Rumor - UA To Start MSP To SFO in Summer '09?
Feb 6, 2009, 10:36 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
I would like them to add this route, and given the amount of traffic NW carries on it, and the number of UA elites, I expect they will fill a plane.
The difference is (i suspect) that with DL getting much bigger, UA has to start thinking about covering some of these routes out of SFO (and perhaps even SFO-ATL) or it is going to loose its competative edge with Bay Area Premium travelers.
Add a few LAX-SFO flights back in, the AS tie in, the New DL starts to look a little bit better.
UA faces major challanges retaining its elites, and having a major route structure out of SFO is part of the challange.
The difference is (i suspect) that with DL getting much bigger, UA has to start thinking about covering some of these routes out of SFO (and perhaps even SFO-ATL) or it is going to loose its competative edge with Bay Area Premium travelers.
Add a few LAX-SFO flights back in, the AS tie in, the New DL starts to look a little bit better.
UA faces major challanges retaining its elites, and having a major route structure out of SFO is part of the challange.
Feb 6, 2009, 11:14 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
Feb 7, 2009, 2:16 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DAL
Posts: 3,396
Rumor is True!
Here is the schedule:
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.4/Platinum - Amadeus: Timetable/DE-AONL6]
And for the return
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.4/Platinum - Amadeus: Timetable/DE-AONL6]
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.4/Platinum - Amadeus: Timetable/DE-AONL6]
Code:
SFO San Francisco Int'l CA US [KSFO] MSP Minneapolis St Paul Int'l MN US [KMSP] TUE 23 Jun 2009 - 30 Jun 2009 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions --------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ---------------------------------------------------------------- UA 94 SFO 12:50 MSP 18:33 319 0 1234567 03:43 - - 04 Jun 24 Oct
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.4/Platinum - Amadeus: Timetable/DE-AONL6]
Code:
MSP Minneapolis St Paul Int'l MN US [KMSP]
SFO San Francisco Int'l CA US [KSFO]
TUE 23 Jun 2009 - 30 Jun 2009
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ----------------------------------------------------------------
UA 817 MSP 07:20 SFO 09:20 319 0 1234567 04:00 - - 04 Jun 31 Oct
- -
Feb 7, 2009, 4:15 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
Holy cow!!!
Feb 7, 2009, 6:01 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K, NW forever
Posts: 1,390
Wow, this is great. I'm usually based in SFO, but since my family live in MSP and I'm stationed in AMS for a year I was strongly considering switching over to NW. This is definitely incentive to stick with UA. Of course with my luck they'll probably cancel it before I move back.
Feb 7, 2009, 12:03 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
Checking in yesterday for MSP-DEN-SFO I was told by the agent that they were starting this route. I've been asking for it for years! Finally! I even wrote to UA a few times in the last year. Now if only they'd bring back the RCC....
Feb 7, 2009, 12:30 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,885
Feb 7, 2009, 1:32 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
The only thing I question is the time of day here. I have noticed greater loads both directions in the evening - but that could just be me.
Feb 7, 2009, 1:50 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
No intro fares just yet... SFO-MSP running $400+
Feb 7, 2009, 10:02 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
Feb 8, 2009, 9:16 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
I'm all for any increase in destinations from MSP - maybe they'll reopen the RCC???
Feb 8, 2009, 9:52 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: DC
Programs: DL gold; UA - 1k; AA gold; Marriott Platinum; Hyatt Diamond; SPG gold; Groupon Falcon;
Posts: 747
any hope for IAD-MSP
no particular reason to think it may happen, but NW's monopoly on this route should not be necessary
Feb 8, 2009, 10:27 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Southwest A-List Preferred
Posts: 2,846
If UA wanted to bolster their Asia departures with this new route, why would they use a 319? I guess it's a fair place to start and the equipment could be changed according to the loads.....but it just seems weird.
Feb 8, 2009, 10:42 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
Most likely because the plane, given the times is not the same aircraft and comes from elsewhere (ORD?) Don't think anywhere needs the feed into/out of MSP at those times that would justify the use of a larger plane.