Does anyone know why CO has flights to ORD, DFW and ATL at terminal A? Just a guess that it has something to do with other airlines hubs.

Just a guess, but either these are cities with a low % of connecting passengers, so it's done out of convenience to impact the smallest number of people. Or, since these are business markets, it might be so biz travellers flying in and out of EWR can use the smaller, more efficient Terminal A. While not as pretty, there are no long walks to the CO gates there.


[This message has been edited by channa (edited Jan 18, 2004).]

Good point on the connecting passengers. I think that ties into these 3 destinations being hubs for others. Following down that path of logic most people in the 3 cities mentioned above will take the non-stop with the home carrier. One negative I see for this terminal is the lack of elite line for security. Very important factor if I was flying constantly to ORD. I haven't flown CO to ORD lately so that could have changed with the new blue carpets and all that nonsense. Food is horrible in this terminal as well. Terminal C has some good fare. PC is not bad if memory serves me and quiet as well. Anyone recent experiences flying CO to ORD lately?

I've never had a problem with security at EWR Terminal A. Remember, they only serve 3 destinations out of there, mostly on 735s. So, worst case scenario you have 300 people flying out of there at one time, and the security lines are adequate.

Thanks Channa. Hopefully at 2:45 on a Fri. its bearbale.

The real reason is that CO does not wish to surrender its Terminal A gates to a competitor. Actually, Terminal A is much easier to manuever than C, with three satellite concourses and much less traffic.

Understood, but to keep the gates, they have to make an effort to "use" them. Hence the original question on the table was why those flights out of Term A?

Probably has something to do with AA and DL being in Terminal A.

Maybe they want to more easily pick up rule 240 income from other carriers?

Or maybe they want to make it not-so-painful for AA and UA frequent travelers to fly CO - these folks can still access the Admiral's Club and the RCC.

Or maybe there are just a lot of business pax who just show up at terminal A and take the next flight out with FC available?

In my experience security at terminal A can have long lines, expecially during the morning rush. I've spent upwards of 1/2 hour at times. At C I can't remember the last time it's been more than 5-10 minutes.

The markets that were seclected to move to Term A, now approaching 3 years, have the lowest connecting passenger numbers for the major business markets. Also, the fact there is a P-Club in Term A was also a consideration in the markets that were seclected. I hope this helps.

I have flown the MDW-EWR route recently, and have had almost no lines for a 4:00pm flight. The PC is fairly small, but nice and quiet. Despite the lack of good food choices, I like flying out of Term A.

This has been brought up before, but for the devil of me, I cannot find the topic; I even searched the archives.

Anyway, it absolutely has to do with connecting passengers. Think about it. The destinations served are all major hubs for Delta, United and American. For travelers that live in CHI, DFW and ATL, why would they take CO to get anywhere except EWR? The home carriers from those origin airports can get you to your final destination on a non-stop, so why would you fly CO on a connection, unless you were ONLY going to EWR.

Conversely, you would only be flying CO out of EWR to DFW, CHI and ATL if that was your final destination. If you would be flying anywhere else, you would have to connect on DL, UA and AA. Therefore, you would only fly CO non-stop to those final destination (DFW, CHI and ATL).

Besides, they are maxed out at Term C and I think the satellite they share in Term A has a lot of non-major carriers. They could always grab more gates if they go out of business (or conversely, the others can grab CO gates if THEY go out of business!)

Also, it gives CO a presence in ALL three Terminals at EWR. It's like marking your territory.

Term A: CO - ATL, DFW, MDW, ORD
Term B: CO - LHR and some int'l arrivals (plus fture SkyTeam partners DL and NW)
Term C: CO - ALL

- HobokenFlyer

Makes sense. Thats what I was thinking. I will sometimes fly NW to ORD and connect through DTW. Baiscally to avoid CO, but thats not possible for this next trip. Time is of the utmost importance.

exit 13a -

Love the handle!