Southwest officially announced today flights to Kansas City will be ending August 11th.

Do you have a supporting source? Can't seem to find any official news online from SWA.

Blog | Nuts About Southwest (http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/grand-rapids-joins-swa-network-augustseptember-2013-schedule-open)

Interesting read. US Airways response to get the DCA slot for service to OKC.

Regulations.gov (http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-2000-7182-1934)

Still don't think they have a good shot, but the banter is entertaining.

Man, that sucks that SW will no longer fly to KC. I use that route all the time.

I really hope we get the one to DCA. That's the one flight I really covet.

Interesting read. US Airways response to get the DCA slot for service to OKC.

Regulations.gov (http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-2000-7182-1934)

Still don't think they have a good shot, but the banter is entertaining.
Thanks for posting that. I agree, I don't think they'll get it. I wouldn't discount it though, DC is very political (shocker) and as long as US is making the right campaign contributions, things can work in their favor.

Interesting article from the Tulsa World comparing the recent paths of TUL and OKC.

Tulsa-Los Angeles nonstop flights canceled; Tulsa losing flights as OKC gains | Tulsa World (http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=45&articleid=20130203_45_E1_CUTLIN975988)

Interesting article from the Tulsa World comparing the recent paths of TUL and OKC.

Tulsa-Los Angeles nonstop flights canceled; Tulsa losing flights as OKC gains | Tulsa World (http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=45&articleid=20130203_45_E1_CUTLIN975988)

Interesting take, even though they have the flight totals for us wrong to LAX - 5 daily soon not 3 daily like they state.

Also got the start date for CLE wrong, starts on the 14th of this month, and not april.

Interesting article from the Tulsa World comparing the recent paths of TUL and OKC.

Tulsa-Los Angeles nonstop flights canceled; Tulsa losing flights as OKC gains | Tulsa World (http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=45&articleid=20130203_45_E1_CUTLIN975988)

I'm surprised TUL can't support at least one flight to the West Coast, and wonder if AA would add this route again.

Well, I guess we all knew it was coming sooner or later, but it's still big news nonetheless and could have a decent impact on OKC.

American Airlines merger expected next week | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth (http://www.wfaa.com/news/business/American-Airlines-merger-expected-next-week-190101971.html)

I see this as a net positive for options out of OKC as we shouldn't lose any of the current AA routes and might pick up a 1 or 2x daily to CLT and possibly PHL.

Well, I guess we all knew it was coming sooner or later, but it's still big news nonetheless and could have a decent impact on OKC.

American Airlines merger expected next week | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth (http://www.wfaa.com/news/business/American-Airlines-merger-expected-next-week-190101971.html)

I see this as a net positive for options out of OKC as we shouldn't lose any of the current AA routes and might pick up a 1 or 2x daily to CLT and possibly PHL.

I wouldn't mind flights to CLT or PHL, but I'm really hoping for something to DCA. Guess that decision still hasn't been made...?

I wouldn't mind flights to CLT or PHL, but I'm really hoping for something to DCA. Guess that decision still hasn't been made...?

It has not.

It's looking like the combined airlines will continue to use the American name. That make sense since American recently went to the trouble of changing logos and paint on their planes. It's unlikely they would have done that if it would have to be changed again after the merger.

It's looking like the combined airlines will continue to use the American name. That make sense since American recently went to the trouble of changing logos and paint on their planes. It's unlikely they would have done that if it would have to be changed again after the merger.

That has always been the plan. American's name has a much further reach than US Airways. Much like when USAir was doing the hostile take over of Delta, the plan was to keep the Delta brand. The new paint scheme and logo means nothing to do. United just did a new paint scheme before merging with Continental only to use CO's paint scheme. So really at the end of the day the paint on the plane is meaningless. Every aircraft has to be stripped for C and D checks, so they all get repainted on a fairly regular basis anyway.

Impacts on OKC in there. I really don't think DCA is going to happen with the slot award. It could be an option post merger. However, I also fully expect the DOJ to require American to sell its DCA slots off since US Airways is too big there already. That's going to mean there will be some markets that will get pulled back to maintain service levels to the existing AA hubs.

Fleet wise things fit as well as can be expected these days - meaning nothing will really change. We might see the A330s sold off, but I doubt it. The fun comes with the merging of all the unions. Ugh. The pilots is where things will get very ugly because USAir has extremely senior people that rivals any other group out there. The other interesting part is that its contract already has the Embraer 190s as mainline aircraft so AA won't be able to farm those out ever. Not that they would.

Good or bad...Doug Parker is about to be the CEO of what will be the largest airline in the world.

