Massive Mint growth coming in 2017 and beyond
#136
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
#137
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
#138
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The A321 range is slightly lower than the A320. Of course, in a Mint config the A321 is not at full load and potentially has higher fuel capacity. But just swapping A320->A321 doesn't necessarily increase range.
#139
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
I believe there was a Jetblue pilot said a while back on this forum that A321 mint carry 2 external fuel tanks which (along with the lighter config) allow them to not have the same tech stop issues that A320 have in the winter time.
#141
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
As to MCO...the yields were touchy for VX but they did seem to pull good loads in my experience (the flight was usually /quite/ full).
(Also, for me the BOS-SEA startup is my trigger for giving B6 a serious shot. So we'll see where things are looking come this winter...but that'll be a watershed for me.)
#142
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,204
#143
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
This is my understanding as well. Also I assume the neo would be helpful in this situation assuming b6 ever gets them.
#144
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
More on this, it seems like JetBlue has chosen the Strengthen Boston approach, which makes sense since they want to protect and strengthen their hold on the corporate and ff base there.
Aside from the 5th daily BOS-SFO, they have now loaded a 3rd daily BOS-SAN in late March + a 3rd daily BOS-SEA in mid June. Kind of what I thought they would do if they decided to go this route. Seems like if they continue down this path, they could add a 5th daily BOS-LAX and maybe even a 6th daily BOS-SFO to really dominate all the transcon routes out of Boston. Imo, this is going to cause a lot of trouble for AS. The 3 daily BOS-SAN is going to make it very hard for AS to stay afloat. For Q2, B6 averaged $15 more than AS. That gap will get a lot larger by 2018 Q2. 3 daily BOS-SEA will significantly shift the balance on that carrier. Right now, B6 is getting about $35 less on average fare compared to AS and DL. But with Mint, that could very easily becomes $30 to $50 more. And obviously, BOS-SFO/LAX already have become huge bloodbath.
If they continue to do well on these market, I really think we might see mint on BOS-PHX/PDX at some point.
Aside from the 5th daily BOS-SFO, they have now loaded a 3rd daily BOS-SAN in late March + a 3rd daily BOS-SEA in mid June. Kind of what I thought they would do if they decided to go this route. Seems like if they continue down this path, they could add a 5th daily BOS-LAX and maybe even a 6th daily BOS-SFO to really dominate all the transcon routes out of Boston. Imo, this is going to cause a lot of trouble for AS. The 3 daily BOS-SAN is going to make it very hard for AS to stay afloat. For Q2, B6 averaged $15 more than AS. That gap will get a lot larger by 2018 Q2. 3 daily BOS-SEA will significantly shift the balance on that carrier. Right now, B6 is getting about $35 less on average fare compared to AS and DL. But with Mint, that could very easily becomes $30 to $50 more. And obviously, BOS-SFO/LAX already have become huge bloodbath.
If they continue to do well on these market, I really think we might see mint on BOS-PHX/PDX at some point.
#145
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
More on this, it seems like JetBlue has chosen the Strengthen Boston approach, which makes sense since they want to protect and strengthen their hold on the corporate and ff base there.
Aside from the 5th daily BOS-SFO, they have now loaded a 3rd daily BOS-SAN in late March + a 3rd daily BOS-SEA in mid June. Kind of what I thought they would do if they decided to go this route. Seems like if they continue down this path, they could add a 5th daily BOS-LAX and maybe even a 6th daily BOS-SFO to really dominate all the transcon routes out of Boston. Imo, this is going to cause a lot of trouble for AS. The 3 daily BOS-SAN is going to make it very hard for AS to stay afloat. For Q2, B6 averaged $15 more than AS. That gap will get a lot larger by 2018 Q2. 3 daily BOS-SEA will significantly shift the balance on that carrier. Right now, B6 is getting about $35 less on average fare compared to AS and DL. But with Mint, that could very easily becomes $30 to $50 more. And obviously, BOS-SFO/LAX already have become huge bloodbath.
If they continue to do well on these market, I really think we might see mint on BOS-PHX/PDX at some point.
Aside from the 5th daily BOS-SFO, they have now loaded a 3rd daily BOS-SAN in late March + a 3rd daily BOS-SEA in mid June. Kind of what I thought they would do if they decided to go this route. Seems like if they continue down this path, they could add a 5th daily BOS-LAX and maybe even a 6th daily BOS-SFO to really dominate all the transcon routes out of Boston. Imo, this is going to cause a lot of trouble for AS. The 3 daily BOS-SAN is going to make it very hard for AS to stay afloat. For Q2, B6 averaged $15 more than AS. That gap will get a lot larger by 2018 Q2. 3 daily BOS-SEA will significantly shift the balance on that carrier. Right now, B6 is getting about $35 less on average fare compared to AS and DL. But with Mint, that could very easily becomes $30 to $50 more. And obviously, BOS-SFO/LAX already have become huge bloodbath.
If they continue to do well on these market, I really think we might see mint on BOS-PHX/PDX at some point.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't complain one bit. AA's 737s to LAX and PHX are awful heading west. If AA trades these for A32Ts, as with LAX for the holidays, then $1300 advanced purchase for premium transcon fares could be the new normal ex-BOS.
From a BOS-based FF, the more mint, the merrier. More than happy to see more blood letting on these routes.
#146
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
Where do you get these numbers from? This seems like pure speculation...
Nevertheless, I wouldn't complain one bit. AA's 737s to LAX and PHX are awful heading west. If AA trades these for A32Ts, as with LAX for the holidays, then $1300 advanced purchase for premium transcon fares could be the new normal ex-BOS.
From a BOS-based FF, the more mint, the merrier. More than happy to see more blood letting on these routes.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't complain one bit. AA's 737s to LAX and PHX are awful heading west. If AA trades these for A32Ts, as with LAX for the holidays, then $1300 advanced purchase for premium transcon fares could be the new normal ex-BOS.
From a BOS-based FF, the more mint, the merrier. More than happy to see more blood letting on these routes.
As an example on BOS-SFO, 2016 Q1 (last quarter before mint) to show the mint effect on fares.
AA 327.21
B6 280.38
VX 328.13
UA 401.18
2017 Q2 (most recent one with fare data) - note that UA had standard FC for most of this quarter. Will have to wait for Q3 to see the affect of UA dumping all the lie flats on this market.
DL 307.56
B6 384.69
VX 325.49
UA 357.64