Southwest Rapid Rewards - WN at MKE

So the WN schedule has WN to begin flying MKE-SEA, MKE-LAX and MKE-LGA.

Still on FL that have not yet transitioned to WN are:
MKE-MSP
MKE-BOS
MKE-SFO
MKE-DCA

MKE-MSP has DL competition, but it's a short haul route and WN might feel it's a good way to route pax into MSP.

MKE-BOS has no other competition. Maybe WN is waiting to see if B6 adds MKE-BOS. WN might not want to link MKE-BOS when they could link BOS to another WN city, but if nobody else is flying the route, why give it up (assuming it has O&D).

MKE-SFO. Longer route, but no other link to the Bay Area.

MKE-DCA. Interesting because WN might want to fly DCA-MDW. Over at IAD, UA actually doesn't fly IAD-MKE. So maybe there'll be a mix of MDW/MKE to DCA/IAD or some re-arrangement?

WN might be in a situation where it doesn't want to really be big at MKE since the MDW hub is so close, but they have the opportunity to fly to the coasts (LAX, SFO, SEA) and (DCA, LGA, BOS) and actually be important there, because no other airline is hubbed there or is focusing there. F9 has downsized it's MKE presence.

Since there is no other carrier on these routes, and some FL routes, would it seem that WN at MKE will be a focus city -with flights to the hubs as well as key coast cities?

I live between MKE and ORD. Every route listed would get my business almost immediately!

I live between MKE and ORD. Every route listed would get my business almost immediately!

I'm in MKE and completely agree. Especially with the MKE to MSP route. Would make seeing family up there much less of a hassle.

A while back when F9 announced more cuts at MKE, I speculated that WN could end up with about 17 cities and 48-50 flights out of MKE. When I posted, I didn't think WN would actually keep MKE-SFO and MKE-SEA non-stops long term, but I've changed my mind on that to think that they'd at least keep them as seasonal routes.

My original assertion was as follows:
Southwest should be able to function from MKE with a route network like the following at about 48-50 flights per weekday:
- Core connections: ATL, BWI, STL, MCI, DEN
- Secondary connections: BNA, HOU, PHX, LAS
- Business markets: LGA, BOS, MSP, LAX
- Sunny markets (seasonal?): TPA, MCO, FLL, CUN

I'm in MKE and completely agree. Especially with the MKE to MSP route. Would make seeing family up there much less of a hassle.

MKE to MSP seems to be a pretty popular route...NW/Delta has had a strangle hold on that for years...would love to see WN jump on it.

Airtran has flown the route for at least 3 years

Airtran has flown the route for at least 3 years

You can't be burdened with fact-checking if you're going to get to 16,000+ posts.

You can't be burdened with fact-checking if you're going to get to 16,000+ posts.

Excuse me. They have flown for 2 years and 11 months not 3 years as my post so incorrectly stated.

You can't be burdened with fact-checking if you're going to get to 16,000+ posts.

Wow.

Excuse me. They have flown for 2 years and 11 months not 3 years as my post so incorrectly stated.

You're right on, lougord99. In fact, I flew MKE-MSP in May of 2009.