Originally Posted by
Adelphos
If it is just more capacity on these routes, why do so many airlines find these routes attractive? Are carriers like UA, DL and VX making money on these routes selling filling up coach seats at sub $450?
They aren't making the bulk of their money on this route with the sub $450 people - they're making it on the people paying to sit in J and F upfront (hollywood crowd and business execs). It's one of the few routes in the US that supports paid J and F which is why you find that the competition isn't so much about the back of the plane but it's about what's being offered in the front
Take a look at paid J for the summer months with the exception of B6, it looks like J fares at the moment are at or over 4k for JFKLAX RT
This route can be one of the most difficult to clear as an EXP (and on DL and UA they require the use of instruments or miles + cash to upgrade - there are no complimentary upgrades on the route for those two)