PABE

As a former Palouse resident, I noticed some interesting changes to the local QX service announced the other day.

LWS is losing all QX service beginning 25-Aug including the LWS-BOI and the LWS-SEA service. QX has served this airport with varying routes including GEG, PUW, SEA, and BOI in the past.

The announcement implies that PUW may be getting mainline service starting in August - it mentions that "Alaska is starting service". If so, it will be interesting to see regular 737 traffic at this airport. AS currently operates charters for WSU with 737-series aircraft and QX operates 4-6 flights daily to SEA.

It will be a disappointment to lose the BOI flight as I know a decent number of University employees used it. Hopefully it will be replaced with a PUW-BOI.

krem.com | Lewiston airport loses Horizon Air
Flights no longer on Horizon | Northwest | lmtribune.com

jsguyrus

If they are withdrawing LWS because of 60% load factors you will not be getting 737 service by AS. Typically QX wants 85% load factor to continue service. As far as QX in PUW, I read it that they will probably get more QX service.

brownnet

That is tough in the winter... over the years there were several times the plane I was on couldn't land at PUW but could make LWS and I was able to get to Pullman via highway. Runway improvements at PUW should help the weather situation though. 737 service will certainly be a big deal there in PUW if it comes to pass.

PABE

Although I too feel that mainline service is far fetched, the article says "Alaska will begin Seattle-Pullman service in August" and "Starting on Sunday, August 26, Alaska Airlines will test daily flights between Pullman and Seattle to help offset the changes."
Considering QX already serves this airport, I'm wasn't sure what else beginning service could mean.

Personally, I would have preferred more q400 frequencies instead of jet service when I flew out of there. The long layovers at SEA started to wear on me.

beckoa

Crazy!

Having had 1 stop flights via LWS for years, and connecting to both QX and DL in LWS ex-PUW... what a change.

AS can definately use a 737 when it comes time for school breaks. Those poor Q400's couldn't take all pax plus baggage students would pack.

Chugach

No 737’s on the schedule yet for PUW. I’m sure the extra lift would be appreciated for school breaks and football weekends.

PV_Premier

As someone considering going to work for a company in the in PUW/LWS area, I hate to see LWS pulled personally, even if the tradeoff is more PUW lift. LWS often has cheaper fares, and different/better connection options, than PUW.

mattime

That hasn't been the case the past few years for me. BOI added a few options to Cali, but I never took it. It's definitely a nice option to have, but the schedule has been parallel with PUW to SEA flights. The only time I've used LWS is by Delta to the east coast. Free parking is nice.

Articles have said the LWS Q-400 will be moved to Pullman for a 4th flight, but there's normally 4 flights except during the summer. So, ? No way regularly schedule mainline will be used.

eponymous_coward

And now you understand why AS is dumping it...

PV_Premier

more like, AS has the PUW market over the barrel while they have to compete with DL at LWS. now with no competition at LWS, fares will most likely go up in both markets, with limited to no discernable schedule improvement, representing a net negative benefit to consumers.

eponymous_coward

DL could enter PUW any time they wanted to. (I sort of doubt it because SLC is a very natural DL hub out of that region to serve compared to SEA.)

Yes, like I said, that would be why. Airlines like profits as opposed to unprofitably benefiting consumers. I'd benefit from six figure checks sent to me from ALK HQ. Doesn't mean there's a reason for them to do it.

3Cforme

Airlines/airports that are an easy 33 miles/45 minutes away compete for traffic. There will be plenty of fare arbitrage. From where shall I fly for my next trip?

PV_Premier

I'm not an idiot and I understand the finances, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

jiburi

A regularly scheduled 737 service is unlikely. More likely is the added frequencies on q400 or crj or deployment of E175 at best. A 737 is simply too large of an aircraft to serve the route.

Jiburi

beckoa

Can't see the E75 on this route as the Q400 works well on this route [aside from luggage issues on full aircraft]. The 737 could work it seems during school breaks, and for football weekends. But not sure if AS really has the elasticity in its fleet for that.