Originally Posted by
tusphotog
You're not crazy, AS did have to take a weight penalty on their DCA/IAD-SEA flights as well as their MCO-SEA flights when the winds were blowing hard. All were originally operated by the 737-900 and are now run by their -800s.
The -900s (not -900ERs) are a bit less capable than the -800s, which in turn is less capable than the -700. WN would have no problem serving any city in the CONUS out of BOS except on days with exceptionally strong winds.
Originally Posted by
tusphotog
I think (and I could be wrong) but the flights were operated with the -900 originally because the DCA slot rule required more seats than the -700s had. The DCA-SEA slots came from TWA which used a 757 on their routes and I believe the powers to be wanted something that more closely matched a 757 in size.
After 9/11 things changed and I think they sent -700s on the route once DCA reopened and kept IAD. I remember flying IAD-SEA on a 737-900 in summer 2003.
The slots in DCA are based on weight and destination. TW had a beyond perimeter, "mainline" slot, which was transferred to AS for AS1.