[Speculation] Should AS Funnel More Transit Passengers Via PDX as SEA Is Overcrowded?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Portland
Programs: MVPGold 75K
Posts: 496
[Speculation] Should AS Funnel More Transit Passengers Via PDX as SEA Is Overcrowded?
I live in Oregon and i try as much as possible not to connect via Seattle. Yesterday, i felt pity for so many passengers seating on the flor in c gates with low ceilings and just overwhelmed crowding.
i rated my experience as miserable in Alaska listens as i felt for people who could not t find a spot.
Alaska should funnel more passengers via PDX to reduce this congestion.
i rated my experience as miserable in Alaska listens as i felt for people who could not t find a spot.
Alaska should funnel more passengers via PDX to reduce this congestion.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,859
Totally agree. I much prefer connecting via PDX when I go to or come from RDM, but there is only one flight left and that is going away, too.
#4
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
PDX has been getting crowded too but never to the extent SEA is. the Lounge at PDX is pretty small and if close to full every time I am there.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,859
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Plus for those of us connecting from the south (ie almost everyone) PDX is much closer or the same vs SEA.
#7
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
Unfortunately that's not going to happen because of SEA growing as an international hub, and both DL and AS/AA increasing traffic. SEA will eventually catch up, though. DL is already building an even bigger Sky Club.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
#10
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,868
I don't think AS cares nearly as much as we do. A few people sitting on the floor? Well, they still bought tickets. I have part-time residence in Portland and would love more flights through there but understand why SEA is the main hub. Keep in mind Seattle is closer to Alaska
#11
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75K (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,347
I don’t often fly by way of SEA, but out of the blue I am during my next two trips. I had set my eye on PDX, but the flight times didn’t fit in, and for now okay as the Amex Platinum offers no lounge options. I was also hoping for PAE or BOI, but same thing there.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,278
Increase use of PDX instead of SEA? Easier said that done. Yes. Alaska might be able to do something, but traffic and facility use at SEA is part of growing demand and competition. If AS does indeed decrease utilization of SEA, competition like DL will capitalize this and add more of their frequencies, and gate use which will limit or harm AS growth.
What AS can do is spreading out the flights further instead of banking them into a few prime times....but that could impact connections and network.
Weather happens, and ATC can limit flights. SFO in particular can be the worst for ATC. Just feel lucky that SEA is no SFO, and our weather isn't too terrible.
Jiburi
What AS can do is spreading out the flights further instead of banking them into a few prime times....but that could impact connections and network.
Weather happens, and ATC can limit flights. SFO in particular can be the worst for ATC. Just feel lucky that SEA is no SFO, and our weather isn't too terrible.
Jiburi
#13
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Alaska Gold 100k
Posts: 959
Per the comments above, Capers at the B/C gates still closes mid afternoon and only has grab and go foods early afternoon, so hard to use your PP allotment. As to more flights via PDX, yes love to see more nonstops from PDX, and both Brad and now Ben have indicated there will be more mid cons. I for one a, sick and tired of arriving late evening in SEA at the infamous D20 bus gate and having to spend a night in a hotel because AS can’t get me to my last PDX flight gate fast enough.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,957
You're in luck. Alaska hasn't used the "infamous D20 bus gate" for two years now. Maybe could happen down the road but, for now, they're using only the gates at the actual terminal. I don't think anyone is actually busing any passengers to the hard stands anymore.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397