That has always been the plan. American's name has a much further reach than US Airways. Much like when USAir was doing the hostile take over of Delta, the plan was to keep the Delta brand. The new paint scheme and logo means nothing to do. United just did a new paint scheme before merging with Continental only to use CO's paint scheme. So really at the end of the day the paint on the plane is meaningless. Every aircraft has to be stripped for C and D checks, so they all get repainted on a fairly regular basis anyway.

Impacts on OKC in there. I really don't think DCA is going to happen with the slot award. It could be an option post merger. However, I also fully expect the DOJ to require American to sell its DCA slots off since US Airways is too big there already. That's going to mean there will be some markets that will get pulled back to maintain service levels to the existing AA hubs.

Fleet wise things fit as well as can be expected these days - meaning nothing will really change. We might see the A330s sold off, but I doubt it. The fun comes with the merging of all the unions. Ugh. The pilots is where things will get very ugly because USAir has extremely senior people that rivals any other group out there. The other interesting part is that its contract already has the Embraer 190s as mainline aircraft so AA won't be able to farm those out ever. Not that they would.

Good or bad...Doug Parker is about to be the CEO of what will be the largest airline in the world.

I agree that the AA name was always the main focus for a merger but disagree about the paint and logo. That's not what I'm hearing from my contacts at AA. It's not just about the cost of paint on a plane when making a change like that.

A couple of weeks ago there was one day when trying to reach anyone of significance at American was virtually impossible. Everyone was in a meeting. That told me that something big was getting ready to happen.

I agree that the AA name was always the main focus for a merger but disagree about the paint and logo. That's not what I'm hearing from my contacts at AA. It's not just about the cost of paint on a plane when making a change like that.

A couple of weeks ago there was one day when trying to reach anyone of significance at American was virtually impossible. Everyone was in a meeting. That told me that something big was getting ready to happen.

Well true...the brand building behind it is huge. I think the new logo and overall theme is great and will do them well. I think the aircraft paint scheme still has a chance of getting modified - at least the tail. Has it happened before? Japan Airlines and British Airways are two that come to mind right away that changed liveries quickly after rolling out "well thought out marketing plans." Delta has also been one that hasn't stayed married to a paint scheme for too long, but I think the revised widget is here to stay for awhile.

Any guesses on how the merger will impact Tulsa? Not flights so much as American's operations there.

Any guesses on how the merger will impact Tulsa? Not flights so much as American's operations there.

I think maintenance should be okay, but might see more downsizing. US Airways has a history of farming a lot of it out, so we'll see. US Airways' executive team is going to be in control here, not American's which are all going to be "retired", so it'll be interesting to see how it evolves.

Also United used the Continental font for their original combined scheme of the merger, which was quickly reversed to a new font. So another example of reversal.

The new AA brand and livery is growing on me, however.

Why is Southwest ending MCI service? Not enough yield I suppose. And I guess it'slosing passengers to the new MDW service.

Why is Southwest ending MCI service? Not enough yield I suppose. And I guess it'slosing passengers to the new MDW service.

You can't make money on flights going out with (at times) up to 100 seats empty. Raising MDW to 2x daily definitely made MCI pointless. I would like to see more to MDW, but also more going east as well.

This merger business got me thinking about brands and which survive. It is clearly obvious that American, Delta, and United are the big 3 and would (and have) survived any merger along the years.

But What is the ultimate airline brand? United?

They have the longest history (oldest airline in the world) but something interesting is their logo "the tulip" has been retired. I am a longtime United/Star Alliance member and it is still so difficult for me to get used to seeing globes on United planes, but it is clear the name was more meaningful than Continental's even if they chose the globe over the tulip.

Any other thoughts on which of the big 3 would survive if any of them chose to merge? Scary to think, but I'm interested to hear what folks think.

This merger business got me thinking about brands and which survive. It is clearly obvious that American, Delta, and United are the big 3 and would (and have) survived any merger along the years.

But What is the ultimate airline brand? United?

They have the longest history (oldest airline in the world) but something interesting is their logo "the tulip" has been retired. I am a longtime United/Star Alliance member and it is still so difficult for me to get used to seeing globes on United planes, but it is clear the name was more meaningful than Continental's even if they chose the globe over the tulip.

Any other thoughts on which of the big 3 would survive if any of them chose to merge? Scary to think, but I'm interested to hear what folks think.

While it might be fun to speculate, I don't think the government will go along with any more merging of the big three.

American is adding 2 more daily flights to Dallas/Ft. Worth Intl. effective June indefinitely. They will be American Eagle flights in addition to the 7 mainline MD80 flights.

One flights is at 930am the other at 715pm.

Also, the 3rd daily flight to LAX on AA is also extended indefinitely.

