JetBlue and the Battle for BOS
Oct 24, 2018, 7:54 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
Things are a real mixed bag for Jet Blue out of Boston.
Things got better ~2 years ago when they connected terminal C to E, opening up 3 different lounges for B6 flyers to use. This had me flying Jet Blue a lot more. More recently I've been getting hammered with reliability issues on the transcon routes I fly (BOS-SEA/LAX) and there's very little operational flexibility even in a hub like Boston. This has had me switching to Delta more often which offers connections through pretty much all their hubs out of Boston and lots of well timed transcon flights. Granted Delta doesn't hold a candle to the Mint product, but they offer a better product in Economy with the possibility for an upgrade to F.
Things got better ~2 years ago when they connected terminal C to E, opening up 3 different lounges for B6 flyers to use. This had me flying Jet Blue a lot more. More recently I've been getting hammered with reliability issues on the transcon routes I fly (BOS-SEA/LAX) and there's very little operational flexibility even in a hub like Boston. This has had me switching to Delta more often which offers connections through pretty much all their hubs out of Boston and lots of well timed transcon flights. Granted Delta doesn't hold a candle to the Mint product, but they offer a better product in Economy with the possibility for an upgrade to F.
Oct 24, 2018, 10:01 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
They made PWM seasonal because it was performing poorly on those JFK flights. They are trying to do more upgauging in JFK. It wasn't because they are trying to steer people to fly out of Boston. They need to show better numbers to Wall Street so the underperforming stations that don't have great market relevance are getting cut or reduced.
btw, they have actually been improving in their A14 numbers out of BOS/JFK since the summer time. I've noticed their OTP numbers to be above average for those airports in much of past 3 months. Their numbers are still poor, but it's been a really rainy summer/fall.
To me, B6 y product is far better than DL. more leg room, wider, satellite tv and free high speed wifi.
btw, they have actually been improving in their A14 numbers out of BOS/JFK since the summer time. I've noticed their OTP numbers to be above average for those airports in much of past 3 months. Their numbers are still poor, but it's been a really rainy summer/fall.
To me, B6 y product is far better than DL. more leg room, wider, satellite tv and free high speed wifi.
Oct 24, 2018, 10:41 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 280
I wonder if they'll try the same tactic they did in Seattle. Delta made a big push to be "Seattle's hometown airline" offering everything from free points to all sorts of perks. They really tried to stick it to their former partner Alaska, but now it seems they've hit diminishing returns with the airport's congestion and endless construction.
Of course, Delta doesn't give a crap about people in their captive hubs they've lost interest in.
Of course, Delta doesn't give a crap about people in their captive hubs they've lost interest in.
Oct 24, 2018, 1:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
I wonder if they'll try the same tactic they did in Seattle. Delta made a big push to be "Seattle's hometown airline" offering everything from free points to all sorts of perks. They really tried to stick it to their former partner Alaska, but now it seems they've hit diminishing returns with the airport's congestion and endless construction.
DL also doesn't operate BOS-DCA, which is one of the "must have" flights for BOS business travelers. And I don't think they have enough DCA slots left to pick it back up.
Oct 25, 2018, 7:56 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
The most immediate issue for DL is that they are getting hammered in a lot of the markets they entered and that's before they've even started PHL, LAS and CHS. All of which they have little point of sale on the other end and have the worst schedule. On the other hand, B6 is going to see depressed yields for a while. Those additional capacity aren't great for carrier profitability.
But then again, B6 and DL have found a way to co-exist in NYC.
But then again, B6 and DL have found a way to co-exist in NYC.
Oct 27, 2018, 3:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Anywhere
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 674
Southwest will be moving to Terminal B when the renovations are done and AA vacates the "high" gates there.
Oct 28, 2018, 5:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
I wonder if they'll try the same tactic they did in Seattle. Delta made a big push to be "Seattle's hometown airline" offering everything from free points to all sorts of perks. They really tried to stick it to their former partner Alaska, but now it seems they've hit diminishing returns with the airport's congestion and endless construction.
Of course, Delta doesn't give a crap about people in their captive hubs they've lost interest in.
Of course, Delta doesn't give a crap about people in their captive hubs they've lost interest in.
JetBlue has been pretty aggressive in attacking Delta's hubs. First it was Detroit, then they started the LaGuardia Shuttle, then Atlanta, and most recently, Minneapolis. I would not be surprised if the next domestic JetBlue destination to be announced will be CVG as it's the last of Delta's domestic hubs/focus cities that JetBlue doesn't serve yet.
Oct 29, 2018, 6:07 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 280
Maybe, but also maybe not. Delta was able to screw over Alaska by becoming their partner first, then stabbed them in the back. Also, Delta needed a "real" west coast gateway hub. With LAX being "everyone's hub" and SLC not really west coast, their only options were probably SEA and PDX since SAN doesn't have the capacity, and SFO is taken.
JetBlue has been pretty aggressive in attacking Delta's hubs. First it was Detroit, then they started the LaGuardia Shuttle, then Atlanta, and most recently, Minneapolis. I would not be surprised if the next domestic JetBlue destination to be announced will be CVG as it's the last of Delta's domestic hubs/focus cities that JetBlue doesn't serve yet.
JetBlue has been pretty aggressive in attacking Delta's hubs. First it was Detroit, then they started the LaGuardia Shuttle, then Atlanta, and most recently, Minneapolis. I would not be surprised if the next domestic JetBlue destination to be announced will be CVG as it's the last of Delta's domestic hubs/focus cities that JetBlue doesn't serve yet.