Originally Posted by
worldwideg
SEA is certainly the largest hub for AS but not the only one. There are plenty of markets to grow from not only SEA but ANC/PDX/LAX hubs and SAN/SLC focus cities too. There has always been competition but the problem with rapid growth is that the airline can't train enough pilots to grow the airline to serve all the markets available. As previously mentioned, this order will likely replace the -400s 1:1 as the airline will not be putting in all the Alaska Beyond extras into 734s as the -800/900/900er will have.
It's sad because the 734 still do a lot of quality service for the airline but the combination of efficiency and scowl on passengers faces boarding -400s makes it just a business decision...a $594M business decision.
ANC and the State of Alaska just doesnt have the population to support a whole lot of market growth, not on a daily service level or year round service. There is probably some seasonal potential. And/But the problem with 2x or 3x a week service is that it creates logistical issues with FAs and Pilots that cost money. Either pay for their rooms and food for extra days or dead head them on another airline or from a SEA or PDX flight going to the same outpost. I dont even think flying to MSP would be in range of a same day turn. They can run ORD because of the other 3 to 5 flights coming from PDX and SEA. That route even shuts down Jan to early March. Mid November I flew ORD to ANC and there were 34 of us on the a/c. No money made by AS at all on a 2800 mile route. Most routes out of ANC have already been tried by either AS or a competitor. While Id love to see AS fly PHL or MKE or MSP or DEN or LAS, the only one that seems doable or one they havent tried yet which is MSP