kinglobjaw

Will use Dec 8, 2012 as an example, but it seems US now operates two daily PHL-JFK flights on weekends and one daily flight on weekdays. All of them are operated by E170/175. Not that it's a big thing, as the schedule is limited, but still interesting to see.

And, it doesn't seem to be a positioning flight to operate a CLT-JFK flight as all five daily CLT-JFK flights are a mix of A319/A320/A321 aircraft.

TPJ

What?

E70?

PHL-JFK?

Maybe they assume the merger would happen before Dec 8??? Otherwise who would fly to JFK?

FlyIgglesFly

Are you kidding? I'd fly to JFK from PHL to connect to an Asian carrier rather than driving to JFK from Trenton, NJ. 500 mile segment and not having to deal with the V-Narrows bridge and other assorted traffic is fantastic.

PHL

This is great. But the route will only thrive because people are making *A connections.

adamj023

Delta does PHL to JFK now. US after the merger with AA will indeed do PHL to JFK to make international connections.

JFK to CLT is essentially moving passengers from the crowded NYC Metro market to their hub operation in CLT.

PHL to JFK on E70 has nothing to do with the merger. The merger will require bigger planes because JFK's AA terminal is huge. So expect larger than an E70 from PHL to JFK.

You can do PHL to JFK right now on Delta and connect with their asian partners @ JFK. Or you can book Delta PHL to JFK and the asian carrier of your choice as a separate ticket.

adamj023

USAirways International flights leave from PHL while its hub is in NC. So PHL to JFK allows international transfers without the extra stopover @ its hub in NC.

tommyleo

Both PHL and CLT are US hubs.

PHL

I don't think many people fly JFK-CLT to make an international connection unless it's to South America and other points South/Southwest. There are plenty of JFK - Europe options on other airlines that are more appealing than flying 2 hours South, only to turn around and overfly JFK enroute to Europe.

I imagine that the CLT-JFK flight relies on *A connections.

AA did fly PHL-JFK years ago, but the route was never restored, which is surprising since they could capture some connecting traffic. It could be due to slot controls and maximizing yields with the slots they have available.

TWA also flew PHL-JFK back in the day, as well as Pan Am - both for the same reason of connecting passengers to their long haul flights.

thomwithanh

I'm surprised there's enough demand even for an E70... I'd expect a Dash 8 or a CR2.

adamj023

Example: USAirways flies from PHL to TLV. If you want to get on that flight from JFK you have to go from JFK to CLT to PHL to TLV if you want just to use USAirways or alliance partners.

It makes sense for a JFK to PHL to TLV flight with just one stopover instead. Obviously I am assuming the PHL to JFK will also go from JFK to PHL so in November one from JFK will be able to get on both PHL + CLT based connection flights.

I don't know why they eliminated it. Also they are expanding path service to Newark I heard or at least considering it and want to get more traffic to Atlantic City airport now.

Surprised JFK to PHL wasn't done by more airlines for connection traffic for those international flights but if USAirways is starting it back up that is a good thing.

PHL

If you want to fly JFK to TLV on an alliance partner, you can take UA with two nonstop options from EWR. You can also take LH with a stop, along the route(FRA), instead of going to PHL or CLT. I really don't see New Yorkers going out of their way to fly JFK-PHL/CLT before crossing the pond. This flight is most likely to feed *A connections and nothing more.

cwe84

Does it really matter why (*A connections or whatever)? Its a new flight to an airport that had no current service to PHL on US. Its growth and its on a larger plane (remember when CLT-JFK was all E170/5) not a Dash or CRJ like EWR and most of LGA and HPN. Just think it opens up possibilities.

kinglobjaw

Interestingly enough, most PHL-LGA flights are now mainly a mix of 170/175s and some mainline. Good stuff! Where did all the Dash 8s go though?

NoMiddleSeat

Two things come to mind.
1. I think the talk of AA and the rational for this pairing is more than a wee bit premature.

2. I was under the impression JFK was slot controlled so how did US just come up with some if they didn't reduce their CLT flying?

PHL

1.) Agreed

2.) Delta PHL-JFK service ends in early November right around the time US begins, so there will still be just one carrier serving the route. US either bought the slots or, perhaps, it was part of that larger slot swap deal (though I thought those were mostly LGA and DCA).