A Disney dedicated airline?

[Mickey92]

Hi Everyone,

As I am very much into Aviation, a thought has always occured with me.. What would it be like for Disney to start-up their own airline? With destinations all over the world to the different parks and dedicated airport lounges to further increase and expand the Disney experience, even before you set foot onto the plane! Would this be tricky to do, hard/easy to do for Disney? I know that several airlines have Disney painted aircraft but I'm meaning a Pure Disney Airline!

Please Discuss... Thanks!

Best Wishes,

Tristan

 

[Monty]

It's certainly been discussed.

IMO it would never fly [pun entirely intentional :animwink:]. Disney would be too specific a set of destinations to be able to provide a competitive edge. Most airlines average out their costs between higher and lower revenue routes in order to provide service to more remote airports. It gives them higher exposure and makes them more competitive overall. Disney would not have the volume of passengers to make such economies of scale viable. Having their own lounges and providing the "Disney experience" throughout an extended enterprise would result in highly un-competitive pricing. Much as it might appeal to travellers, the bottom line is other airlines would be a lot cheaper and Disney Airlines simply couldn't be sustained.

 

[Mickey92]

It's certainly been discussed.

IMO it would never fly [pun entirely intentional :animwink:]. Disney would be too specific a set of destinations to be able to provide a competitive edge. Most airlines average out their costs between higher and lower revenue routes in order to provide service to more remote airports. It gives them higher exposure and makes them more competitive overall. Disney would not have the volume of passengers to make such economies of scale viable. Having their own lounges and providing the "Disney experience" throughout an extended enterprise would result in highly un-competitive pricing. Much as it might appeal to travellers, the bottom line is other airlines would be a lot cheaper and Disney Airlines simply couldn't be sustained.

I do see where you are coming from MontyMon! With competition and the like. They probably couldn't fill a full plane everyday anyway :/ Thanks for posting you views on the matter! :wave:

 

[Larry Mondello]

If you look at the track record of the airline industry over the last 50 years you will see that it is not most profitable of ventures out there. If they did get into it it would be a constant drag on their profitability.

 

[unkadug]

Not to mention the PR disaster that would happen to a company as large and diversified as Disney if there was ever an aviation accident involving Disney Air.

 

[yensid67]

BUT just imagine if this were possible! Arriving on WDW property by Airplane at its own airport being greeted by Mickey in a pilot's uniform. Then as you step of the plane you enter the fantasy world of Disney! As you ride the moving walkway through a collage of Disney Information Boards highlighting each park and ending with the current offerings for that week! Then out the door to a waiting S_T_R_E_T_C_H Limo(a little far fectched), maybe one that Uncle Walt used and taken to your hotel. For those arriving and staying off property, everything would be the same, except for the exit of the airport, your ride would be a ME bus waiting to whisk you off to 'a good neighbor hotel' that would also help pay for the costs with Disney Air!
I know its really a dream and fantasy, but can you imagine!?:wave:

 

[cmwade77]

Now that they have the premier pass, I think they could do it between LGB and Orlando. This is also a route that is overlooked by all carriers many people out here prefer to use LGB and will even take flights with stops over a non-stop from LAX, so a non-stop from LGB to Orlando could do a lot. Now that LGB is remodeling, it would be the perfect time for Disney to setup a lounge.

Another alternative would vendor Disney to partner with a particular airline. They could setup lounges that thier guests could use in various airports, allow first run Disney movies on the flights, etc.

I would also work out a discount for premier pass holders when flying to Anaheim or Orlando.

 

[tampabrad]

IMO, Disney seems to do everything a bit more expensive than everyone else. Resorts, Vacation Club, Cruises, Real Estate are all above "normal." I don't think the masses would be willing to pay extra for a bit of Disney Magic during a flight. I know I wouldn't given I usually sleep when I am on a plane, and I always search for the cheapest flight. Plus, in order to make $$$, you need a lot of planes going and coming from different cities.

If Disney thought they would profit from having an airline, they would have already done it.

 

[Mammymouse]

If my memory serves me right, back in the 70's or 80's didn't Eastern Airlines have the distinction of being Disney sponsored, or what ever they called it ? Just like the only credit card then that you could use was American Express.

 

[yankspy]

If my memory serves me right, back in the 70's or 80's didn't Eastern Airlines have the distinction of being Disney sponsored, or what ever they called it ? Just like the only credit card then that you could use was American Express.

Eastern was the offical airline. They were pretty good about it as well. You used to see Disney movies on the plane, and listen to Disney music as well. For a while they even had Mickey, Minnie, etc. meet you at the gate.

 

[Mickey92]

Now that they have the premier pass, I think they could do it between LGB and Orlando. This is also a route that is overlooked by all carriers many people out here prefer to use LGB and will even take flights with stops over a non-stop from LAX, so a non-stop from LGB to Orlando could do a lot. Now that LGB is remodeling, it would be the perfect time for Disney to setup a lounge.

Another alternative would vendor Disney to partner with a particular airline. They could setup lounges that thier guests could use in various airports, allow first run Disney movies on the flights, etc.

