Originally Posted by
jrl767
6- I’m more familiar with the LGA<>DCA shuttle, but I have to believe the BOS logic was similar (notwithstanding DCA peculiarities like jet curfews)
- not exactly sure of the timeframe (2010-2015?), but DL migrated most of the Shuttle routes to regional affiliates (Republic, Endeavor, others?) with ERJ-170/175 aircraft
- in the same timeframe, US used a mix of A319s and EMB-190s, and JetBlue operated A320s and E90s
- AA maintained most of the US operations after the merger, but retired the E90 fleet ~2018
I guess the routes' prestige factor is a thing of the past, as well as "we'll bring out a second plane just for YOU."
Acela probably has a lot to do with this.
However, my sister still prefers flying because she can leave her house at 5a, do a full day at her NY office, and be home by 10p the same day. She tells me that she likes Acela, but airplanes are still faster than trains.
ETA: Wapo ran an article about plane v train for WAS-NYC circa 2003. The train won by about 10 minutes (wrt door to door time). I am guessing it's a close call in the BOS-NYC case, but my sister has many data points that support flying.