Seating configuration

[Raptor1090]

Hello AirwaySimmers,

I recently started playing a new game and had a question regarding reconfiguring one of my aircrafts'. Bear in mind that I'm running a very young airline and cash is not so readily available.
One of my routes has a significant C-class demand (~25-30pax per day) with just one rival operating the same route and I am tempted to add premium seats to the aircraft operating this route. The "upgrade" costs ~545k to add 10 standard C-class seats and I'm just not sure if it's worth spending the extra. I did some rough calculations and considering a LF of 50% of the premium seats and a price difference of about $500 per seat per way (including the loss of 2 seats after the reconfiguration), that gives a $30,000 extra income per week, flying 6 times a week. This way the initial 545k, with interest, comes back to me in about 4-5 months. Am I being too optimistic with the calculations or will the reality be more or less the same. I do not want to take a risk experimenting at such a crucial stage of my game, so just wanted the opinion of a more experienced player.

Thanks for your help!

[psw231]

 Consider what would you think your worst case would be for the upgrade to payback and the length of the lease on the ac. Also would that money be a sinificant portion of the lease of another ac that would make more than the gain of the upgrade. Generally the upgrade is a good idea as you will increase your income with a one time investment while keeping your fixed costs the same, another ac will add new fixed costs with fuel, staff, landing fees and such plus new slot cost expenses. If a new ac can be used on the same route it can increase LF's and market share possibly equaling the gains of the upgrade and more than paying for the increase in fixed costs. Allways lots of factors to consider.

[MattMarderosian]

On my 717-200HGW i have 70 y class 8 c class and 6 F class i use this aircraft on flight over 1600nm

[knobbygb]

Consider that the competitor may also have quite a few C class seats which will make a big difference to what you can expect to get in terms of load factor. Can you tell from his aircraft type and number of seats offered what his configuration is?

Generally I add business seats as soon as I have the spare cash BUT not too early in the game.  If the money would get you an extra aircraft and there are other routes, or, even better, more demand on this route then you'd surely make more money that way.

Remember that you don't attract so many premium passengers until your Company Image is "higher" (I'm not sure of the exact number required - that's just something that's said by a lot of experienced players).

Also, does this aircraft just fly to the one destination or does it go elsewhere - where there may not be the demand and the C class seats would be wasted?

Personally, I'd wait until $545k changes from being " A LOT   of money" into "A fair bit of money".