JAX/JIA updates

[ProjectMaximus]

I'm gonna just start using this thread to update changes to JIA's available routes.

After pulling out of UST (St Augustine) Frontier is now introducing 4 seasonal routes out of JAX. None of them are new routes but it's definitely an increase in capacity, options and will likely lead to more competitive pricing. All routes begin next spring to CIN, DEN, ORD and PHL.

https://www.news4jax.com/travel/frontier-airlines-adds-new-jacksonville-flights

This brings JAX up to 8 Mainline Carriers + Silver Airways and 2 ULCCs.

[jaxrox]

I tend to fly with Southwest or Allegiant. What should I know ahead of time, if I were to book a flight with Frontier?

[ProjectMaximus]

I tend to fly with Southwest or Allegiant. What should I know ahead of time, if I were to book a flight with Frontier?

I have never flown Frontier so I can't tell ya from experience, but I'm sure it is much closer to Allegiant than Southwest. It's an ultra LCC like Allegiant and Spirit, very much no-frills and a la carte pricing, but as far as I know it doesn't have the reputation for safety concerns that Allegiant has had.

[martt12]

Does JIA offer direct flights to Seattle? If not is that something Jax will likely work on since Mayor Curry sent Amazon a proposal for HQ2? 

[ProjectMaximus]

I'm sure JIA is constantly working on getting as many flights as it can, particularly in unserved markets. They've shown that they are frequently in contact with airlines but there's only so much they can do. They can't magically produce numbers that aren't there and they can't really subsidize airlines...at least not to that extent.

Anyway I havent checked the latest numbers but I'm pretty sure that even with a fully built out HQ2 with 50k Amazon employees in Jax there still wouldn't be enough demand for daily nonstops to SEA. Maybe they could work out some creative solution for some kind of infrequent nonstop service, but I'm really not holding my breath. JAX-LAX is much closer to being feasible.

[JaxAvondale]

Jax to Lax would be amazing.

[Steve]

JAX-LAX could happen again. It’s JAX’s largest market that isn’t served (which considering LA is the number 2 market that isn’t saying much). But, apparently JAX is LA’s largest unserved market according to JAA about a month ago. Delta tried the route in the 2009 timeframe, but it failed-couldn’t full the plane. They used a 737, which I believe is the smallest plane they’d put on the route (though now they might be able to use an A319 now that Northwest has long been integrated. There is also the decision on whether or not the LAX-JAX leg is a redeye like Delta tried. Personally, not a fan of a domestic red eye (the flight isn’t long enough to me).

The only way I see a JAX-SEA route is if Delta does it (SEA a Delta hub and is one of their Pacific gateways) or Alaska enters the market. A Seattle destination alone wouldn’t do it; there would have to be some connecting traffic. Though, there must not be a huge market in JAX for those connecting to smaller western cities, or Delta would try a JAX-SLC flight, which is a much larger Delta hub and a lot more logical for folks connecting out west.

[jaxjags]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

[Steve]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

It wouldn’t really be-ATL has a direct to their hubs in ATL/NYC (both LGA AND JFK which are both hubs)/DTW/MSP as well as a nonstop to Boston. All have their place in the Network.

[TimmyB]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

I'm not seeing the value, here.  What's the difference if I take a short JAX-ATL flight, followed by a long flight to ANY airport out west, or a long JAX-SLC followed by a short to ANY airport?  Either way, two flights, one long and one short.  I don't see how Delta (or any other airline) would say this would plug any holes.

[Sonic101]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

I'm not seeing the value, here.  What's the difference if I take a short JAX-ATL flight, followed by a long flight to ANY airport out west, or a long JAX-SLC followed by a short to ANY airport?  Either way, two flights, one long and one short.  I don't see how Delta (or any other airline) would say this would plug any holes.

It depends on the scheduling and how the hubs are banked.

Great video on how airlines schedule flights, which helps to explain pricing (especially flights to South America):

How Airlines Schedule Flights by Wendover Productions:
https://youtu.be/dGXahSnA_oA

Great Youtube channel btw^

[JaxAvondale]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

I'm not seeing the value, here.  What's the difference if I take a short JAX-ATL flight, followed by a long flight to ANY airport out west, or a long JAX-SLC followed by a short to ANY airport?  Either way, two flights, one long and one short.  I don't see how Delta (or any other airline) would say this would plug any holes.

I tend to agree. However, the only benefit would be if this was an early flight to SLC. Whenever I fly out west, I prefer the earliest flight possible that will have me on the ground before 11am west coast time. So, I have a much better chance getting to my destinations early if I'm already out west.

[TimmyB]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

I'm not seeing the value, here.  What's the difference if I take a short JAX-ATL flight, followed by a long flight to ANY airport out west, or a long JAX-SLC followed by a short to ANY airport?  Either way, two flights, one long and one short.  I don't see how Delta (or any other airline) would say this would plug any holes.

It depends on the scheduling and how the hubs are banked.

Great video on how airlines schedule flights, which helps to explain pricing (especially flights to South America):

How Airlines Schedule Flights by Wendover Productions:
https://youtu.be/dGXahSnA_oA

Great Youtube channel btw^

Cool video!  I first realized that some airlines did this banking (didn't know it was called that!) when I flew to Australia in 2006.  It was impossible to fly from one city to another, other than this little two hour window.  ALL the planes left right then, which meant you couldn't get to your next stop early in the day.

[jaxjags]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

I'm not seeing the value, here.  What's the difference if I take a short JAX-ATL flight, followed by a long flight to ANY airport out west, or a long JAX-SLC followed by a short to ANY airport?  Either way, two flights, one long and one short.  I don't see how Delta (or any other airline) would say this would plug any holes.

Better flexibility. For example ATL to Portland OR has only 3 non stops and SLC to Portland has 6. Plus I am sure there are places served by SLC that you cannot fly to non stop from ATL. Example is several places in Idaho such as Twin Falls, Boise.

[Steve]

I believe a JAX SLC would work. I guess Delta doesn't want to rob ATL.

I'm not seeing the value, here.  What's the difference if I take a short JAX-ATL flight, followed by a long flight to ANY airport out west, or a long JAX-SLC followed by a short to ANY airport?  Either way, two flights, one long and one short.  I don't see how Delta (or any other airline) would say this would plug any holes.

Answered already, but many small/midsize airports are not serviced by Delta from Atlanta. Reno and Boise are great examples, which is only serviced seasonally from Atlanta and MSP. The only year-round service is from SLC, meaning it's a two stop itinerary. In addition, there might be only 1 flight from ATL in a day to some of those, versus 3-4 from SLC.