JAX/JIA updates

[Steve]

I believe American is slated to take four of the gates in Concourse B.

If that's the case then one of our sources is wrong haha!

Concourse B will be 6 gates. Delta has 4 now, and I believe AA has 4 as well down Concourse C.

[Snaketoz]

Steve, your tact impresses me.

[fieldafm]

Does anyone know what aircraft will be used for the LA flight?

Airbus A220-300

The A220 is a home run for airlines in that market. Since the regional jets are at the edge of range for a flight like that, most airlines have to run a plane that's about 150 seats, which makes the economics tough. The A220-100 (at least in Delta's config) seats 108, and can make the flight with ease.

Now, I hadn't heard the reason JetBlue dumped JAX-LAX - the pilot thing absolutely could be the reason.

In terms of routes I want to see JAX get, tops on my list would be Delta running a JAX-SLC flight. They likely won't add while SLC is a little gate constrained (they're at a weird phase in their airport rebuilt and are using bus gates for some flights), but this would be REALLY nice for west coast connections.

The JetBlue LAX direct was just as empty as the previous Delta flight, of which I flew almost weekly (the red-eye return absolutely sucked on both routes).   

Now that the route has failed with two different carries, I have to agree that the SLC direct would be the best option for Delta fliers out of Jax looking to connect to the West Coast.  Although, there are so many West Coast combos/connectors out of direct flights from Jax to ATL and Detroit (the old Northwest routes), that I have to believe that a direct Jax to SLC is low on the priority list.  When flying to the West Coast now, I'm using the Detroit route to avoid the scourge that ATL has become since the pandemic started (not that it was previously a cake walk where you never missed connecting flights before the pandemic).

A little double-speak but I could also see Delta taking over the entire new concourse with an expanded Delta Sky Club and adding at least 6-8 more direct flights to existing hubs in NYC, SLC, Minneapolis and Detroit. 

My late stepfather, a former Northwest and Delta pilot, is likely rolling in his grave with how much Delta's pilots pay has increased since he was forced to retire at age 60.  He would have loved to bank 5 more years of good earnings (now the FAA is even considering raising the retirement age again to 67). The pilot shortage thing is a real problem for airlines right now.

[Steve]

Does anyone know what aircraft will be used for the LA flight?

Airbus A220-300

The A220 is a home run for airlines in that market. Since the regional jets are at the edge of range for a flight like that, most airlines have to run a plane that's about 150 seats, which makes the economics tough. The A220-100 (at least in Delta's config) seats 108, and can make the flight with ease.

Now, I hadn't heard the reason JetBlue dumped JAX-LAX - the pilot thing absolutely could be the reason.

In terms of routes I want to see JAX get, tops on my list would be Delta running a JAX-SLC flight. They likely won't add while SLC is a little gate constrained (they're at a weird phase in their airport rebuilt and are using bus gates for some flights), but this would be REALLY nice for west coast connections.

The JetBlue LAX direct was just as empty as the previous Delta flight, of which I flew almost weekly (the red-eye return absolutely sucked on both routes).   

Now that the route has failed with two different carries, I have to agree that the SLC direct would be the best option for Delta fliers out of Jax looking to connect to the West Coast.  Although, there are so many West Coast combos/connectors out of direct flights from Jax to ATL and Detroit (the old Northwest routes), that I have to believe that a direct Jax to SLC is low on the priority list.  When flying to the West Coast now, I'm using the Detroit route to avoid the scourge that ATL has become since the pandemic started (not that it was previously a cake walk where you never missed connecting flights before the pandemic).

A little double-speak but I could also see Delta taking over the entire new concourse with an expanded Delta Sky Club and adding at least 6-8 more direct flights to existing hubs in NYC, SLC, Minneapolis and Detroit. 

My late stepfather, a former Northwest and Delta pilot, is likely rolling in his grave with how much Delta's pilots pay has increased since he was forced to retire at age 60.  He would have loved to bank 5 more years of good earnings (now the FAA is even considering raising the retirement age again to 67). The pilot shortage thing is a real problem for airlines right now.

I'd love to see Delta take all 6 gates for sure! The timing would line up nicely as SLC's construction will be largely complete in late 2024. Delta did just re-up their lease with SLC so they aren't going anywhere.

Where the SLC connection would be super nice is with mid-sized cities on the west coast. A perfect example is Boise, where they have no ATL directs from there, and we only have DTW and Seasonally, MSP. Thus, it's a two-stop itinerary.

[WarDamJagFan]

Does anyone know what aircraft will be used for the LA flight?

