America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - HP Rumors

Well I happened to be flying with recently with a fairly senior FA.

During the boarding, she said that they are actually planning Belize, some undisclosed Carribean route(s), and a supplimental flight to Hawaii. The pilot, who overheard our conversation, confirmed that he was told the same thing.

I know people here, don't take the word of an FA seriously, but the other info she gave me in the past was very reliable.

Yes Ive been told from my friend that works there that Belize is a probable new desination. Still unsure about Hawaii though.

Belize is most within the current capabilities of the fleet, i.e. not equiped for overwater operations. The problem with hawaii is that the Hawaiian Air relationship will go right out the window and with the new ATA/Southwest codeshare it might not be in HP's best interest to have to start from scratch right now. The best would be to expand the codeshare as much as possible. The caribbean routes like hawaii would require renovating some aircraft, but it would not sour any codeshare relationships that HP currently has and I would love :cool: to use my flightfund miles to go there. First stop should be St. Maarten where they have the coolest beach in the world (http://www.airliners.net/open.file/736163/L/).

P.S. the link is not a doctored photo.

The problem with hawaii is that the Hawaiian Air relationship will go right out the window...

I asked her how it would affect the HA relationship, but she wasn't sure.

The best would be to expand the codeshare as much as possible.

I agree. I think the next step would be to coordinate priority boarding, upgrades, and club access between the two airlines. PPT should also be added to the codeshare.


First stop should be St. Maarten where they have the coolest beach in the world.

OMG!!! I would love to redeem just to be on the first HP-metal flight to SXM. But I think I would have to take another airline the day before so I could get a photo of the HP's maiden beach landing. :D

As an HP employee, I can tell you I was at a meeting back in Jan, with a senior executive manager. We asked him in a Q + A format about flying to Hawaii. Keep in mind HP employees always ask this question from time to time. His answer was that HP is working on getting some planes ( I think he said 8 planes) to be water certified by the end of this year. He pretty much indicated that HP expects to be servicing Hawaii next year. Then he said they were looking into Carribean routes, but did not elaborate on anything beyond that. There was no mention on how this would effect HP's HA codeshare relationship. Also, since ATA recently announced to have daily service to HNL and OGG from PHX, HP may have 2nd thoughts. My advice is until you see a Press Release stating HP will start Hawaii Service, do not hold your breath on anything.

My 2 cent's idea if that HP will fly into Belize. I know there have been rumors floating around Belize. If they do fly into Belize, it may only be 2x may 3x times weekly. I do not know if Belize can be profitable enough for have daily service from PHX. My other guess if that if HP started a Carribean route they most likely would fly into San Juan, PR. Then maybe due codesharing with Gulfstream or Carribean Star airlines on smaller Carribean routes. Again this is just my own speculation.

On a side note. Starting in Sept. HP will fly 1x a week into SJO (Costa Rica). I believe it will a Sat. service. Then OCt. they will increase it to 2 or 3x weekly. Then in Nov. they will have a daily service again. I am not sure why their doing this. My guess is that Sept./Oct are slow travel times.

skyfly, welcome to FlyerTalk! It's always great to have some informed input from "the inside." ;)

I know I speak for many here when I say that I hope you'll become a regular contributor. It really is great to have the perspective of some of HP's employees in the mix. Some of the other boards here on FT have that luxury and it really adds a lot to the overall FT experience. :)

What about rumours about increased service to YEG above the 49th? Seems like that market is extremely loaded everytime I fly it.

Yes Ive been told from my friend that works there that Belize is a probable new desination. Still unsure about Hawaii though.

Yes to Belize and yes to Hawaii starting Jan 1st. All 57's are getting ETOPS certified. Had dinner with 8 people from HP and there are some things coming up that were interesting.

~icorproadie

Had dinner with 8 people from HP and there are some things coming up that were interesting.

Well what are you waiting for? Spill the beans! ;) Unless, of course, you signed a NDA with HP.

Well what are you waiting for? Spill the beans! ;) Unless, of course, you signed a NDA with HP.

Maybe the person just said it, Belize and Hawaii come January. Am I reading the words wrong or did you miss the words?

Well the writing is simple, the 57's from ATA have to go somewhere and since Boeing isn't making anymore. . . . . .

Etops Planes

Hawaii

Belize

but pay for employees isn't going up :(

Apparently the other low cost guy with no seat assignments is paying FA's at the top 51$ an hour where as HP pays about 21$ an hour. :(

~icorproadie

Well the writing is simple, the 57's from ATA have to go somewhere and since Boeing isn't making anymore. . . . . .


Which TZ planes are going to HP? From what I understood, CO took 8 (I believe) 753's and the remaining 752's were to be used for their Hawaii/Pleasant operations. With TZ increasing some of their daily flights to HNL, I don't see where the 757's are coming from.


Etops Planes

Hawaii

Belize


Oh, ok. I read it as though you knew things outside of the rumors we've been hearing.


but pay for employees isn't going up :(


Considering HP's outlook for 2005 is grim, they should hope that they retain their jobs.

but pay for employees isn't going up :(

Apparently the other low cost guy with no seat assignments is paying FA's at the top 51$ an hour where as HP pays about 21$ an hour. :(

~icorproadie

Well the "other low cost guy" hedged fuel and is sitting pretty.