What is going on with PHL-BOS? [passenger and traffic increase]
Feb 26, 2016, 12:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Philly
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 200
What is going on with PHL-BOS? [passenger and traffic increase]
Is this a normal pattern for this time of year, or just a crazy increase in demand? I've been flying this route bi-monthly for years, and I was actually enjoying the E1XX flights back and forth. I don't recall this change in years past.
As of the new year it seems, they've got packed A321s and A319s mostly and BOS B terminal is a madhouse because it doesn't seem made for this.
Makes it VERY unenjoyable!
As of the new year it seems, they've got packed A321s and A319s mostly and BOS B terminal is a madhouse because it doesn't seem made for this.
Makes it VERY unenjoyable!
Feb 26, 2016, 1:12 pm
#2
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
I think they at least temporarily decreased frequencies and therefore increased average aircraft size to compensate. A number of E190s are in the paint shop for new AA livery and likely some are getting routine heavy maintenance.
BOS is one of the top business destinations out of PHL, and BOS is far enough away by train that flying is much faster, and of course there is traffic is funneling through the hub onwards to BOS as well, so these flights can be quite busy and have pretty much always been.
BOS is one of the top business destinations out of PHL, and BOS is far enough away by train that flying is much faster, and of course there is traffic is funneling through the hub onwards to BOS as well, so these flights can be quite busy and have pretty much always been.
Feb 26, 2016, 1:15 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Philly
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 200
Yeah, the previous flights were always pretty full (for the most part). I understand the importance/popularity of this route. It just seemed like such a sudden surge that I thought there must have been something going on. The decreased frequency makes sense. Thanks for the comments.
It doesn't seem that the BOS GAs love this much either! =)
It doesn't seem that the BOS GAs love this much either! =)
Feb 26, 2016, 1:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 7
Since early January I haven't even seen the regular BOS-PHL routes when I book my tickets for weekly Mon/Thu work travel at peak times.
Booked a personal trip last week to PHL in early April, Fri/Sun. 321's both ways with almost all the seats open.
Suspect consulting travel day volume might be higher and the theories that aircrafts are out for their facelift have some merit.
Keep in mind Feb school breaks in New England are staggered depending on the state's schedule and families connecting through PHL to ____ warm place for vacation may be a factor, too.
Booked a personal trip last week to PHL in early April, Fri/Sun. 321's both ways with almost all the seats open.
Suspect consulting travel day volume might be higher and the theories that aircrafts are out for their facelift have some merit.
Keep in mind Feb school breaks in New England are staggered depending on the state's schedule and families connecting through PHL to ____ warm place for vacation may be a factor, too.
Feb 28, 2016, 8:23 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
I noticed this too, and my first hunch was that AA is trying to combat B6 seriously on this route. As many here predicted, the B6 BOS-PHL is alive and kicking at this point, but don't know how well it's doing (cannot tell by the flight load, of course, but B6 flights have been packed as well).
For me PHL-BOS is one of my most frequently traveled routes, and I use all of AA, B6 and Amtrak. (B6 if I have to fly coach, AA if I want and can fly in F, and Amtrak if I have time or want to stop over along the way).
For me PHL-BOS is one of my most frequently traveled routes, and I use all of AA, B6 and Amtrak. (B6 if I have to fly coach, AA if I want and can fly in F, and Amtrak if I have time or want to stop over along the way).