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Save/ShareThe highly rated domestic carrier based out of Milwaukee, Wis., and Kansas City, Mo., announced last week that it was seeking to cut the number of its planes by as much as half—leaving it with just 20-25 Boeing 717 jets and none of the less fuel-efficient MD-80s.
The cuts don't end there: Midwest also wants to lay off hundreds of employees and get pay cuts of as much as 65% from the unionized pilots and flight attendants that will be staying on. If all the cuts go through, this will leave Midwest with about 200 pilots and about the same number of attendants. Service reductions, although not yet announced for the fall schedule, are also in the cards.
As Jaunted points out, no one want to fly on an airline that seems doomed or about to go through Chapter 11. It really does sound as if this restructuring is that one last-ditch attempt before declaring bankruptcy.
And what's likely to happen if Midwest doesn't recover? It might be an opening for the competitor AirTran to move in on Midwest's territory. And it might mean that Midwest gets swallowed up as part of a possible new Delta-Northwest airline. (Northwest owns a 47 percent share in Midwest, and Delta stands to inherit it if a planned merger goes through.) "It appears to me that the Midwest fleet is no longer needed," said one analyst from Airline Forecasts LLC, a Virginia-based consulting firm.
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I am saddened to hear about Midwest's financial troubles. They are a great airline! Love the hot fresh cookies baked in flight and the large comfortable seats!
Posted By suntrvlr on June 30, 2008, 12:23 PM
I agree with suntrvlr. When I was stranded in Florida, they went out of there way to make sure everyone was accommodated and found us a plane to use to get us back to Kansas City. Service is superior, prices are fair and you can't beat a plane set up in a 2x2 first class configuration!!
Posted By Modern Day Gypsy on June 30, 2008, 1:58 PM
I agree that Midwest is a great airline. I have sometimes paid more just to fly on Midwest because their planes are so comfortable and their service so good. They also have direct flights where I want to go without having to negotiate the crazy hub system which makes a trip 2 or 3 times as long as it should be and is, in my opinion, a tremendous waste of fuel. Midwest is like flying first class on an economy budget. I hope that they are able to become financially stable and continue operations.
Posted By Marilyn Long on June 30, 2008, 2:55 PM
This is so sad. I travel all the time - usually from KC to NY and love midwest. Great airline/service and only one to go direct from KC to NY. Just today I had to book through another airline as their "out 2-week" travel costs were over double of other airlines. I wish them the very best and hope they get back on their feet. I'll support them as much as possible, but just couldn't do it this time.
Sad in KC but still a huge fan!!!
Posted By ladams on June 30, 2008, 4:23 PM
As a regular on Midwest (average 60,000 miles/yearly) I will be lost without them! What is most upsetting at this time is the fact we (family and friends) numbering 38 people have flights already booked for October to attend my daughters wedding in Florida. At this time they are leaving us stranded with no definate answers! I have been waiting 29 years to walk her down the aisle, I'll be there but of no help to at one time my favorite airline.
Posted By Upset in Wisconsin on July 1, 2008, 4:26 PM
I love Midwest Airlines and am terribly upset about this news! I have been flying on almost a monthly basis for many years back and forth from WI to CT on direct flights, paying extra because it's worth it for convenience. We have flights booked through November and I'm scared that we won't be accomodated. I sure hope there is some plan in place for those of us who have tickets purchased already.
Posted By josiemidwestflyer on July 11, 2008, 12:40 PM