Back by popular demand...
 

Starting on July 1 MKE will be getting 6 new flights, one daily round-trip to: BOS,DCA,LGA,LAS,LAX, and MCO. Flights will be operated with A319/A320 and are for sale starting today.

<edited to fix date.>

[This message has been edited by msprsa (edited 05-10-2003).]

Sorry to correct you msprsa...but the flights are scheduled to operated beginning July 1.

They are timed for the most part it appears as early AM departures from MKE (btwn 6:30-9am.)

It appears now there may be more to the break-up of the YX/NW FF partnership. NW claims to have performed alot of research into this build-up and states the A/C used would be otherwise sitting idle. With YX on the brink of financial failure, this appears to be a direct shot at their base.

Midwest Airlines is in the process of converting, so I read, some aircraft to a 2/3 configuration...that coupled with the elimination of meals (now all buy-on-board), the differences between the carriers (YX and NW) may become minimal and with a broader list of destinations as well as a more flexible schedule to/from MKE (granted, the majority will be with connecting flights), NW will stand to gain alot of YX passengers...it will be interesting to see how the blue-tail responds, as well as their very loyal FFers.

The new flights will complement existing service to/from MKE – the number of flights to/from DTW, MEM and MSP will remain the same as will the scheduled equipment.

flights to Milwaukee begin July 1 (but do not operate on Saturdays+)
flights from Milwaukee begin July 2 (but do not operate on Sundays+)
+flights to/from Las Vegas and Orlando operate daily
flights to/from BOS, DCA, LGA and LAS operate with A319, flights to/from LAX and MCO with A320


NW0888 departs Milwaukee 7:20AM, arrives Boston 10:35AM
NW0887 departs Boston 7:40PM, arrives Milwaukee 9:15PM

NW0636 departs Milwaukee 7:05AM, arrives Washington-National 10:00AM
NW0637 departs Washington-National 7:30PM, arrives Milwaukee 8:30PM

NW1096 departs Milwaukee 6:30AM, arrives New York-LaGuardia 9:35AM
NW1095 departs New York-LaGuardia 7:40PM, arrives Milwaukee 9:05PM

NW0669 departs Milwaukee 8:30AM, arrives Las Vegas 9:20AM
NW0668 departs Las Vegas 11:10AM, arrives Milwaukee 4:30PM

NW0985 departs Milwaukee 5:45PM, arrives Los Angeles 8:00PM
NW0984 departs Los Angeles 5:30PM, arrives Milwaukee 11:15PM

NW1853 departs Milwaukee 7:00AM, arrives Orlando 10:35AM
NW1852 departs Orlando 6:30PM, arrives Milwaukee 8:15PM

I doubt NW has any intentions of building a hub at MKE (otherwise they wouldn’t be continuing their downsizing of DTW and using A319/A320 equipment at MKE). I think they’re trying to take advantage of an underserved O/D market, more-or-less creating a “focus city.” It appears to be a well-orchestrated operation… not only does NW stand to gain revenue from an underserved market, they get an opportunity to kill off Midwest Airlines (which appears to be converting into a full-service airline).

Flight time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Compared with:
YX709 departs Milwaukee 8:30AM, arrives Las Vegas 10:15AM
Flight time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Compared with:
Flight time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Hmm...

- Since when the heck is it faster to fly westbound than eastbound?
- What kind of A319s is Northwest using?
- By the way, MKE-LAS is a 1500 mile flight. Even the SEA-MSP redeye (little traffic, 1400 mile flight) needs about 2 hours and 45 minutes of time in the air...
- Methinks Northwest has some explaining to do...
- I wonder if passengers who have booked this flight have any recourse once they realize they aren't going to make it to Las Vegas anywhere near the scheduled arrival time.

Does this mean we might even see more NW focus cities ?

What about ORD/PIT/PHL ?

Keithguy --

Calm down! Obviously, the poster made an error on the MKE-LAS. The arrival time should be 10:20am. That allows 50 minutes turn time for the 11:10am return flight to MKE!

Actually, the poster made no error. Those are the times listed in the Northwest system (can been seen on nwa.com) as well as in various CRS...

And by the way, don't assume it's just an innocent mistake.

CRS displays flights in order of flight time. So if one was to search for MKE-LAS, NW's flight would come first, followed by YX.

Given the predatory nature of these flights, I wouldn't find it too surprising if this was intentional to put the NW flight at the top listing.

This is great news for those of us who use live in MKE. I do not mind MSP or DTW, but it will be great to avoid them once in a while.

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I am not real smart, but I can lift heavy things.
As God as my witness, I will never fly coach again (sorry, Scarlett).

Hoeksema's airline concerns have merit

"Midwest Express Holdings Chairman Timothy Hoeksema was busy last week trying to build public support for his beleaguered organization. 'There is about 20% overcapacity in the airline industry, making it very difficult for carriers to charge moneymaking fares.'"

This doesn't look good for Midwest. I am trying to convert my Midwest Miles into Amtrak Guest Rewards points. I think NW is
going in for the kill.

Monday AM press release from NW:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030512/nym078a_1.html

A difference of even 1 minute earlier would put NW at the top of the listing...the time is an obvious error by the data entry people in my opinion and will be corrected...hopefully sooner than later.

I agree. They smell blood in the cookie batter and by doing this for a while, they can resolidify their position with MKE customers rather than having them split up between all the other midwestern hubs. A few months after Midwest vanishes and the elites are accustomed to earning their WorldPerks, these new nonstops may go as well. Along the way they might add another turn to some of these cities.

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...or passengers swim.

I'm amazed YX has made it as long as they have. It's a nice little airline, but

- Business model out of whack with reality...
- Too small a base market...
- Too few flights...
- Too close to ORD/MDW...

It makes perfect sense for NW to get ahead of the 'pack' when MKE becomes IND 'North'. If/When YX dies I also would not be surprised to see WN and/or B6 jump on some gates at Mitchell field.