AS Predictions thread for 2011
 

Let them fly. Serious, ridiculous, sublime.

I'll start: Coming to AS in 2011:

At least one of the following routes:

ANC-MSP
SEA-PHL
SEA-CLT
SEA-YYZ
PDX-LIH

An AA FFP reciprocity plan will be negotiated in 2011. :) It will not include upgrades. :( But AA one-way awards will be announced during the year. :)

AS will be involved in a merger... :eek: with SY. ;) (I realize this one is WAAAAAAAY out there.) No other merger (DL, AA, US, HA, AK or JS.)

QX's "Horizon" branding will be replaced with "Alaska Express operated by Horizon". :(

We will also see non-QX "Alaska Express" flying in 2011 (since there will be a handful of routes that are infeasible for mainline OR the Q400).

There will be another Skyteam MP partner announced in 2011.

I think ANC-MSP and PDX-LIH are the most likley in this list.
I wouldn't be suprised to see ITO-somewhere, but they aren't going to have many extra planes for expansion.

PDX-MSP
SEA-CVG
SEA-BNA, wearing both codeshares

if WN/FL shrinks the MKE hub, seasonal SEA-MKE

up to 2 of the following ROUTES:

• SEA-PHL
• SEA-MSY
• SEA-SAT
• SEA-SLC
• PDX-MSP
• 1 Addl hawaii route pair, (PDX-LIH or BUR-OGG)

Additionally:

• QX rebranded, but not alaska express - will be alaska xxxx (xxxx still tbd)
• 4+ order of aircraft
• 5% stock price increase
• AS finalizes N Satelite takeover plans in SEA, UA/CO consolidate to B, WN moves to D - not sure if B can handle widebodies, so widebody UA flights to A.

Semi-realistic:
Either SEA-MSY or SEA-ABQ added.
More useless SJC-Mexico routes.
AA reciprocity becomes on the level of Delta, just no upgrades.

Dreaming:
BUR-Hawaii
OXR-SJC
PAE-PDX & GEG
SEA-PDX adds some mainline

New type of Aircraft announced...to replace CRJ's and Q400 on flights like PDX-LAX
New inflight entertainment system announced or just inseat power
AS aquires another airline (or a merger)

...ANC-KOA... please ;)

2 of the following:
SEA - ITO
SEA - ABQ
SEA - PHL
SEA - MCI

Announcement that the ERJ will be added to either the AS or QX fleet

F cabin on select QX routes

No more free beer/wine on QX

New inter-island partnership announced

MP partnership with BA ends

*A adds routes to FAI and JNU; AS subsequently offers $119 each way FAI - SEA and $79 each way JNU - SEA; the lowest airfares either of these cities has seen in years.

If this happens I will mail you some rose petals and you can spread them at your feet!

QX will not be rebranded, but the ties to the Pacific Northwest will be downplayed

AS will not be involved in a merger

AS will continue to add service to BLI, but these flights won't get the BofA Visa pitch, but the MBNA Mastercard Pitch for Canadian residents.
BLI-LAX
BLI-PHX

New routes: 2 of the following
PDX-EWR
SEA-SLC
SEA-ABQ
SEA-MRY (QX)
ANC-DUT combi service 3x weekly, continue with PenAir partnership.

New mileage plan partner. Either:
China Southern
Condor
EVA

The fleet:
1) The return of Seahawk 1 with special livery aircraft
2) Gonzaga is the first private school to score a Q-400
3) The ugliest plane in the fleet (the Alaska statehood monstrosity) will be involved in a non-fatal runway excursion in Alaska and be written off.

Not sure that DUT has enough runway for a 73Q... the 732's had to spool up quite a bit to make it off AFAIK...

If this happens, I'm done with AS. The main reason I have the BofA credit card is the relationship with BA.

How about PDX-RDU, PDX, MIA, another run at PDX , MCO and how about 737's PDX-ONT again

Agreed.

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I think it's only a matter of time before AS takes over ANC-MSP from DL, at least in the winter. Delta is already down to a single 737 this winter; it was 757 practically forever under NW.