What new route would you choose for US Airways

[twambassador]

As long as we are in fantasy land, here is what I think US should do:

STL -

BOS/LGA/DCA/PHL/PIT/ATL/MIA/MCO/TPA/DFW/ORD/MSP/MCI/DEN/PHX/SEA/PDX/SFO/SAN/LAX

(USX STL-OKC/LIT/SGF/DSM/CID/OMA/PIA/MEM/BNA/ICT/TUL/AUS/SAT/SDF/IND)

With PHL - CLT - STL - PHX as hubs this would be a network carrier to recon with. Add some fluff that business travellers love (hot towels anyone?) and it should work.

I would add some JFK routes, but that would mean I'm on major drugs!

Would I ever see a US retro TWA jet ?

 

[notquiteUS]

The few that mention PHX-LHR must know BA would have to pull out for this to work since even they can hardly fill that flight on the 6 days that it goes. If anythings to Europe from PHX its gotta be FRA realistically speaking.

 

[BoeingBoy]

The few that mention PHX-LHR must know BA would have to pull out for this to work since even they can hardly fill that flight on the 6 days that it goes.

Except that US would have connecting feed and London is the most popular European destination for Americans. Don't know if US' feed would make enough difference, but it would be an advantage over BA.

If anythings to Europe from PHX its gotta be FRA realistically speaking.

Probably so, although it would almost definitely have to be a *A hub in "mainland" Europe for the potential feed.

Jim

 

[Ramp Rogue]

PHX - MSY PHX - MIA LAS - MIA LAS - MSY

Rogue

 

[Squonk]

TPA-PIE (domestic)

TPA-HAV (international)

 

[Piedmont1984]

We're going to need some more metal.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Instead of adding flights to/from DCA, wouldn't it be better to serve them Cities from their HUB in PHL first? Even though it is Express. That would get connecting traffic, more available than DCA, but be more directed to connections.

 

[Diamondbacks2004]

Fly new nonstop service between PHX and LGA would only be on option on Saturdays only.

 

[zethya]

Instead of adding flights to/from DCA, wouldn't it be better to serve them Cities from their HUB in PHL first? Even though it is Express. That would get connecting traffic, more available than DCA, but be more directed to connections.

A reason that DCA is appealing, is that even though it is not an international connecting point or a significant domestic feeder, the domestic originating traffic is very high Yielding - much more so (on a mile/mile basis) than PHL. It's even higher yielding than CLT O&D, with its obscenely low Airport Fee Structure. Additionally, DCA has a very high commuter rate, whereby an airline is earning high yields on short haul routes, potentially flown several times/day. Another point is that other than Northeast traffic, PHL is not considered US's major domestic connecting hub - CLT is. Feed into PHL is advertised as principally focused onto international connections (supported by significant O&D traffic). Domestic traffic (through 2009) was/is mostly PHL O&D and NE connections.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

A reason that DCA is appealing, is that even though it is not an international connecting point or a significant domestic feeder, the domestic originating traffic is very high Yielding - much more so (on a mile/mile basis) than PHL. It's even higher yielding than CLT O&D, with its obscenely low Airport Fee Structure. Additionally, DCA has a very high commuter rate, whereby an airline is earning high yields on short haul routes, potentially flown several times/day. Another point is that other than Northeast traffic, PHL is not considered US's major domestic connecting hub - CLT is. Feed into PHL is advertised as principally focused onto international connections (supported by significant O&D traffic). Domestic traffic (through 2009) was/is mostly PHL O&D and NE connections.

PHL had O&D and NE connections, the latter part is just worth it. The NE is the most populated area in the Country. CLT would be a great place for South America/Carribean ops, but a person traveling from Albany to Seattle, which City would be more prefered, I would think PHL. Why add an additional time to a flight unless your doing it to collect the miles. They should do with PHL as to they do with CLT, on the South America routes, fly from PHL also, just to the Major Cities. Anything North of the Equator can be flown with an A320. Washington is basically an O&D market, which is OK that they have the service to cities as PNS, OMA, but PHL and CLT should have service to these select cities. CLT has PNS service, but I am just trying to use that as some kind of example.

 

[FutureUScapt]

A reason that DCA is appealing, is that even though it is not an international connecting point or a significant domestic feeder, the domestic originating traffic is very high Yielding - much more so (on a mile/mile basis) than PHL. It's even higher yielding than CLT O&D, with its obscenely low Airport Fee Structure.

Huh? How does the low operating cost structure at CLT affect the yield?

FWIW, 1Q10 data suggests that the LOH adjusted yields for all airlines at DCA was about .40 cents above that of CLT (19.41 vs 19.07, respectively), both of which were substantially above the national average.

 

[vlaus]

I was told that City of Charlotte in cooperation with Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam had already 4 meetings in regard of opening new flight CLT-AMS . Somehow Charlotte wants this flight badly but Schiphol says that it would be difficult to fill in airplanes on this route . We will see what will happen in the future .

 

[Travelpro72]

That should really put the heat on big ol' Delta over in the ATL with their link up with KLM. I bet US will really throw their weight around on THAT route.

 

[nycbusdriver]

I was told that City of Charlotte in cooperation with Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam had already 4 meetings in regard of opening new flight CLT-AMS . Somehow Charlotte wants this flight badly but Schiphol says that it would be difficult to fill in airplanes on this route . We will see what will happen in the future .

Why would Schiphol Airport care one whit about whether or not the airplane fills?

I understand why Charlotte wants it. Just more bragging rights over another European destination.

Anyway, cities and airports in countries like these with open skies agreements don't determine routes, or arrange them. If Charlotte wanted it so bad and LCC won't do it, why not ask KLM, or Delta (KLM's partner) to start it?

Or, better yet, if it's so important to the City of Charlotte, they should put their money where their mouth is and subsidize the route. I'm sure LCC would jump on it then.

 

[zethya]

Huh? How does the low operating cost structure at CLT affect the yield?

FWIW, 1Q10 data suggests that the LOH adjusted yields for all airlines at DCA was about .40 cents above that of CLT (19.41 vs 19.07, respectively), both of which were substantially above the national average.

Airline Profits = Revenue - Expenses, which includes Airport Costs (Landing Fees, Gate Fees, Etc..)
The Less the Airport Costs the greater the Profit/Passenger (Yield).

So what did you add to my statement that DCA has higher Yields than CLT and much higher than PHL?