JAX/JIA updates

[ProjectMaximus]

Earlier I read about yet another allegiant expansion, which includes a seasonal between Flint, MI and Jax. Surprising pairing.

[jaxjaguar]

Earlier I read about yet another allegiant expansion, which includes a seasonal between Flint, MI and Jax. Surprising pairing.

Interesting... I mean obviously they wouldn't set up that route if there wasn't money to be made. Just seems like a really random destination pairing. I can't imagine many people from Jax are eager to visit Flint.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ The article I read says these flights are targeted to spring breakers.  So they will be seasonal as a result.

[Tacachale]

I’ve flown in and out of Flint several times to get to Battle Creek. We pick airports based on what’s cheapest each time.

[Sonic101]

Flint acts as Detroit's alternate airport. If you live on the north side of the metro, it can take just as long to get to Flint as DTW, with the added bonus of a smaller airport. Spirit used to have DTW-JAX flights, maybe FNT-JAX can be more successful with an LCC.

[ProjectMaximus]

I’ve flown in and out of Flint several times to get to Battle Creek. We pick airports based on what’s cheapest each time.

Is this a nice destination for summer vacay? I've been trying to find a spot for summertime in UP/northern MI.

[Papa33]

I’ve flown in and out of Flint several times to get to Battle Creek. We pick airports based on what’s cheapest each time.

Is this a nice destination for summer vacay? I've been trying to find a spot for summertime in UP/northern MI.

Bellaire MI, Traverse City, Suttons Bay.

[Tacachale]

There’s not too much to Battle Creek, unfortunately, but it’s close to a lot of cool places. Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids are fun cities, especially if you like craft beer and cider. In the summer we also spend a lot of time around South Haven on Lake Michigan. We love Detroit, it’s very underrated IMO. I’ve never been too far north in MI but my family raves about Traverse City and the area around that. Frankly in the summer I don’t think you can go wrong anywhere on the Lale Michigan side.

[Sonic101]

I’ve flown in and out of Flint several times to get to Battle Creek. We pick airports based on what’s cheapest each time.

Is this a nice destination for summer vacay? I've been trying to find a spot for summertime in UP/northern MI.

Traverse City area definitely.

Things to do: wineries (So. Many. Wineries and Vineyards), Sleeping Bear Dunes NL, Fishtown in Leland, Torch Lake is known for it's clarity, Bellaire is home to Shorts Brewing Co. Charlevoix and Petoskey are also great small towns, and the Tunnel of Trees near Petoskey is a destination for leaf peepers. Mackinac Island would make a great day trip from TC.

As far as the UP goes, you have to be the outdoorsy type because of its remoteness (Copper Harbor is the furthest town from an interstate in the 48), but the western half has a lot of natural beauty in the mountains. Tour boats for Pictured Rocks NL have to be booked months in advance. And the best mountain biking in the midwest can be found in the area. Marquette, Houghton, and Duluth are my 3 favorite towns in the US, but I love the outdoors.

[Snaketoz]

Southwest Airlines will end the JAX-DCA route in "early June", 2022.

[Westside Guy]

Seems to be Jacksonville is losing flights where a lot of other markets are holding steady or even adding. Heard that Southwest might be cutting DEN in addition to DCA. Anyone know why?

[Charles Hunter]

Florida-based Spirit Airlines is being acquired by Colorado-based Frontier Airlines (pending federal approval of the merger).
Interestingly, Frontier serves JAX but Spirit does not. Thoughts on how this may affect JAX? More flights? Fewer?

[jsjax37]

Looks like the Southwest JAX -DEN nonstop last day is June 4 according to their schedule.  JAX-DEN is also served nonstop by United and Frontier.  That likely had some bearing on their decision to end that route.  Somewhat disappointing though.  Sometimes I wonder why Southwest even serves JAX.  The number of nonstop cities from JAX they have dropped over the years is substantial. It would be nice if they added another western connection point such as Phoenix or perhaps return to Las Vegas, but both are highly unlikely.  It seems that they are aggressively expanding to new cities, and there are much more profitable opportunities in city pairs other than JAX.

[Steve]

I think there's a few things going on here:

1. DCA is a slot-controlled airport (only other ones in the US are LGA and JFK). Since demand would normally bring extra flights but they can't, the airlines will generally reuse DCA slots if they can charge more. If they can get $200 a seat for JAX-DCA but $250 for XXX-DCA, they're going to pull the flight every time.
2. Leisure travel is largely back and recovered. Business travel has not. JAX isn't a huge leisure airport like MCO others.
3. Southwest seems to be moving - slowly - towards a more traditional hub and spoke model. This likely will result in less non-stops on Southwest from JAX.
4. I do agree JAX seems to be allergic to crossing the Rockies. I'm personally annoyed by that after having to go to Boise last week - cool city but GIGANTIC pain to get to and from. Once SLC's construction is done and they're back to firing on all cylinders, the Admin folks at JAX needs to bring Delta a suitcase for a nonstop to SLC, or AA to PHX for the American folks.
5. Frontier/Spirit wasn't necessarily expected but noteworthy because of their combined size. I think it will be a wash for JAX personally.
6. I think what flights to and from JAX are today and even this summer may not be indicative of what 2023 and beyond looks like. I think it's going to take years for the industry to shake out.

[jaxlongtimer]

If your into watching planes land, here is a recording from this week of a day's worth of planes from around the world, representing numerous global airlines and plane types, landing at London's Heathrow Airport in strong crosswinds resulting in numerous "fly arounds."  Comes complete with charming British-style commentary .   Viewed live by several hundred thousand viewers!

Watch Planes Battle Storm Eunice At Heathrow

https://onemileatatime.com/news/storm-eunice-heathrow/