Skybus review

Posted on June 30, 2007 by wyliemac
07June150 Anyone flown on the new Skybus airline yet? I have. And while I didn't get a $10 flight, I did enjoy my experience and would recommend it to others.

The airplanes were new, clean and spacious. The seats were comfortable. And best of all, my flight to Burbank was non-stop. Heck, even if I could save a few bucks on another airline, I would go with Skybus just for the direct flight. Here's a couple of travel tips:
  • You board and de-plane from the front and back of the plane, which greatly speeds up to de-boarding process. I don't know why other airlines do that. However, you have to go outside to get on and off the plane, so in bad weather the speed might not be so welcome.
  • Forget what Skybus says about taking your own food on board. I did, and I saw plenty of others do so as well. It looks like they don't enforce that rule. Of course, your experience may vary.
  • Notwithstanding the above, you still might want to buy some food or drink and tip the flight attendant. I hear they only make $9 per flight hour. But they do share 10% of the in flight sales. (This may be false, but that's what I heard.)
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  • Brent

    I also took my wife recently from Columbus to Oakland for a trip to San Francisco. First time on Skybus, and was kind of hesitant. Got us to and fro for 400.00 total, and also included priority boarding. Would not pay for it again, as really dont care where I sit, and there are always 2 seats together somewhere. ONly complaints were the plane was 2 hours late. Other than that, clean, friendly, and pleasant overall. It is Virgin Air or Delta? No. But Flying out of Cincinnati(also the most expensive airport in the country to fly out of....again) is not feasible due to costs. Would rather drive 70 minutes to Columbus. Smaller airport, quicker secuity. Have since booked a trip to New York(Stewart International) for $10 each way. Also Fort Lauderdale for $35 each way. Wasn't planning on these trips, but felt for the price, I could not pass it up.

  • Brent

    I also took my wife recently from Columbus to Oakland for a trip to San Francisco. First time on Skybus, and was kind of hesitant. Got us to and fro for 400.00 total, and also included priority boarding. Would not pay for it again, as really dont care where I sit, and there are always 2 seats together somewhere. ONly complaints were the plane was 2 hours late. Other than that, clean, friendly, and pleasant overall. It is Virgin Air or Delta? No. But Flying out of Cincinnati(also the most expensive airport in the country to fly out of....again) is not feasible due to costs. Would rather drive 70 minutes to Columbus. Smaller airport, quicker secuity. Have since booked a trip to New York(Stewart International) for $10 each way. Also Fort Lauderdale for $35 each way. Wasn't planning on these trips, but felt for the price, I could not pass it up.

  • GoBucksDave

    Fly Skybus!

    My wife & I just returned from San Francisco. We flew out of Columbus to Oakland on 8/26 & returned 9/1. While we are not frequent fliers we do fly once to twice a year on average and have experience flying many different carriers. We did NOT pay $10 per seat...and we don't feel slighted one bit. We WILL fly Skybus again, especially in light of the terrible costs of flying out of Cincinnati (our closest major airport).

    But we will fly Skybus again for reasons other than cost: they do a great job! Every member of the staff (in flight and on the ground) was polite, courteous, & friendly. Our outgoing & incoming flights were either on-time or early. The food we paid for was good (slightly overpriced BUT, considering the in flight staff is at the lower level of the pay scale...and is so darn pleasant...I don't mind...their service was better than most of the "pros" we've run into from Delta, AA, United, etc.!). Yes..you also will get a sales pitch or two for the "trinkets, treats, and sparkly things" they sell during the flight...but it is NOT high-pressure or bothersome....unless you are one of those people who are annoyed at just about anything. And...please...if you are that type of person, please find some other airline anyway! In fact, the whole Skybus attitude & experience was quite refreshing.

    The tips you've probably already read about checking in & printing your boarding passes on-line, getting there early, & standing in line are worth following and remembering. If you can afford the extra $10 for priority seating...do it! If you can't or you just don't care where you sit on a flight...pocket that $10 and enjoy the ride. We don't have young children, so standing in line is no big deal but...if you have children...you'd be wise to bring some entertaining stuff to keep them occupied while you wait.