I would also work out a discount for premier pass holders when flying to Anaheim or Orlando.

I do like this idea! As you said, partnering with an airline offering a dedicated lounger My idea would be a childrens area where they can play and watch disney videos, play games before there flight. Adults can relax in comfy chairs, sofas with (possibly) Disney park refreshments... And teenagers, lots of gadgets and sports games (Table football, arcade games, computers with internet etc...)

The room would be very colourful with characters on the walls, floors etc.. and possibly characters could/would walk around greeting the passengers before their flight

 

[Mickey92]

Eastern was the offical airline. They were pretty good about it as well. You used to see Disney movies on the plane, and listen to Disney music as well. For a while they even had Mickey, Minnie, etc. meet you at the gate.

If my memory serves me right, back in the 70's or 80's didn't Eastern Airlines have the distinction of being Disney sponsored, or what ever they called it ? Just like the only credit card then that you could use was American Express.

Didn't know that, Thanks for the info guys! :wave:

 

[AswaySuller]

Other than what they did with Eastern what could they do?

Other than showing movies, music, having a character at the gate/on board and painting the plane a certain design it'd be difficult to make it really creative and worthwhile IMO.

Flying isn't really that fun (particularly long distance) and I don't think it's something that would appeal to Disney that much....

A Disney ski resort however..... Now you're talking!

 

[unkadug]

Other than what they did with Eastern what could they do?

Other than showing movies, music, having a character at the gate/on board and painting the plane a certain design it'd be difficult to make it really creative and worthwhile IMO.

Flying isn't really that fun (particularly long distance) and I don't think it's something that would appeal to Disney that much....

A Disney ski resort however..... Now you're talking!

They could :

• show the actual Mission:Space attraction footage during takeoff.
• cover the airplane with Stitch decals
• paint the plane to look like a Tronorail
• call the pilots "Cast Members" :lookaroun
• have the stewardesses dress up like princesses
• have hidden mickeys all over the plane
• have a pepper's ghost illusions outside each window.
• serve mickey waffles
• remove all seats and make it like a Jungle Cruise queue that never ends until you land
• sell cheap overpriced knickknacks from a cart moving down the aisle
• have smellitzers to pump in "fresh air" smells

 

[Mammymouse]

They could :

• show the actual Mission:Space attraction footage during takeoff.
• cover the airplane with Stitch decals
• paint the plane to look like a Tronorail
• call the pilots "Cast Members" :lookaroun
• have the stewardesses dress up like princesses
• have hidden mickeys all over the plane
• have a pepper's ghost illusions outside each window.
• serve mickey waffles
• remove all seats and make it like a Jungle Cruise queue that never ends until you land
• sell cheap overpriced knickknacks from a cart moving down the aisle
• have smellitzers to pump in "fresh air" smells

Don't forget - have "It's a Small World" music playing!

 

[Mickey92]

Other than what they did with Eastern what could they do?

Other than showing movies, music, having a character at the gate/on board and painting the plane a certain design it'd be difficult to make it really creative and worthwhile IMO.

Flying isn't really that fun (particularly long distance) and I don't think it's something that would appeal to Disney that much....

A Disney ski resort however..... Now you're talking!

I do like the Ski Resort Idea! :animwink: Nice Idea!!

P.s. It is my dream to be a commercial airline pilot when i'm older....Flying IS Fun! :sohappy::sohappy::wave:

 

[Mickey92]

They could :

• show the actual Mission:Space attraction footage during takeoff.
• cover the airplane with Stitch decals
• paint the plane to look like a Tronorail
• call the pilots "Cast Members" :lookaroun
• have the stewardesses dress up like princesses
• have hidden mickeys all over the plane
• have a pepper's ghost illusions outside each window.
• serve mickey waffles
• remove all seats and make it like a Jungle Cruise queue that never ends until you land
• sell cheap overpriced knickknacks from a cart moving down the aisle
• have smellitzers to pump in "fresh air" smells

Yes!! :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[AswaySuller]

I do like the Ski Resort Idea! :animwink: Nice Idea!!

P.s. It is my dream to be a commercial airline pilot when i'm older....Flying IS Fun! :sohappy::sohappy::wave:

I actually am a pilot so keep up the dream and if you ever need advice or have any questions just message me....

However being a passenger in regular economy class on a long haul flight isn't and never has been my idea of fun. Boring and claustrophobic pretty much sums it up..... excluding while on board my flights that is! :sohappy:

 

[EvilQueen-T]

i think the closest they'll ever get is what they're doing now with magical express. anything else would just be to spread out and to expensive and i for one don't want my park ticket going up sky high for a few people to be able to spend a fortune to have mickey painted on the side of their airplane. the next nearest thing you MIGHT see and our state government is still trying to decide if they should spend money we don't have for a high speed rail line is one that would connect to several main cities in the state, one being a connection for orlando/disney.

 

[Mickey92]

I actually am a pilot so keep up the dream and if you ever need advice or have any questions just message me....

However being a passenger in regular economy class on a long haul flight isn't and never has been my idea of fun. Boring and claustrophobic pretty much sums it up..... excluding while on board my flights that is! :sohappy:

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