Is CLT the best hub for any domestic airline?
Feb 19, 2007, 5:50 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TUS and any place close to a lav
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Feb 19, 2007, 6:24 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
The hub carrier normally offers non-stops while the others only offer connections (with the exception being flights between different carrier's hubs like CLT-ATL or CLT-ORD). The conventional wisdom in airline pricing is that people will pay more for non-stop service.
That's also why the fare from A-HUB-B is often cheaper than the fare from HUB-B. Several carriers might offer connecting service between A & B thru their respective hubs, while none offer non-stop A-B. That makes for price competition.
Jim
Feb 19, 2007, 7:33 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: RIC
Programs: Delta Gold, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 889
Legacy pricing at it "finest".....
The hub carrier normally offers non-stops while the others only offer connections (with the exception being flights between different carrier's hubs like CLT-ATL or CLT-ORD). The conventional wisdom in airline pricing is that people will pay more for non-stop service.
That's also why the fare from A-HUB-B is often cheaper than the fare from HUB-B. Several carriers might offer connecting service between A & B thru their respective hubs, while none offer non-stop A-B. That makes for price competition.
Jim
The hub carrier normally offers non-stops while the others only offer connections (with the exception being flights between different carrier's hubs like CLT-ATL or CLT-ORD). The conventional wisdom in airline pricing is that people will pay more for non-stop service.
That's also why the fare from A-HUB-B is often cheaper than the fare from HUB-B. Several carriers might offer connecting service between A & B thru their respective hubs, while none offer non-stop A-B. That makes for price competition.
Jim
Hey all legacy carriers...Professor Plum called...he said get a clue!
Feb 19, 2007, 7:34 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2004
Programs: Delta Silver, US, FlyingBlue
Posts: 324
I think the best "hub" airport I've transited through has to be DTW with NW. They've got a huge terminal, but have quick tram service from end to end and who doesn't love the trippy "mood tunnel" between mainline and express? The terminal may get too big at times, but the non-stop service is amazing. You get multiple option to Asia and Europe from the same airport, very few North American airports give you that flexibility.
Out of US's hub airports I'd say PIT is my favorite to connect through. Though flight options through it are diminishing, I always run into considerate employees and the low traffic combined with huge capacity makes landing-to-gate and gate-to-takeoff times minuscule. I once had a five minute connection to the last flight out (late departure) and they held the plane for me and for my bags.
Out of US's hub airports I'd say PIT is my favorite to connect through. Though flight options through it are diminishing, I always run into considerate employees and the low traffic combined with huge capacity makes landing-to-gate and gate-to-takeoff times minuscule. I once had a five minute connection to the last flight out (late departure) and they held the plane for me and for my bags.
Feb 19, 2007, 10:47 pm
#35
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
I think the best "hub" airport I've transited through has to be DTW with NW. They've got a huge terminal, but have quick tram service from end to end and who doesn't love the trippy "mood tunnel" between mainline and express? The terminal may get too big at times, but the non-stop service is amazing. You get multiple option to Asia and Europe from the same airport, very few North American airports give you that flexibility.
Out of US's hub airports I'd say PIT is my favorite to connect through. Though flight options through it are diminishing, I always run into considerate employees and the low traffic combined with huge capacity makes landing-to-gate and gate-to-takeoff times minuscule. I once had a five minute connection to the last flight out (late departure) and they held the plane for me and for my bags.
Out of US's hub airports I'd say PIT is my favorite to connect through. Though flight options through it are diminishing, I always run into considerate employees and the low traffic combined with huge capacity makes landing-to-gate and gate-to-takeoff times minuscule. I once had a five minute connection to the last flight out (late departure) and they held the plane for me and for my bags.
Feb 20, 2007, 2:45 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: North Carolina / BrentWood, CA
Programs: USAir Preferred, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 157
I agree with the OP. CLT was my home airport for many years and I still cannot find anything that beats it. I've flown thru many places and I almost always end up saying something to the effect of "how they do things at CLT". I know it drives people traveling with me insane, but I have to call them as I see them...LOL
I absolutely hate to fly out of SFO on USAir, thats the worst terminal ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really dont understand the whole concept of come this way and only stay in your terminal where at CLT you can go thru any security line and then wander thru the whole airport before heading to your gate. Oh well, we each have our own fave hubs.
I absolutely hate to fly out of SFO on USAir, thats the worst terminal ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really dont understand the whole concept of come this way and only stay in your terminal where at CLT you can go thru any security line and then wander thru the whole airport before heading to your gate. Oh well, we each have our own fave hubs.
Last edited by Brutie; Feb 20, 2007 at 2:51 am
Feb 20, 2007, 2:46 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: North Carolina / BrentWood, CA
Programs: USAir Preferred, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 157
Feb 20, 2007, 2:55 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: North Carolina / BrentWood, CA
Programs: USAir Preferred, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 157
I did fly thru PHX last week for the first time. Well not thru, into and out of. I dont know enuf about the area to comment on the location of it, though I thought the airport was very nice, and I loved that I got a free flu shot. I've never had a flu shot in my entire life, so I figured what the hell, its free...LOL
I thought it was a very nice airport and I loved all the "purple people" milling around to help you with any questions, etc, etc. I found that wonderful for flying into a new airport and wish others had "purple people". It also didnt seem all that far from our room at Canyon Villas, though I didnt really notice the time or anything as we drove to and from the airport since each time we didnt go straight to or from there.
I thought it was a very nice airport and I loved all the "purple people" milling around to help you with any questions, etc, etc. I found that wonderful for flying into a new airport and wish others had "purple people". It also didnt seem all that far from our room at Canyon Villas, though I didnt really notice the time or anything as we drove to and from the airport since each time we didnt go straight to or from there.
Feb 20, 2007, 3:47 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PIT/LAX
Programs: US Gold, CO Silver,HH Gold,*wood Gold
Posts: 301
CLT and PIT always made US (EAST) the best connecting airline in the nation-as long as you could avoid PHL. PIT still is the best overall (insert standard mournful loss of PIT hub statement here yadda yadda yadda) and even better now as the airport is essentially built for Atlanta sized volume and with it's current moderate volume, never has crowding induced air traffic or ground delays. Also, still some of the best, experienced, helpful employees around.
CLT is equally pleasant in my opinion, but more jammed and more difficult to connect.
The other hub i like is PHX which so far has worked well for me.
Bad hubs? ORD, LAS, IAD, ATL and of course the all time worst: PHL
CLT is equally pleasant in my opinion, but more jammed and more difficult to connect.
The other hub i like is PHX which so far has worked well for me.
Bad hubs? ORD, LAS, IAD, ATL and of course the all time worst: PHL
Feb 20, 2007, 5:36 am
#40
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: PIT
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Posts: 522
I'm with you, though I have to say, I like connecting through the McNamara terminal in DTW better than CLT. CLT could also use some moving sidewalks in B & C. I just wish I didn't have to connect at all... (<< insert standard "loss of PIT" mourning statement here >> )
(<< insert standard "loss of PIT" mourning statement here >> )Other than that, CLT is a great airport if you have to connect. I used it when going south, schedule wise, it sucks from PIT if you're going west (<< insert standard "loss of PIT" mourning statement here >> ). My west connections are through ORD. NEVER NEVER NEVER fly through PHL....I fly UA before subjecting myself to that dump.
Feb 20, 2007, 5:53 am
#41
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reading, PA USA (RDG)
Programs: US Gold, Avis CHM, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Silver
Posts: 463
CLT is really not a bad hub. Not nearly as good as PIT, but not bad.