Caribbean Airlines responds to online criticism
Caribbean Airlines seems to have some very expensive fares, according to the air travelling public. Just yesterday I was listening to Red96.7 FM, which was “catching kicks” about how expensive a one-way trip was. Similarly, the Barbados Free Press (BFP) blog has often noted the expensive fares. Caribbean Airlines, however, is quick to claim that it’s prices are competitive, and has submitted a press release to BFP. Check out this response from Francois Pariseau, Caribbean Airlines’ Director of Marketing, who also joins the comments debate on BFP.
I must say that I’m pleased to see that at a Caribbean company is taking blogs seriously. For too long, communicators on our shores haven’t really tapped into the potential of social media and its impact on marketing communications and corporate reputation, among other areas. Now, I must reiterate my disclaimer that in some cases, social media hasn’t begun to affect companies’ image. However, for Caribbean Airlines, which targets international audiences, tapping into online opinion is important. You can’t afford to ignore a blog like Barbados Free Press, which has high ranking in the blogosphere with a usually secure place in the top 35 wordpress blogs (out of thousands of wordpress blogs).
Check out some of the comments that people made about Caribbean Airlines:
“I’m a Trinidadian living in N.J. and yes I used to be a loyal BWIA supporter, but unfortunately the way in which C/A pulled out of Barbados and other islands on flights to the USA was to say the least, a complete disregard for the Caribbean as a whole. I have looked at flights to Trinidad and there are noticeably higher. I am planning to visit Barbados in January for two weeks to relax and I’m flying Air Jamaica non stop.
There is no way I’m flying CA, leaving JFK at 01:00 am to rush to connect in POS to BGI, that’s not happening. C/A made a major faux pax to say the least and kudos to Air Jamaica for picking up the slack.The flights out of POS into JFK arrive during the height of the NYC and JFK rush, I did this over Christmas and never again. When BWIA flew the route the flights arrived at 10:00 PM, which was way, way better, it was much easier to arrange for someone to pick you up with no chance of traffic or someone having to leave work early, whoever thought of this “new” arrival time into JFK at C/A should be fired.”
“Caribbean Airlines will be dead and gone by Christmas.Christmas 2007.
Monsieur Pariseau is already looking around for his next employment postbecause he knows darned well that Caribbean Airlines is nothing more than the Trinidad Government’s way of easing the Trini public off their perceived ‘need’ for a national airline! They didn’t have to guts to just DUMP BWIA and say “We done wid dat folly” The whole thing is running exactly on schedule.It’s just a big Closing Down Sale thing, don’t you seeee?
If the airline was serious about staying aloft, they wouldn’t have that insane pie-in-the-sky fare structure, and furthermore only patriotic (rich!) fools would pay those fares.
It’s O.V.E.R. dude!”
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I think it’s ridiculous that it’s cheaper to buy Caribbean Airlines ticket POS-BGI and BA BGI-London separately, than buying exactly the SAME itinerary together (either thru BA or Caribbean Airlines). It’s even cheaper to book a complete itinerary to London on BA (connecting in BGI) from GUYANA!!
When it comes to intra regional travel, Caribbean Airlines is often cheaper than LIAT though, and at least ON TIME. It’s one thing I have to say they changed for the better from BWee.
LIAT is beyond ridiculous and put out a detailed explanation for the reasons for its increased fare structure in its current magazine. But who’s going to care when they are never on time and cancel flights left right and centre. They’re not even trying to provide real service.
I do think that there may be hope for Caribbean Airlines and I am holding out to the end of year 1 to see what changes they may make. The timings of the routes may be for economic reasons. I don’t know. I am still waiting.