PHL-Europe

[BuffaloJoe]

I just looking at late May departures for PHL on their Europe service and some times changed, AMS, MAD CDG, BCN all depart around 6pm this year compared to as after 8pm last year. Could this be that they are working around to get gates available for additional cities? But then again US can use B and C terminals for Europe departures, just not for arrivals which has to be terminal A East or West.

 

[PHL]

They can certainly use B and C terminals for 757/767 going to Europe, but there are only a few precious gates at the end of each of those concourses that equipment. Combine that with the need to operate A321s and other 757's domestically that also need those gates, then it becomes evident that leaving the intl. departures in A-East/West is a better choice. Between the two, there's plenty of room.

 

[ringmaruf]

I just looking at late May departures for PHL on their Europe service and some times changed, AMS, MAD CDG, BCN all depart around 6pm this year compared to as after 8pm last year. Could this be that they are working around to get gates available for additional cities? But then again US can use B and C terminals for Europe departures, just not for arrivals which has to be terminal A East or West.

Well they need gates period, even if they don't add anything. Last summer, they had several departures every day out of A-East, not the best situation, and this year, the airport is moving DL over to A to take up some more gates. If they do add flights, which seems likely, then they'll *really* need the gates, which is why it seems they're going to two banks. It will hurt connectivity a bit though for cities with a small number of PHL flights.

Using B or C for international departures isn't really feasible--towing the planes over is a waste of time and money, and there are a very limited number of gates to handle the widebodies in any event.

What needs to be done is the extension to A-West that the terminal was designed for.

 

[pilot]

Disregard.

Moved to another topic.

 

[ClueByFour]

What needs to be done is the extension to A-West that the terminal was designed for.

I'm quite sure that as soon as Doogie writes PHL a check (certified), he can all the gates he wants.

 

[US1YFARE]

I'm quite sure that as soon as Doogie writes PHL a check (certified), he can all the gates he wants.

Well with all of the VFF's he's chasing away, he'll have plenty of cash from all of the savings US realizes because they don't have to cater to the VFF. Also, all of those $98 seats he'll be selling will be able to pay for a huge expansion. :wacko:

 

[TheWatcher]

After the PIT fiasco, im pretty sure PHL will not go out of the way to accomodate US unless they have money in hand first.

 

[ringmaruf]

Well with all of the VFF's he's chasing away, he'll have plenty of cash from all of the savings US realizes because they don't have to cater to the VFF. Also, all of those $98 seats he'll be selling will be able to pay for a huge expansion. :wacko:

Have you seen the list of e-savers for this week? I can't remember the last time it was this long. It was getting pretty sparse for a good while, but now it's huge. I know it's the slow season, but with all the capacity they've slashed, bookings should not suck this badly. Yet they apparently do. Gee, wonder why. 🙄

 

[whlinder]

Southwest's had a long list of DING! fares yesterday, and all of them were for immediate travel, which is the first time I have ever seen them do that. US isn't the only one...

 

[MarkMyWords]

Sometimes you people just read way to much into things that happen.

Having 2 banks of PHL international flights is to help with connectivity issues. In the previous summers, there were issues with connecting customers getting through Customs and Immigration. This caused customers to misconnect or caused flight delays awaiting connecting customers.

Spacing arrivals and departures into 2 connecting banks will help the problem. This decision was made in Oct(ish) - prior to any talk of an international expansion in PHL.

Gate space may be an issue if DL moves to the A concourse....but it is my understanding that they will be in A-East and we operate ALL of our International flights out of A-West.

 

[Mtnman928]

Sometimes you people just read way to much into things that happen.

Having 2 banks of PHL international flights is to help with connectivity issues. In the previous summers, there were issues with connecting customers getting through Customs and Immigration. This caused customers to misconnect or caused flight delays awaiting connecting customers.

Spacing arrivals and departures into 2 connecting banks will help the problem. This decision was made in Oct(ish) - prior to any talk of an international expansion in PHL.

Gate space may be an issue if DL moves to the A concourse....but it is my understanding that they will be in A-East and we operate ALL of our International flights out of A-West.

Not completely true, last summer many of the International arrivals parked over at A East. In particular, the Ireland flights and occasionally other European arrivals.

Mtnman

 

[usairways85]

Well i believe all International carriers at PHL will be using A-west, that includes AF (arrivals/departures) and BA. Add the what 15 or so US European flights and that is a lot of aircraft needing to use A-west within a 6 hour period.

 

[US1YFARE]

I know it's the slow season, but with all the capacity they've slashed, bookings should not suck this badly. Yet they apparently do. Gee, wonder why. 🙄

Well, due to the changes this management has made to the US1 program, I have switched to UA, they matched my status and yesterday I booked $4000 in tickets over the next few weeks. How many people will have to fill my seat on US to make up for that lost revenue?

 

[Elevation]

Well, due to the changes this management has made to the US1 program, I have switched to UA, they matched my status and yesterday I booked $4000 in tickets over the next few weeks. How many people will have to fill my seat on US to make up for that lost revenue?

What dramatic event(s) made you switch? Where do you fly out of?

 

[Boeing Boeing GONE]

I just looking at late May departures for PHL on their Europe service and some times changed, AMS, MAD CDG, BCN all depart around 6pm this year compared to as after 8pm last year. Could this be that they are working around to get gates available for additional cities? But then again US can use B and C terminals for Europe departures, just not for arrivals which has to be terminal A East or West.

I think this is due to the 757's starting operation in late may and easly june, so some times have to be swapped around, making 2 banks of departure to the u.s, 6 and 8 pm