FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - LAX--New focus city
View Single Post
Old Jul 17, 2020, 6:48 pm
  #65  
diburning
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,617
Originally Posted by sbm12
JetBlue's motivation in the VX deal was about much more than just getting some gates. It was about establishing a nationwide network instead of an east coast network that occasionally few out west. That was not an expansion the company could undertake with organic growth levels.

Also telling is that even with more LAX gates there is minimal discussion of adding service within the region as opposed to longer VFR markets that can be served efficiently from LAX.
I think the main obstacle to Jetblue expanding on the west coast is the lack of a west coast maintenance facility which precludes them from having a sizeable west coast based fleet. Acquiring VX would have added a west coast fleet with their maintenance contracts (VX contracted with United for maintenance on their A319s and A320s at SFO)
diburning is offline