DL Adding LAS-LGB (Yes you read that right)
Jun 2, 2019, 7:30 pm
#1
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DL Adding LAS-LGB (Yes you read that right)
I was reading the weekly OAG thread over on a.net and noticed that DL has loaded 2x daily LAS-LGB starting in October. This is clearly slot squatting and won’t be a high yielding route as there is already competition from WN so I’m wondering what DL’s reasoning for this is? Thoughts?
Jun 2, 2019, 7:59 pm
#2
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While it's surprising DL wants to jump into this pit (LGB-LAS is served by WN (1x) and B6 (3x)), there still is a heavy LA/OC area-LAS demand. Their research is probably showing the market is underserved.
Jun 2, 2019, 8:17 pm
#3
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(wild ignorant layperson speculation) Are the A220s creating slack in the RJ fleet or something?
Now if only they could pry the UC space at LAS out of UA's fingers...
Now if only they could pry the UC space at LAS out of UA's fingers...
Jun 2, 2019, 8:41 pm
#4
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That said, Delta has been pretty aggressive about connecting LAS to secondary airports out West (SNA and SJC come to mind - not sure if there are others) so this is relatively consistent with that approach. Perhaps they are going after convention traffic?
Jun 2, 2019, 9:59 pm
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I'm not saying it will work but I can definitely see the market at least potentially being there, especially if DL is connecting LAS to airports beyond in the LA metro area beyond LAX. If anyone has tried driving I-15 on a Friday evening from LA to Vegas, they know that much of the LA Metro area seems to be migrating to Vegas for the weekend. In no traffic the drive is still about 4 hours and in stop-n-go traffic nearly the entire way it becomes pretty miserable but unless one is close to LAX, by the time one gets to LAX, checks-in, and takes the flight, little to no time is saved over driving. But if one can fly from a more convenient airport and not have to waste the time driving to LAX and since one doesn't need a car in Vegas if they plan on staying on and around the strip, flying could be the convenient option for a few enough people to justify the flight and get a couple more hours on either end of the trip in Vegas plus not have to deal with the headache of driving. Will be interesting to see if it works out.
Jun 2, 2019, 10:11 pm
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Jun 3, 2019, 10:29 am
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No, but LGB is a slot controlled airport and Delta has slots they have to use. Delta probably figures lower yielding O/D traffic is better than even lower yielding (and higher cost to serve) connecting traffic.
That said, Delta has been pretty aggressive about connecting LAS to secondary airports out West (SNA and SJC come to mind - not sure if there are others) so this is relatively consistent with that approach. Perhaps they are going after convention traffic?
That said, Delta has been pretty aggressive about connecting LAS to secondary airports out West (SNA and SJC come to mind - not sure if there are others) so this is relatively consistent with that approach. Perhaps they are going after convention traffic?
Jun 3, 2019, 10:36 am
#10
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Jun 3, 2019, 10:40 am
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Jun 3, 2019, 10:44 am
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And 3x daily SAN-LAS. The Vegas market seems to be able to support a ton of capacity with 4x daily on Spirit, a flight on Frontier and about a dozen on WN from SAN.
Jun 3, 2019, 11:11 am
#15
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I wouldn't call SAN a secondary airport, but certainly still an anomaly since it is a point-to-point connection between two non-hub (or even focus city) airports.