Comments for Things in the Sky

Comment on Delta Kicks off 2012 With a Double-Digit Unit Revenue Increase by Rohit Rao

Rohit Rao — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:36:07 +0000

Compared to Southwest’s 7%, looks like DL is in good shape…

Comment on Southwest’s Entry and the Distribution of Fares by Nick S.

Nick S. — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:38:40 +0000

Great analysis, Dan. Keep up the great work. I’m a recent follower of your blog and have enjoyed your posts over the past couple of months.

Comment on Southwest’s Entry and the Distribution of Fares by Sanjeev M

Sanjeev M — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:10:40 +0000

BOS-PHL is interesting. Many are surprised that B6 is not on it. WN had a tough time with US FF’s on both ends. Since WN has exited, anecdotally US has jacked up the fares once again.

On a route like PHL-BOS, the low budget people take the bus, the high budget people have corporate contracts with US, so naturally O&D prices will be high as US uses PHL as mainly a connection hub.

Comment on Virgin Adds PHL by Spa Cover Guy

Spa Cover Guy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:56:16 +0000

Would love to see Virgin America add CVG. Cincinnati needs someone like them and I really don’t think Delta would bottom out the fares like they have in the past to keep competition out. I don’t think we mean as much as we used to to them and they would probably welcome the opportunity to cut service back even more here.

A lot of corporate flyers here would love to have access to the west coast flights. A mid-afternoon JFK feeder flight for travel to Europe on Virgin Atlantic wouldn’t be so bad either. Delta also has a good following here on their MCO flights, but the prices on those are pretty competitive already so that route may not be as attractive.

Come on Virgin America. A remodeled terminal is waiting for you at CVG.

Comment on A Couple of Thoughts on the Southwest/AirTran Network Changes by James

James — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:24:17 +0000

Nice write-up. Sad to see HPN go. That was my hometown airport

Comment on Pinnacle CEO: “We Need to Act Immediately” by LR

LR — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:46:08 +0000

Pinnacle subleases the 200s from Delta, so they are not responsible for the ownership costs. They do assume those costs for the 900s and Qs, so that could be why those contracts are unfavourable — theye were likely negotiated during another time when regionals could undercut each other — but Pinnacle has grown singficantly since acquiring Colgan nearly five years ago, and the costs of that growth are catching up with the carrier. Would be interesting to compare the stock price when the Colgan and Mesaba acquisitions were announced and now.

Comment on Virgin Adds PHL by Sanjeev M

Sanjeev M — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:16:10 +0000

DL’s LAX-PHL is purely utilization flying. They had a 738 sitting at PHL after 5pm and not leaving till 7am. So they put it on a night flight to LAX and the redeye back.

Fares, however, are not going down. The huge distance means that connections are plenty over numerous hubs, and they really can’t put much pressure on fares without losing tons of money.

Comment on Southwest Announces Interior Upgrade, Plans to Increase in 737-700 Seat Count by MileCardInsider

MileCardInsider — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:18:03 +0000

If this is anything like the slim line seats on Lufthansa (which it looks like it is), then it’s a negative in terms of seat comfort. Hard as a rock, like sitting on a park bench.

Comment on Southwest Announces Interior Upgrade, Plans to Increase in 737-700 Seat Count by Sanjeev M

Sanjeev M — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:17:42 +0000

Gary Kelly mentioned during one of the ATL press sessions that this was in the works. This was desparately needed for them to maintain CASM. However, its a very fine line and I hope they don’t cram any more in a 737-700.

Comment on Guessing Where Virgin America Flies Next by Sanjeev M

Sanjeev M — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:14:28 +0000

It seems PHL is chosen!