Note: this Wikipost is a quick summary of what dcpatti put together in post 1, on page 1 of this thread. Feel free to make changes to this post, or PM aztimm, if you find something incorrect or needs more detail.
Shuttles are the nonstop flights between DCA (DC-Washington National), LGA (NY-LaGuardia) and BOS (Boston-Logan).
What's different about the shuttle?
You'll get an early morning snack on departures before 9 am, and free beer or wine in coach all day long. First Class refreshments are similar to other US flights of a similar length.
I heard some stuff about not being able to pre-assign seats.
The Shuttle used to work a little differently to other flights but has recently changed to using the same pre-assigned seating as all other flights. You should be able to select your seat at the time of booking now. In addition the Shuttle is no longer open-seating, instead it follows the normal US seating procedures with varying charges for ChoiceSeats. As with other flights these seats are not available for free at T-24.
What about upgrades?
They'll work just like regular flights, with the first comp upgrades being given at the 7-day Chairmans window. Upgrade seats will be available for non-elites at check-in or by calling at 24-hours before the flight.
I heard they have weird ideas on boarding.
NOTE: In addition to what is below, GalleyWench posted the following (post #91 on 5/12/13):
The Shuttle flights don't board by zone even if there's one on the boarding pass. You'll find a ton of elites on these flights, and if most of the plane holds Zone 1 or 2, then boarding doesn't go very fast. So they revert to the old-school boarding by rows. Folks who need assistance first, then First Class, then the last rows of the plane, working forward to the front.
I heard they have weird ideas on deplaning, too.
In some cases, they will deplane Shuttle flights from both the front aircraft door via jetway and the rear aircraft door via stairs.
Anything else that's different?
In NYC-LaGuardia you'll exit the terminal through a different exit, in the center of the gate area and down a flight of stairs. You'll be on the curb in about 4 minutes.
Can I go home early?
Sure. With the exception of the very peak travel times, you can usually get a seat on an earlier Shuttle. US charges a $50 fee for a confirmed stand-by for an earlier flight. This fee is waived for Elites and for certain passengers on full-fare Y/B tickets.
Can I go home late?
Technically, US Airways does not offer any accommodations to those who "miss" a flight; if you want to change into a later flight with a confirmed seat, you'll need to pay the change fee plus any fare difference. But in many cases, passengers who are tardy for their flights are re-ticketed onto the next available flight as a courtesy.
Where are my gates?
Can I hang out in a club or lounge?
Each airport has a US Airways Club and an Admirals Club. Your US Club membership (annual or 30-day) will allow you access to any of these, but US day passes will only work at US-branded clubs. Note that not all Admirals Clubs are easily accessible from US-operated gates.
Club locations:
Anything else I need to know?
Taxi fare from LGA to Midtown Manhattan will be $30-40 depending on traffic and route; DCA to downtown DC/ K Street area will be about $20; and BOS to downtown Boston will be about $30. There are public transport options as well.
There is a separate Shuttle baggage claim and check-in desk at LGA and separate kiosks at DCA. Separate Shuttle check-in desk at DCA is located downstairs near Security. There is supposed to be a separate security lane for Shuttle at DCA but it's almost never open. Passengers can also check in at regular US Airways kiosks and counters.
Shuttles are the nonstop flights between DCA (DC-Washington National), LGA (NY-LaGuardia) and BOS (Boston-Logan).
What's different about the shuttle?
You'll get an early morning snack on departures before 9 am, and free beer or wine in coach all day long. First Class refreshments are similar to other US flights of a similar length.
I heard some stuff about not being able to pre-assign seats.
The Shuttle used to work a little differently to other flights but has recently changed to using the same pre-assigned seating as all other flights. You should be able to select your seat at the time of booking now. In addition the Shuttle is no longer open-seating, instead it follows the normal US seating procedures with varying charges for ChoiceSeats. As with other flights these seats are not available for free at T-24.
What about upgrades?
They'll work just like regular flights, with the first comp upgrades being given at the 7-day Chairmans window. Upgrade seats will be available for non-elites at check-in or by calling at 24-hours before the flight.
I heard they have weird ideas on boarding.
NOTE: In addition to what is below, GalleyWench posted the following (post #91 on 5/12/13):
just read that starting May 22nd the shuttle will start boarding like mainline, no more front to back. Will try to get the specifics in the next couple days.
I heard they have weird ideas on deplaning, too.
In some cases, they will deplane Shuttle flights from both the front aircraft door via jetway and the rear aircraft door via stairs.
Anything else that's different?
In NYC-LaGuardia you'll exit the terminal through a different exit, in the center of the gate area and down a flight of stairs. You'll be on the curb in about 4 minutes.
Can I go home early?
Sure. With the exception of the very peak travel times, you can usually get a seat on an earlier Shuttle. US charges a $50 fee for a confirmed stand-by for an earlier flight. This fee is waived for Elites and for certain passengers on full-fare Y/B tickets.
Can I go home late?
Technically, US Airways does not offer any accommodations to those who "miss" a flight; if you want to change into a later flight with a confirmed seat, you'll need to pay the change fee plus any fare difference. But in many cases, passengers who are tardy for their flights are re-ticketed onto the next available flight as a courtesy.
Where are my gates?
- At BOS, you'll be at Gates B16-B19.
- At LGA, you'll be at Gates C17-C22.
- At DCA, you'll be at Gates 41-44 (North Pier/C Concourse)
Can I hang out in a club or lounge?
Each airport has a US Airways Club and an Admirals Club. Your US Club membership (annual or 30-day) will allow you access to any of these, but US day passes will only work at US-branded clubs. Note that not all Admirals Clubs are easily accessible from US-operated gates.
