Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Alaska Airlines | Mileage Plan
Reload this Page >

Why no more So Cal flights out of Paine Field

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Why no more So Cal flights out of Paine Field

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 16, 2021, 8:56 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG 75k
Posts: 79
Why no more So Cal flights out of Paine Field

San Diego stopped already and John Wayne stops next month. I am wondering why because the flights have been pretty full and I don't want to fly out of SeaTac.
SimonT007 is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2021, 8:57 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,155
It’s a common misconception that a full flight means a profitable flight. It may be full, but is it full of $49 fares?
StevenSeagalFan is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2021, 11:13 pm
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
I bet I could fill up a 500 seat A380 with $1 fares. That would make it profitable, right? It’s not like it would EVER be unprofitable to sell something under cost which would attract people to buy it, amirite?
eponymous_coward is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2021, 11:31 pm
  #4  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
If they ever re-instate the Paine flights to PDX, I would consider it as a one time "fun" flight to a new airport, but with the SEA N lounge just down the road and a recently renewed lounge membership, having no lounge is a deal breaker.
Ford Fairlane likes this.
PDXPremier is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2021, 12:14 am
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG 75k
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by StevenSeagalFan
It’s a common misconception that a full flight means a profitable flight. It may be full, but is it full of $49 fares?
I don't know the answer to your question but I fly every week and the fare is typically the same or higher than from SeaTac. Before covid there were two flights per day to San Diego for instance, the agent I spoke to said San Diego is now considered a seasonal destination. I would think flying from Everett to San Diego in winter would be a good thing. I haven't figured out yet what the new destinations from Paine Field are. Would be interesting to know. Maybe some destination with ski resorts?
SimonT007 is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2021, 10:34 am
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Originally Posted by PDXPremier
If they ever re-instate the Paine flights to PDX, I would consider it as a one time "fun" flight to a new airport, but with the SEA N lounge just down the road and a recently renewed lounge membership, having no lounge is a deal breaker.
I did this a few times back when they had it operating. PAE is a great airport to hang out in, grab a bite to eat and a drink and watch some planes. When the Museum of Flight Restoration Center, that was a cool place to walk to. You are right though that the N lounge does definitely kill a lot of the appeal in a trip like that.
RAD_PDX is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2021, 1:36 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Gold; NEXUS
Posts: 979
Originally Posted by RAD_PDX
I did this a few times back when they had it operating. PAE is a great airport to hang out in, grab a bite to eat and a drink and watch some planes. When the Museum of Flight Restoration Center, that was a cool place to walk to. You are right though that the N lounge does definitely kill a lot of the appeal in a trip like that.
It has a draw for folks in the north sound. For us, we live just east of Woodinville. It's slightly closer to PAE as compared to SEA but the more appealing thing is that route doesn't take you on 405 through Bellevue and Renton. That stretch is so awful and unpredictable traffic-wise that I'd pay a premium to fly out of PAE. An added bonus with PAE are the E175s, which when traveling as a couple, means no middle seat to deal with.

If they are targeting leisure travel thru PAE... then perhaps we see HNL or OGG show up there?
Ford Fairlane and SimonT007 like this.
sullim4 is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2021, 4:32 pm
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Originally Posted by sullim4
It has a draw for folks in the north sound. For us, we live just east of Woodinville. It's slightly closer to PAE as compared to SEA but the more appealing thing is that route doesn't take you on 405 through Bellevue and Renton. That stretch is so awful and unpredictable traffic-wise that I'd pay a premium to fly out of PAE. An added bonus with PAE are the E175s, which when traveling as a couple, means no middle seat to deal with.

If they are targeting leisure travel thru PAE... then perhaps we see HNL or OGG show up there?
Except I don't think that E175s can fly to Hawaii.

Ie, it's one thing to target leisure flights, it's quite another to target far-away leisure flights.
eponymous_coward likes this.
sdsearch is offline  
Old Oct 18, 2021, 1:55 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
Originally Posted by sdsearch
Except I don't think that E175s can fly to Hawaii.

Ie, it's one thing to target leisure flights, it's quite another to target far-away leisure flights.
You’re right about the E75s not having the range for Hawaii. On top of that, PAE is currently a Horizon-only station, so it wouldn’t just be a matter of choosing to fly an appropriate plane, they’d have to start up mainline ops there.

They could do that, but I haven’t heard any rumblings or rumors that it might happen.

I’ve flown HNL-PDX-PAE a couple of times. Love the little airport and being able to avoid driving through downtown Seattle to get to it.
SimonT007 and sdsearch like this.
CalanMan is offline  
Old Oct 18, 2021, 7:53 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: Hilton Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,363
has to do with planes, crews, etc. balanced with profits and what the profit is that can be earned elsewhere.
WebTraveler is offline  
Old Oct 18, 2021, 7:13 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Between BLI & PAE.
Programs: Nada of note these days….
Posts: 1,287
Update on PAE

https://www.heraldnet.com/business/a...ts-in-everett/
JPat is offline  
Old Oct 18, 2021, 10:16 pm
  #12  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Hilton Contributor BadgeIHG Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Saw that article via another site known for plane pics

Nice summary. I've got friends that live 10 minutes from PAE, and found it quite convenient, despite an extra connection being required often.

Heck, I'd route ANC-PDX-PAE, almost got stuck in PDX doing this due to wx in winter
beckoa is offline  
Old Oct 18, 2021, 11:52 pm
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG 75k
Posts: 79
Herald article

Thanks for sharing the article. What exactly does Alaska mean by Peak Day? Monday thru Friday?
SimonT007 is offline  
Old Oct 19, 2021, 9:18 am
  #14  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
Originally Posted by SimonT007
Thanks for sharing the article. What exactly does Alaska mean by Peak Day? Monday thru Friday?
Peak days are Sun, Mon, Thu, and Fri. Tue, Wed, and Sat see significantly reduced schedules where they do not operate all 12 flights. These are typically the weakest days for travel demand (and airlines will often have cheaper fares available for travel on these specific days). Saturday can see significant demand for leisure centric destinations like LAS, but is a weak business travel demand day.

Last edited by xliioper; Oct 19, 2021 at 9:24 am
xliioper is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.