milodesc
NJ
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i was just driving through downtown and saw an ad for http://www.skybus.com.
i saw on their site that they're looking to offer "safe, convenient travel at fares well below anything now available from Columbus."
looks like they're not open for business yet, but an article written in november says they'd be operational spring 2007. i assume this project isn't dead since they're advertising downtown.
anyone have additional info on this, besides whats shown on the website?
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Yeah, I've been reading about them off and on for awhile now, but haven't really said much because I didn't think anyone would care to talk about it until they got closer to launch and a new airline actually MEANS something to everyone here (ie: cheap vacations). Plus I was worried that this might just turn out to be another FlyMissionAir blunder.
But yeah, now that you bring it up, it is pretty cool to have an airline based here. Hopefully it will help to speed along the Future Development Plans at CMH.
timothyb
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Hmm, Skybus, Megabus.. What could be next? Minibus? Magicbus?
I've seen the billboards for Skybus for months, but nothing seems to be happening as far as actually announcing when they will start operating. The same sort of thing is happening with Virgin America.
I did notice that Greyhound is trying to upscale itself with new ads touting "newer buses and terminals" and the like. I will be riding the Megabus to Chi-town in a few weeks and I'll post a review then..
All aboard!!!!
Hanging Lady: Nervous?
Ted Striker: Yes.
Hanging Lady: First time?
Ted Striker: No, I've been nervous lots of times.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Skybus awaiting approval from FAAStartup airline had hoped to be flying by March or April
Thursday, March 15, 2007
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Skybus Airlines, which had hoped to start flying in March or April, is at least two months from beginning operations.
The company is waiting for certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, which is expected within five weeks, said Bill Diffenderffer, Skybus CEO.
"We’re heading toward flying in May," Diffenderffer said this week. "We went back and forth about announcing our routes earlier, but we decided it would just give our competitors a needless advantage since we can’t sell tickets until we get FAA approval."
While Skybus waits for the FAA to act, much of the groundwork for the airline is falling into place. Skybus has a new $8 million home in Concourse B at Port Columbus. The Columbus-based startup has more than 100 people on its payroll, has ordered planes and engines valued at close to $4 billion and is in the process of moving into 100,000 square feet of leased hangar and office space next to the airport.
timothyb
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Here's a pic of one of their planes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drust/431611077/
They are using their planes as billboards.
Also, one of the founders of Skybus was a co-founder of Ryanair, Europe's top discount airline, so I'm guessing it really will be cheap to fly Skybus..
Jeffrey Collins
Reynoldsburg
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Hopefully that advertisement will help to make our ticket prices low. I don't mind if the plane is packed, just as long as I can get to NYC for cheap.
Maybe Delta should think about doing adverts on their planes...that and lower their prices...maybe that would help get them out of Bankruptcy. Idiots.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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New Airline Announces Destinations, SalesApr 24 2007 8:11AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Skybus Airlines, which will begin flying out of Port Columbus International Airport next month, announced its routes Tuesday.
The airline started selling tickets on its Web site at 6 a.m. to eight nonstop destinations, 10TV's Maureen Kocot reported.
People who were quick enough to book fares might have been able to take advantage of the airline's promise to sell at least 10 seats on each of its flights for $10, before standard taxes and fees.
Once the $10 fares are sold out, prices for the remaining 140 passengers will be higher. Skybus claims that those fares will cost about half of what other airlines charges to the same destinations from Columbus.
Skybus willl fly nonstop to Bellingham, Wash., Burbank, Calif., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Greensboro, N.C., Kansas City, Mo., Oakland, Calif., Portsmouth, N.H., and Richmond, Va.
The airline is described as no-frills, which means that customers could pay extra for amenities that some airlines offer for free, Kocot reported. Skybus will charge extra for checked bags, priority seating and all on-board refreshments.
vestanpance
Harrison West/at work OSU
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Very cool, and some interesting locations.
timothyb
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Hmm so this means no packing a sandwich or a snack in your bag =(
Will they arrest you for bringing your own sandwich??
That's harsh.
Most people love our full cocktail bar and food menu, but if you’re not into that, it won’t cost you a penny. Why should your ticket cost include your neighbor’s dinner? That also goes for blankets and pillows–which, by the way, you get to keep if you buy. Oh, and don’t sneak food onboard unless you brought enough for the whole plane.
vestanpance
Harrison West/at work OSU
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$32 round trip to LA or San fran any weekend in OCT. That's not bad either :p
vestanpance
Harrison West/at work OSU
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Anne wrote So excited for the Summer!!!!
summer? How about next winter in So Cal :)
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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This should attract young folks from all over the the area to Columbus if they want easy access to cheap flights out of here. As far as I'm concerned, this is great for the city. Now, if only they could build a light-rail shuttle train from downtown to the airport. There's already existing tracks from under the Convention Center that go right out there! How hard could that be?
Anne & I already booked our tickets to San Fran in mid-June. $160 round trip for two people after taxes.
:)
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