DCA-PHL - the incredible shrinking route
 

So, I was looking at a few fares to the west coast - running through PHL as my hub of choice for extra miles.

Noticed in May that DCA-PHL is down to 3x daily. Boy that makes things tough....

IMO, this route is a poster child for route optimization benefits from the merger.

Low to no O&D (can't think of any reason to fly this rather than Amtrak); ties up slots at DCA; inefficient use of crowded airspace; connections can now be served over LAA hubs at JFK, DFW, ORD, and MIA (in addition to pmUS CLT).

Ability to pad trips with extra EQM/RDM at low cost is hardly in AA's interests.

The equipment is rough too. E175 at the largest. CRJ200's most common.

AMTRAK is so much easier, runs every hour from downtown to downtown. It is often cheaper. It is the same going from EWR to PHL with United. Really not worth the effort or cost unless you really need the miles and $$

Let us not forget LHR for transatlantic connections either.

The problem I've seen is that the flights exDCA to lots of hubs (for int'l connections) SUCK and it is getting harder and harder to put together reasonable international options out of DCA.

I think you mean unless you really need the miles and [don't need the] $$

:D

amen, and AA never almost release DCA-JFK afternoon award flights even 300ish day out. So, not much options left other than buy separate AA DCA-JFK ticket or utilize Amtrak to NYC, then LIRR/Air Train to JFK. :mad:

So True. Not just JFK, but DCA-LAX as well which seem to be very hard to get upgrade/award space on. And, of course, with more and more int'l options exLAX, it just is getting to be very difficult for us DC flyers.

This route made sense pre-merger, as PHL was the primary transatlantic getaway and enabled one stop DCA-PHL-Europe. However AA has a transatlantic getaway at JFK. And since the route has no O&D, and JFK-DCA does have some O&D (although most do prefer the shuttle), I am still surprised this route exists at all. DCA only has a limited number of slots, and wasting it with a route like this is not profitable.

Last time I looked, availability out of Dulles was a bit better, when both airports were using 738s. Dulles has the pmUS 319s the last time I flew the route, and I wouldn't make the drive out there for that. I'm really hoping they get some A321Ts in DC.

These are also the first flights held or cancelled which makes them a poor bet for TCON or TATL connections.

Those slots can be put to much better and profitable use and AA has apparently figured that out as have most pax.

For advance purchase, DCA->JFK flights are usually super cheap. I don't understand why you'd ever consider the Amtrak option for connections since AA will protect you on valid connections even on separate tickets.

Agree, agree! ORD is tough too, much of the time.

For JFK, I've resigned myself on multiple times lately to accept what I call the "LGA split": avail myself of the plentiful pmUS Shuttle space DCA/LGA, build in a long connection, keep a very close eye on possible JFK flights to switch to, and if it doesn't open up, make the trek cross-island.

With three IAD-LHR non-stops and access to BA's worldwide fortress hub without having to deal with micro-hops on the East Coast and, if you really want to fly from DCA, a good connection through CLT, the entire old US framework through PHL doesn't make sense.