Retaliation on AA's New LGA-MSP flights
Jun 15, 2007, 6:54 pm
#46
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NW will add routes, even with the idea of losing money on the deal, in order to protect another route...a good decision? I guess it has worked pretty well so far. But on the same token, NW added LAS-DSM, LAS-FSD, LAS-FAR, all in response to Allegiant "invading" the homeland market as well as LAS-FNT (in response to AirTran)...all were dropped within a year and all were money losers...weak loads (with about 30-40% of the passengers connecting to a hub from their first city) and very low fares (I don't think I saw one ticket over $249)...meanwhile, Allegiant continues their flights. Same can be said for the recently added LAS-MEM flight in response to F9...poorly timed for the hub (average connection is over 2.5-3 hours) and on a given night there are 35-50 people connecting to either MSP or DTW.
I've wondered for a long time why United doesn't serve MSP from their SFO and LAX hubs. I wonder if NW would launch a response if they did . . .
Jun 15, 2007, 7:17 pm
#47
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,806
There is kind of an unspoken word amongst the Legacy carriers. I stay out of your backyard, you stay out of mine. Now all major cities have to be served from different airline hubs, but there are just some routes you don't touch. Our NY routes are some of the most profitable for the company. I know at one point, DTW-LGA was thee MOST profitable route we had.
AA commited a cardinal sin by offering LGA-MSP. Of course NW is going to retaliate.
I remember years ago, TWA started some route into MSP and NW hammered the hell out of TWA on STL routes until TWA backed off.
Personally, I feel NW can afford the turf wars more than AA can. After all, we just left BK and AA is still trying to cut corners.
AA commited a cardinal sin by offering LGA-MSP. Of course NW is going to retaliate.
I remember years ago, TWA started some route into MSP and NW hammered the hell out of TWA on STL routes until TWA backed off.
Personally, I feel NW can afford the turf wars more than AA can. After all, we just left BK and AA is still trying to cut corners.
Jun 15, 2007, 7:19 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Denver,CO, USA
Posts: 846
Yes, I fondly remember the NW vs. F9 DEN-LAX battle of a few years ago. NW reduced the fare to $98 r.t. and was giving triple miles on the route. It was also while the fly free faster promo was on. It was my best mileage run ever.
Jun 15, 2007, 7:24 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
Exactly - As stated, they clearly have a history of success doing this.
Last edited by HeadInTheClouds; Jun 15, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Jun 15, 2007, 7:24 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2003
Location: NYC + LAX + SEA
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AA could have started this route with RJs - they didn't - clearly seeking the high yield biz pax NW commands on this route. I'm more surprised NW didn't also attack in addition more vulnerable AA routes. I doubt AA will see much dilution with 3x vs their 15x daily.
Jun 15, 2007, 7:27 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Well, as this is a big time money route for NW (MSP-LGA) with both O/D traffic and connections, I can understand them defending it with a bit of muscle.
Jun 15, 2007, 7:30 pm
#53
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Agreed, I fly NW F LGA-DTW over AA RJs even though AA is my primary FFP. If I have to go to MSP, I might fly AA, but then again, NW still has a better schedule, plus has flights into EWR and HPN if there are ATC problems at LGA. Plus AA F service on a midcon MD80 is no great shakes, I have more than enough miles on AA, I will get my EXP status again and I can credit my NW flights to DL.
From DFW-LGA I will take advantage of any lower fares because of NW's presence, but probably would never fly them on the route for the same reason I wouldn't fly AA to MSP from LGA.
From DFW-LGA I will take advantage of any lower fares because of NW's presence, but probably would never fly them on the route for the same reason I wouldn't fly AA to MSP from LGA.
Jun 15, 2007, 7:43 pm
#54
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I just love sitting back and watching 
Jun 15, 2007, 8:31 pm
#55
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Those were the days!
Jun 15, 2007, 8:43 pm
#56
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If I have to go to MSP, I might fly AA, but then again, NW still has a better schedule, plus has flights into EWR and HPN if there are ATC problems at LGA. Plus AA F service on a midcon MD80 is no great shakes, I have more than enough miles on AA, I will get my EXP status again and I can credit my NW flights to DL.
Jun 15, 2007, 11:21 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,380
If so, either you're very misguided or you're on NWA's payroll.
Jun 16, 2007, 12:55 am
#58
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AC member and access WC with Amex Plat - agree about drinks, snacks and ambiance. Also with the LGA, always a chance the flight will go out of C instead of D making membership moot. That said, MSP, DTW and DFW for me are generally day trips or most one night so I value frequency -- more than once returning from DTW I have traded my delayed LGA flight on NW for an EWR - something I couldnt do with AA.
PS-- I am super impressed with the DTW WCs - they blow ACs away.
Jun 16, 2007, 3:02 am
#59
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No. AA decided to fly a route for their own sake, which pissed-off NW. So, NW announced a TOTALLY BOGUS route (there's no WAY they could have legitimately planned LGA-DFW service in their own right) just to piss off AA.
It's just like a kid looking at a bully the wrong way and then the bully deciding to punch the kid for it. The look doesn't justify the punch, if you follow. There's a mature way to do things, and then there's NW's way
It's just like a kid looking at a bully the wrong way and then the bully deciding to punch the kid for it. The look doesn't justify the punch, if you follow. There's a mature way to do things, and then there's NW's way
Allanf
Jun 16, 2007, 5:53 pm
#60
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 115
i fly rt dfw-lga about 2x a month on average. if the fares on aa go down, thats great, but i wouldn't fly nwa because there just aren't enough flights. i always book the first flight out of dallas and the last one back. i never sit on the last one back. i always standby for an earlier flight. first class is nice, but seeing my family sooner is nicer. nw can't get my business without having as many if not more flights than aa.
also, this is one route. what about my lax, lhr, las, mia, ord and hkg trips? will nwa start a mini hub here in dallas? i doubt it.
all that having been said, competition is good for all of us.
also, this is one route. what about my lax, lhr, las, mia, ord and hkg trips? will nwa start a mini hub here in dallas? i doubt it.
all that having been said, competition is good for all of us.