AA service to DOH (ex-JFK, changing to ex-PHL on 29 Oct 2023)
Jul 11, 2022, 3:58 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
I originally assumed that it might relate to the World Cup. Maybe they are expecting more traffic into Doha in November and December. But I checked dates into January and they are extended too.
Might they be anticipating an equipment change? Would a 789 or a 773 make a difference? Can't imagine 2 hours. Maybe a different route -- closer to the pole? Again I can't see how that might make the difference here.
Jul 11, 2022, 5:55 pm
#93
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
I'm not OP but I also got the schedule change. It's definitely the duration. My original flight was blocked for a bit over twelve hours and now my new flight is blocked for 14:30. Looks like the flights this month on this route have been making the run pretty regularly in 12 hours.
I originally assumed that it might relate to the World Cup. Maybe they are expecting more traffic into Doha in November and December. But I checked dates into January and they are extended too.
Might they be anticipating an equipment change? Would a 789 or a 773 make a difference? Can't imagine 2 hours. Maybe a different route -- closer to the pole? Again I can't see how that might make the difference here.
I originally assumed that it might relate to the World Cup. Maybe they are expecting more traffic into Doha in November and December. But I checked dates into January and they are extended too.
Might they be anticipating an equipment change? Would a 789 or a 773 make a difference? Can't imagine 2 hours. Maybe a different route -- closer to the pole? Again I can't see how that might make the difference here.
Does the duration change coincide with the equipment change date?
Last edited by BlooJoo; Jul 11, 2022 at 6:09 pm
Jul 12, 2022, 4:13 am
#94
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida (USA)
Programs: AA EXP DL Plat BONVOY LT Plat
Posts: 148
Perhaps this is an attempt to lower fuel costs. either, slow down or add a stop. there is details found on the web that sometimes it is more fuel efficient to make a stop that carry so much extra fuel for long hauls.
Jul 12, 2022, 4:27 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
I'd just wait and see. AA has loaded crazy stuff in advance schedules (there was a thread about PHX-east coast via CMH where the aircraft would need to travel at Mach 2) so it's very possible that this changes back soon.
Jul 12, 2022, 4:29 am
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
It does cost fuel to "tanker" fuel on ULH flights, although JFK-DOH isn't really an ultra long haul flight. AA would likely put a 789 on the route first.
Jul 12, 2022, 5:06 am
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
The funny part is the block time actually gets shorter before it gets longer before getting shorter again.
Also 9/7 is the date of the 77W > 772 switch, when the block time shortens.
And DST is correctly accounted for, arrival time is actually 10:05p for the first week of Nov before DST changes over.
Now thru 9/6: 12:55a - 9:00p (13 hrs 5 mins)
9/7 thru 10/29: 12:55a - 8:30p (12 hrs 35 mins)
10/30 thru 3/25: 12:35a - 11:05p (14 hrs 30 mins)
3/26 thru EOS: 1:00a - 8:30p (12 hrs 30 mins)
Also 9/7 is the date of the 77W > 772 switch, when the block time shortens.
And DST is correctly accounted for, arrival time is actually 10:05p for the first week of Nov before DST changes over.
Now thru 9/6: 12:55a - 9:00p (13 hrs 5 mins)
9/7 thru 10/29: 12:55a - 8:30p (12 hrs 35 mins)
10/30 thru 3/25: 12:35a - 11:05p (14 hrs 30 mins)
3/26 thru EOS: 1:00a - 8:30p (12 hrs 30 mins)
Jul 12, 2022, 5:08 am
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
The funny part is the block time actually gets shorter before it gets longer before getting shorter again.
Also 9/7 is the date of the 77W > 772 switch, when the block time shortens.
And DST is correctly accounted for, arrival time is actually 10:05p for the first week of Nov before DST changes over.
Now thru 9/6: 12:55a - 9:00p (13 hrs 5 mins)
9/7 thru 10/29: 12:55a - 8:30p (12 hrs 35 mins)
10/30 thru 3/25: 12:35a - 11:05p (14 hrs 30 mins)
3/26 thru EOS: 1:00a - 8:30p (12 hrs 30 mins)
Also 9/7 is the date of the 77W > 772 switch, when the block time shortens.
And DST is correctly accounted for, arrival time is actually 10:05p for the first week of Nov before DST changes over.
Now thru 9/6: 12:55a - 9:00p (13 hrs 5 mins)
9/7 thru 10/29: 12:55a - 8:30p (12 hrs 35 mins)
10/30 thru 3/25: 12:35a - 11:05p (14 hrs 30 mins)
3/26 thru EOS: 1:00a - 8:30p (12 hrs 30 mins)
Jul 12, 2022, 12:26 pm
#102
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Houston , TX
Programs: Platinum Pro. .Hilton Honors Gold,
Posts: 677
I bet the flight went out with 20 open seats in economy and business class filled with non revs.
Jul 12, 2022, 12:27 pm
#103
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Houston , TX
Programs: Platinum Pro. .Hilton Honors Gold,
Posts: 677
Yes!
Jul 12, 2022, 3:27 pm
#105
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 517
The flight leaves at midnight when there is little demand for airport capacity. I doubt that this is a factor.