AS adds SFO-SNA/MSP/MCO
Dec 15, 2016, 11:36 am
#16
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SFO-EUG is right near the 400 mile sweet spot for Q400s. I'd think they'd want PDX-Bay Area and SEA-Greater LA on E75s first. It does make sense that AS can be a lot more creative with adding service out of SFO/LAX now, though (a better mix of Q400/E75/73G/A319/734/A320/738/739/A321).
Dec 15, 2016, 12:03 pm
#17
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Dec 15, 2016, 12:10 pm
#18
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Dec 15, 2016, 1:16 pm
#19
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I certainly hope that soon they'll add more flights from EUG to SFO to feed those connections. Traveling for business, at some point it gets harder to justify the hairpin north to SEA before heading south.
On top of that, they are operating Q400s while UA has been using mainline equipment on that route for several months now. If AS were to follow suit, or at least move to the E175, it would be in line with their now more California-centric strategy.
On top of that, they are operating Q400s while UA has been using mainline equipment on that route for several months now. If AS were to follow suit, or at least move to the E175, it would be in line with their now more California-centric strategy.
A little confused here- you mean Q400's on the EUG-SJC route, right? Because AS doesn't fly EUG-SFO direct at present. Frankly for flights up to that length, I think mainline aircraft is overrated. UA's passenger seat capacity EUG-SFO increased almost entirely due to middle seats and UA decreased daily frequency at the same time including a very convenient late night SFO departure. I'd gladly take a E175 (which UX/OO were starting to use on the route instead of CRJ200/700), or even a Q400 over a A319 middle.
Dec 15, 2016, 1:22 pm
#20
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Note, I recognize FT'ers are usually not classified as "in their right mind".
Dec 15, 2016, 1:25 pm
#21
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This, and for most Bay Area folks, proximity to a given airport and the convenience thereof trumps airframe choice on a nonstop route. Noone in their right mind in the South Bay is going to drive to SFO just to get on a mainline jet when AS is offering a nonstop Q400 option at SJC.
Note, I recognize FT'ers are usually not classified as "in their right mind".
Note, I recognize FT'ers are usually not classified as "in their right mind".
But mainline EUG-SFO... probably not.
Dec 15, 2016, 1:51 pm
#22
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A little confused here- you mean Q400's on the EUG-SJC route, right? Because AS doesn't fly EUG-SFO direct at present. Frankly for flights up to that length, I think mainline aircraft is overrated. UA's passenger seat capacity EUG-SFO increased almost entirely due to middle seats and UA decreased daily frequency at the same time including a very convenient late night SFO departure. I'd gladly take a E175 (which UX/OO were starting to use on the route instead of CRJ200/700), or even a Q400 over a A319 middle.
Dec 15, 2016, 1:52 pm
#23
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This, and for most Bay Area folks, proximity to a given airport and the convenience thereof trumps airframe choice on a nonstop route. Noone in their right mind in the South Bay is going to drive to SFO just to get on a mainline jet when AS is offering a nonstop Q400 option at SJC.
Note, I recognize FT'ers are usually not classified as "in their right mind".
Note, I recognize FT'ers are usually not classified as "in their right mind".
Dec 15, 2016, 3:15 pm
#24
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A little confused here- you mean Q400's on the EUG-SJC route, right? Because AS doesn't fly EUG-SFO direct at present. Frankly for flights up to that length, I think mainline aircraft is overrated. UA's passenger seat capacity EUG-SFO increased almost entirely due to middle seats and UA decreased daily frequency at the same time including a very convenient late night SFO departure. I'd gladly take a E175 (which UX/OO were starting to use on the route instead of CRJ200/700), or even a Q400 over a A319 middle.
I'm thinking more of passenger experience (or the perception of it) - and putting myself in the shoes of the VX customer base. If I'm in EUG and I want to get to the Bay Area, AS/QX offers a small, propeller-y airplane, there's no jetway, no wheeled carry-ons in the cabin, no food service, no chance of first class, and the seats don't recline.
And you're also right that an E175 would solve all that as well as a 737 or better on that route. I'm the sort of person who would fly it on a DC-3 if they would let me, so my opinion in that sense doesn't count.
Dec 15, 2016, 4:41 pm
#25
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Dec 15, 2016, 4:56 pm
#26
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Dec 15, 2016, 5:51 pm
#27
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Maybe you should get a laptop case than can be consolidated into your roller bag for these instances. Need to get on a Q? pull your computer and throw your bag on the a la cart.
Seems like a pretty weak argument for AS to upgauge that route
Dec 17, 2016, 10:11 pm
#28
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I think AS might well start up EUG-SFO (and some select other routes) to complement SJC; an RJ/Q400 operation at SFO to extend the reach of the existing VX hub makes a fair amount of sense (though SFO's ground stops compared to SJC... huh).
But mainline EUG-SFO... probably not.
But mainline EUG-SFO... probably not.
Dec 18, 2016, 12:23 am
#29
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It will be interesting to see just how AS will make the LA and Bay Area operations coexist. PMAS has the right equipment and marketshare at EUG to make EUG-SJC O&D happen, but it speaks volumes that AS doesn't really consider SJC that much of a hub as long as a route like EUG-SJC is only once daily, yet EUG-PDX/SEA are all 4-6x each. If AS will continue to treat SFO as much of a hub as PMVX does, then it might make sense to link some of those smaller outstations to SFO. SFO is a more natural hub geographically for many city pairs than PDX and SEA are.