Another part of the United cost-saving plans is the dismantling of “Ted.” Founded in 2003-04 as an all-economy “leisure destination” service (and one that could use non-union labor), United hoped it could compete better against discount airline like Southwest and JetBlue.
Apparently not, and just as Delta shuttered its “Song” and Continental its “Continental Lite,” United will be phasing out Ted next spring, repainting its planes and (of course) adding a first class cabin.
I actually liked Ted, on the occasions I flew on it, for two reasons that had nothing to do with whatever it was (profit) that United was seeking for it. First off, the planes were new and shiny (which beats a lot of the getting-grungy older fleet that United has). Second, it seemed to give United an opportunity to try new service models and options in food, entertainment, etc. It felt “perky” and fresh and innovative.
Perky, though, apparently doesn’t pay the bills. Luggage fees and first class cabins, though, do.
Bye, Ted.
I “Flew” on TED a couple of times….~snort~
Okay, more like I was booked on TED and it used several other Airlines in the Five Star Partnership thing with United and mostly it was USAir, which sucketh muchly, so no great loss as far as I can see.
Well, true, US Air sucketh mightily. Worse than Delta or American.
One smallish bright spot in all the United bad news is that they’ve cancelled the proposed acquisition of US Air, being short of cash for the deal.