As a PM between me and another today made me aware many may not be aware of the absolute goldmine of information that is hidden within the "Statistics" tab of the game menu.
Anyway, so you want to know how your seat load factors are compared to your competition? Well, where there is a will (and a calculator even if only the human brain) there is a way.
First look at the page in the "Database" menu labeled "Statistics". There you can find all kinds of wonderful information. Limit by your country you are interested in so you don't have to go through 1200 airlines to find your target. Then do "Enterprises: passengers/week". Write/type the number down that number. Then do the same with "Enterprises: passenger capacity/week" .
Then do the math. The percentage you get is their seat load factor. Boom.
If your competitor is running under 70% then they are likely struggling to make ends meet and are in the danger zone. And you can compare how your model works against theirs.
By the way...70% is just a guideline. I've run profitable airlines under 70%...but they generally were in uncontested space that could go with a premium price.
I never thought this needs to be written down as it is obvious but as you went to that extent with a detailed and lengthy explanation I helped you by adding the formula for those who have forgotten it. This is a crucial formula to know when working with business.
If your competitor is running under 70% then they are likely struggling to make ends meet and are in the danger zone. And you can compare how your model works against theirs.
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Dito to what CBE said, thought that SLF info is common knowledge.
And no, that would be way too easy.
You can have 95% SLF and still barely make the week, or you can well run a profitable operation at under 50% - it’s all a matter of how you earn your money. Why there’s only 50% is a different question, but there can actually be a reasonable answer to it. High SLF low profits is a management fail though in most AS-cases.
What's more important for comparison is dollars. How much profit did the competitor make per seat/seatmile offered for example.
If you look into the SLF of an competitor in the first week, the numbers most likely will not show too much. I know that the first week(s) is / are crucial.
"Anyway, so you want to know how your seat load factors are compared to your competition?"
My answer was an answer to the initial question, CBE. As you are also saying that numbers are going down and then sometimes up again, I would suggest for newbies not to give too much on these numbers in the first days and weeks if you don't have the knowledge how to read them.
The truth is that since the passenger information is known anyway this should also be filled in on the ailrine's facts and figures page. It isn't like this is proprietary knowledge. Obviously the rest shouldn't be filled in but this would make sense.
As AS is a game for pros I think players should atleast have the knowledge of finding it out. Now they even have it pointed in their face on the forums.
As CBE already wrote, other numbers are more important... profit is way more important than SLF. SLF does not say anything if you don't know the other factors. With owned planes, you can fly with half full planes and make high profit. Can this be realized by a new player? No...
As CBE already wrote, other numbers are more important... profit is way more important than SLF. SLF does not say anything if you don't know the other factors. With owned planes, you can fly with half full planes and make high profit. Can this be realized by a new player? No...
Don't forget to deduct what you paid for the plane from that "high profit".
CBE: Apologies to you. My post was out of line and I've deleted it.
The problem with profit is it is nearly impossible to figure out for a competitor unless they are public. You could potentially do many things to get a rough estimate but ultimately there are so many variables that it will just be a rough estimate. Just tracking how often they add a new plane while they are in the growth stage will give you a pretty good idea of how they are doing. (That is just one method obviously just a rough guide)
70% is just a guideline. Obviously like you mentioned an airline with a bunch of owned planes can afford to go under that significantly. But I don't know any strategy that will allow you to go much under 50% and still make money.
I am not the best at this game and I have never said it but I have had some sizable achievements ingame, I am also elected UAB and have contributed to the game in many ways you have no idea about. No need for you to remark on my posts without giving a constructive answer. Let´s not hijack this topic shall we?
I am also elected UAB and have contributed to the game in many ways you have no idea about.
Always find a way to tell us how "great" you are.... If you bothered to even think about my three letter response it had nothing to do with you, so no need to post your "contributions". My post was a jab at the regurgitation of the laughable AS "mission statement".
No need for you to remark on my posts without giving a constructive answer.
Unless you have ben elected as a moderator, no need for you to tell someone how to resond to your posts.
Let´s not hijack this topic shall we?
That happened long before my post.
However, good job by Lipscomb at showing those that don't know how to figure out others load factor. Also good job to Highscore for showing why that information might not be important to others.