Frequent fliers take note! There is a new business model emerging in the air travel sector; all-you-can-fly for one flat rate.
It works like a country club. Patrons pay a membership fee that gives them access to the routes available in the plan, as often as they want or need, for the duration of the membership term.
This is an emerging service that airlines have been experimenting with for a couple of years. JetBlue and Sun Country Airlines have both tested monthly subscription style airfares, with a good degree of success.
Currently, Santa Monica based Surf Air is rolling out a membership program offering routes between Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Monterey and Palo Alto. Members can start flying in May.
Monthly fees will start at $790 per month and will grant unlimited access to the destinations offered in the program. Flight times will be established based on demand.
According to a company statement, “Surf Air’s subscription membership pricing will fundamentally change the way people travel and revolutionize the business model for the airline industry.”
If the initial roll-out is successful, the airline plans to add more destinations to the program, including: Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Diego, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Napa.
While this may not be a service everyone can take advantage of, in its current state, it is certainly a business model worth watching. If subscriptions and membership fees catch on, we may all be looking into all-you-can-fly plans soon. – Jen R, Staff Writer
