Frontier announces MEM-DEN/LAS/MCO
Feb 14, 2007 | 1:43 pm
#1
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Frontier announces MEM-DEN/LAS/MCO
http://biz.yahoo.com/bizj/070214/1417644.html?.v=2
Frontier will start 2x MEM-DEN. The two routes not detailed in the release are 1x MEM-MCO and 1x MEM-LAS. Orlando and Las Vegas are unusual addition to Frontier's network, particularly from a new city.
Lets see if NW responds similarly to 2004 when Frontier began LAX-MSP. For those of you that don't remember, NW began multiple daily flights DEN-LAX, fares were incredibly low on both MSP-LAX and MSP-DEN, and NW offered triple EQM's. Frontier didn't last long on MSP-LAX and NW quickly pulled the DEN-LAX flights.
MEM-LAS is an underserved NW route with only 1 A319 per day. Frontier's flight time sucks though - 11pm departure from MEM.
Frontier will start 2x MEM-DEN. The two routes not detailed in the release are 1x MEM-MCO and 1x MEM-LAS. Orlando and Las Vegas are unusual addition to Frontier's network, particularly from a new city.
Lets see if NW responds similarly to 2004 when Frontier began LAX-MSP. For those of you that don't remember, NW began multiple daily flights DEN-LAX, fares were incredibly low on both MSP-LAX and MSP-DEN, and NW offered triple EQM's. Frontier didn't last long on MSP-LAX and NW quickly pulled the DEN-LAX flights.
MEM-LAS is an underserved NW route with only 1 A319 per day. Frontier's flight time sucks though - 11pm departure from MEM.
Feb 14, 2007 | 7:28 pm
#2
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When Frontier came to BNA they started with 2 Den flights and within three months upped it to 3. The MEM MCO flight is always packed. It was changed to a 757, recently and is still packed. I think that will do well for Frontier. The LAS flight I doubt. NWA has a LAS flight and America West has a decent hold in MEM. I thought they would add something to Mexico. The BNA flight to Cancun does well.
Feb 14, 2007 | 11:01 pm
#3
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Whew, call ahead "late check-in" to the LAS hotel...
plane arrives LAS at 12:15am.
plane arrives LAS at 12:15am.
Feb 14, 2007 | 11:13 pm
#4
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America West does not have a non-stop from LAS to MEM. F9 has agressively been publishing fares ex. LAS and adding service to semi-monopolized routes like LAS-SFO. I hope NWA adds more frequency to MEM; there is never low fare bucket availability connecting via MEM for me.
Feb 15, 2007 | 2:12 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
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The plane would have just remained overnight at MEM anyway. Instead, Frontier sends that plane (coming in from DEN) to Vegas (with plenty of time to become the early morning LAS-DEN run or do a 1AM turn to an eastern city), and another plane that would have just remained overnight in Vegas to MEM to be the morning MEM-DEN run. It makes some sense.
Last edited by longtime lurker; Feb 15, 2007 at 2:19 am
Feb 15, 2007 | 6:17 am
#6
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Well, it IS a flight to Vegas. If a westbound flight to any U.S. city could work departing at 11PM, it would be Vegas.
The plane would have just remained overnight at MEM anyway. Instead, Frontier sends that plane (coming in from DEN) to Vegas (with plenty of time to become the early morning LAS-DEN run or do a 1AM turn to an eastern city), and another plane that would have just remained overnight in Vegas to MEM to be the morning MEM-DEN run. It makes some sense.
The plane would have just remained overnight at MEM anyway. Instead, Frontier sends that plane (coming in from DEN) to Vegas (with plenty of time to become the early morning LAS-DEN run or do a 1AM turn to an eastern city), and another plane that would have just remained overnight in Vegas to MEM to be the morning MEM-DEN run. It makes some sense.
Feb 15, 2007 | 6:44 am
#7
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Feb 15, 2007 | 6:48 am
#8
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Lets see if NW responds similarly to 2004 when Frontier began LAX-MSP. For those of you that don't remember, NW began multiple daily flights DEN-LAX, fares were incredibly low on both MSP-LAX and MSP-DEN, and NW offered triple EQM's. Frontier didn't last long on MSP-LAX and NW quickly pulled the DEN-LAX flights.
Feb 15, 2007 | 10:40 am
#9
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Orlando must be a popular city.
Airtran just announce today that they are adding 1x daily service to MEM-MCO. Look like Airtran is trying to help out it FF partner.
From what I have heard in MEM, that the casinos (in Tunica) really push for that flight to LAS and the time spot too. Only 1 nonstop flight a day. Casinos execs can leave MEM and get to LAS a little out midnight and be well rested for work later that morning, and for the execs that leaving LAS can hop on a plane and be ready for work when they get to MEM that morning. So I believe this will work unless NW do something like they did in MSP.
From what I have heard in MEM, that the casinos (in Tunica) really push for that flight to LAS and the time spot too. Only 1 nonstop flight a day. Casinos execs can leave MEM and get to LAS a little out midnight and be well rested for work later that morning, and for the execs that leaving LAS can hop on a plane and be ready for work when they get to MEM that morning. So I believe this will work unless NW do something like they did in MSP.
Feb 15, 2007 | 10:45 am
#10
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US Airways/America West has run a nighttime hub in LAS for years now. In fact, it was part of HP's original business plan. Since the flights have continued over the years, it must be successful! The westbound to LAS flights leave in the evening between 8pm and 10pm. The eastbound flights from LAS flights leave between 11pm and midnight.
Feb 15, 2007 | 12:49 pm
#11
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As I said, it IS Vegas - the ultimate leisure destination. Some passengers to Vegas don't necessarily care when they get there, as long as they get there.
A very late flight to Vegas does have its advantages - you can get a full day of work in MEM, eat a nice meal, and still make the flight without rushing. You'd also arrive in Vegas with enough time to rest up for a mid-morning meeting or convention (or make a bee line to the craps tables - they don't shut down the casinos in Vegas just because it's after Midnight).
A very late flight to Vegas does have its advantages - you can get a full day of work in MEM, eat a nice meal, and still make the flight without rushing. You'd also arrive in Vegas with enough time to rest up for a mid-morning meeting or convention (or make a bee line to the craps tables - they don't shut down the casinos in Vegas just because it's after Midnight).