FL(AirTran) is going to start 4 daily roundtrip flights from PHL-PIT and back on July 5 using the brand-new 717s. This looks like the first real competition for US on a major monopoly route as the last carrier to try was Eastwind with a once daily flight PHL-PIT. I say try to go with AirTran even once per year if you fly this route to promote competition and help keep prices down. Before FL annoounced this route, ticket prices ranged from $207-$614 r/t. Now they are approx. $110-$240 r/t. I guarantee that once they leave, prices will go soaring again.

PS: Tow of the flights are supposed to continue on to MCO and TPA from PHL.

They will never succeed. People have too much invested in Dividend Miles. Meantime, in the short term, it will play havoc with the fares, reinforcing management's claim that a merger is the only key to survival. Enjoy it while it lasts.

In case anyone is going to give airtran a try, make sure you pay with an American Express card. Three coach roundtrips or 1.5 business class roundtrips charged to an Amex card earns you a free trip.

Details:
http://www.airtran.com./programs/aplus/amex.jsp

Old Airtran thread on this promo:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum106/HTML/000017.html

unfortunatly, I need to be in PIT on June 24th. Guess I'll still have to drive out!

Please also see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum106/HTML/000069.html

This isn't the first time a ow fare airline has started up PHL-PIT service and gone head to head vs US. A few years ago an outfit called NationsAir flew PHL-BOS and PHL-PIT at fares much lower than US. US matched and it didn't take very long for NationsAir to disappear.

Luckily Airtan is well established and won't be wiped out by US matching/undercutting their fares.

As a DM member, I will probably still use US. BUT - I see a large number of Amtrak'ers and drivers that might think twice about those modes of transportation. Big student market, non-frequent flyers, etc.

One reason PHL-PIT is so big is the connections. Granted, many of the nonstops from PIT can be flown from PHL, but all my PHL-PIT flights seem to have a lot of people trying to make a connection.

Perhaps FL can get a good chunk of the O/D market.

AirTran has definitely put a dent in some US fares on the East. Early in 2000, before they got in the game, best advance purchase from MYR-PIT round trip was about $190, now it's $150 even with the fuel extras, which I believe matches AirTran's best deal of $75 or thereabouts each way. In addition, that $150 fare is available for just a 7-day adv with a weekend, whereas the old $189 one needed at least 14.

And despite ComAir's strike which has dented MYR traffic some 15% in April compared to last year, there are still a LOT of seats on that route on US at that price (with a CLT connection), as I was just looking for some the other day.