Several carriers have been experimenting with airline subscriptions in recent years. The model is yet to make a mark across the aviation industry. However, there has already been a positive response in the market. Caravelo works with the likes of Volaris and Viva Air to offer subscriptions to passengers. Simple Flying recently spoke with the company’s product marketing specialist, Jess Evans, about the reaction so far.
Making the process easier
Altogether, Caravelo provides solutions to help companies boost profitability by automating customer processes, optimizing revenue opportunities, and creating what it calls hyper-loyalty.
As part of its range of products, it launched a flight subscription model to reward regular travelers with fixed price flights when they pay a set amount each month with either a single or round trip flight each month.
Volaris introduced its subscription program, called V.Pass, approximately two years ago. It sought to target younger market segments with a desire to head overseas. With these audiences flocking to subscription services in the digital realm, the Mexican carrier’s leadership felt that it would be a good opportunity to apply this model to the aviation industry.
Up to 30,000 customers signed up for the low-cost outfit’s pass. Not including taxes, they can hit the skies for a fly a domestic trip each month for a fixed price and are invoiced monthly. For around Mex$399 (≈$20) per month, passengers can fly anywhere on the airline’s domestic routes. Alternatively, they can pay Mex$639 (≈$32) a month for a guaranteed return ticket. Moreover, fliers can add ancillary options to their monthly plans at additional costs.
Benefits across the board
Caravelo shares how Volaris made a good call. Passengers are enjoying the benefits of this approach across the board.
“The response has been very well, passengers truly understand the benefits and model, the same as Netflix, Spotify, etc. For this, it means they don’t have to worry about fluctuating flight prices, and know how much they’ll be spending each month,” Evans told Simple Flying
“It also creates convenience, they don’t need to each month find a flight on a price comparison site and waste time in this way. They can usually fly up to three days before. For some, it creates the opportunity for them to fly more often to see family or friends.”
As a result of this positive passenger response, airlines can significantly benefit. Evans explains that the airline industry is very focused on a transactional model. The customer purchases the product, uses it, and churns. However, the subscription model means carriers get incremental revenue and guaranteed income each month.
A well-rounded approach
In turn, this approach is very attractive to investors as it means they can predict a certain amount of income. It also means a healthy mixture of business models for airlines. Notably, during the pandemic, many operators with transactional models lost the bulk of their income immediately. However, if they had a healthier mixture of transactional and recurring business models, then many wouldn’t have had such a significant financial impact.
The model also creates hype loyalty. Once a subscription is locked in for a period of time such as 12 months, carriers have a channel of communication with their customers to cross-sell and upsell. Subsequently, a brand relationship is created.
Speaking of the pandemic, carriers have been receptive to opening a partnership with Carevelo this year. Evans explains that this is because they want to innovate and re-invent themselves and find new ways to accelerate growth. The company also noticed that passengers continued to pay for their subscriptions. Nonetheless, it gave customers some leeway amid the challenging conditions. Regardless, travelers are waiting to fly again and the firm knows that when they do, they want reasonably priced flights waiting for them.
With 2021 around the corner, Caravelo is looking forward to exciting new partners and projects. When it comes to its subscription model, it is looking forward to working with other airlines in the next chapter of the aviation industry’s story.
Wholesale specialist Costco recently announced that it is selling a business jet subscription service. Therefore, there are solutions of this type being provided in both the commercial and private sector. The airline industry is undoubtedly facing the most unprecedented challenges ever. So, taking on new models could be what keeps many airlines fighting this decade.
What are your thoughts about Caravelo’s airline subscription model? Is this something that you’d like to eventually try out? Let us know what you think of the approach in the comment section.