That's great news considering those MD80 aircraft will be upgraded to 738's hopefully by the end of the year. I wonder if the AEagle equipment will be ER4 or CR7? Let's hope CR7 to keep two-class equipment consistent to DFW.

Both are 50 seaters. the 930 is a CRJ200, the 715 is an E145. OKC will be one of the last city's to receive the 738's/A319's.

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/January%20Enplanement%20Revised.pdf

Off to a good start.

American and US Airways will officially make the merger announcement tomorrow morning.

American and US Airways will officially make the merger announcement tomorrow morning.


Let the route,fleet, etc impacts on OKC speculation begin....

Im guessing the MD-80 retirement will accelerate... and just for the fun of it, an airport in Oklahoma will be graced by the wheel markings of a DASH-8 on its runway...

Let the route,fleet, etc impacts on OKC speculation begin....

Tough to say. What we do know about American. MD-80s are going away...slowly. CRJ-700s are being moved to DFW I believe and the EJets are going to ORD.

LAX I think stays the same.
DFW is going to 9, that might get pulled down to 6 or 7...but again it might not.
ORD could see upgrades to the EJets once they come on board. Should stick at 4 flights a day.

I would almost expect CLT with 2x to be added.

DCA and PHL might get one each. I think the DCA slot proposal right now dies completely. US Airways/AA is going to have to divest of slots (congrats JetBlue and Southwest) to competitors. So there is little chance they will award them an extra slot now. However, with the combined carrier it might be an option to broaden the reach of the DCA hub a bit more.

Im guessing the MD-80 retirement will accelerate... and just for the fun of it, an airport in Oklahoma will be graced by the wheel markings of a DASH-8 on its runway...

Mmm, maybe maybe not. I think the MD-80s will continue to on the same schedule now. They are paid for so no need to rush. I don't expect any Dash 8s out here since US just used a handful of -300s and a couple dozen -100s. Not really enough to send them this way, and definitely not to operate in and out of DFW.

Of course they could decide to order the Q400s which might make a very attractive aircraft for LAW.

I was only kidding on the DASH 8 :) However it's time we scream uncle on all the mergers...

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/January%20Enplanement%20Revised.pdf

Off to a good start.

The big increase by Frontier is interesting and a little surprising.

I was only kidding on the DASH 8 :) However it's time we scream uncle on all the mergers...

We should be just about done I think now. Alaska/Southwest might be an interesting tie up down the road, I doubt it though. Frontier and Spirit could be an option. JetBlue and Hawaiian? Yes I'm grasping at straws now. Umm...Allegiant and no one. Who am I forgetting? Oh Virgin America and...Chapter 11. :)

Frontier #'s look good on that paper and I've always enjoyed their service,but financewise not sure...I just bought a RT ticket to DEN for 168$. United was 226$ and I didn't check WN. I'd love to see how F9's pocketbooks are with fares that low....

Frontier #'s look good on that paper and I've always enjoyed their service,but financewise not sure...I just bought a RT ticket to DEN for 168$. United was 226$ and I didn't check WN. I'd love to see how F9's pocketbooks are with fares that low....

Frontier has some great deals. I wonder if they would ever merge with Alaska? They could dominate the west coast and mountain region, and still be a low cost airline with international service to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Frontier #'s look good on that paper and I've always enjoyed their service,but financewise not sure...I just bought a RT ticket to DEN for 168$. United was 226$ and I didn't check WN. I'd love to see how F9's pocketbooks are with fares that low....

United and WN offer the same fares to Denver that Frontier does. Apparently it just wasn't available on those airlines on the dates you needed. The lowest current fare on Southwest to Denver start at $157.80.

The numbers don't really show a full picture. It comes down to how many seats each airline is offering versus last year.

Last January Frontier didn't offer as many seats, neither did United. United and Frontier added many seats this year than last for Jan, while Delta offered fewer seats. Just take that into account.

The numbers don't really show a full picture. It comes down to how many seats each airline is offering versus last year.

Last January Frontier didn't offer as many seats, neither did United. United and Frontier added many seats this year than last for Jan, while Delta offered fewer seats. Just take that into account.

Number of seats or not, that's still a signifcant change for Frontier.

Frontier has some great deals. I wonder if they would ever merge with Alaska? They could dominate the west coast and mountain region, and still be a low cost airline with international service to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Zero value for Alaska. They already control the West Coast for the most part. Buying Frontier would put them into the 3-way hub battle in DEN which makes no sense. Alaska is also very stringent on being all Boeing, so the aircraft from F9 would be worthless. Spirit probably makes the most sense for a potential acquirer.

Zero value for Alaska. They already control the West Coast for the most part. Buying Frontier would put them into the 3-way hub battle in DEN which makes no sense. Alaska is also very stringent on being all Boeing, so the aircraft from F9 would be worthless. Spirit probably makes the most sense for a potential acquirer.

