Speculation: AA SJC as Hub/Focus City, AA growth, new flights, etc.
#16
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Thanks, FWAAA, for finding the ad with the map graphic. A little historical context is a useful thing.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2006
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SJC is unique in North America as the largest city in a megalopolis without many of the usual status symbols of being the largest city like the top civic institutions (e.g. Stanford, UCSF, Berkeley), major museums (e.g. Exploratorium, SFMOMA, Asian Art), airline hub (UA, VX) or major league teams (Giants, As, 49ers, Raiders, Warriors...).
This is a reflection of the peculiar geography, politics and history of the Bay Area which have kept San Francisco as a medium sized city as suburbs have flourished. As the regional economy continues to pivot towards San Jose it is not surprising that the 49ers are moving to Santa Clara or that it might make sense for AA to revisit its regional focus. AA can't compete with UA, VX, or even DL at SFO...but could do a great job in SJC.
This is a reflection of the peculiar geography, politics and history of the Bay Area which have kept San Francisco as a medium sized city as suburbs have flourished. As the regional economy continues to pivot towards San Jose it is not surprising that the 49ers are moving to Santa Clara or that it might make sense for AA to revisit its regional focus. AA can't compete with UA, VX, or even DL at SFO...but could do a great job in SJC.
#19
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Hard to believe in a time that Eagle served Klamath Falls... wish I could fly SEA-SJC-LMT on AA today.
#20
Join Date: Dec 2010
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An AA hub or focus-city in SJC? No way no how. AA have been there and done that. However, I agree with other comments that AA need to add some flights to SFO. UA fliers there are desperate for a non-UA option. Whilst AA will always play second fiddle in SFO, I think they could play a stronger role there than they do today.
#22
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
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The correct title of this thread should be "Speculation Fantasy: AA SJC as Hub/Focus City."
#23
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
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Posts: 2,704
Didn't someone once post that SJC has very high landing fees?
Last edited by Xero; Aug 21, 2012 at 9:38 am
#24
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#25
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC
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Is the OP named Marty McFly?
#26
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO/SJC/SQL
Posts: 1,412
The OP seems to propose this mix of ideas at least once per year.
#27
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This thread is not as entertaining as I had hoped it would be.
#28
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Austin, TX
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SJC is unique in North America as the largest city in a megalopolis without many of the usual status symbols of being the largest city like the top civic institutions (e.g. Stanford, UCSF, Berkeley), major museums (e.g. Exploratorium, SFMOMA, Asian Art), airline hub (UA, VX) or major league teams (Giants, As, 49ers, Raiders, Warriors...).
This is a reflection of the peculiar geography, politics and history of the Bay Area which have kept San Francisco as a medium sized city as suburbs have flourished. As the regional economy continues to pivot towards San Jose it is not surprising that the 49ers are moving to Santa Clara or that it might make sense for AA to revisit its regional focus. AA can't compete with UA, VX, or even DL at SFO...but could do a great job in SJC.
This is a reflection of the peculiar geography, politics and history of the Bay Area which have kept San Francisco as a medium sized city as suburbs have flourished. As the regional economy continues to pivot towards San Jose it is not surprising that the 49ers are moving to Santa Clara or that it might make sense for AA to revisit its regional focus. AA can't compete with UA, VX, or even DL at SFO...but could do a great job in SJC.
#29
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM PP, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,004
LAX is barely a hub as it is now. AA will do better to strengthen it's transpac business in LAX than expand in SJC.
#30
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Francisco
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I think it would be wise for AA to add flights to SJC-JFK, SJC-MIA,SFO-BOS with a 6:00 AM 9:00AM 12:00PM 3:00PM 9:00 PM and 10:40PM flights etc.
I can see AA putting their new Airbus flights from SJC to cover executives who do not want to drive up to SFO and suffer weather delays at SFO.
I think AA could really make SJC another focus city or hub and upgrade their LAX flights to mainlie flights and return SAN flights. Also AA could add more DFW flights return the CDG and LHR flights.
SJC is not what it was in 2008 they are more travelers flying out of the new terminal at SJC and there is potential for SJC expanding the terminal once passenger demand is at the levels as set forth by SJC.
SFO has fog issues and weather issues for a lot of the year and AA has had to divert flights from JFK to SJC. SFO already has Virgin so even if AA moved at least some of their operations to SJC that would be great.
I was once on a JFK-SFO flight that was fogged in and we were circling the bay and had to fill up at SJC and wait on the tarmac. I asked the flight attendant if I could deplane since I live 20 minutes from SJC and she said no due to security issues. Had AA had the SJC-JFK flight that they had years ago I would have booked on it.
I would much rather fly to London or Paris from San Jose since its close to home etc.
SJC has a campaign for more flights and I think AA could feed off the Hawaiian flights to Hawaii as codeshares and they have Alasaka Airlines to Hawaii as well for codeshares. Even if AA shifted their Eagle flights to Horizon Air or started mainline flights to LAX as opposed to the ERJ without WiFi they would be doing well.
AA could take after Lufthansa and offer complimentary coffee in the gate area for transcon flights, offer complimentary alcohol to all passengers on these flights. They could design a premium lounge area as part of the gate area for all transcon passengers with a section for First and Business passengers.
SJC has the new terminal and more passengers want to fly out of SJC rather than SFO. You have access to lightrail, Caltrain the VTA 10 flyer. SJC could work with Caltrain to operate a baby bullet Airport train that only stops at Milbrae and Palo Alto to Santa Clara Station where a special Caltrain Airporter bus with a guaranteed connection to the train that waits for the arrival.
Whats your take?
I can see AA putting their new Airbus flights from SJC to cover executives who do not want to drive up to SFO and suffer weather delays at SFO.
I think AA could really make SJC another focus city or hub and upgrade their LAX flights to mainlie flights and return SAN flights. Also AA could add more DFW flights return the CDG and LHR flights.
SJC is not what it was in 2008 they are more travelers flying out of the new terminal at SJC and there is potential for SJC expanding the terminal once passenger demand is at the levels as set forth by SJC.
SFO has fog issues and weather issues for a lot of the year and AA has had to divert flights from JFK to SJC. SFO already has Virgin so even if AA moved at least some of their operations to SJC that would be great.
I was once on a JFK-SFO flight that was fogged in and we were circling the bay and had to fill up at SJC and wait on the tarmac. I asked the flight attendant if I could deplane since I live 20 minutes from SJC and she said no due to security issues. Had AA had the SJC-JFK flight that they had years ago I would have booked on it.
I would much rather fly to London or Paris from San Jose since its close to home etc.
SJC has a campaign for more flights and I think AA could feed off the Hawaiian flights to Hawaii as codeshares and they have Alasaka Airlines to Hawaii as well for codeshares. Even if AA shifted their Eagle flights to Horizon Air or started mainline flights to LAX as opposed to the ERJ without WiFi they would be doing well.
AA could take after Lufthansa and offer complimentary coffee in the gate area for transcon flights, offer complimentary alcohol to all passengers on these flights. They could design a premium lounge area as part of the gate area for all transcon passengers with a section for First and Business passengers.
SJC has the new terminal and more passengers want to fly out of SJC rather than SFO. You have access to lightrail, Caltrain the VTA 10 flyer. SJC could work with Caltrain to operate a baby bullet Airport train that only stops at Milbrae and Palo Alto to Santa Clara Station where a special Caltrain Airporter bus with a guaranteed connection to the train that waits for the arrival.
Whats your take?