More AS Flights to DCA?
Feb 1, 2012, 1:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: KMFR
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Posts: 61
More AS Flights to DCA?
It's not final yet, but one of the changes proposed in the four-year FAA funding reauthorization is:
"Slots at Reagan National Airport. The compromise authorized eight more round-trip, long-distance flights from the airport, which is close to Washington, D.C."
Wonder if AS will get any of these??
USA Today article.
"Slots at Reagan National Airport. The compromise authorized eight more round-trip, long-distance flights from the airport, which is close to Washington, D.C."
Wonder if AS will get any of these??
USA Today article.
Feb 1, 2012, 2:31 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: DC
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Maybe, but only maybe. I'm not an real expert on these things, but I've followed the issue of the DCA perimeter rule closely for some time.
As with all things in DC, this is highly political. I could see a third DCA-SEA, perhaps integrating a red-eye return. And maybe a DCA-PDX. The "perimeter" is 1250 miles, conveniently including IAH and DFW. My guess is that the most assurred slot would be a DCA-SFO for UA, which UA has been wanting for ages. DL would likely angle for another SLC slot, US another PHX slot, and perhaps AA or DL trying to get a LAX slot.
If I were AS, I would emphasize that granting them coveted spots preserves competition in transcontinental routes, and that DL, AA, US, and UA have considerable shares of that market, albeit mostly on routes requiring a change at a hub. Moreover, AS could credibly claim that a second LAX frequency would make their existing one more visible - its amazing how many people in this town have no idea that AS flies DCA-LAX nonstop.
Just my conjecture based on what I've observed over the years.
As with all things in DC, this is highly political. I could see a third DCA-SEA, perhaps integrating a red-eye return. And maybe a DCA-PDX. The "perimeter" is 1250 miles, conveniently including IAH and DFW. My guess is that the most assurred slot would be a DCA-SFO for UA, which UA has been wanting for ages. DL would likely angle for another SLC slot, US another PHX slot, and perhaps AA or DL trying to get a LAX slot.
If I were AS, I would emphasize that granting them coveted spots preserves competition in transcontinental routes, and that DL, AA, US, and UA have considerable shares of that market, albeit mostly on routes requiring a change at a hub. Moreover, AS could credibly claim that a second LAX frequency would make their existing one more visible - its amazing how many people in this town have no idea that AS flies DCA-LAX nonstop.
Just my conjecture based on what I've observed over the years.
Feb 1, 2012, 3:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AS MVPG, CO, NW(now DL), Flying Blue
Posts: 6,554
Maybe, but only maybe. I'm not an real expert on these things, but I've followed the issue of the DCA perimeter rule closely for some time.
As with all things in DC, this is highly political. I could see a third DCA-SEA, perhaps integrating a red-eye return. And maybe a DCA-PDX. The "perimeter" is 1250 miles, conveniently including IAH and DFW. My guess is that the most assurred slot would be a DCA-SFO for UA, which UA has been wanting for ages. DL would likely angle for another SLC slot, US another PHX slot, and perhaps AA or DL trying to get a LAX slot.
If I were AS, I would emphasize that granting them coveted spots preserves competition in transcontinental routes, and that DL, AA, US, and UA have considerable shares of that market, albeit mostly on routes requiring a change at a hub. Moreover, AS could credibly claim that a second LAX frequency would make their existing one more visible - its amazing how many people in this town have no idea that AS flies DCA-LAX nonstop.
Just my conjecture based on what I've observed over the years.
As with all things in DC, this is highly political. I could see a third DCA-SEA, perhaps integrating a red-eye return. And maybe a DCA-PDX. The "perimeter" is 1250 miles, conveniently including IAH and DFW. My guess is that the most assurred slot would be a DCA-SFO for UA, which UA has been wanting for ages. DL would likely angle for another SLC slot, US another PHX slot, and perhaps AA or DL trying to get a LAX slot.
If I were AS, I would emphasize that granting them coveted spots preserves competition in transcontinental routes, and that DL, AA, US, and UA have considerable shares of that market, albeit mostly on routes requiring a change at a hub. Moreover, AS could credibly claim that a second LAX frequency would make their existing one more visible - its amazing how many people in this town have no idea that AS flies DCA-LAX nonstop.
Just my conjecture based on what I've observed over the years.
Feb 1, 2012, 3:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
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I think getting a third to SEA might be a tough sell.
Also think they might throw one or two to FLWN or to B6 to keep up the pretense that there's competition.
Also think they might throw one or two to FLWN or to B6 to keep up the pretense that there's competition.
Feb 1, 2012, 4:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: GEG
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The major winner here will be VX getting slot pairs for SFO and LAX.