Spirit and Frontier would be a nice combination. I also like the idea of Southwest and Alaska.

In other "non-merger" news, United's OKC-CLE flight started today. Anyone have pics of the ribbon cutting or anything of the such?

FlightAware ? ExpressJet (EV) #4429 Flight Tracker (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ASQ4429)

http://gyazo.com/9521a911ed727249feeb51660879fead.png?1360864397

Cellphone shot from the ramp.

Spirit and Frontier would be a nice combination. I also like the idea of Southwest and Alaska.

Too bad F9 didn't merge with Southwest when they had the chance. That might look better now, and they could stop doubling up at DEN and keep the intl. flights. Fares from OKC would go up though.

Too bad F9 didn't merge with Southwest when they had the chance. That might look better now, and they could stop doubling up at DEN and keep the intl. flights. Fares from OKC would go up though.

if WN bought F9 it would have just been to eliminate competition and move on. Likely wouldn't see anything different...especially since the A319s would have all been parked ASAP.

And just FYI, Dash 8's have already been at OKC-first by Colgan (to/from IAH) and now by Republic (to/from DEN).

In other "non-merger" news, United's OKC-CLE flight started today. Anyone have pics of the ribbon cutting or anything of the such?

I had a sales rep from Cleveland in my office on Tuesday. He didn't know we were going to have the nonstops and was very pleased to hear about it. I'm going to a Chamber breakfast Friday morning for a presentation on the new service.

New United Express service between CLE and OKC

Posted February 14, 2013


Today, we launched new service from CLE to OKC (Oklahoma City, Okla.), bringing United’s roster of destinations from CLE to more than 60. The flight will join BNA (Nashville, Tenn.) as United’s second new service from CLE since December. ExpressJet will operate the service using Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet aircraft.

Both stations held celebrations, including remarks from CLE Director of Regional Sales Evan Koppel at CLE and United Express Managing Director John Aynes at OKC.

All eight of our domestic hubs now serve OKC. “This new service recognizes the growing business ties between Cleveland and Oklahoma City, including significant interests in energy,” Evan said. OKC is a leading petroleum industry center and Northeast Ohio has a growing energy sector.

“As an Oklahoma City native, I’m especially pleased that United is adding CLE to the list of hubs we serve from OKC,” John said. “The new service will not only provide an important link between two vibrant energy regions, but will also give Oklahoma City travelers access to more than 30 other destinations with convenient connections from the Cleveland hub.”

We also launched IAD to FAY (Fayetteville, N.C.) and ORD to YQT (Thunder Bay, Ontario) on Thursday. Be on the lookout for more route announcements.

xx

At the breakfast that I attended this morning Mark Kranenburg and Karen Carney asked for our input on additional service requests for when she goes into talks soon with United. The consensus seemed to be for either a larger plane or additional service into Newark.

It's on the horizon. E170 is what I have heard.

United has done well for OKC, I must say.

It's on the horizon. E170 is what I have heard.

There were a cadre of reps from United at the meeting and, if that's so, they certainly didn't say anything.

There were a cadre of reps from United at the meeting and, if that's so, they certainly didn't say anything.

I wouldn't expect them to say a word to random people at a meeting. Changes like that are usually going to be kept quiet. Though if a new A/C type is coming, ground crews might get a heads up to prepare for them.

I wouldn't expect them to say a word to random people at a meeting. Changes like that are usually going to be kept quiet. Though if a new A/C type is coming, ground crews might get a heads up to prepare for them.

I agree and didn't expect they would make any big announcements at a meeting like that. I'm not a random person though. LOL
The meeting specifically was about the new service to Cleveland and those invited have been involved with air travel in OKC for many years.

I agree and didn't expect they would make any big announcements at a meeting like that. I'm not a random person though. LOL
The meeting specifically was about the new service to Cleveland and those invited have been involved with air travel in OKC for many years.

Well outside of the airline itself. :) Granted airline employees like to gossip at times too with each other, so that helps to spread leaks. LOL

Nice to see EWR flights still "alive"-enough to possibly get a larger aircraft.

How were the loads on the 1st few flights to CLE?

How were the loads on the 1st few flights to CLE?

Not at liberty to discuss details such as that, sorry.

How were the loads on the 1st few flights to CLE?

Friday's loads were just under 50% 22/50 on the inbound 21/50 on the outbound. The outbound may have been higher but the flight was delayed an hour and 45 minutes, so some passengers may have been booked on other flights to make connections.

I was on the original flight to Cleveland several years ago when CO tried it the first time. There were six of us on that flight. We had all you could eat muffins on that flight since it was catered for a full load.