United 2019 Domestic Network Changes -- 22 new routes, some reductions/deletions
Oct 17, 2018, 6:40 am
#76
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
Oct 17, 2018, 8:34 am
#77
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
No More PHL-IAD Flights?
I read that UNITED is no longer flying between PHL-IAD as of January, 2019. Is that true? If so, HORRIBLE!. Please, do not say EWR is close or you can take the train. I have been using IAD for Europe and NRT for decades. Horrible to lose this. Why?????
Oct 17, 2018, 8:41 am
#78
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
Yes, it is gone in 2019. See:
United 2019 Domestic Network Changes -- 22 new routes, some reductions/deletions
United 2019 Domestic Network Changes -- 22 new routes, some reductions/deletions
Oct 17, 2018, 8:53 am
#79
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
Is taking the train to EWR really that bad? I've done it and it was fine. There are four flights from PHL to IAD right now and probably only two of them are useful for INTL connections. By contrast, Amtrak has 10 northbound trains that stop at EWR (all available from Wilmington, 30th Street, or Trenton)
Oct 17, 2018, 9:32 am
#80
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I might score an upgrade ORD-EWR. No such possibility for FRA-PRG on LH.
I might need the extra PQM to make 1K in 2020.
I appreciate all opinions, but I respectfully suggest that keeping an open mind about what is "clear" or "best" is a great asset on FlyerTalk.
Oct 17, 2018, 11:21 am
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I've taken that flight several times in the afternoon and it was always full. Once It was delayed and I realized that I could have rented a car and driven to Dulles in about the same time. But it's nicer to sit in row 1 and have a few drinks and relax. So while I know there are alternatives to this flight, it was a nice to have.
Oct 17, 2018, 11:41 am
#82
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
You seem very sure of your recommendations, even though you're making them for someone you don't know.
I might score an upgrade ORD-EWR. No such possibility for FRA-PRG on LH.
I might need the extra PQM to make 1K in 2020.
I appreciate all opinions, but I respectfully suggest that keeping an open mind about what is "clear" or "best" is a great asset on FlyerTalk.
I might score an upgrade ORD-EWR. No such possibility for FRA-PRG on LH.
I might need the extra PQM to make 1K in 2020.
I appreciate all opinions, but I respectfully suggest that keeping an open mind about what is "clear" or "best" is a great asset on FlyerTalk.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:04 pm
#83
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 282
In one foul swoop United has ceded pretty much all market share from BWI up to southern NJ going anywhere to the East Coast and Europe with removal of the BWI-EWR & PHL-IAD routes. Options are now going to be limited to ORD to get the SouthEast for these customers - which means most likely will not choose United. Granted the lift was not great at a total of 8 RT flights a day on regional carriers but choices for customers in Maryland and Philadelphia/Lower NJ just got quite a bit slimmer on United. We all realize for NE travel it generally makes a lot more sense to take the train or drive but I have been on plenty of BWI-EWR-PVD flights over the years and really appreciated when I wasn't stuck in 12-13 hours of holiday traffic. I guess anyone in Maryland now wanting to go to Europe will need to trek over to IAD for non-stop or DCA to connect in EWR. PHL options will be relegated to Lufthansa's FRA hub and or take the train to EWR. The moves here seems to be - while not exactly the same - the entrenchment hub strategy United took when they dropped Oakland, CA; JFK and cut service to SJC.
Additionally with the cut of the LAX-DFW service it appears that United is running away from competing with American.
Additionally with the cut of the LAX-DFW service it appears that United is running away from competing with American.
Oct 17, 2018, 1:32 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,458
Well, this explains why my EWR-HAM flight disappeared from my summer 2019 itinerary, and I was instructed to call United for a ticket re-issue.
My ticketed itinerary was ORD-EWR-HAM-FRA-PRG with R9 on EWR-HAM, I applied RPUs for me and Mrs. Transportprof.