Feb 1, 2012, 5:59 pm
#7
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Posts: 7,390
Since AS already has the most perimeter exemption slots ex-DCA, it will be tough for AS to obtain a fourth pair. There also has to be justifiable high business demand between DCA-PDX since SEA already covers the connection options, so weighting too much on connecting traffic won't really help them much in the application.
I think VX will be one of the high candidates to get some slots and UA will probably snag one or two for SFO to connect customers to/from Asia. WN might jump in the mix as well for DEN.
I am not sure if this is permissible, but who knows AC will be able to apply for YVR service.
I think VX will be one of the high candidates to get some slots and UA will probably snag one or two for SFO to connect customers to/from Asia. WN might jump in the mix as well for DEN.
I am not sure if this is permissible, but who knows AC will be able to apply for YVR service.
Feb 1, 2012, 6:37 pm
#8
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I hate to say it but SFO, and possibly even SAN, will probably get DCA before PDX gets a shot.
I remember back in the day when AS first got access to DCA, part of the selling point was that the flights would be through flights ex-ANC (AS1/2) and ex-FAI (AS3/4). Maybe they could apply for something like ANC-PDX-DCA and return. The scheduling would work out pretty easily.
I hate to say it but SFO, and possibly even SAN, will probably get DCA before PDX gets a shot.
I remember back in the day when AS first got access to DCA, part of the selling point was that the flights would be through flights ex-ANC (AS1/2) and ex-FAI (AS3/4). Maybe they could apply for something like ANC-PDX-DCA and return. The scheduling would work out pretty easily.
Last edited by Chugach; Feb 1, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Feb 1, 2012, 7:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK/STS
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Hoping for at least one more pair, remember an article a year or so ago where Ayer said he hoped to get a PDX-DCA flight going.
AS is my primary transcon airline now, so will be too bad if this turns into a VX or UA slot grab.
AS is my primary transcon airline now, so will be too bad if this turns into a VX or UA slot grab.
Feb 3, 2012, 8:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: Hilton Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,363
the SEA-DCA was an easy connection to Alaska, so perhaps Alaska could sell a PDX-DCA and return as an easy connection to Honolulu or something like that.
Feb 5, 2012, 11:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FUK/Fukuoka
Programs: AS, HA, JL, UA
Posts: 676
PDX officials seem confident in getting a DCA flight:
http://www.kgw.com/news/More-direct-...138743549.html
http://www.kgw.com/news/More-direct-...138743549.html
Feb 5, 2012, 11:12 pm
#12
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
PDX officials seem confident in getting a DCA flight:
http://www.kgw.com/news/More-direct-...138743549.html
http://www.kgw.com/news/More-direct-...138743549.html
We shall see... At the same time, I think this might mean the death of the AS LAX-DCA flight. Almost zero connectivity and I think UA or AA would be much more suited to serve this route with far more connectivity beyond LAX. AS simply got this route based on noncompetitive purposes since they are significantly smaller than UA, DL, AA, etc.
Last edited by golfingboy; Feb 6, 2012 at 1:52 am
Feb 6, 2012, 1:19 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
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Posts: 394
Wow, reading the article the Oregon people literally guaranteed that this will happen if the bill passes... While chances may be pretty high, it is a little overly confident since those authorities will be turned over to the DOT/FAA to grant them to various applicants.
We shall see... At the same time, I think this might mean the death of the AS LAX-DCA flight. Almost zero connectivity and I think UA or AA would be much more suited to serve this route with far more connectivity beyond LAX. AS simply got this route based on noncompetitive purposes since they are significantly smaller than UA, DL, AA, etc.
We shall see... At the same time, I think this might mean the death of the AS LAX-DCA flight. Almost zero connectivity and I think UA or AA would be much more suited to serve this route with far more connectivity beyond LAX. AS simply got this route based on noncompetitive purposes since they are significantly smaller than UA, DL, AA, etc.
Feb 6, 2012, 1:52 am
#14
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Would Congress or the FAA be okay with AS having 1/4 of the DCA perimeter exemption slots?
Perhaps they will allow AS the opportunity to give LAX to VX or UA to start a PDX-DCA route?
I will be surprised if they just gave AS a fourth pair. However, it is the DOT we are talking about...
Perhaps they will allow AS the opportunity to give LAX to VX or UA to start a PDX-DCA route?
I will be surprised if they just gave AS a fourth pair. However, it is the DOT we are talking about...
Feb 6, 2012, 5:50 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Programs: AA ExPlat, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 909
Would Congress or the FAA be okay with AS having 1/4 of the DCA perimeter exemption slots?
Perhaps they will allow AS the opportunity to give LAX to VX or UA to start a PDX-DCA route?
I will be surprised if they just gave AS a fourth pair. However, it is the DOT we are talking about...
Perhaps they will allow AS the opportunity to give LAX to VX or UA to start a PDX-DCA route?
I will be surprised if they just gave AS a fourth pair. However, it is the DOT we are talking about...
--mcz