Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of airline route networks. Have you ever traveled by plane and wondered how airlines decide which routes to operate? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that some airlines seem to dominate certain markets? How do you think airlines compete with each other, and what factors do you think influence their decisions about which routes to offer?
Consider the following questions:
- What are some factors that you think might influence an airline’s decision to operate a particular route?
- Have you ever experienced a flight delay or cancellation, and if so, how did it affect your travel plans?
- Do you have a preferred airline, and if so, what factors contribute to your loyalty to that airline?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Take a look at the featured image for this activity:
What do you see in the image? What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Consider the following questions:
- What are the main elements of the image, and how do they relate to the topic of airline route networks?
- What predictions can you make about the content of this activity based on the image?
Introduction:
Read the introduction to the activity, which provides an overview of the US airlines industry and its characteristics as an oligopoly. Consider the following questions:
- What are the main characteristics of an oligopoly, and how do they apply to the US airlines industry?
- How do the three largest US airlines (United, American, and Delta) compete with each other, and what strategies do they use to differentiate themselves?
Video Engagement:
Watch the video associated with this activity, which explores the design of airline route networks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY7cQNx4Hg4. Pause the video at the following points and consider the following questions:
- At 2:00 minutes: What are the main factors that influence an airline’s decision to operate a particular route, and how do these factors impact the airline’s network design?
- At 5:00 minutes: How do airlines use algorithms to standardize fares and avoid price competition, and what are the implications of this strategy for consumers?
- At 8:00 minutes: What are the key differences between the network designs of United, American, and Delta Airlines, and how do these differences reflect their competitive strategies?
For more information about this activity, visit the original post: https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/the-design-of-airline-route-networks/
