Winter 2008/2009 Schedule Changes

[CubsFanJohn]

So still no new news on AUS-MIA?

Or better yet, what about some 777's on the production line at Boeing to fly ORD-PEK rather than canceling something else to fly it.

1. Doesn't it seem like that is the route that it is always rumored but never happens?
2. Would AA have enough time to pull up the 2 required to do it in time for the start up in March? It will be interasting to see what they end up doing.

 

[ual777fan]

1. Doesn't it seem like that is the route that it is always rumored but never happens?
2. Would AA have enough time to pull up the 2 required to do it in time for the start up in March? It will be interasting to see what they end up doing.

It's alot like MIA-PHX in that respect... btw- did that ever finally get started?

 

[IORFA]

It's alot like MIA-PHX in that respect... btw- did that ever finally get started?

Yep

 

[L1011Ret]

Yep

Richard, here is IORFA latest insulting post to me....

COMMENT DELETED BY MODERATOR

 

[IORFA]

OMG, he cries and runs to the teacher. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Just following what I was told, which was to PM you with my thoughts. Apparantly you would rather drag it back to the public forum. Why I have no idea. Untill this was hijacked AGAIN, I thought we were talking about new service. Again, what about the long rumored never started AUS-MIA?

 

[MAH4546]

MIA-AUS is the next MIA-PHX. It's coming, keeps getting pushed back.

MIA-MXP decision should be made by May, but given AirOne's interest in entering the market in 2009, fuel prices, and AA's risk adverse nature (the latter two which killed the planned June launch of JFK-NCE), I sadly would not be optimistic about that happening in winter 2008/2009, but I think it is a logical candidate for future expansion.

 

[CubsFanJohn]

Mark,
Do you know of any other possibly new INTL Routes for 2009?

 

[MAH4546]

Mark,
Do you know of any other possibly new INTL Routes for 2009?

MIA-GEO (discussions on going; AA officials in Guyana next week)
MIA-FDF/PTP (Delta is pulling out this month; AA will fly there if they pick up some of the travel contracts DL had)
MIA-CTG (countering Spirit)
MIA-BON (Saturday-only service)
MIA-GND (working with Grenada government to get incentive package)
MIA-AZS (local resorts are putting together a revenue guarantee plan)
JFK-NCE (if fuel prices improve),
MIA-SSA/REC/FOR (if Brazilian INAC approves them; AA is ready to fly them, discussions have been ongoing for three years now; it was close to being approved as of late, but TAM, who is opposed to such expansion of the air treaty, has told Brazil's INAC that they will start flying from Miami to more Northeast points in 2009, which is either the truth, or an effort to stall AA and DL's ongoing attempts to enter Northeast Brazil).
DFW-KIN (hard to believe, I know, but this is being pushed hard by Jamaican authorities and AA is listening to them).
MIA/DFW-RTB (this service has been in the cards forever! It's a matter of if, not when; I wouldn't even be surprised if it launched from Dallas first).

Obviously I know more about planned MIA expansion then other. I'm sure there are plenty of routes being looked at, but few will launch. Possibly look for more JFK-Caribbean routes next winter, following up the recent launches of JFK-SKB/UVF.

It will be interesting to see how much capacity is shifted to international flying. I think we will definitley see two new Europe routes in 2009, probably from JFK.

There is a clear trend, though, in AA's 2008/2009 expansion: incentives. They are being careful, and want to share the risk of new routes with willing governments, tourism boards, hotels, etc.

 

[s80dude]

Just a thought, Maybe they are going to add 12 seats with the newer ones. If they do that, they might be thinking that they can leave them all in MIA. If that is the case, I am guessing that they already put 4 F/A's on most 737 flights out of MIA to the Islands. That way they aren't really changing anything, except having more seats to sell. The biggest problem is cancelations now that you have a subfleet of 737's. Who knows. I say take out the cart storage on both sides, move the lavs back and spread the seats out on one side and add a 2 seat set on one side ala the F-100 in the back. That way capacity goes to 150 and still only 3 F/A's. Plus does anyone know if the new 737's will have the LCD TV's? I asked and was told that AA will not be changing the current TV's on the inservice 737's. Along with the VCR. So soon enough, only the 737 will have VCR tapes. (2-3 years depending on the A-300, even the A-300 has different tapes than the 737)

Right now there are 132 seats in the back.... 16 in the front for a total of 148. They would only be able to add two seats to keep it at the 150 and the 3 FA minimum..... the Flight Service Website specifically said 12 seats would be added, so I am guessing the revenue they think they can draw will pay for the 4th stew. Who knows.... it's a great plane to work now, but I fear both passengers and crew will loath it if it becomes more uncomfortable.

 

[ual777fan]

Right now there are 132 seats in the back.... 16 in the front for a total of 148. They would only be able to add two seats to keep it at the 150 and the 3 FA minimum..... the Flight Service Website specifically said 12 seats would be added, so I am guessing the revenue they think they can draw will pay for the 4th stew. Who knows.... it's a great plane to work now, but I fear both passengers and crew will loath it if it becomes more uncomfortable.

I've never been upfront in the 738's but the Y Cabin is tight as heck, and its one of the reasons I will be sad to see the Super 80's finally go.

 

[jimntx]

Which brings up another topic...(again)

How can SWA provide so much space for each passenger, pay the highest f/a salaries (mx too IIRC) and still make money?

 

[CubsFanJohn]

I've never been upfront in the 738's but the Y Cabin is tight as heck, and its one of the reasons I will be sad to see the Super 80's finally go.

I was in the Y Cabin in 2003 from ORD-LAX on a 738 and let's just say I missed the S80's, and I prefer them when possibly.

 

[markkus757]

MAH, does PVD have even a sliver of a chance to see MIA (or DFW) service in the future. There is good ethnic and leisure feed to some strong AA Latin American/Caribbean markets from PVD.

 

[kirkpatrick]

Mark, I look forward to your informative posts concerning current and future scheduling, but do you think you might throw in a city name next to the code? I have to look up most of them, and some come up with unlikely places like Bonaventure Airport in Quebec for BON. Thanks.

 

[kirkpatrick]

Who knows.... it's a great plane to work now, but I fear both passengers and crew will loath it if it becomes more uncomfortable.

As a newbie who knows nothing but the current configuration, can someone speculate on just where the 4th FA would be expected to work? I understand previously there were 20 seats up front and it makes sense that the #3 would do FC aisle and then help pick up in back, but with FC remaining at 16 and more coach seats, how would this work? Maybe a second bev cart aft-fwd converging with the one worked fwd-aft?

MK