Purdue University Airport (LAF) getting first Airline Service in 20 years
Dec 9, 2023, 4:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 2
Purdue University Airport (LAF) getting first Airline Service in 20 years
Starting in ~April 2024, Southern Airways Express will fly 24 round trips per week between Chicago O'Hare and LAF in West Lafayette. (Southern isn't a regional carrier, but partners with UA and AA for ticketing, baggage, etc)
The last time LAF had flights was way back in February 2004, with AA's "American Connection" flights to STL. Really interesting to see, especially given how many small airports have been losing air service over the last few years. The airport is also getting a new terminal, opening in 2025.
Thoughts? I know I'll be using it- looking forward to skipping the shuttles and Chicago traffic.
The last time LAF had flights was way back in February 2004, with AA's "American Connection" flights to STL. Really interesting to see, especially given how many small airports have been losing air service over the last few years. The airport is also getting a new terminal, opening in 2025.
Thoughts? I know I'll be using it- looking forward to skipping the shuttles and Chicago traffic.
Dec 9, 2023, 7:34 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,820
When you they "partner on ticketing and baggage". What exactly does that mean? With regards to baggage, I would assume interlining bags?
As someone that used to live in Indy and fly out of IND. That last flight was so problematic that we often just drove to Chicago instead of dealing with the connection. From Lafayette, even more so. Now, that depends on flight times etc also, that drive up to ORD can be a real cluster as well.
In the end, I am sure additional options are a good thing.
As someone that used to live in Indy and fly out of IND. That last flight was so problematic that we often just drove to Chicago instead of dealing with the connection. From Lafayette, even more so. Now, that depends on flight times etc also, that drive up to ORD can be a real cluster as well.
In the end, I am sure additional options are a good thing.
Dec 9, 2023, 7:56 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 2
The one big limitation I've seen is that you can't book award flights with any of these airlines if they include a leg on Southern- though you should earn miles when paying cash.
Dec 9, 2023, 8:30 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,820
My understanding is that you can buy itineraries via UA, AA, or AS which include Southern Airways flights, and it'll all be on one ticket and checked bags will be interlined. I've seen several such itineraries pop up when looking for tickets on Google Flights.
The one big limitation I've seen is that you can't book award flights with any of these airlines if they include a leg on Southern- though you should earn miles when paying cash.
The one big limitation I've seen is that you can't book award flights with any of these airlines if they include a leg on Southern- though you should earn miles when paying cash.
Dec 24, 2023, 8:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CP-ASEL,AMEL,G-IA in Tucson, Arizona, United States
Posts: 1,124
A data point, I flew on Southern earlier this year. I booked on AA with the connection in DEN. Baggage was interlined and the tags were printed appropriately.
The drawback was arriving about five hours later at my destination. Southern has a limited number of aircraft and the one we were to use was delayed arriving in DEN which was followed by storms that arrived after the aircraft arrived, I recall that it was a single-engine turboprop Cessna Grand Caravan.
For the return trip the flight was canceled due to a maintenance issue so the station manager had to find us an Uber to drive us to DEN. AA accommodated my situation since the flights were on a single PNR. Ironically Southern was planning to fly the aircraft to DEN anyways with a ferry permit so the maintenance issue could be addressed.
The drawback was arriving about five hours later at my destination. Southern has a limited number of aircraft and the one we were to use was delayed arriving in DEN which was followed by storms that arrived after the aircraft arrived, I recall that it was a single-engine turboprop Cessna Grand Caravan.
For the return trip the flight was canceled due to a maintenance issue so the station manager had to find us an Uber to drive us to DEN. AA accommodated my situation since the flights were on a single PNR. Ironically Southern was planning to fly the aircraft to DEN anyways with a ferry permit so the maintenance issue could be addressed.