I'm wondering what is United's long term goal with the reductions in EWR? They were/are the only airline to have nonstop flights to all of its hubs and that was and should have been a nice feather to hold in its cap compared to the competition. I think United had the most nonstop to the top business cities of any airline from OKC (EWR, IAD, ORD, SFO, LAX, DEN) and all of them major hubs for connections Int'l or domestic.

I wonder if this is an early signal for a downsize at EWR? While NYC is an important market overall, it doesn't seem to me that having an international gateway and hub in markets 200 miles away from each other (EWR vs IAD) makes any sense and IAD definitely is United's fortress East Coast hub/gateway and notice OKC didn't lose that flight; whereas EWR comes from Continental. I wonder if IAD-OKC and perhaps one ORD-OKC gets upped to mainline to balance the load EWR was obviously splitting to the East Coast/Int'l?

Will United increase DEN-OKC to pickup F9 or has WN the reason for F9 to falter? Didn't F9 fly only A320/319 into OKC? If so, that is a mainline loss (at least temporarily) as well.

Hopefully OKC can score F9/Midwest later with a revamped focus that makes sense.

What are the chances of us getting a flight to LGA on Southwest? Slim-to-none or just none?

What are the chances of us getting a flight to LGA on Southwest? Slim-to-none or just none?

It's slot controlled. Zero.

I'm wondering what is United's long term goal with the reductions in EWR? They were/are the only airline to have nonstop flights to all of its hubs and that was and should have been a nice feather to hold in its cap compared to the competition. I think United had the most nonstop to the top business cities of any airline from OKC (EWR, IAD, ORD, SFO, LAX, DEN) and all of them major hubs for connections Int'l or domestic.

I wonder if this is an early signal for a downsize at EWR? While NYC is an important market overall, it doesn't seem to me that having an international gateway and hub in markets 200 miles away from each other (EWR vs IAD) makes any sense and IAD definitely is United's fortress East Coast hub/gateway and notice OKC didn't lose that flight; whereas EWR comes from Continental. I wonder if IAD-OKC and perhaps one ORD-OKC gets upped to mainline to balance the load EWR was obviously splitting to the East Coast/Int'l?

Will United increase DEN-OKC to pickup F9 or has WN the reason for F9 to falter? Didn't F9 fly only A320/319 into OKC? If so, that is a mainline loss (at least temporarily) as well.

Hopefully OKC can score F9/Midwest later with a revamped focus that makes sense.


United strategy right now is to trim 6% of network flying that is bleeding money.

So what that means for OKC, losing EWR. Trimming ORD to 3 a day.

Has nothing to do with CO or UA. The network planning VP is a CO guy. Before CO he came from Canadian Airlines. These cuts are coming from above him.

The ghost of Spirit is killing Frontier, they are also griping about anything and everything here at DIA as well. As far as I am concerned they can close up and get the hell out of here. I'm done with them now, that is what we flew the most between Denver to Austin and OKC. I guess it is Southwest for us now.

Denver Business Journal - Frontier Airlines dropping flights to regional airports in several states (http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2014/11/25/frontier-airlines-dropping-flights-to-regional.html)

The ghost of Spirit is killing Frontier, they are also griping about anything and everything here at DIA as well. As far as I am concerned they can close up and get the hell out of here. I'm done with them now, that is what we flew the most between Denver to Austin and OKC. I guess it is Southwest for us now.

Denver Business Journal - Frontier Airlines dropping flights to regional airports in several states (http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2014/11/25/frontier-airlines-dropping-flights-to-regional.html)


I loved Frontier before Indigo got a hold of them...but I guess they were almost dead a few times and Republic wanted them gone. Disheartening to see another small/mid city carrier bail for the larger cities. Allegiant is starting to focus more on big cities too, but hopefully they remain true to their roots.

This just in: in the matter of who between Delta and Alaska will give us a link to Seattle first, the cookie goes to Alaska.

Alaska Airlines Expands Partnership with SkyWest, adds New Routes (http://splash.alaskasworld.com/Newsroom/ASNews/ASstories/AS_20141125_045610.asp)

SEA-OKC 10:30-16:00
OKC-SEA 16:40-18:30

Daily service with SkyWest E175 beginning 1 July.

That timing will definitely not work for cruise ship connections without overnighting in Seattle before and after the cruise. That probably wasn't factored into their decision but would have been nice to do it differently.

That timing will definitely not work for cruise ship connections without overnighting in Seattle before and after the cruise. That probably wasn't factored into their decision but would have been nice to do it differently.

Yeah I don't think they are really concerned about cruise traffic on this at all. It is all about business traffic mostly, even though businesses will want an AM departure out of OKC at some point.

Anyone know which gate Alaska will take??

Yeah I don't think they are really concerned about cruise traffic on this at all. It is all about business traffic mostly, even though businesses will want an AM departure out of OKC at some point.

