Is AA actively trying to kill SFO-LAX?!
#16
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,436
I lived at L. A. for 12 years and It is hard to read what is AA's plan for intra-west coast flights.
I understand Southwest dominates intra-California market. L.A. - S.F. is both end with large metropolitan area served by multiple airports. Southwest has non-stop flights between various airports pairs between L.A. - S.F. which makes very convenient for travelers between L.A. and S.F. area. Simply having LAX - SFO is not enough to compete in L.A. - S.F. market.
When AA acquired AirCal in 1987, then AA acquired Reno Air in 1999, each time looked as AA was serious about West Coast operation but soon after the acquisition intra West Caost routes started shrinking.
Yes, there is an example of LAX - LAS going to EAAgle then later return to main line but that is exception. LAX - SJC is tough to blame AA because that was dot com bubble bursting.
I understand Southwest dominates intra-California market. L.A. - S.F. is both end with large metropolitan area served by multiple airports. Southwest has non-stop flights between various airports pairs between L.A. - S.F. which makes very convenient for travelers between L.A. and S.F. area. Simply having LAX - SFO is not enough to compete in L.A. - S.F. market.
When AA acquired AirCal in 1987, then AA acquired Reno Air in 1999, each time looked as AA was serious about West Coast operation but soon after the acquisition intra West Caost routes started shrinking.
Yes, there is an example of LAX - LAS going to EAAgle then later return to main line but that is exception. LAX - SJC is tough to blame AA because that was dot com bubble bursting.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I lived at L. A. for 12 years and It is hard to read what is AA's plan for intra-west coast flights.
I understand Southwest dominates intra-California market. L.A. - S.F. is both end with large metropolitan area served by multiple airports. Southwest has non-stop flights between various airports pairs between L.A. - S.F. which makes very convenient for travelers between L.A. and S.F. area. Simply having LAX - SFO is not enough to compete in L.A. - S.F. market.
When AA acquired AirCal in 1987, then AA acquired Reno Air in 1999, each time looked as AA was serious about West Coast operation but soon after the acquisition intra West Caost routes started shrinking.
Yes, there is an example of LAX - LAS going to EAAgle then later return to main line but that is exception. LAX - SJC is tough to blame AA because that was dot com bubble bursting.
I understand Southwest dominates intra-California market. L.A. - S.F. is both end with large metropolitan area served by multiple airports. Southwest has non-stop flights between various airports pairs between L.A. - S.F. which makes very convenient for travelers between L.A. and S.F. area. Simply having LAX - SFO is not enough to compete in L.A. - S.F. market.
When AA acquired AirCal in 1987, then AA acquired Reno Air in 1999, each time looked as AA was serious about West Coast operation but soon after the acquisition intra West Caost routes started shrinking.
Yes, there is an example of LAX - LAS going to EAAgle then later return to main line but that is exception. LAX - SJC is tough to blame AA because that was dot com bubble bursting.
#18
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Flying into or out of the "Eagle's Nest" is not ideal. However, with the addition of the Admirals Club, and the smaller shuttle buses which run frequently and promptly compared to what they replaced, the "Nest" experience is vastly improved.
Furthermore, arriving "early" and then waiting for a gate regularly happens at T4 and T5.
Furthermore, arriving "early" and then waiting for a gate regularly happens at T4 and T5.
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
AA and UA have comparable schedules: AA has a 10:35 SFO-LAX and 10:55 LAX-SFO. It's true that the E175s are plenty comfortable and the flight crew is quite friendly, but the extra overhead is really unacceptable. (On a SFO-LAX flight again waiting for a gate, surprise surprise...)
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Yes, the bus situation has somewhat improved. Unfortunately, it still isn't the most pleasant experience, and there are times you can find yourself waiting up to 10m for a bus.
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Eagle shuttle line
Line goes all the way to the AC
#23
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
shuttle is required to connect. It's the bottle neck we all hate when delayed leaving SFO or waiting on the field in LA for a gate. All too often I'm use to aiming for the 5:30 pm flight knowing full well that the 7 or 8:30 flight out of SFO will connect with my flight to Asia. I've convinced myself that it just allows me more time to enjoy Qantas FL that much longer if I'm on the 5:30 departure!
#24
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
#25
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,313
thats awful! Never saw it that bad. What time was it?
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
#28
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,447
No, the proposed people mover will run landside and connect all terminals to the remote parking, rental car, and ground transportation facilities. The Eagle's Nest is connected to T4 and T5 airside by these shuttle buses; these buses will be the only way to get to and from the Nest as long as it's in operation.
#29
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,644
I agree that it is NOT "not a big deal", at least on the LAX side of things, mainly due to the eagle's nest issue. (gate valet checked bags to wait for, bus wait, bus transit time, etc). And this is particularly true for a commuter hop LAX-SFO.
I did not mind the eagle's nest when connecting from SAN to a long haul from LAX though (but for a long haul, the eagle's nest bus ride is less than 5% of total trip time)
And then there is also having to circle around half the airport to get to LAX T4/T5, which can add easily 15-20 mins to the airport ride.
For me, WN is a no brainer for this 1.5 hrs flight. And WN is at LAX T1, the first terminal as you enter the airport (shave 15 mins to your airport commute time).
Or DL.
Unless AA is significantly cheaper than the above.
(LAX-SFO flights don't do much for me if chasing EQM or EQD)
I did not mind the eagle's nest when connecting from SAN to a long haul from LAX though (but for a long haul, the eagle's nest bus ride is less than 5% of total trip time)
And then there is also having to circle around half the airport to get to LAX T4/T5, which can add easily 15-20 mins to the airport ride.
For me, WN is a no brainer for this 1.5 hrs flight. And WN is at LAX T1, the first terminal as you enter the airport (shave 15 mins to your airport commute time).
Or DL.
Unless AA is significantly cheaper than the above.
(LAX-SFO flights don't do much for me if chasing EQM or EQD)
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,237
ugh the nest. The worst is when you have to remote stand at the Eagles nest. Then it is a bus to the nest followed by a bus to T4.
LA(t)WA : Los Angeles (third) World Airports.
LA(t)WA : Los Angeles (third) World Airports.