Emirates cites NE FL as a main reason for a direct Orlando-Dubai flight

[ben says]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.  I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.

That's easier if you (as an airline) have a sugar daddy who helps pay the bills - in many countries the airlines are still supported by the national governements (or at least there is some kind of government support / involvement) for national pride reasons or because they see them as strategic investments (especially on the Arabian peninsula).

When you look at the numbers, you'll find that U.S. carriers are HIGHLY subsidized. Regardless, I've never bought into the "non-US carriers are nicer because of subsidies".....I call bs.

Mayor of Chicago grumbled when Emirates and Eithad wanted some O'Hare access (right in AA and UA backyard).  Emirates called the mayors hand it seems.

http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/05/27/chicago-mayor-rahm-emanuels-letter-sparks-war-of.html

I spoke with some friends from Dubai and they have been waiting for the Orlando-Dubai flight since it was first announced and are already booked in September.

Apparently there is some pent up demand in Dubai for this route.

Totally agree Re: demand ex-DXB....but I think they'll have a major problem filling this flight up ex-MCO

[Gunnar]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.  I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.

That's easier if you (as an airline) have a sugar daddy who helps pay the bills - in many countries the airlines are still supported by the national governements (or at least there is some kind of government support / involvement) for national pride reasons or because they see them as strategic investments (especially on the Arabian peninsula).

When you look at the numbers, you'll find that U.S. carriers are HIGHLY subsidized. Regardless, I've never bought into the "non-US carriers are nicer because of subsidies".....I call bs.

I'm not saying that this is the only reason - management and employee motivation are also reasons.

One disadvantage of the large established US and European carriers (that have been around and large for a long time) is the burden of pension / early retirement / benefit costs. I can only say this for Europe but while benefits and salaries have been cut considerably for new hires in the last years, they could not do that for employees that were hired prior to that. That means that there are lots of staff like pilots that get early retirement packages of roughly 250k/ year starting at age 57 I believe and this needs too be carried by the company.

Emirates started to grow later, plus their employees are hired foreign labor, so no worries on Emirates part in case they get sick, pregnant, old...they will be let go and replaced and I am sure no-one in Emirates' home country will care too much.

Found this interesting:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/emirates-airline-recruiting-in-germany-as-lufthansa-struggles-a-922751.html

[finehoe]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit. 

Yeah, one of the arguments in favor of airline deregulation was that the wonders of free market competition would vastly improve the flying public's experience. 

We see how that worked out.

[ben says]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit. 

Yeah, one of the arguments in favor of airline deregulation was that the wonders of free market competition would vastly improve the flying public's experience. 

We see how that worked out.

Lol

[Ocklawaha]

Yeah, LAN CHILE is also a first class act. Real china and full service in coach!

[finehoe]

One disadvantage of the large established US and European carriers (that have been around and large for a long time) is the burden of pension / early retirement / benefit costs.

Another disadvantage is the outrageous executive compensation American airlines pay.  The CEO of Delta made $17,589,867.00 last year, or 243 times the average Delta employee.  The CEO of United and American over $12 million each.

Emirates on the other hand, is known to have the best compensation and benefits for their flight and cabin crew.

Who could have predicted that paying people well who do the work would work out better than spending it all on management?

[JFman00]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit. 

Yeah, one of the arguments in favor of airline deregulation was that the wonders of free market competition would vastly improve the flying public's experience. 

We see how that worked out.

Airlines may have been deregulated, but the air itself sure hasn't been. Calling air travel these days free market is like calling pre-ACA healthcare free market.

[spuwho]

One disadvantage of the large established US and European carriers (that have been around and large for a long time) is the burden of pension / early retirement / benefit costs.

Another disadvantage is the outrageous executive compensation American airlines pay.  The CEO of Delta made $17,589,867.00 last year, or 243 times the average Delta employee.  The CEO of United and American over $12 million each.

Emirates on the other hand, is known to have the best compensation and benefits for their flight and cabin crew.