Airbus A220-300

The A220 is a home run for airlines in that market. Since the regional jets are at the edge of range for a flight like that, most airlines have to run a plane that's about 150 seats, which makes the economics tough. The A220-100 (at least in Delta's config) seats 108, and can make the flight with ease.

Now, I hadn't heard the reason JetBlue dumped JAX-LAX - the pilot thing absolutely could be the reason.

In terms of routes I want to see JAX get, tops on my list would be Delta running a JAX-SLC flight. They likely won't add while SLC is a little gate constrained (they're at a weird phase in their airport rebuilt and are using bus gates for some flights), but this would be REALLY nice for west coast connections.

The JetBlue LAX direct was just as empty as the previous Delta flight, of which I flew almost weekly (the red-eye return absolutely sucked on both routes).   

Now that the route has failed with two different carries, I have to agree that the SLC direct would be the best option for Delta fliers out of Jax looking to connect to the West Coast.  Although, there are so many West Coast combos/connectors out of direct flights from Jax to ATL and Detroit (the old Northwest routes), that I have to believe that a direct Jax to SLC is low on the priority list.  When flying to the West Coast now, I'm using the Detroit route to avoid the scourge that ATL has become since the pandemic started (not that it was previously a cake walk where you never missed connecting flights before the pandemic).

A little double-speak but I could also see Delta taking over the entire new concourse with an expanded Delta Sky Club and adding at least 6-8 more direct flights to existing hubs in NYC, SLC, Minneapolis and Detroit. 

My late stepfather, a former Northwest and Delta pilot, is likely rolling in his grave with how much Delta's pilots pay has increased since he was forced to retire at age 60.  He would have loved to bank 5 more years of good earnings (now the FAA is even considering raising the retirement age again to 67). The pilot shortage thing is a real problem for airlines right now.

Would love a direct to SLC.  Also wished we had more direct flights to Denver. Heading to Snowbird/Alta next weekend but as usual, gotta make the stop in ATL first

[JAX_ASD]

Southwest, United and Frontier all have nonstop service to Denver. United's are daily.

[Snaketoz]

I'd also like a SLC flight.  I once travelled to Eugene, Or and had to fly 2 stop, the second thru SLC.  A very efficient airport.

[WarDamJagFan]

Southwest, United and Frontier all have nonstop service to Denver. United's are daily.

Yeah but Delta is my preferred airline. I've flown the United route to Denver a few times and don't mind United. Timing matters though and only having one time per-day for that airline is a bummer as sometimes it just doesn't work. 

[ProjectMaximus]

St Augustine Airport (NEFL Regional Airport) potentially taking another shot at commercial service with a low cost carrier. Indications are it would be Avelo Airlines.

https://historiccity.com/2023/staugustine/news/a-new-low-cost-airline-wants-to-bring-passenger-service-to-st-augustine-141207

[marcuscnelson]

Hm…

The Airport Authority received a grant for $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation and a promise for $300,000 from the St Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau to facilitate air service to Charlotte, North Carolina.  However, that money has not been spent because no airline has come forward to provide that service yet. It was thought that American Airlines would step forward because it has a hub in Charlotte.

“The grant is still active; it’s just that no one is using it,” Wuellner said.

That's apparently unrelated from

The agenda documents show that the carrier is interested in a total of nine flights per week between St Augustine and New Haven, Connecticut; Wilmington, Delaware; and Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina.

[Snaketoz]

I don't think St Augustine is a great market for a start-up airline.  Too many well healed people with enough money to take a legacy carrier.  I'm not well healed, but I'm leary of them as well.  Give me Delta anyday.

[marcuscnelson]

^ It's been discussed here before but this area doesn't really seem all that suited for more than one metro area passenger airport. Especially in a couple years once Concourse B is built and airlines like Avelo have space in the existing concourses, what's really going to be the point of a secondary airport with fewer amenities and worse access to most of the region? Even if they spend however much money building a road all the way to I-95, I'm not convinced that people would prefer flying into NFRA vs JAX. It seems like we'd be much better served finding better ways to get people from the airport to downtown and then to St. Augustine, whether that's bus/coach at first or rail later.

[thelakelander]

Definitely agree. This metro needs to grow a bit more, IMO.

[marcuscnelson]

I'd argue more than a bit. There probably needs to be another half million residents in the southern half or so of the metro area (say, St. Johns County, south Duval, maybe a bit of Flagler or Putnam) before having a real commercial operation that isn't constantly being propped up by these grants or with short-term attempts. Less than that and it seems hard-pressed to bother vs just flying into JAX.

[thelakelander]

I agree. A bit would fall between 500k and 1 million. Even with that, JAX is a small airport that is pretty easy to get in and out. It has a lot of room for expansion.