Spirit Airlines is known as the ultra-low-cost carrier from Florida, but it’s also known for skimping on customer comfort and service. Disney is known as one of the leaders in customer service in the world. So if there is any company you would want to help get your customer service rating back up then Disney is your best bet.
The airline acknowledges it’s problems with timeliness and customer service and has turned to a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co. for help. In a message to employees this week, Spirit Airlines President and Chief Executive Bob Fornaro said the airline has partnered with the Disney Institute to “create a common purpose and a fresh set of service standards.”
Disney, which is consistently voted one of the best places to work in the country, is helping other companies achieve similar cultural success through the Disney Institute, a Florida-based subsidiary that offers professional development and leadership training for a variety of students. Courses include training in quality service, employee engagement, and business excellence — all of which are areas Spirit Airlines is due to improve on.
“We listen to our guests every day to find out how we can deliver a better travel experience with Spirit,”
said Bob Fornaro, Spirit Airlines’ CEO in the statement.
“Our operational improvement and new technology demonstrates our commitment to deliver reliable, friendly service, all while offering the lowest fares possible.”
According to a Spirit press release from November 15, much of the training has already taken place behind the scenes, and they say,
“Every Spirit Flight Attendant participated in Spirit Signature Service training, a new program developed around a common purpose and fresh set of service standards created in partnership with the Disney Institute; additional training will roll out at our airport stations next year,”
Whether the Disney training will directly result in that friendly service only time will tell, but the House of Mouse does know a thing or two about keeping people happy.