    The planes are new or pretty darn near new. The seats are quite comfortable...and we ought to know after flying 4 1/2 hours one way twice! This is NOT some junky, bargain-basement carrier with crummy planes that may get you there alive. Skybus is...for the average, everyday human being...a great way to get to and from their destinations comfortable and safely.

    A few Oakland observations for you: be ready for a different type of airport than Pt. Columbus or Cincy or Indy when you de-plane in Oakland. In comparison, Oakland's airport is less clean, less organized, and generally less friendly than any of the previously mentioned airports. If you take public transportation to get to San Francisco you will take the BART shuttle bus ($3.00 per person) to the Oakland Coliseum stop....change to one of the BART trains (catch the right one...not all of them go to San Fran!) which will vary in cost depending on where you plan to get off in S.F. (you will need to pay BEFORE you go up to the train platform). I strongly suggest you acquaint yourself with both the BART and MUNI systems BEFORE you go and TAKE A COPY OF THE TRANSIT MAPS WITH YOU for reference sake as they are not always as conveniently posted for review as they are in other cities (like Chicago, for example). Also, depending on the time of year you travel, be ready for a higher temperature in Oakland than in San Francisco...so don't just pack clothes for one season if you are weather-sensitive.

    We gave Skybus a shot...and were pleasantly suprised. We think you will be, too!

  • GoBucksDave

    Fly Skybus!


    My wife & I just returned from San Francisco. We flew out of Columbus to Oakland on 8/26 & returned 9/1. While we are not frequent fliers we do fly once to twice a year on average and have experience flying many different carriers. We did NOT pay $10 per seat...and we don't feel slighted one bit. We WILL fly Skybus again, especially in light of the terrible costs of flying out of Cincinnati (our closest major airport).



    But we will fly Skybus again for reasons other than cost: they do a great job! Every member of the staff (in flight and on the ground) was polite, courteous, & friendly. Our outgoing & incoming flights were either on-time or early. The food we paid for was good (slightly overpriced BUT, considering the in flight staff is at the lower level of the pay scale...and is so darn pleasant...I don't mind...their service was better than most of the "pros" we've run into from Delta, AA, United, etc.!). Yes..you also will get a sales pitch or two for the "trinkets, treats, and sparkly things" they sell during the flight...but it is NOT high-pressure or bothersome....unless you are one of those people who are annoyed at just about anything. And...please...if you are that type of person, please find some other airline anyway! In fact, the whole Skybus attitude & experience was quite refreshing.



    The tips you've probably already read about checking in & printing your boarding passes on-line, getting there early, & standing in line are worth following and remembering. If you can afford the extra $10 for priority seating...do it! If you can't or you just don't care where you sit on a flight...pocket that $10 and enjoy the ride. We don't have young children, so standing in line is no big deal but...if you have children...you'd be wise to bring some entertaining stuff to keep them occupied while you wait.



    The planes are new or pretty darn near new. The seats are quite comfortable...and we ought to know after flying 4 1/2 hours one way twice! This is NOT some junky, bargain-basement carrier with crummy planes that may get you there alive. Skybus is...for the average, everyday human being...a great way to get to and from their destinations comfortable and safely.



    A few Oakland observations for you: be ready for a different type of airport than Pt. Columbus or Cincy or Indy when you de-plane in Oakland. In comparison, Oakland's airport is less clean, less organized, and generally less friendly than any of the previously mentioned airports. If you take public transportation to get to San Francisco you will take the BART shuttle bus ($3.00 per person) to the Oakland Coliseum stop....change to one of the BART trains (catch the right one...not all of them go to San Fran!) which will vary in cost depending on where you plan to get off in S.F. (you will need to pay BEFORE you go up to the train platform). I strongly suggest you acquaint yourself with both the BART and MUNI systems BEFORE you go and TAKE A COPY OF THE TRANSIT MAPS WITH YOU for reference sake as they are not always as conveniently posted for review as they are in other cities (like Chicago, for example). Also, depending on the time of year you travel, be ready for a higher temperature in Oakland than in San Francisco...so don't just pack clothes for one season if you are weather-sensitive.



    We gave Skybus a shot...and were pleasantly suprised. We think you will be, too!

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