Originally Posted by
Mr.Peanut
You will be surprised to know this flight is actually a premium heavy flight. When BA was running their 747-400’s, Phoenix always received BA’s premium heavy version of 747-400. The reason is quite simple as this was the only flight from Phoenix to Europe. Compare this to a place like LAX where premium demand is split across the 20+ N/S routes to Europe. In fact, average BA fares out of Phoenix were generally always higher than out of LAX.
You are completely right about the passenger broad on this route.
However, I would like to add that BA/AA are not the only carriers operating from Phoenix to Europe. There is Condor as well that operates a few weekly flights to Frankfurt but as Condor is a low-cost carrier, BA attracted the high-revenue passengers who wish to Europe. Plus PHX being an AA hub also decreases the number who prefer to fly with UA/DL via another US city.