So will United open up Polaris space on their metal via other routings? And if so, would FT sages counsel going ORD-FRA-PRG (the connecting leg is on LH in Y), or ORD-EWR-PRG on their new flight next summer? Right now we're waitlisted for an upgrade ORD-EWR, since there was no R open on that leg when I nabbed the EWR-HAM space.
I'd really like to try the "real" Polaris seat, and wonder whether it is more likely next summer on a 777 ex-ORD, or a 763 EWR-PRG?
I normally prefer transiting a major hub in Europe enroute to my final destination. The morning arrival isn't conducive to getting into a hotel, and I find it more enjoyable to take a relaxing shower in a Senator Lounge, or the SilverKris Lounge at LHR, then have a proper breakfast in the lounge, then take a short connecting flight to my actual destination and get right into my hotel room. That would suggest flying ORD-FRA-PRG.
My ticketed itinerary was ORD-EWR-HAM-FRA-PRG with R9 on EWR-HAM, I applied RPUs for me and Mrs. Transportprof.
So will United open up Polaris space on their metal via other routings? And if so, would FT sages counsel going ORD-FRA-PRG (the connecting leg is on LH in Y), or ORD-EWR-PRG on their new flight next summer? Right now we're waitlisted for an upgrade ORD-EWR, since there was no R open on that leg when I nabbed the EWR-HAM space.
I'd really like to try the "real" Polaris seat, and wonder whether it is more likely next summer on a 777 ex-ORD, or a 763 EWR-PRG?
I normally prefer transiting a major hub in Europe enroute to my final destination. The morning arrival isn't conducive to getting into a hotel, and I find it more enjoyable to take a relaxing shower in a Senator Lounge, or the SilverKris Lounge at LHR, then have a proper breakfast in the lounge, then take a short connecting flight to my actual destination and get right into my hotel room. That would suggest flying ORD-FRA-PRG.
Business is business. Someone on a confirmed upgrade can be re-accommodated in the same class of service on UA metal after a schedule change / cancellation. If you were to try to switch to another airline, I wouldn't expect the upgrade to be honored, but on UA it's policy.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:15 pm
#85
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
Is taking the train to EWR really that bad? I've done it and it was fine. There are four flights from PHL to IAD right now and probably only two of them are useful for INTL connections. By contrast, Amtrak has 10 northbound trains that stop at EWR (all available from Wilmington, 30th Street, or Trenton)
And then you also have the fun of the AirTrain to deal with at EWR.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:16 pm
#86
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
In one foul swoop United has ceded pretty much all market share from BWI up to southern NJ going anywhere to the East Coast and Europe with removal of the BWI-EWR & PHL-IAD routes. Options are now going to be limited to ORD to get the SouthEast for these customers - which means most likely will not choose United. Granted the lift was not great at a total of 8 RT flights a day on regional carriers but choices for customers in Maryland and Philadelphia/Lower NJ just got quite a bit slimmer on United. We all realize for NE travel it generally makes a lot more sense to take the train or drive but I have been on plenty of BWI-EWR-PVD flights over the years and really appreciated when I wasn't stuck in 12-13 hours of holiday traffic. I guess anyone in Maryland now wanting to go to Europe will need to trek over to IAD for non-stop or DCA to connect in EWR. PHL options will be relegated to Lufthansa's FRA hub and or take the train to EWR. The moves here seems to be - while not exactly the same - the entrenchment hub strategy United took when they dropped Oakland, CA; JFK and cut service to SJC.
Additionally with the cut of the LAX-DFW service it appears that United is running away from competing with American.
Additionally with the cut of the LAX-DFW service it appears that United is running away from competing with American.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:38 pm
#87
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
Philly 30th Street Station to EWR station is about 1:10 on Amtrak, essentially the same as flying PHL- IAD. And you don't make a train connection unless you count that monorail to get into the terminal at EWR.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:45 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,919
I like departing from ZFV and have done in many times, but I was a regular on PHL-IAD and will miss this route. I love connecting in IAD so much more than EWR.