Originally Posted by
sinoflyer
With the EWR hub now absorbed into the network, JFK's role as a niche outstation is more important than ever. DCA, in the shadows of IAD, has a lot in common with JFK in that respect for UA. The heavy O-D traffic on one end only (either originating or terminating at JFK but not necessarily so at LAX or SFO) made p.s. work. It might work for DCA as well.
By contrast, BOS is the only game in town. Also, there is likely no viable market for 3-class service on BOS-LAX/SFO, so I agree with you that p.s. simply doesn't belong there. But let's not forget that p.s. will soon convert to 2-class. That's where I see the inroad for it on DCA-SFO. I am, however, still somewhat on the fence on the idea, being 51/49 for/against it.
believe me...UA has done the research on p.s. in washington. for one, running one flight from DCA isn't practical. two, they will not get the fares that p.s. demands out of JFK.
you kind of contradicted yourself, saying BOS is the only game in town. UA will have the ONLY DCA-SFO flight, so they're the only game in town. and as others pointed out, JFK-LAX/SFO is so competitive, that people actually pay a premium for the p.s. product, which is why it is so successful. no point in doing that on a route that you control 100% and the area cannot support the fares.
again, people need to realize p.s. will never happen in DC, unless NYC relocates there.