FlightGlobal: United seeks return to New York JFK
#1
Original Poster
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FlightGlobal: United seeks return to New York JFK
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...rk-jfk-449086/
To me, it sounds more like Kirby would like to get back to JFK, but not something happening anytime soon.
To me, it sounds more like Kirby would like to get back to JFK, but not something happening anytime soon.

#2
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If slot controls are lifted at JFK as they were at EWR, United would probably get back in, but securing gate space during the prime afternoon/evening hours would be challenging.

#3
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Time to resurrect rumors of a UA / B6 merger?

#4
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I wonder why he wants to go back to JFK. Those transcontinental routes to my understanding aren’t the money minters they used to be. Then again he kept First Class on the A321s at AA to my amazement, so perhaps there still is an opportunity to make high profits on those flights.
I also know that JFK is still many corporate travelers go-to airport. I’ve never understood the aversion to EWR but again, perhaps it is just reality, and by not having JFK maybe the company loses out on some potentially lucrative corporate client contracts.
I also know that JFK is still many corporate travelers go-to airport. I’ve never understood the aversion to EWR but again, perhaps it is just reality, and by not having JFK maybe the company loses out on some potentially lucrative corporate client contracts.

#5
Join Date: Apr 2015
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The massive office buildup in Hudson Yards should shift the balance for business travel further in favor of EWR over JFK: half hour drive to EWR.

#6
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I wonder why he wants to go back to JFK. Those transcontinental routes to my understanding aren’t the money minters they used to be. Then again he kept First Class on the A321s at AA to my amazement, so perhaps there still is an opportunity to make high profits on those flights.
I also know that JFK is still many corporate travelers go-to airport. I’ve never understood the aversion to EWR but again, perhaps it is just reality, and by not having JFK maybe the company loses out on some potentially lucrative corporate client contracts.
I also know that JFK is still many corporate travelers go-to airport. I’ve never understood the aversion to EWR but again, perhaps it is just reality, and by not having JFK maybe the company loses out on some potentially lucrative corporate client contracts.
Kirby mentioned that the transition to EWR cost UA business at the West Coast point of sale. That makes more sense to me, especially because the pre-merger p.s. operation was more oriented to LAX/SFO originators than JFK. I wouldn't doubt the move to EWR actually strengthened UA's franchise in the NY region, but there's little doubt that losing the JFK spoke hurt contracts in LAX/SFO. The net effect is probably the negative Kirby discusses, and the JFK bias on the West Coast (LAX especially) hurts UA in competing for corporate business.

#7
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Just further proof that the previous management team was a bunch of buffoons.
As was pointed out at the time.
The only airline that can't make JFK work is... United.
And now they want back, so I'm sure Delta will just hand over the slots that they bought! And some gate space, for good measure!
As was pointed out at the time.
The only airline that can't make JFK work is... United.
And now they want back, so I'm sure Delta will just hand over the slots that they bought! And some gate space, for good measure!

#8

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Noooo but I like the insanely crowded lounges and gate areas at EWR <sarc>

#9
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The aversion to EWR seems to be more West Coast-oriented. New Yorkers know EWR is a perfectly viable option versus JFK, and in some cases easier, in many Manhattan neighborhoods...
Kirby mentioned that the transition to EWR cost UA business at the West Coast point of sale.
Kirby mentioned that the transition to EWR cost UA business at the West Coast point of sale.
It was dead foolish of UA to leave JFK and I expect AA, DL, and B6 will move heaven and earth to obstruct a return.

