I'm not sure if this is what JetBlue is planning on doing, but I think it makes sense for JetBlue to make MCO a hub-and-spoke type of operation with some healthy O&D traffic. MCO is ideally located for connecting Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and some Midwest traffic to the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and Mexico. This seems to be the best way to go about expanding MCO from an international network perspective, while most domestic destinations can support MCO service without the connecting possibilities (e.g. PIT, CLT, RDU, MSY, LAS, etc.)
On that note, while I hear MCO will continue to expand, I thought FLL was a much bigger dot on JetBlue's radar. JetBlue recently gained 3 more gates there. This makes me think that JetBlue may have something up its sleeve that we just aren't seeing. Does it really make sense to expand both FLL and MCO at the same time?
There was talk of a move to a refurbished A terminal, complete with FIS. As for now, I think A gates serve some DR flights and will also serve BOG and SJO. Connectors will have to make the trek unless something changes soon.
It does appear that B6 looks at MCO as being ripe for expansion, especialy international and the two routes already announced will be a great litmus test and future expansion may depend on these flights. BTW, anyone hear if B6 has gotten approval to sell originating tickets in BOG yet?
There has also been talk by Barger about MCO - Mexico flights following the success of CUN.
I also agree with keepreosellinas as to the location of MCO and connecting pax playing an important role in the health of an MCO international base for some prospective international routes as well as domestic flow, adding to your list if I may, ORD which seems like a good fit.
The stance taken by B6 in FLL as piqued my interest and I would second your thought about sleeves and plans that may be hid there.
Not sure what JB has up it's sleeve but the Orlando base received alot of flying for Feb that wasn't there in January. Of course, Botaga is starting, but the MCO bas seems to be moving more flying south. Rumors are "flying" (pun intended) that we're going to add another city in Columbia.
There is an inflight class of new hires starting tomorrow and they are all required to be Spanish speakers. HUMMMMMMMMMMM
I think it's time to kick up my meger Spanish beyond the very basics. Beside the much trouted Rosetta Stone, does anyone know of a good (free) downloaded program for Spanish for Dummies?<<<<<<-----Me!
Rumors are "flying" (pun intended) that we're going to add another city in Columbia.
Beside the much trouted Rosetta Stone, does anyone know of a good (free) downloaded program for Spanish for Dummies?<<<<<<-----Me!
I'd have to look more closely, but there are only a handful(couple?) of airports in Colombia that fall into the "Open Skies"-type bilateral in which an airline may begin service without having to find the open slots first. BOG and MDE are two airports that do not fall under the "Open Skies" agreement and are also the two most likely candidates, IMO. I'd have to look more closely, but I believe CTG (Cartagena) and CLO( Cali) are the next two largest that could accomodate 320 service. I am a bit surprised to hear this rumor to say the least.
Rosetta Stone seems to be well-recieved for a conversational understanding. Assuming that is what you're looking for check out the free audio or video podcasts on ITunes if you do that whole IPOD thing. It's the "hi-tech" version of audio tapes. There are a number of good colleges that have made their Foreign Language programs part of the public domain. I've heard good things about MIT's Spanish catalogue and a simple search should get you to the site to download the program from beginning to end if you want something a little more in-depth. Good luck with the Spanish! Don't forget to supplement any language class with some "hands-on" practice. After all, that's the point of learning a language...
Spirit announced today that it will begin FLL-STI 3x weekly in June as well as new service to Armenia, Colombia pending governmental approval. The STI announcement took a little wind out of the B6 sail but it would seem like this will be the beginning of a back and forth.
Spirit announced today that it will begin FLL-STI 3x weekly in June as well as new service to Armenia, Colombia pending governmental approval. The STI announcement took a little wind out of the B6 sail but it would seem like this will be the beginning of a back and forth.
Also, I have been hear a rumors from NK wants more potentially new routes from FLL-ADZ. Is that true? I knows it was very small islands where NK is considers service from FLL-ADZ. I didn't realize know where the small islands is further away from Caribbean.
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I will try to concentrate with English. Thanks!
