We all know that TWA is trying to focus on the Caribbean. They started extensive service to San Juan a few months back, and now they announced they were abandoning the Iberia region and Rome, and relocated themselves to the Caribbean.

A few years back, TWA decided to become an airline for the business traveler and they put tons of First Class seats on their planes and they are trying to make upgrades easier for their privledge card holders.

Now that they are focusing on the Caribbean, they are sending planes with lots of First Class seats (I think 24 on a MD80!) on these low-yield routes. I bet that there is not one First Class fare paying, or even a Y fare. First Class is probably pretty empty, with maybe a few elites on vacation who upgraded, and a few award seats.

I think that they should have only expanded First Class on some of their planes. They can run their big First Class planes on big business routes where there are F fare, Y-UP fare, and lots of business travelers aboard. Use the planes with only a few First Class seats on the Caribbean routes where you can pack the Y seats in.

If you've flown TWA to the Caribbean (which I haven't), is my guess right? First is pretty much empty, at least no fare paying, and Y is pretty full?

Thoughts?

BizJet

I usually fly American to San Juan about twice a month.

On the JFK flights, first is always full...many times with the same faces!

San Juan gets lots of business travelers and getting an upgrade many times is stand-by only even if your Platinum.

I've flown TWA on this route once in First (757) and TWA also had a full cabin.

American will never let TWA get any market share in this important route without a fight. Watch for double miles etc. this winter!