Netflix changed the face of television and movies across the world when it introduced first its unique mail-in rental service and later its hassle-free streaming service. Now Netflix is the poster child of media innovation, leading to its own original programming and a host of imitators, and the phrase “Netflix and chill” is now common enough that even your grandmother probably knows what you’re talking about. Air travel company OneGo wants to take that crown of innovation to be the top of the air travel industry, and it plans to do it in a way that has never been done before.
Subscription-based services have become the business model of the new millennium. Movies, music, video games and more have used the model to rethink the way business is done in the 21st century and to find a way to work around an economy that encourages more options for cheaper prices. A seemingly unlimited amount of songs that I can listen to whenever I want for one price per month? A selection of beloved TV shows and movies that I can watch whenever I want for one price a month? An assortment of games that I can play anytime I want for one price a month? This is what OneGo wants to do, by introducing a plan that allows consumers to have unlimited travel within the U.S. via all major U.S. airlines for one price a month.
According to the company’s F.A.Q. page, OneGo is an app where users can choose a selection of regional plans that allow for unlimited flight in specific regions between 76 major airports through over 700 routes. Depending on your plan, as you can see in the graphic below, the prices will vary:
- A West Coast-only plan would include 35 routes through 14 airports in about a handful of states for $1,500 a month.
- A Central U.S.-only plan would include 35 routes through 18 airports in around a dozen states for $1,950.
- An East Coast-only plan would include 39 airports through 158 routes in over two dozen states for $2,300.
- An unlimited nationwide plan is set for $2,950.
It should be noted that there is also a one-time account setup fee of $495, and flight cancellations cost $100. But it should also be noted that travelers don’t have to sign up for any long term commitment, and can cancel their subscription at any time.
The service seems aimed at the most frequent of flyers in the country, using that and the subscription-based model as a way to predict costs for a financially uncertain industry that is overwhelmed by peak seasons changes, fluctuating prices and more. Consumers can also still earn frequent flyer miles and all of the perks that came with their respective programs.
The airlines available currently include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines and Virgin America. OneGo has chosen to focus their attention on popular cities and routes that frequent flyers take, but promise that once they grow, they’ll expand to more locations. Business and first classes will be unavailable for the time being, with only Economy Class seats available. In the future, consumers can also customize their plan with add-ons like last-minute booking, more open bookings and unlimited changes.
Does this sound like a viable business plan to you? It will be interesting to see if this plan will succeed, and whether it will lead to international successs. OneGo has just launched: will you be flying with them? Let us know in the comments below.