Who could have predicted that paying people well who do the work would work out better than spending it all on management?

Emirates pay is competitive but they require 20% more working hours plus you have to adhere to a lifestyle agreement. Read the artice link Gunnar provided and you will see its not all roses for those to work in Dubai.

Also Emirates got a $90million royal subsidy as part of the Gulf Air arrangement. That 90m was spent on new aircraft.

[Ocklawaha]

Isn't it funny that Emirates 'see's us as an underserved market and aims their aircraft at Orlando. In another post we're all excited about a new flight to freaking New York City (as if as soon as your city is big enough for an airport, chances are you'll be connected to NYC). So with nearly 1.5 million people we can't even get to hubs such as Panama City, London or Paris.

[finehoe]

...Emirates got a $90million royal subsidy as part of the Gulf Air arrangement. That 90m was spent on new aircraft.

U.S. airlines receive about $1 billion per year in tax breaks from state and local governments.  What do they spend it on?

http://skift.com/2015/05/10/united-airlines-cuts-wages-while-outsourcing-to-company-with-big-tax-breaks/

[Gators312]

...Emirates got a $90million royal subsidy as part of the Gulf Air arrangement. That 90m was spent on new aircraft.

U.S. airlines receive about $1 billion per year in tax breaks from state and local governments.  What do they spend it on?

http://skift.com/2015/05/10/united-airlines-cuts-wages-while-outsourcing-to-company-with-big-tax-breaks/

And almost all of the US airlines have shed enormous amounts of debt through bankruptcy in the past decade as well.

[ben says]

Exactly right. They've never been in better shape...yet they have the world's worst legacy carrier products. Hence the proliferation and popularity of JetBlue/Southwest styled airlines...

[MattyJax]

I couldn't have been more excited when this service was announced.  I've always wanted to take my wife to the Maldives on a Middle Eastern carrier, but getting there from FL is a big hassle.  This service shaves many hours off the journey.  And since Emirates has the BOGO with Amex Platinum, I went big and we're doing it in First.  Just wish it was on the A380, but 777-200LR will be nice I'm sure.

[The_Choose_1]

I couldn't have been more excited when this service was announced.  I've always wanted to take my wife to the Maldives on a Middle Eastern carrier, but getting there from FL is a big hassle.  This service shaves many hours off the journey.  And since Emirates has the BOGO with Amex Platinum, I went big and we're doing it in First.  Just wish it was on the A380, but 777-200LR will be nice I'm sure.

http://fly4.emirates.com/CAB/IBE/ResultByPrice.aspx If you and your wife flew out on September 1st you could take the A380-300 and if you stayed a week round trip airfare First Class will only put you back USD 29,237. Now if you go Economy for two people it's only USD 2,593 for both passengers. And Business Class for two only USD 15,819. And you would start your trip off in a A380-300 from Orlando Fl you finish up in a 777-300ER and of course this is on September 1st other days I bet the A380-300 could be booked. Now these flights or just regular bookings with Emirates and not the great deals you have with Amex Platinum enjoy your flight. p.s. If you do go First Class you could take a five minute shower. WOW! But if your fat it would take you five minutes just to soap up?

[finehoe]

Capitalist Airlines Demand Federal Government Restrict Competition

The three big U.S. international airlines say competition from rapidly expanding Persian Gulf carriers has cut their passenger load to the Middle East and Asia by more than 20 percent.

That data was contained in the latest salvo from the triumvirate — American Airlines, Delta and United — as they seek federal intervention to slow the growth of gulf carriers.

In a filing this week to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the three U.S. airlines said the competition had caused sharp declines in their passenger volume from three major domestic airports that serve as hubs for routes to the Middle East and Asia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/us-airlines-say-persian-gulf-carriers-taking-big-slice-of-international-pie/2015/08/26/b81ea098-4c12-11e5-bfb9-9736d04fc8e4_story.html