Other than the obvious cutting of the nonstop west coast flights (MKE-LAX which is year-round, and seasonal MKE-SFO and MKE-SEA) they could cover the rest of their network with relatively minor trimming here and there.
Thanks for the memory refresh. It will be interesting to see how close they come to your solution or not. I figure MCI would keep all the YX West Coast Stations open. I think if YX timed connections right in MCI, there will be no need to use their amenities other than a bathroom break and a drink of water.
YX spokesperson Michael Brophy indicated during an interview today that when the airfare for a ticket to New York is the same as for a long-haul flight west (i.e. LAS, LAX), it just does not make any sense (or any cents ), because the expenses (fuel) are so much greater on the long-haul.
Sounds like they're getting ready to abandon some of the western markets.
As far as I can tell, all airlines with the exception of Southwest are in survival mode right now. It has to be bad and I don't relish the thought of seeing more bankruptcies in the future. On the bright side, the airlines that survive will have loads of opportunity after this crisis is over.
YX spokesperson Michael Brophy indicated during an interview today that when the airfare for a ticket to New York is the same as for a long-haul flight west (i.e. LAS, LAX), it just does not make any sense (or any cents ), because the expenses (fuel) are so much greater on the long-haul.
Sounds like they're getting ready to abandon some of the western markets.
It sounds like they are moving back to their original business model of business markets. I don't know how much business traffic there is between MCI and LAX/SFO.
It sounds like they are moving back to their original business model of business markets. I don't know how much business traffic there is between MCI and LAX/SFO.
More than from Milwaukee....significantly larger volumes and significantly higher yield. These are from the 4th quarter of 2007:
LAX
MCI 833 passengers/day, YX average fare $180
MKE 425 passengers/day, YX average fare $207
SFO+OAK
MCI 573 passengers/day, YX average fare $192
MKE 289 passengers/day, YX average fare $192
SEA
MCI 408 passengers/day, YX average fare $204
MKE 233 passengers/day, YX average fare $194
SAN
MCI 513 passengers/day, YX average fare $192
MKE 208 passengers/day, YX average fare $197
When it comes to west coast, Kansas City is a significantly larger market, a signficantly shorter trip, and earns Midwest just about the same fare as they get for signficantly longer nonstops from Milwaukee.
I'd be surprised to see any of these MCI-west coast trips discontinued.
More than from Milwaukee....significantly larger volumes and significantly higher yield. These are from the 4th quarter of 2007:
LAX
MCI 833 passengers/day, YX average fare $180
MKE 425 passengers/day, YX average fare $207
SFO+OAK
MCI 573 passengers/day, YX average fare $192
MKE 289 passengers/day, YX average fare $192
SEA
MCI 408 passengers/day, YX average fare $204
MKE 233 passengers/day, YX average fare $194
SAN
MCI 513 passengers/day, YX average fare $192
MKE 208 passengers/day, YX average fare $197
When it comes to west coast, Kansas City is a significantly larger market, a signficantly shorter trip, and earns Midwest just about the same fare as they get for signficantly longer nonstops from Milwaukee.
I'd be surprised to see any of these MCI-west coast trips discontinued.
Everything is on the table, in the fall, LAX is down to one flight daily,
Programs: United 1k, Midwest Miles, VX eleVAte, Hilton Diamond VIP
Posts: 1,204
In all honesty, today's announcement should not have a major impact on Midwest's route structure.
The three markets that can't be reliably flown with the 717 from Milwaukee are Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. With the exception of Los Angeles, these routes have been flown seasonally. This year San Francisco is only being flown three months and Seattle will be flown for six months. Much of the traffic on those routes is leisure anyway.
With tweaking of the schedule here and there, Midwest will be able to cover every mainline market from Milwaukee except Los Angeles without a significant drop in frequency.
It's a tough market for everyone right now. Even Southwest would be in bad shape without its fuel hedges.
I find it ironic that some people on this board are bashing Midwest for parking the MD80s. Some of these same people suggested that Midwest make that very move since the restructuring was announced. Now that they've done it, Midwest gets slammed. No matter what Midwest does, they can't seem to win in some people's eyes.
__________________ If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
Programs: United 1k, Midwest Miles, VX eleVAte, Hilton Diamond VIP
Posts: 1,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyYX
On the local Fox Station here in Milwaukee they reported the MD80s will not be parked until some time in the fall. I'm guessing right after Labor Day.
Makes sense. Most airlines are flying full schedules this summer. The big cuts are coming this fall. September 2nd seems to be a popular date for many cuts.
__________________ If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
From the tone of the video message I just listened to, I think Labor Day is not soon enough for what he has in mind. My guess is the big changes will happen a lot faster as the cost reductions are needed NOW instead of putting it off until fall. My guess is they will sub RJ flights for some mainline and eliminate some RJ only destinations. By doing it now, they at least have a chance to reaccomodate passengers already booked instead of totally hosing their trips. My feeling is they might lean on NW for space if they choose not to serve some destinations to help in reaccomodation. All of which does not bode well for my mid-August trip on YX to BNA from OMA.
I've been hearing this rumor a lot over the last week or so. When the restructuring was announced, I actually thought it would include a Chapter 11 filing. However, I think that option will be used as a last resort. While there are certain "benefits" that can be realized with bankruptcy protection, companies often lose a lot of control and suffer adverse publicity when they go this route.
__________________ If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
A rumor right now, but it could be true. Is this the end of the world for YX if they do file? I don't think so. When does TPG decide to put some capital into their investment? Or do they just sit there and watch a company they own sink?
Programs: United 1k, Midwest Miles, VX eleVAte, Hilton Diamond VIP
Posts: 1,204
Status of the 717 conversion?
Lost in all of the discussion about the elimination of the MD80 flying is the status of the 717 seating conversion.
Last year, it was announced that the 717s would be reconfigured with 40 "Signature" seats and 59 "Saver" seats. The new seating was scheduled to be rolled-out in mid-August.
We're now about seven weeks or so away from the time the new configurations should be in place and we haven't heard anything from Midwest on this. No specifics on fare buckets, how seats can be booked, the cost to up-grade, etc.
With the MD80s now going away, I'm beginning to wonder if the seating lay-out as originally planned will actually take place. Midwest's management did say today that they will be going back to their roots by focusing on business routes. That could mean that there is a demand for premium seating and the 40/59 seating mix will stay. Assuming that Midwest still plans on flying to Florida, Phoenix, and Las Vegas perhaps there will be more, would the 40/59 arrangement be economical?
It seems very strange that no details have been released on this yet.
__________________ If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
It's going to be a horrible mess to accommodate all of the passengers already booked on flights that will be non-existant at the time of their travel. What about customers traveling on award travel itineraries booked up to eleven months in advance?
With reduced capacity among all of the carriers, the flight options will be fewer, availability poorer, and fares higher. It will not be fun for either the traveling public or the carriers!
), because the expenses (fuel) are so much greater on the long-haul. 
On the bright side, the airlines that survive will have loads of opportunity after this crisis is over.
How soon?
