JetBlue: Auctioning tickets on eBay

If a company can't sell its products or services anywhere else, why not put them on eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY)? A least that will open up sales to a huge audience.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "JetBlue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ: JBLU) is auctioning off more than 300 roundtrip flights and six vacation packages this week on eBay, with opening bids set between five cents and 10 cents."

While the move may get JetBlue a lot of attention, it also reinforces the idea that air travel has become a commodity. High fuel prices has forced airlines to cut services from meals to free baggage. The public is already annoyed with the quality of the flying experience. Offering tickets on eBay is like auctioning off old lawn mowers or used cars. Airline tickets get lumped in with all the other junk. The move also fuels the perception that the number of people flying is falling which allows airlines to dump all those extra seats.

If JetBlue has any sense, it would auction off better service. People would probably pay for that. The promotion could last longer than a week. Passengers would be reminded that airlines have something to offer beyond $5 peanuts and $50 checked bags.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 24/7 Wall St.