Four (or Five!) Reasons Why

…Greyhound Should Start An Airline

1. Greyhound operates a pretty efficient transportation system, highlighted by general admission seating to all of their buses. While Southwest and a number of European discount carriers already do this, Greyhound has a lot of experience in loading vehicles quickly, efficiently and hitting the road on schedule. More so, they operate a system in which a lot of airlines should be interested and could follow if they were smart - Priority Seating! For an extra $5 per trip,  “With our new Priority Seating service, you can reserve your own seat and pre-board without waiting in line first. Relax in the terminal while knowing in advance where you will sit on the bus, and board ahead of other non-priority passengers.” Truly innovative!

2. Nobody has ever had any expectations about receiving snacks and drinks on a bus. BYO F&B, baby! It’s always a picnic on Greyhound! With all airlines looking to cut costs, one of first things to go were free snack, drinks and meals. At least with Greyhound, passengers will already know what, or what not to expect.

3. Part of the pleasure of bus travel is that all you can really do is read or watch the countryside pass by. No drop-down screens from the ceiling, no seat-back entertainment systems. You just have to amuse yourself. With US Airways announcement that they are removing in-flight entertainment systems on domestic flights starting in November, Greyhound wouldn’t have to go above and beyond what they already offer. As for US Airways, Forbes.com notes, “The systems eat into aircraft fuel supply since they weigh a whopping 500 pounds each, saving the airline some $10.0 million, annually.”

4. In a move that could transform airlines travel management, Greyhound could teach an old dog a new trick. Much like in a bus terminal, every passenger could have the pleasure of loading their own baggage on to the plane. In fact, this would create a self-regulating environment - travel only what you can carry and load! Think of the fuel savings!