Originally Posted by
fishywang
So it turns out I'll have meetings at NYC on both April and May.
For April, I can see that SEA-JFK and JFK-SEA has U spaces open around my dates, and EWR is not open for U, so I booked JFK both ways with GGUs.
For May, I can see that SEA-EWR has U spaces open around my dates, but SEA-JFK or either return doesn't have anything, so I booked SEA-EWR with gold upgrade fare (ran out of GGUs) and JFK-SEA back (not gonna hold my breath for upgrading on this).
Is there any general pattern on SEA-JFK/EWR routes? When booking April trip I thought people prefer SEA-EWR because of SEA-JFK is a red eye (even with upgrade, a non-lie-flat FC is not gonna help a lot in a red eye), that's why U is available on JFK routes. But then booking May trip denied my previous speculation (not gonna complain here).
EWR is a premium heavy market for Alaska. It's been their NYC airport since they started service in 2002, so there's a history at EWR. Additionally, the flights are timed for business travelers so EWR commands a higher fare over JFK.
JFK is an outbound red-eye and an early 7AM departure, which I can't imagine is especially popular with business travelers, except maybe Monday AMs. I'm assuming this is why there's plentiful U space to JFK vs. EWR, which is an insanely tough upgrade, even for instant upgrade coach fares.
Of course, the U pattern for May doesn't make sense, but revenue/inventory management is a complex subject I'm not qualified to speak about.
