US Airways to Apply for China Service

[BoeingBoy]

I would assume so, but there'll still be wind part/most of the way (never been over the pole). I probably should have said just wind, cause even a crosswind decreases range and when you're talking about that length of flight it adds up.

Jim

 

[BuffaloJoe]

I would assume so, but there'll still be wind part/most of the way (never been over the pole). I probably should have said just wind, cause even a crosswind decreases range and when you're talking about that length of flight it adds up.

Jim

OK Thanks, it would be neat seeing the flight take off from PHL on 27L/9R. Somehow I am thinking either they are planning to add a few 777's to the fleet or go with the A340. Going with the A340, a A330 crew can operate it?

 

[TheNewLowFare]

I hope we start flying from the west coast to Asia, but this is good news!

 

[donttouchthebeauty]

If they go from PHL, won't it be over the pole?

absolutely, even when i fly it from ORD it is over the pole...

 

[Dog Wonder]

Hooray China back in First Class.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Hooray China back in First Class.

LOL. They'll be serving drinks in plastic cups. "Made in China"

 

[chevyman]

LOL. They'll be serving drinks in plastic cups. "Made in China"

I heard we are buying some KC-135's for inflight refueling. The F/A's will lay on their belly in the boom pod and pass gas the entire flight.

 

[delta777]

I heard we are buying some KC-135's for inflight refueling. The F/A's will lay on their belly in the boom pod and pass gas the entire flight.

But seriously, does anybody think the timing of this announcement a little suspect? LCC puts out a press release announcing their "intention" to fly to China the same day their C.E.O.'s D.W.I. arrest is announced. Never mind the fact that they don't presently have the aircraft to fly the route.

 

[EMBFA]

I'm sure our Amateur West paper plate brand would go over really well in the Asian market.

 

[US1YFARE]

I'm sure our Amateur West paper plate brand would go over really well in the Asian market.

What is the equivalent of hefty bags in china?

 

[EyeInTheSky]

But seriously, does anybody think the timing of this announcement a little suspect? LCC puts out a press release announcing their "intention" to fly to China the same day their C.E.O.'s D.W.I. arrest is announced. Never mind the fact that they don't presently have the aircraft to fly the route.

delta777,
Hey, it's just a little dim sum to go along with our ding dong CEO. Somehow I don't think any US flight crews are going to get the opportunity to hear "Me love you long time" for..well...long time.

Later,
Eye

 

[Cosmo]

But seriously, folks ...

Some random thoughts/questions about a US bid for the 2008 China route designation:

1. Only one carrier operates A330s from the U.S. to Asia, and that is NW which uses the -200 version of them on its SFO/PDX/SEA-NRT routes. Those routes are substantially shorter than any PHL/CLT/PHX/LAS-PEK/PVG route that US might apply for, and US currently has only the somewhat shorter range -300 version now anyway.

2. If US is serious about this, it needs to acquire an appropriate aircraft (actually, at least 2 or 3 of them) NOW, and by "appropriate aircraft" I mean A340, B777 or B747. On the other hand, if the plan is to say to DOT the equivalent of "Give us the route and we'll find an aircraft that can fly it," then don't bother to waste everyone's time because there is ZERO likelihood IMHO that the DOT would make an award to US under such circumstances.

3. Does anyone seriously believe that the DOT will award US authority on the PHL-PEK route, a THIRD route from the New York-Washington corridor to PEK, with CO already flying EWR-PEK and UA about to start flying IAD-PEK, an award that was just finalized yesterday?

4. Similarly, does anyone seriously believe that the DOT will award US authority on the PHL-PVG route against DL's request for ATL-PVG or CO's request for EWR-PVG, where ATL offers many more connections and EWR has a much larger local market?

5. Can US operate from either PHX or LAS nonstop to China in the summer heat without a significant payload penalty or intermediate stop requirement? Of course, we don't know the answer to that question because we don't know what aircraft type US would use. But if year-round nonstop service with at least a full passenger payload cannot be attained, US is unlikely IMHO to win the route award from the DOT. Just ask NW about the DOT's feelings about using scarce U.S.-China frequencies for one-stop service.

Sorry to sound so negative about US' prospects in the next U.S.-China route case, but I think a massive dose of realism is in order if US wants to seriously pursue such a route award. These route cases at the DOT are the big leagues, folks, where the game is truly corporate high-stakes poker. UA just spent millions of dollars (for lawyers, lobbyists, PR firms and full-page color ads in The Washington Post, among other things) to win the IAD-PEK route award, and it already had the required long-range B747-400 aircraft in its fleet. US has to be prepared to play by these rules, or it shouldn't play at all, unless it simply wants to gain some very costly and painful experience for future route cases.

 

[US1YFARE]

It all happened on the way home from the Open party. They were sitting in Parker's BMW boozed up and one of them said, "I could go for some good Chinese--maybe some lo mein or kung pow chicken." And Parker, said, "Done. Let's fly to China. Start preparing the application. No better place to get Chinese than China. We can drink for free the whole way over. High Five everyone, High Five." And, that folks, is how this idea was born.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

It all happened on the way home from the Open party. They were sitting in Parker's BMW boozed up and one of them said, "I could go for some good Chinese--maybe some lo mein or kung pow chicken." And Parker, said, "Done. Let's fly to China. Start preparing the application. No better place to get Chinese than China. We can drink for free the whole way over. High Five everyone, High Five." And, that folks, is how this idea was born.

I hope they overfly China and land in Thailand. That Lo Mein will sure have a "Spark" to it. :rant: :rant: :rant:

 

[USA320Pilot]

It is my understanding from an ALPA source that US Airways will announce some interesting new international service and new equipment to fly those routes in the not-so-distant future.

Regards,

USA320Pilot