Club locations:
- At BOS (map)
- US Club in Terminal B, between security checkpoint and Gate B4.
- Admirals Club in Terminal B, near Gate B30 next to Swatch store (requires lengthy walk airside through UA concourse).
- At LGA (map)
- US Club in Terminal C, next to Gate C28.
- Admirals Club in Concourse D, near Gates D1-D2 (requires landside connection, with boarding or gate pass).
- At DCA (map)
- US Club in the North Pier/C Concourse, Mezzanine level.
- Admirals Club in the Central Pier/B Concourse, Mezzanine level (airside shuttle bus service available).
Anything else I need to know?
Taxi fare from LGA to Midtown Manhattan will be $30-40 depending on traffic and route; DCA to downtown DC/ K Street area will be about $20; and BOS to downtown Boston will be about $30. There are public transport options as well.
There is a separate Shuttle baggage claim and check-in desk at LGA and separate kiosks at DCA. Separate Shuttle check-in desk at DCA is located downstairs near Security. There is supposed to be a separate security lane for Shuttle at DCA but it's almost never open. Passengers can also check in at regular US Airways kiosks and counters.
LUS: (Almost) Everything you wanted to know about the LUS / AA Shuttle
#106
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
And now 80% of the plane boards with zone 1... What kind of "priority" is that..........................
#107
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat
Posts: 310
In fact, I see empty FC seats on Shuttle flights (implying <12 elites on the plane) more often than any other route I take.
#108
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: BOS-DCA
Programs: AA ExePlat
Posts: 217
In my experience, the idea that the Shuttle flights are packed with elites has not been true. Now that BOS and LGA are essentially standard outstations with the exception of a handful of leisure routes, they aren't THAT different from any other major city.
In fact, I see empty FC seats on Shuttle flights (implying <12 elites on the plane) more often than any other route I take.
In fact, I see empty FC seats on Shuttle flights (implying <12 elites on the plane) more often than any other route I take.
#109
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat
Posts: 310
#110
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The proof is in the pudding. Fully loaded 319-320 often boards in 15-20 mins on the Shuttles, while it can take 40 minutes for the same on non-shuttle mainline.
USS is largely O&D traffic, so doesn't much matter whether LGA or BOS are outstations or fortress hubs.
The one thing I do like about the USS which makes things move smoothly is that they are relentless about oversized-carryon. Speeds the boarding process immeasurably that the aisles aren't clogged with people jack-hammering their steamer trunks into the OH.
USS is largely O&D traffic, so doesn't much matter whether LGA or BOS are outstations or fortress hubs.
The one thing I do like about the USS which makes things move smoothly is that they are relentless about oversized-carryon. Speeds the boarding process immeasurably that the aisles aren't clogged with people jack-hammering their steamer trunks into the OH.
#111
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP: : SPG Plat; HH Gold
Posts: 239
The USS are typically not families and 'novice' flyers to the entire process. Boarding is going to be much more efficient than a more traditional route where a boarding group may be 2-4 people of which are couple are bound to need assistance from parents.
#113
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 386
Does anyone else not get the seat they choose in OLCI? This seems to happen to me consistently and just happened again. When I am upgraded I only usually change if I am preassigned row 1, when I make a change it doesn't stick. Just now I didn't get the upgrade so I chose 6C, I go to print and it has me in 11D. I understand there is a chance that someone else picked 6C at the same time, but this happens to me every time I OLCI for a shuttle flight.
#114
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Programs: BA GLD, AA GLD 1MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,702
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Quick question for the shuttle expert. I need to check a bag ex-DCA this upcoming week. On the US Airways website it notes: "The airport check-in cutoff is 20 minutes before departure without checked luggage and 30 minutes before departure with checked luggage" which I know conflicts with United where they have a checked luggage cutoff of 45 minutes ex-DCA. I just want to confirm that there are no issues with the 30 minute cutoff for US Airways (not really sure why they differ from United here).
#116
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: All Over
Programs: DL Gold, AA EXP, SPG Plat, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glob, CC Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 574
Quick question for the shuttle expert. I need to check a bag ex-DCA this upcoming week. On the US Airways website it notes: "The airport check-in cutoff is 20 minutes before departure without checked luggage and 30 minutes before departure with checked luggage" which I know conflicts with United where they have a checked luggage cutoff of 45 minutes ex-DCA. I just want to confirm that there are no issues with the 30 minute cutoff for US Airways (not really sure why they differ from United here).
#117
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 525
One of the reasons why a shuttle flight is quick to board is the number of passengers on a day trip. I generally only bring a briefcase that goes under my seat and that's it.
The reduced check-in cutoff times is a nice bonus. Part of the convinence factor that you can buy your ticket last minute and just hop on the next flight.
The reduced check-in cutoff times is a nice bonus. Part of the convinence factor that you can buy your ticket last minute and just hop on the next flight.
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
One of the reasons why a shuttle flight is quick to board is the number of passengers on a day trip. I generally only bring a briefcase that goes under my seat and that's it.
The reduced check-in cutoff times is a nice bonus. Part of the convinence factor that you can buy your ticket last minute and just hop on the next flight.
The reduced check-in cutoff times is a nice bonus. Part of the convinence factor that you can buy your ticket last minute and just hop on the next flight.
#119
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,229
Just an FYI, I was booking some trips for August and noticed that the flight #s have changed. They have been the same as long as I can remember
Anyone happen to know the reason? Just curious..
Anyone happen to know the reason? Just curious..
#120
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
They're starting to do some major renumbering in anticipation of merged operations with AA. There was a summary of this over on airliners.net a month or so ago, it might be in the merger thread on this forum as well. The shuttles as well as some of the other flights (such as the transatlantics) that have been constant for years will see changes.