Originally Posted by mraju99

I think where they're really at a disadvantage is on the CA-originating side. Most of those passengers aren't familiar with the geography of the area, and even if EWR is just as convenient, they prefer going to JFK because that's the "New York" airport that everyone knows. I think avgeeks on sites like this overestimate the level of knowledge the average traveler is willing to acquire about airports, especially out of their home region. They don't want to figure out how to get into the city from both EWR and JFK and then switch around on each trip based on fares. They know 1 airport, and that's the one they'll fly to regardless of fare. I'm guessing that's where United struggles. Heck, when I lived in the Bay Area, I'd marvel at people living in Santa Clara (5 minutes from SJC) who'd fight traffic on the 101 to fly out of SFO because they didn't care to even search for options out of SJC.