RIP-Midwest Airlines

[JimH5]

http://www.jsonline.com/business/90750954.html

The end of an era.

I had no connection to Midwest Airlines other than as a passenger (and Mastercard holder). But today's announcement left me a little sad. Frontier Airlines wins the name game and Midwest goes the way of Eastern, TWA, and every other failed carrier.

Midwest long ago abandoned its upscale position, joining every other domestic airline in a rush to see who can be the cheapest (and least pleasant). But way back when, flying with them was a great experience, and they deserved their top spot on the quality surveys.

I'm surprised and disappointed that the industry hasn't produced a successful company that offers full sized planes, with roomy seats, at a premium price. We just all seem to want to get the best deal, even though that means sitting uncomfortably in a jam packed plane.

[craigharmann]

It is very sad. I remember one of the times I flew on Midwest, there was something mechanical wrong with the plane we were supposed to take, so we took the plane that the Bucks took! Talk about leg room!! It was unbelievable! I loved flying on Midwest because I like the concept of getting from one place to another by flying, but I hate everything else that goes with it. Midwest took most of those hassles that I hate so much out of it. Lots of leg room, comfortable seats and of course, the cookies!

[Invader3K]

It doesn't seem like Midwest had really been Midwest for quite a while. Sort of a "passing of an era," but nothing to really cry over, either.

[Flood Pants]

Will downtown conferences now be held at the Frontier Airlines Center?

[bork]

Will downtown conferences now be held at the Frontier Airlines Center?

Yes, they mentioned that in the JS story.

 

So much is being made about the cookies on the flight. Who cares about some stupid cookie? That wasn't what made Midwest special. It was the wide leather seats, gourmet meals, and service. That has all been long gone. I'm really indifferent about the change because Midwest died years ago.

 

But even with the death of Midwest, air travel has never been better out of Milwaukee. Frontier, Airtran and Southwest all competing, driving down fares and adding more direct flights. Frontier will have to fight to stay the top airline in Milwaukee, because the latest numbers show Midwest-Frontier with a 34% market share vs 30% for Airtran. Not much of a gap any more.

 

[Invader3K]

So much is being made about the cookies on the flight. Who cares about some stupid cookie? That wasn't what made Midwest special. It was the wide leather seats, gourmet meals, and service. That has all been long gone. I'm really indifferent about the change because Midwest died years ago.

Yeah, I always thought the whole ad campaign centering around a "free" cookie you get on the flight was pretty stupid. Are most adult travelers really that excited about a cheap desert on an airline flight?

 

I'm also going to try to avoid tuning to certain talk shows today while driving around for work...I'm sure there's going to be a lot of righteous indignation about this change from certain talking heads, for whatever reasons.

[yoshii8]

I agree, I thought centering your marketing around a cookie was a terrible idea. My wife and I always laughed at those commercials.

[JimH5]

It wasn't so much the cookies. . .it was the whole experience.

 

Big wide leather seats, no middle seats, enough leg room and lap room so that if the guy sitting in front you wanted to lean back, you weren't peering down on his head. Of course, fewer people meant more room for your carry-on stuff. . .Good food served on china with real flatware. And then the freshly baked cookies. . .they were like hotel turndown service. Completely not needed, but a small luxury added to the other luxuries that made it a pleasure.

 

Compare that to the rest of the industry which puts you three (or five) across on narrow, fabric seats, less cargo room, less leg and lap room, with a dozen peanuts and 4 oz. of coke in a plastic cup.

[pitchleague]

Midwest was always our airline of choice from Vegas to Milwaukee when we would go back home. Kind of disappointing.

 

As for the cookies and commercials, I liked 'em. As others have said, they are pretty much the only thing that was left from the original Midwest Airlines experience. It was always nice to be in the middle of your flight and you're tired out from sitting on the plane and then you could start to smell the cookies--always made us perk up and remind us why we like flying with them. The service was unpecable.

 

Plus, for some reason, Midwest pilots knew how to land in Vegas smoothly. Every other airline I've flown into Vegas has had trouble with the cross breezes and air currents over the East Vegas Mountains so it would be very bumpy and usually very side-to-side-ish. Not Midwest. Clean as a whistle every time.

[RyDogg66]

The cookies came to represent the service and experience, that is why it is always talked about.

 

Anyway, I flew Midwest just one time - and it was the greatest flight experience I ever had. The reason I only flew it once though was because I dont fly much. Ever since I flew Midwest I swore I would only fly them from now on. Too bad I havent been on an airplane in 4 years.

[DatHoser]

I remember flying back from NY on Midwest. We were delayed by bad weather for a few hours. While other airlines gave their stranded passengers a bag of peanuts or chips, Midwest brought in pizza for us. A lot of New Yorkers learned about Midwest that day.

[DHonks]

I miss it...but not as Midwest. I miss Midwest Express. To me, it all started going downhill after 9/11, followed by the initial name change. What finally doomed them was the ridiculous fuel prices a few years ago. Still, it was a rarity in the air....comfort??? Most airlines are fine. USAirways is cheap. Southwest is usually a bit pricier, but doesn't charge for bags (although the seating is annoying). Delta/NW is fine. United and American feel like flying Bureaucracies. Midwest was unique...now its gone. At the same time...Frontier is pretty nice as well

[ccbrew]

How many years before Frontier Airlines forgets why they bother to bake cookies on-board and ditch the concept completely? I'll give it 3 years.

 

I do think having a unique photograph of an animal on each one of their jets is a neat concept though. Gives the airport a zoological feel.

[carniesandrubes]

How many years before Frontier Airlines forgets why they bother to bake cookies on-board and ditch the concept completely? I'll give it 3 years.

I'd guess even sooner than that. And until then, the cookies likely won't even be baked on-board anymore but will be served cold from a bag. Without hot meal service, there is no reason to keep the ovens for just the cookies.

 

I'm glad I was able to pick up a pair of the wide leather seats when they had the sale at the hangar a few months ago.