Where did AA fly ex-STL at peak # of flights?
Apr 28, 2019, 5:50 am
#1
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Sitting at STL now. Really enjoyed the city. I know St. Louis has lost 64% of it’s population from the 1950 peak and STL airport is down to 10-12mm pax/year from a peak of over 30mm/year in the late 90’s when it was TW’s main hub. Post-merger and before AA scaled down, de-hubbed and essentially pulled out of STL, where else did AA operate flight to from STL?
Gate next to us is an MD-80 (McDonell Douglas was based in STL for those who don’t know) that was delivered to TWA in 1999. Seems appropriate that it’s here.
Gate next to us is an MD-80 (McDonell Douglas was based in STL for those who don’t know) that was delivered to TWA in 1999. Seems appropriate that it’s here.
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 28, 2019 at 8:17 am Reason: Merge posts
Apr 28, 2019, 7:41 am
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Here's a TWA North American route map from 2001. TWA had a long period of decline even before AA's 2001 asset buy, however.
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
Apr 28, 2019, 8:28 am
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Here's a TWA North American route map from 2001. TWA had a long period of decline even before AA's 2001 asset buy, however.
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
Apr 28, 2019, 10:09 am
#4
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Here's a TWA North American route map from 2001. TWA had a long period of decline even before AA's 2001 asset buy, however.
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
Apr 28, 2019, 10:15 am
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Apr 28, 2019, 10:36 am
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Fond Memories of excellent food on Trans World one
Apr 28, 2019, 10:43 am
#7
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Here's a TWA North American route map from 2001. TWA had a long period of decline even before AA's 2001 asset buy, however.
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20011125...th_america.pdf
Apr 28, 2019, 12:21 pm
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IIRC, TWA sold the LHR slots to AA as they gradually went downhill. TWA had a lot of 747SP, 747-100, and L1011. I used to fly the 747 to LGW and HNL. I think the L1011 was for Frankfurt and CDG but not certain.
When AA bought TWA, the plan was to have a second Midwest hub in STL because the previous two summers had been a disaster at ORD. There were several domestic mainline connections available in STL. Then, as it continued to bleed, they switched to an ERJ hub. It continued to be a diverse group of cities covered including cities ranging from Seattle to Hartford. STL was always a legal connection under fare rules and I would connect through there because the AC was great, connections were easy, and memories., It was bizarre to see a huge hub that was largely vacant.
At some point, Chicago realized it that AA having a nearby hub was a potential problem and built the new runway. In the meantime, WN had decided there were a lot of disaffected former TW/AA loyalists and decided to take over STL.
Then the tornado hit. Strange that it only hit the former TWA side and spared WN. It did, however, deal with all the empty gates and save the airport a lot of money.
When AA bought TWA, the plan was to have a second Midwest hub in STL because the previous two summers had been a disaster at ORD. There were several domestic mainline connections available in STL. Then, as it continued to bleed, they switched to an ERJ hub. It continued to be a diverse group of cities covered including cities ranging from Seattle to Hartford. STL was always a legal connection under fare rules and I would connect through there because the AC was great, connections were easy, and memories., It was bizarre to see a huge hub that was largely vacant.
At some point, Chicago realized it that AA having a nearby hub was a potential problem and built the new runway. In the meantime, WN had decided there were a lot of disaffected former TW/AA loyalists and decided to take over STL.
Then the tornado hit. Strange that it only hit the former TWA side and spared WN. It did, however, deal with all the empty gates and save the airport a lot of money.
Apr 28, 2019, 12:25 pm
#10
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Give TWA credit for the first 120-minute ETOPs rating for 767s. TATL (and now TPAC) services wouldn't be what they are today without 777/A330/767 ETOPs.
Apr 28, 2019, 1:06 pm
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Apr 28, 2019, 3:30 pm
#12
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Sitting at STL now. Really enjoyed the city. I know St. Louis has lost 64% of it’s population from the 1950 peak and STL airport is down to 10-12mm pax/year from a peak of over 30mm/year in the late 90’s when it was TW’s main hub. Post-merger and before AA scaled down, de-hubbed and essentially pulled out of STL, where else did AA operate flight to from STL?
Gate next to us is an MD-80 (McDonell Douglas was based in STL for those who don’t know) that was delivered to TWA in 1999. Seems appropriate that it’s here.
Gate next to us is an MD-80 (McDonell Douglas was based in STL for those who don’t know) that was delivered to TWA in 1999. Seems appropriate that it’s here.
Apr 28, 2019, 3:35 pm
#13
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Glad to hear you enjoyed STL. I’m curious... what did you enjoy specifically? STL was my home airport as a kid and has still been my base many times since. I ask because STL doesnt exactly seem to be a top destination for anyone outside the Midwest, and I’ve heard some unfavorable reviews, particularly from my friends on the west coast
Apr 28, 2019, 3:53 pm
#14
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I lived in Peoria from 1989 to 1995 and don't recall an Ambassadors Club there during that time, suggesting either the route map is even older than that or simply inaccurate.
Apr 28, 2019, 5:01 pm
#15
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Somewhat related, LGA-STL is 888 miles. AA webpage states nuts, snack plate and cookie on flights 700-899 miles. I was in F going and returning and both times nothing but a snack basket pass.