SLC
 

I've noticed that SLC is losing their direct flight to LAS at the end of April. Is this just seasonal?

Is it just me or is B6 having problems with the locals breaking free from DL? If so, could it be the frequent flyer program?

DL actually seems to be expanding service out of SLC, so the more significant and growing route map that DL offers probably hurts B6 more than the FF program does. But I doubt that the TrueBlue program is helping too much.

I think the big problem is the lack of frequency, only 1 flight for most SLC cities and 2 flights to LGB.

So the Southwest appoach really does work. :eek: :p

It's going away period. The route was mainly full of non-revs and pulled in little revenue to cover expenses.

How dare the B6 employees, dead-heading US empoyees, and award PAX take advantage of it. :eek:

The daily JFK-SLC flight from JetBlue--often the only non-Delta flight from New York to SLC (excepting the on-again-off-again, less-than-daily Continental offering)--prevents a total Delta monopoly, keeping prices in check and almost all fares one-way. But I'll admit that it doesn't necessarily build jetBlue loyalty: We fly whichever airline was cheapest and most convenient.

It does always seem like SLC is an afterthought in jetBlue's route network, and jetBlue's attempts to expand it are usually unsuccessful. But I think that having so many employees there keeps at least their SLC-to-hub flights securely in place.

The locals also have the option of WN 8x daily.

Frequency of flights in a given market is a huge selling point for any airline that can afford to offer it. This is how PSA and AirCal, and now Southwest, took over all the major intra-California routes.

If a market can support high frequency flights, that market can easily end up in a "winner takes all" situation with one airline providing 90% or more of the flights. The airline needs deep pockets to get to that point, and then comes the hard part: The airline needs to resist raising fares unreasonably. Higher fares entice new entrants to try de-throning the market champ. Low fares discourage new entrants. Southwest Airlines knows this story, because they've done it this way since their early days flying within Texas.

JetBlue's route structure is poorly matched to paying this game. Therefore JetBlue is better off avoiding markets that can support high-frequency service. The E190s could have been a game-changer here, but JetBlue apparently does not want to use them that way.

The only time JetBlue has done this and succeeded to a point has been the NYC-Florida routes. DL no longer flies EWR to Florida. Continental dropped their fares. Etc, etc, etc...

It seems like that JetBlue has been more interested in putting dots on the map rather developing them fully before the next one comes on board. WN seesm to do it a lot better.

Yes, JetBlue is a prime choice in the NY-FL markets. The problem is that these are leisure markets. High-frequency business markets are the real money makers for airlines. NY-DC shuttles are the best example, but incumbents there are protected by limits on slots and gates.