Alaska Airlines Recalibrates Boeing 737-9 Order - Adds 737-8 and 737-10
#31
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Another way I'd see the MAX 8 helping AS out is on those longer transcons with lower demand, such as JAX and ORF which come to mind. According to numbers they're some of the biggest unserved nonstop markets from SEA, and the MAX 8 could help make these routes a lot more economically viable. While being able to expand to new out of range markets, I see these longer but thinner US routes as much more likely
#32
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LAX/YYZ was one of the shortest lived routes in AS history. On the other hand, it had the best first class service of any flight that AS offered in the past thirty-five years - by a longshot. (Didn't VX also try SFO/YYZ for about a minute and a half?)
#33
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Another way I'd see the MAX 8 helping AS out is on those longer transcons with lower demand, such as JAX and ORF which come to mind. According to numbers they're some of the biggest unserved nonstop markets from SEA, and the MAX 8 could help make these routes a lot more economically viable. While being able to expand to new out of range markets, I see these longer but thinner US routes as much more likely
#34
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#35
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SoCal,
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I actually really like your posts and think a lot of what you share with is us is spot on. But(you knew thered be a but). I opened both YYZ and VVO with AS. Myself and my boss Kit were tasked with getting both operations up and running. Both destinations shouldve been profitable base on the projections and the actual number of passengers. They failed because the A/C performed worse than projected. The 727 then the MD83 just were horrible plane choices. ANC as a Russian Far East gateway didnt help the 27 or the MD. Both jets needed to stop in GDX. And LAX-YYZ was stretching the MD range. However, both routes back then and Id argue today, with a MAX, I believe would be profitable. The issue is how profitable? Russian service ( pre war ) based on 1993-94 info could do maybe 2 times a week. YYZ, based on the 92-93 projections we used could be daily. The problem now is those routes early 1990s ROI, even with the MAX, would be well below the ROI criteria AS was using when I retired. While I think you might see some new international routes, I really believe that AS sees the MAX family first and foremost providing cheaper maint/fuel costs for whatever theyre flying or might fly. The increase range adds schedule planning flexibility. I know for a fact that -10 extra cargo space has that side of the house excited while they figure out what series will be the next pure freighter. And of course, like all of us who use AS on Trancons, I hope that they might, some day, listen to all of us and carve out a sub fleet of lie flats! A man can dream.
Last edited by Tack; Mar 8, 2022 at 5:47 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2017
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speaking of new routes ...
Irrelevant Information Alert AS4DPS is not a new route! No need to follow the link.
This is relevant how? SEA-DPS and EAT-SHT for that matter is twice the range of the MAX.
James
#39
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I actually really like your posts and think a lot of what you share with is us is spot on. But(you knew thered be a but). I opened both YYZ and VVO with AS. Myself and my boss Kit were tasked with getting both operations up and running. Both destinations shouldve been profitable base on the projections and the actual number of passengers....
And of course, like all of us who use AS on Trancons, I hope that they might, some day, listen to all of us and carve out a sub fleet of lie flats! A man can dream.
And of course, like all of us who use AS on Trancons, I hope that they might, some day, listen to all of us and carve out a sub fleet of lie flats! A man can dream.
As for lie flats, i have recently taken to flying AS to JFK and DL (and occasionally AA) on the return, if the price is similar, which it often is on the last flight out. I just feel a lot better after what can be 7 hours (from boarding to disembarkation) in that seat ... Lying back and watching something on a real screen, maybe a little nap, and greatly reduced chance of unintentional slouching back pain...
...Not to mention the flatware, which doesn't bend when I look at it.
#40
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SoCal,
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro
Posts: 767
Marketing and planning did solid work on both markets and what would be needed to mature it. But Ray Vecci was trying to grow while cutting costs, I dont know if you remember the joke about him removing one piece of French Toast from the three piece FC breakfast. Too many panic reactions by Vecci and AS on both Russia and YYZ flying to go into here, but suffice it to say they bit off more than they could chew. From the wrong jets to inter department squabbles. At least on that FC flight to YYZ you got your gold coin and the enjoyment of flying with the LGB based former SI crews. They were amazing. Cheers!
#41
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Marketing and planning did solid work on both markets and what would be needed to mature it. But Ray Vecci was trying to grow while cutting costs, I dont know if you remember the joke about him removing one piece of French Toast from the three piece FC breakfast. Too many panic reactions by Vecci and AS on both Russia and YYZ flying to go into here, but suffice it to say they bit off more than they could chew. From the wrong jets to inter department squabbles. At least on that FC flight to YYZ you got your gold coin and the enjoyment of flying with the LGB based former SI crews. They were amazing. Cheers!
As for the new aircraft I find myself currently scheduled on one - on a route that has been pretty much A321s for some time. First trip on a -9. Less than 2 months out so maybe the schedule and plane will stick.
And now, as far as biting off more than they could chew, how did they even have anything to chew on after those meal cutbacks?
#42
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
YVR-SNA was the shortest lived route in AS history.
#43
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