2009 Travel: DL 18836 MQMs
Pretty much all that is left in Spirit's route network is the Caribbean from Southern Florida. It would stand they are going to put up a fight for it. I think once people try us out they will stick with us if our ticket prices are comparable to Spirit's. I've rode with Spirit both as a revenue passenger and a non-revenue passenger and I wasn't impressed with the service. However I knew what I was buying when I bought tickets on them and for the price I paid, I got the service i expected so I can't complain. $150 DTW-CUN-DTW was a steal for the time my family and I flew with them and their BOB products were reasonably priced. However I, like most of the traveling public, picked the carrier with the lowest fare. NW wanted 5x that amount for about the same service level.
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comments by JetBlueFA are his Opinions.
They are NOT the Views or Policy of JetBlue Airways
I will be trying my first ever flight on JetBlue because of the MCO destination from SDQ. I really have big hopes on this first try since I am a frequent business traveler and the service AA is ofering down here is simply offensive (and I am a "first class" passenger).
If you ever try AA from the DR you will understand that the only reason that company is in business is because lack of competition. I travel all over the world and AA is just very expensive bad public transportation.
So in my opinion JB has a great opportunity to work FLL and MCO as hubs from the islands and probably central and south america.
If you ever try AA from the DR you will understand that the only reason that company is in business is because lack of competition. I travel all over the world and AA is just very expensive bad public transportation.
So in my opinion JB has a great opportunity to work FLL and MCO as hubs from the islands and probably central and south america.
Good luck.
J
This may be what Spirit noticed and has capitalized on for years now. This makes B6 a late entrant into the international market from So. Fla. and it will be up to an amalgam of folks/cultures to see if B6 can eat into NK's market share and find a way to steal even more of AA's market share on routes they compete on.
I will be trying my first ever flight on JetBlue because of the MCO destination from SDQ. I really have big hopes on this first try since I am a frequent business traveler and the service AA is ofering down here is simply offensive (and I am a "first class" passenger).
If you ever try AA from the DR you will understand that the only reason that company is in business is because lack of competition. I travel all over the world and AA is just very expensive bad public transportation.
So in my opinion JB has a great opportunity to work FLL and MCO as hubs from the islands and probably central and south america.
Good luck.
J
We're glad your giving us an opportunity to earn your business. I'm sure we won't let you down. Unfortunatly you won't experience the full JetBlue experience because the LiveTv's lose the signal in the Caribbean and the TV's won't be fully functional as you leave the Florida coast. Please let us know how your trip was!
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comments by JetBlueFA are his Opinions.
They are NOT the Views or Policy of JetBlue Airways
JetBlueFA, I said I was going to write my "review" about our first experience with Jet Blue and now that I just read you are making a change in future ventures I owe it to you and other forum members.
First of all, the whole experience was excellent. Basically it was a complete family trip that included children, parents and grandparents. AA Platinum, Gold, and Exec Platinum members. We were really looking forward to try JB.
Check in, fast, easy, and not crowded. They have only a few flights out each day going out of SDQ and separated so I guess that helped.
Service on ground was very good, our stroller got tagged even before we were boarding and without us asking. A very nice lady came to our seating area, spoke to our kid and told him she personally would take care of it. A nice gesture.
In flight seats are spacious, seat belts fit, and all very clean. On time departure without any shouting, reprimands, or "PLEASE SIT" over the speakers. Usual with AA. Was surprised to find a two and two setup when online it was 3-3. But no problem there, even better.
E-190 seemed a little easy for turbulence, but I guess I am not an expert. Again no mayor complaint.
On the ground, on time (even earlier) so it took a little to get the gate ready. All fast, luggages OK. MCO system of double dropping bags confusing but not JBs fault.
For the return flights, I think JB can use a little more organizing for international at MCO if it is not going to let us use the kiosks, AA uses the kiosks and you just wait for your name to be called to tag your bags. There is improvement ground here.
Flight and arrival where on time and organized. The pilot even game my son a chance to see the cockpit and gave him his wings. Again it is the details that made this even better.
Again my sincere congrats to the team at JB for making it easy to travel. It is fresh air compared to our continuously frustrating AA experiences.
Our family has taken the time to spread the word to other frequent travelers. I guess it is our way of complementing the effort made by all.
There are a number of good colleges that have made their Foreign Language programs part of the public domain. I've heard good things about MIT's Spanish catalogue and a simple search should get you to the site to download the program from beginning to end if you want something a little more in-depth. Good luck with the Spanish! Don't forget to supplement any language class with some "hands-on" practice. After all, that's the point of learning a language...
