Originally Posted by
cmtlatitudes
I live here, and my experience is this is generally true. I've always wondered why AA doesn't have a handful of non-stops to the Caribbean from DCA --- for example, GCM, PLS, STT, NAS. Or at least those airports where customs is cleared before departure back to the states. Is it primarily limitations on slots and no political pull for exemptions?
I think they'd fill up planes easily from DCA to these destinations, especially if only a couple flights a week. Many of my acquaintances here would be flying for long weekends once or twice a month with the convenience of non-stop DCA flights. I'd be blowing through way too much money way to often with non-stops to the Caribbean from DCA, 😁
The only option from the DC area non-stop with a F class seat to the Caribbean, is United out of IAD, with seasonal limitations.
I think congress has pretty strong opinions regarding where beyond perimeter slots and slots in general are allocated. State capitols, cities with large government contracting presence and other hubs have always been the go-to out of DCA (other than major cities like BOS, NYC, ORD, ATL, DFW, and IAH). That is why cities like HSV, CAE, CHS, and DAY get heavy play at DCA. Remember also, unless you have a -ton- of slots, you're going to bulk up on service to your hubs. Network carriers like AA and to a lesser extent DL have enough slots to attempt routes to non-hub cities.
International (aside from Canada) has never been a focus on DCA. I know US ran service to BDA in the summer and I think US used to do NAS. All other "international" cities (GCM, MBJ, STT) are at least 1250 miles and no carrier is going to get a perimeter exemption to GCM when cities like SMF, SAN, SJC, COS, SAT, and ELP still have no non-stop service. If there is ever another round, expect SAT and SAN to be a top of everyone's request list. The only other place I could see "internationally" would be YVR.