Originally Posted by
jackal
Downside of dropping service to MIA is lack of access to AA and DL connections there.
The move to FLL may or may not have an effect on the South Florida O&D traffic--I'm not familiar enough with the region to be able to make an educated observation about that. Where do most cruise ships depart from? If it's the Port of Miami, then the move to FLL could kill that traffic.
Lots of cruises from both Port Everglades (two miles from FLL) and the Port of Miami. Folks choose cruises based typically on the ship and the cruise line, not the air carrier that gets them there. Much less a hassle factor flying in/out of FLL than MIA, that's for sure.
I agree that it's quite interesting that as AS and AA get "closer", AS is pulling out of a major AA hub. But how many people were making connections in MIA anyway for further travel on AA?