Disney should start it's own airline

[captainkidd]

Sell seats only as part of packages that coincide with a Disney Resort stay. I think this could be an all around winner for everyone. Like Magical Express, but on a larger scale. Airfare stops so many people from traveling these days. Disney could set the fares to be cheap enough that they are affordable, but again, only coinciding with a Resort stay. The important thing is, they'd get people staying at the resorts and the parks. That's where the money would be made. They could obviously still make a profit on the airfare too, but it wouldn't have to be as expensive as other airlines.

 

[donaldtoo]

Cool idea!
Now, what would they call it...?
EarAir
Disney Earlines
DisAir
MouseAir
Magical Skyways
Mouse Flight
Goofy's Barnstormer
Oooooo...! And what about paint schemes?!
The possibilities are Magically endless...!

 

[Sans Souci]

Airlines are almost always operating in the red, so I doubt Disney would want to have the burden of operating an airline.

 

[wsmith1978]

I like Disney Earlines!

Be forewarned: When I started a thread like this thread a year or so ago it was as if I said "Disney World should run for President". I got some "What are you smoking??" type responses. I hope you are spared

 

[bsiev1977]

Sell seats only as part of packages that coincide with a Disney Resort stay. I think this could be an all around winner for everyone. Like Magical Express, but on a larger scale. Airfare stops so many people from traveling these days. Disney could set the fares to be cheap enough that they are affordable, but again, only coinciding with a Resort stay. The important thing is, they'd get people staying at the resorts and the parks. That's where the money would be made. They could obviously still make a profit on the airfare too, but it wouldn't have to be as expensive as other airlines.

It's a very cool idea, and in a different world it probably could be done. But I think the reality of operating an airline makes it near to impossible for Disney to actually do.

 

[donaldtoo]

Airlines are almost always operating in the red, so I doubt Disney would want to have the burden of operating an airline.

Not if they used Pixie Dust instead of Jet-A fuel.

 

[Figgy1]

Airlines are almost always operating in the red, so I doubt Disney would want to have the burden of operating an airline.

What she said and if they can't even get the new computer system working at 100 percent how are they going to book flights!

 

[luv]

Can you imagine the headlines if the plane crashed? And the pics of all the cute kids who died...especially if Disney dropped the ball? OMG. If I ran Disney, it wouldn't be something I'd want to get involved with in any way.

Disney can't even keep the bathrooms clean like they used to. Test Track still breaks down a lot, as do other rides (and I won't even get started on the Yeti,lol.) We all know the monorail issues (which have improved!) You want to put that group in charge of airplanes?

 

[captainkidd]

Can you imagine the headlines if the plane crashed? And the pics of all the cute kids who died...especially if Disney dropped the ball? OMG. If I ran Disney, it wouldn't be something I'd want to get involved with in any way.

Disney can't even keep the bathrooms clean like they used to. Test Track still breaks down a lot, as do other rides (and I won't even get started on the Yeti,lol.) We all know the monorail issues (which have improved!) You want to put that group in charge of airplanes?

They could outsource, like they do with Magical Express.

Theme park ride breakdowns aren't life threatening. Obviously, this would be handled differently. It's not as if Southwest builds their airplanes.

 

[disneygirl1024]

Can you imagine the headlines if the plane crashed? And the pics of all the cute kids who died...especially if Disney dropped the ball? OMG. If I ran Disney, it wouldn't be something I'd want to get involved with in any way.

Disney can't even keep the bathrooms clean like they used to. Test Track still breaks down a lot, as do other rides (and I won't even get started on the Yeti,lol.) We all know the monorail issues (which have improved!) You want to put that group in charge of airplanes?

Yeah they might just let aircraft maintenance go by the wayside too. That would make for a really really really bad situation!

 

[Master Yoda]

There is too much headache and not enough profit. I am sure Disney makes more on the cut they get for selling tickets from other airlines then they ever would operating an airline on their own.

 

[zurgandfriend]

Is there an official airline of Walt Disney world anymore? I think it used to be Delta and before that Eastern (dating myself with that one).

 

[Master Yoda]

Is there an official airline of Walt Disney world anymore? I think it used to be Delta and before that Eastern (dating myself with that one).

To my knowledge there is not currently an "official" airline. You can purchase airfare through Disney for any one of about a dozen different airlines.

 

[bethymouse]

No official Disney airline. I think there should be though!

 

[captainkidd]

If nothing else, at least maybe the flights could be somewhat fun. Have TV's on the plane and show Disney movies, cartoons, etc.

 

[nc_disneyfreak]

as long as it isnt called splash mtn airlines im all for it lol

 

[nc_disneyfreak]

If nothing else, at least maybe the flights could be somewhat fun. Have TV's on the plane and show Disney movies, cartoons, etc.

i do like this idea though....have one looking like a pirate ship, space mtn rocket etc....

 

[flynnibus]

zero financial reason to do this

You say Disney could offer discounts vs the competition. Airlines work because of volume to offset the low margins. There is no margin there to offer a discount. And they can't afford to run this route at a lower margin and use the rest of their network to offset that discount like the rest of the competition can.

For anyone paying attention.. consolidation.. not specialization is what has been happening in the Airline industry for the last 15+ years.

If Disney felt like they needed to address the airline issue they would do it via partnering and working out specials/promos by offering the airline the marketing draw and power Disney has. But in the days of internet price shopping for airlines.. even that has limited value.

Airlines are just too low margin and high capital expense to even consider getting into.

 

[real mad hatter]

Put my name down for this.I'll fly disney for fun.The whole plane going to the most magical place in the world.Now Thats what a call a flight of fantasy.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

While it is an intriguing idea, it will never happen...
Airlines bleed money, they don't make it...and they could never offer any type of "discount" to coincide with a resort stay -- it would, in fact cost even more than current commercial airlines
Disney has a horrendous relationship with the city of Orlando. Unless they build their own airport on their own property, you can expect the city of Orlando to veto any plans Disney might have to add its airline to the municipal airport -- or hike gate-rental and/or conveniences so high that it would be impractical. People who visit WDW from time to time and don't know the local politics really have no idea how horrendous that relationship is between Dis and Orl.
Disney is not really there to provide convenience to you or anyone else -- its sole purpose is to make money for Disney Inc. Costs of DME are rolled into your resort-stay price and outsourced to Mears Transportation, who gets a hefty payment from Disney for the use of their services. They would never see a penny of profit from an airline.
I'd love to fly in a plane with the Mickey ears on it and happy shiny employees wishing me a magical day! It isn't going to happen.