#10
Join Date: Oct 2017
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The illogical aversion to EWR is partially the literally decades of messaging campaigns by the old guards of (mostly) LGA trying to put a stop to the threat that was looming at EWR.
The rapid implosion of PeoplExpress, mostly due to their own hubris, and the rapid subsequent bankruptcy for CO for the 2nd time in 1990 may have led some to incorrect conclude that the confounding factor at play must be the undesirability of EWR, and thus comfortably resting on their yannys [sic.]
Remember the childhood fairy tale about the turtle and bunny racing ? By the late 90s the threat has fully formed once Gordon managed to right the ship ... but the airline execs 2 rivers across were still comforting themselves with fairy tales on how CO was nothing but a huge greyhound operation on JT8Ds (AA had double the condescending fun with JFK+DFW versus CO’s swampy EWR+IAH jitney offerings)
The implosions of both PanAm and TWA + TowerAir a decade later on one side and the nonstop change of hands of the Shuttle operations (NYAir, Eastern, PanAm, Trump, some weird syndicate led by Citigroup, USAir, Delta, AA) on the other should’ve been major warning bells about the viability of the old guards, and yet they’ve chosen to dig their heads in the sand while hoping the messaging campaign could stem any flow of tides.
Fast forward to today, AA (and others) have very successfully instilled the notion that bankers and Hollywood jetsetters only fly JFK while EWR is where the Justice Department charters commercial capacity when shipping people off to Supermax .... all while relegating themselves to #4 ranking in the market.
= = = = = = =
“The only airline that can’t make JFK work is ... United”
The only airline posting both higher pax volume and higher NYC margins than any airline hubbing at JFK is ..... United
The rapid implosion of PeoplExpress, mostly due to their own hubris, and the rapid subsequent bankruptcy for CO for the 2nd time in 1990 may have led some to incorrect conclude that the confounding factor at play must be the undesirability of EWR, and thus comfortably resting on their yannys [sic.]
Remember the childhood fairy tale about the turtle and bunny racing ? By the late 90s the threat has fully formed once Gordon managed to right the ship ... but the airline execs 2 rivers across were still comforting themselves with fairy tales on how CO was nothing but a huge greyhound operation on JT8Ds (AA had double the condescending fun with JFK+DFW versus CO’s swampy EWR+IAH jitney offerings)
The implosions of both PanAm and TWA + TowerAir a decade later on one side and the nonstop change of hands of the Shuttle operations (NYAir, Eastern, PanAm, Trump, some weird syndicate led by Citigroup, USAir, Delta, AA) on the other should’ve been major warning bells about the viability of the old guards, and yet they’ve chosen to dig their heads in the sand while hoping the messaging campaign could stem any flow of tides.
Fast forward to today, AA (and others) have very successfully instilled the notion that bankers and Hollywood jetsetters only fly JFK while EWR is where the Justice Department charters commercial capacity when shipping people off to Supermax .... all while relegating themselves to #4 ranking in the market.
= = = = = = =
“The only airline that can’t make JFK work is ... United”
The only airline posting both higher pax volume and higher NYC margins than any airline hubbing at JFK is ..... United

#12
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#13
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It's like LHR versus LGW. Rationally, you know Gatwick is only ten minutes further away from London via train, and in many respects a friendlier, more usable airport. But perception-wise, Heathrow is "close in" and Gatwick is "in the middle of nowhere," and business travelers are most averse to Gatwick. EWR, same bias. I'm sure EWR costs United overseas-originating business, too, because everyone around the world think of JFK as synonymous with NYC, but Newark isn't even in the same state as NYC.
It was dead foolish of UA to leave JFK and I expect AA, DL, and B6 will move heaven and earth to obstruct a return.
It was dead foolish of UA to leave JFK and I expect AA, DL, and B6 will move heaven and earth to obstruct a return.
but in JFK’s case it’s the furthest for many parts of Manhattan. Take Goldman Sachs global HQ at 200 West Street. They’re 12.3mi to EWR, 13.6mi to LGA, and it’s either 20.5mi to JFK if u deal with the congested BQE+VanWyck, or 26.1mi if u avoid that by taking Belt Parkway.
even when u take a major midtown east point like MetLife Building on top of Grand Central Station (the old PanAm Building), the shortest path is 14.4mi to EWR and 14.7mi to JFK. JPMorgan’s global HQ of 270 Park is right next to that point.
so we’re here listening to folks tell us why these bankers and lawyers should fly from the FURTHEST airport.

#14
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not even remotely close to Apples to oranges. Westminster to LHR is 15.8 Miles and to LGW it’s 27.2mi, a good 72% further. it makes sense to fly the closer airport.
but in JFK’s case it’s the furthest for many parts of Manhattan. Take Goldman Sachs global HQ at 200 West Street. They’re 12.3mi to EWR, 13.6mi to LGA, and it’s either 20.5mi to JFK if u deal with the congested BQE+VanWyck, or 26.1mi if u avoid that by taking Belt Parkway.
even when u take a major midtown east point like MetLife Building on top of Grand Central Station (the old PanAm Building), the shortest path is 14.4mi to EWR and 14.7mi to JFK. JPMorgan’s global HQ of 270 Park is right next to that point.
so we’re here listening to folks tell us why these bankers and lawyers should fly from the FURTHEST airport.

#15
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It's like LHR versus LGW. Rationally, you know Gatwick is only ten minutes further away from London via train, and in many respects a friendlier, more usable airport. But perception-wise, Heathrow is "close in" and Gatwick is "in the middle of nowhere," and business travelers are most averse to Gatwick. EWR, same bias. I'm sure EWR costs United overseas-originating business, too, because everyone around the world think of JFK as synonymous with NYC, but Newark isn't even in the same state as NYC.
It was dead foolish of UA to leave JFK and I expect AA, DL, and B6 will move heaven and earth to obstruct a return.
It was dead foolish of UA to leave JFK and I expect AA, DL, and B6 will move heaven and earth to obstruct a return.
