of animals on their planes? I don’t think so!
I think another airline ought to take up the 50cent surchage idea and add a goody to their flights.
People do notice...especially when you take something away.
I’m not to impressed with any airline anymore. Any perks other than a seat and a seatbelt are only recieved if you apply for there airline credit card.
I’m just thankful they weren’t removing them because they wanted healthier passengers (via Mooch) or some such nonsense.
Having a gimmick, especially one that makes people think they’re getting something nice for free, always gives you a leg up over the competition.
It’s a bad idea to take something away from the customer, when you’re struggling financially in a competetive market.
I also enjoy being able to get a round trip ticket a couple weeks before a major holiday for less than $150.
“Sorry, that makes entirely too much sense.”
Yeah, that’s just one of my quirks
No priority boarding with the card?
Yeah, consistency with the brand is the first thing I though of too, great idea! I wonder if the ate either or both types of cookies at the offsite meeting where they brainstormed this up? Or they just stuck with the caviar.
I remember when flying was a pleasure...Drinks, a cigarette, and dinner. Drinks were sometimes complimentary, cigarettes you brought your own, not sure but I think you could a pack on the plane, and dinner was complimentary and of the highest quality you could expect, all these things is how the airlines use to compete.
Only the wealthy could afford to fly in those days, right?
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