What do you think, will Aegean ever start flights to the USA?
#16
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
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How about the other direction? Africa, India etc. I guess there may not be much demand plus more pressures on ATH which isn't set up to be a big hub (look at IST for comparison)
If A3 ever flies to HKG I may give up BA completely...
If A3 ever flies to HKG I may give up BA completely...
#17
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
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BA? Why aren't you flying CX??? Far better in my opinion!
#18
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 8
Would Aegean use the new A321XLR for long haul flights?
So Airbus have announced the new A321XLR with a range up to 8,700 km
https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/pres...e-a321xlr.html
There has been discussion in the past about whether Aegean will introduce long haul flights into their network - which up will now would have required wide-body aircraft. That seemed to be a risky venture which the airline appears to be shunning at least in the short term.
However, with this new aircraft, the risks would be mitigated. They already have A321's in their fleet so there will be minimal overheads (training, costs etc). The range could handle New York to Athens...just. But given this route is now served by 3 airlines (Emirates, Delta, United), would they consider Boston? It's the 6th biggest combined statistical area in the USA at just over 8m in the catchment area (a million more than Greater Philly where American currently fly to Athens from). There are many Greeks Americans in Boston (second after New York) who'd otherwise probably be travelling to New York as there are no direct Boston/Athens flights. And it's also a tad closer than NYC so it would comfortably be within range of the new A321XLR.
This could represent an low risk opportunity for Aegean to test the water. The only modification I would make to their hard product would be a better business class - dedicated wider 2 x 2 recliner seats.
https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/pres...e-a321xlr.html
There has been discussion in the past about whether Aegean will introduce long haul flights into their network - which up will now would have required wide-body aircraft. That seemed to be a risky venture which the airline appears to be shunning at least in the short term.
However, with this new aircraft, the risks would be mitigated. They already have A321's in their fleet so there will be minimal overheads (training, costs etc). The range could handle New York to Athens...just. But given this route is now served by 3 airlines (Emirates, Delta, United), would they consider Boston? It's the 6th biggest combined statistical area in the USA at just over 8m in the catchment area (a million more than Greater Philly where American currently fly to Athens from). There are many Greeks Americans in Boston (second after New York) who'd otherwise probably be travelling to New York as there are no direct Boston/Athens flights. And it's also a tad closer than NYC so it would comfortably be within range of the new A321XLR.
This could represent an low risk opportunity for Aegean to test the water. The only modification I would make to their hard product would be a better business class - dedicated wider 2 x 2 recliner seats.
#19
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
Back in the 80s OA was flying ATH-BOS-JFK-ATH with a 747. My cousin was the station manager at JFK and then after a few years with PanAm, he had the same position at BOS. I remember him telling me how hard he was trying to convince the, then, responsible people in Athens how OA was losing a lot of money flying to BOS on a daily basis. Of course, back then there was no possibility to fly across the Atlantic in a small plane, and a dedicated wide body would have been too big. At any rate, ~200 seats daily throughout the year? I am not that optimistic, but let's wait and see.
#20
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How about BOS in the summer and BKK in the winter!?
Looking forward to using my upgrade vouchers!
Looking forward to using my upgrade vouchers!
#21
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 8
Thai used to fly to Athens via Bangkok - I caught that flight back in 2004. But the vast majority of the plane was full of us Aussies, so it would only work if they codeshared with Thai. They are both Star Alliance so definitely possible.
#22
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
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The flight surely originated in Bangkok, which is, afterall, TG's home base.
If it stopped along the way, could you clarify where? Thanks!
(At the time of its cancellation BKK-ATH was operated direct, non-stop)
If it stopped along the way, could you clarify where? Thanks!
(At the time of its cancellation BKK-ATH was operated direct, non-stop)
Last edited by irishguy28; Jun 19, 2019 at 8:02 am
#23
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Location: Netherlands
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I'm not at all convinced that BKK would be the best destination for A3. It's a very low yielding route that other European players struggle to make money on.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...unich-bangkok/
Air Italy also terminated their BKK flights in March of this year
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...unich-bangkok/
Air Italy also terminated their BKK flights in March of this year
Last edited by irishguy28; Jun 19, 2019 at 8:14 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 8
The flight surely originated in Bangkok, which is, afterall, TG's home base.
If it stopped along the way, could you clarify where? Thanks!
(At the time of its cancellation BKK-ATH was operated direct, non-stop)
If it stopped along the way, could you clarify where? Thanks!
(At the time of its cancellation BKK-ATH was operated direct, non-stop)
#25
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
The "low yield", quasi empty business class ATH-BKK on Thai resulted in a free business class ticket that I used, six months later, to have my wife accompany me for a two-weeks long business trip in Thailand. On occasion of the 70 years of the reign of King Bhumibol in 2006 TG had a lottery on board where one could win the free ticket, one for business class and one for coach. Now, I was sitting up front either alone or with another passenger, I don't really remember, thus my chances were either 50% or 100% . At any rate, I loved my frequent trips on TG and the "empty" business class although at that time I was usually flying KLM or AF that were, both, more expensive and packed.
#26
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,897
I just pray that A3 does not ever get tempted to do the same. A few wrong moves dabling into longhaul and the whole company will go down in history.
#29
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,897
Just a shame that diaspora routes rarely make money as history has told us. You need more then just a Greek community to make the likes of YYZ work. Seasonal at best and only with low yield fares and decent product which makes little room for profits.
#30
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AA added another daily to ATH this year, from ORD, so now there are at least 5 flights daily to/from the US seasonal, or maybe more, if DL still does 2x a day. So there is seasonal demand for the route it seems.
The flight range may be a stretch though for the new aircraft, I think there supposed to be a buffer?
The flight range may be a stretch though for the new aircraft, I think there supposed to be a buffer?