Well I just got back from Berlin and I flew US from FRA to PIT and was shocked to see how full the flight was. There were only 6 seats vacant on the Airbus 330. I asked the flight attendant how the loads were on here and she said they were always good and the PIT LGW flight loads always did very good as well. She said they she was not sure why US was discontinuing the legs from PIT and she and her FA's were really confused why they are discontinuing the segments.

LH is going to be picking up the PIT FRA route. She said there will be a gap between service but they will pick it up rapidly. She said US will code share with LH on this leg and that she said rumor has it that these two long haul aircraft will either go to two south american destinations or two new European destinations. But she said this was only rumor.

On a side note connecting through PIT was simply amazing. From the time I disembarked the aircraft till the time I got to my next gate was less than 10 minutes. Customs and rechecking the bags in and going through security was a breeze. Nothing like horrible PHL. Now I really wish PIT's international European service was not going away. I can see why people really love flying though there international wise. Heck even domestic it is a breeze.

And I love the fact that the food court has free wireless internet.

The service going to FRA and coming from FRA was excellent. I was in coach and I was very pleased (and I am not too often in coach).

On a side note many people always brag about LH service. I have flown them a few times to go to Germany within Europe. I was on one of their Airbus 300 and the seats are hard as a rock. I am glad the flight from FRA to TXL was only 50 minutes. Even though TXL is a small airport. It is a great airport. You get dropped off right at your gate. The ticket counter, security and the gate are all in the same area. GENIUS IDEA!!

Oh and TXL is one of Berlin's airports.

Troy

When does the Lufthansa service start?
Thanx

No one knows at this point. They just know that they are going to pick it up. I am not even sure if they have applied for it yet. But my guess is that from the time US drops the PIT service. LH will not be too far behind.

T

While I'd love to hear US expanding service to SA or Europe, I think its highly unlikely. Also the latest transformation plan suggests no expansion in European cities served:

US Airways will continue to offer nonstop service to its existing 11 destinations in Europe from its international gateways in Philadelphia and Charlotte. Overall Atlantic capacity is expected to remain unchanged in 2005.

I dont know why I would NOW start believing anything they say, but I have to think this is unlikely.

I guess technically that could mean expanding to South America, but United and other partners seem to do just fine carrying the loads there already..

ps - USAIRWAYS FAN and your comments about high loads through PIT and ease of getting to gates - now you can see why we all bemoan the loss of service in PIT as well as the general logic of the decisions.

Hscottm,

Well since they are no longer going to have the service. What are they going to do with these 2 extra long haul aircraft? I don't think they would be used for domestic service.

Yes United and the other Star partners are doing great with loads. Many times (I have heard) the flights are over sold especially in the winter. I could be possible we could see seasonal service in South America. But that is anyones guess. The FA's I talked to said it was rumored about the new destinations. But they did say for sure that they were going to use the two aircrafts for probably new destinations. I guess we will wait and see. I am sure we will see an announcement on this soon once the service from pit is discontinued.

Now I can see why you all really want to keep the service there.

Like I have always said, if they used a 330 on an SFO-PHL route, I would be in heaven.! lol
:D :D

Hscottm,

Well since they are no longer going to have the service. What are they going to do with these 2 extra long haul aircraft? I don't think they would be used for domestic service.

Yes United and the other Star partners are doing great with loads. Many times (I have heard) the flights are over sold especially in the winter. I could be possible we could see seasonal service in South America. But that is anyones guess. The FA's I talked to said it was rumored about the new destinations. But they did say for sure that they were going to use the two aircrafts for probably new destinations. I guess we will wait and see. I am sure we will see an announcement on this soon once the service from pit is discontinued.

Now I can see why you all really want to keep the service there.

Wish any of us knew what the next step plans are. But I am sure the first rotation will be to maximize use of 330s on transatlantic and then decide where/if to redeploy 767s after that.

One quick thing - and I am not trying to badmouth spreading rumors - but FAs are sometimes the last to know anything. They have, in the past (as posted here) been the source of rumors related to: Continental being US' new alliance partner (not UA), new European destinations that never happened, flights to Hawaii, etc. I dont know whether they profess their own imaginations, or whether they are purposely misled by management to make them excited about the future.

I still hope I am wrong and that in fact the FAs rumors are true.

I hope the rumors are true too. Especially since the newer long hall aircraft are not scheduled for delivery until 2006. That would be a long time to wait. Especially since they have freed up 2 of them. Well I guess we can keep our fingers crossed.

T