Things in the Sky

Last week, the Middle Seat Terminal floated the idea that now that Southwest has announced that it will launch service to Boston’s Logan airport, it could begin a shuttle service similar to the operations of Delta and US Airways. The idea isn’t that all far fetched – just look at Southwest’s intra-Texas and California operations, which both have very frequent service.

Right now, Southwest only has 14 slots at LaGuardia, and that’s not nearly enough to run a shuttle service that would have enough frequencies to compete with the service offered Delta and US Airways. Southwest has also said the Boston operation, at this point, will only involve 8-12 departures a day. In addition, a shuttle service would most likely go to DCA, and Southwest would need to acquire slots there.

I also think there are some better markets Southwest could serve at first. Midway will probably be a destination for both LaGuardia and Logan. Nashville is also a possibility for some connections to get to the West Coast, especially with LGA’s perimeter rule, while PHX and LAS might work for Boston. BOS-BWI might work, and from what I’ve read the past few days, fares on the BOS-PHL route can get pretty high, and Southwest might find some opportunity there.

I think it’s highly unlikely Southwest will start a shuttle service soon after the airline gets things going at Logan and LaGuardia, but anything is possible, especially a few years out.