I was about to disrupt quick commerce… until the government ruined my plan. So naturally, I pivoted to starting an airline.

In this episode of The Jest Business, I share my breakthrough ideas in airline pricing strategy – from business class upgrades without perks to finally monetising the middle seat in economy class. If you’ve ever been confused by airline ticket pricing, seat selection fees, and endless airline add-ons, trust me… there’s a method to the madness.

This is my masterclass in dynamic pricing, airline upselling, and creative revenue models.

After this episode, every airline upgrade and boarding pass fee will suddenly make perfect sense. ✈️

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 | Why My Startup Pivoted to an Airline

00:43 | The Real Innovation in Airlines (It’s Not Planes)

01:14 | The Sneaky Business Class Upgrade Trick

02:12 | How Airlines Charge for Everything

03:04 | Why Economy Passengers Still Pay More

03:16 | The “Priority Toilet Access” Seat Strategy

03:37 | My Plan to Monetise the Middle Seat

04:20 | Pitching Investors My Airline Idea

04:35 | More Airline Pricing Tricks Coming Soon

Sponsor: Coromandel Productions

At Coromandel Productions, we aim to showcase human interest & heart-warming stories from all walks of life. We do this through short films, documentaries, sports television, corporate films, feature based content & promotional videos. 

Instagram: instagram.com/coromandel_productions 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@coromandelproductions518 

Vimeo: vimeo.com/coromandelproductions 

Website: coromandel-productions.com 

Rahul Phondke

Rahul Phondke has been a prolific writer of humour columns since his childhood days which ended sometime last year. People are still wondering how this happened. He turned to writing humour at an early age in an effort to find some meaning to the angst of life, which he found almost immediately after his first two cans of beer. Based in Singapore, he is extremely sought after by the locals …unfortunately most of whom happen to be the police. He is an active member on Facebook and can be easily reached…unless he happens to owe you moneyConnect with Rahul at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul |phondke |522a17

Paddy Rangappa

Paddy Rangappa has worked in marketing for more than twenty six years. After over a decade in Procter & Gamble in India, Indonesia, and Singapore, he became vice president, brand development for McDonald’s in Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) and developed strategies to significantly grow breakfast, beverages, and desserts, especially the McCafé brand, across APMEA. He has also taught Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) to senior undergraduates and MBA students at the Singapore Management University (SMU). He is the author of Been There Bungled That and Spark.

Connect with Paddy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paddyrangappa/

About the Show

The Jest Business is a podcast that pokes fun at the wild world of corporate speak and boardroom absurdities. It’s where business meets banter—with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour. From buzzwords to bloopers, we decode jargon, laugh at leadership, and challenge the serious side of succes