You're correct. Those times don't fit for business travelers either. It requires extra hotel expenses and at least one extra day so most of the business traffic I deal with wouldn't use it.

You can get to Seattle fairly early in the day with a connection and get a much later return flight with a connection.

Of course we also have to consider that there will be some Seattle area originating traffic but it's not wonderful for that either. I deal with inbound business travelers to OKC on a daily basis and it's not an insignificant number.

Tulsa appears to be losing IAD and EWR, so it could be worse.

I thought they were resuming March 5 from TUL?

United dropping flights from Tulsa to Newark, D.C. for winter season - Aerospace - TulsaWorld (http://m.tulsaworld.com/business/aerospace/united-dropping-flights-from-tulsa-to-newark-d-c-for/article_2c106cb6-8414-565c-9b52-3645c24c461d.html?mode=jqm&_dc=113596137613.05809)

I thought they were resuming March 5 from TUL?

United dropping flights from Tulsa to Newark, D.C. for winter season - Aerospace - TulsaWorld (http://m.tulsaworld.com/business/aerospace/united-dropping-flights-from-tulsa-to-newark-d-c-for/article_2c106cb6-8414-565c-9b52-3645c24c461d.html?mode=jqm&_dc=113596137613.05809)

As of now, UA is showing the flight resuming from OKC on May 6th but not from Tulsa.

Its been about 8 months since i flew thru DIA, but the Frontier section of the terminal was very overcrowded and terrible to be apart of.

I had some friends fly in from LA on Frontier after connecting in Denver a few months back. Their flight came in at 9PM and the baggage claim didn't start until after 10. It was my first experience with them and decided right then that I don't have the patience to ever fly with them. :)

With the direction that Frontier is headed, I don't really view that as a loss for OKC. We still have flights to Denver and I'm okay with them not being on Frontier. However, to lose Newark just sucks.

Venture or Catch, with United dropping that route, do we see AA or Delta step up (or even Jetblue (longest of longshots, I know) serve NYC? Catch, was United's route axed because of poor passenger numbers? The flight was usually pretty full when I took it.

Good loads just is an expensive flight to operate. $4000-$5000 in fuel (which United buys, not Xjet) each way. Add in the CPA and it quickly adds up.

With the direction that Frontier is headed, I don't really view that as a loss for OKC. We still have flights to Denver and I'm okay with them not being on Frontier. However, to lose Newark just sucks.

Venture or Catch, with United dropping that route, do we see AA or Delta step up (or even Jetblue (longest of longshots, I know) serve NYC? Catch, was United's route axed because of poor passenger numbers? The flight was usually pretty full when I took it.

First part I see Frontier leaving a loss for OKC because it offers service to the lower fare market. This is something we won't have anymore once they leave. Southwest is well established now charging fares that are more in line with traditional legacies, so there won't be much to keep airlines in line fare wise. Things won't get totally out of control, but the fare pressure won't be there to keep many honest.

Now for New York...I don't see anyone moving in to replace them if this suspension is long term. With all the reshuffling of slots the last couple of years, more value has been put in other markets and OKC overlooked. The part that is really hurting us is that 50-seaters are getting parked and an airline is going to have to be willing to fly something larger to start the service.

First part I see Frontier leaving a loss for OKC because it offers service to the lower fare market. This is something we won't have anymore once they leave. Southwest is well established now charging fares that are more in line with traditional legacies, so there won't be much to keep airlines in line fare wise. Things won't get totally out of control, but the fare pressure won't be there to keep many honest.

Now for New York...I don't see anyone moving in to replace them if this suspension is long term. With all the reshuffling of slots the last couple of years, more value has been put in other markets and OKC overlooked. The part that is really hurting us is that 50-seaters are getting parked and an airline is going to have to be willing to fly something larger to start the service.

Well, it would be less of a bummer if we could get connected to Philadelphia and have something nonstop that can get me to the northeast, but it would be ideal for me personally if one of the airlines would bring us into JFK or LGA. Do the Embraer 170s/190s make the economics on that route more viable?

I would love a virgin America flight. Don't even care where it goes.

Well, it would be less of a bummer if we could get connected to Philadelphia and have something nonstop that can get me to the northeast, but it would be ideal for me personally if one of the airlines would bring us into JFK or LGA. Do the Embraer 170s/190s make the economics on that route more viable?

Getting OKC-LGA would be very difficult since there is a "perimeter" rule that severely restricts flights past a certain point. Someone feel free to correct me, but you can't fly west of roughly Kansas City from LGA, which would leave OKC out. JFK is pretty much maxed out at this point.

Newark, in its infinte crappiness, is/was the best option for direct flights from OKC into the NYC region, as it is for most mid markets in the western half of the US. Not specificially criticizing you Hemingston, but I remember a poster on here bitching about what an inconvience it was to fly into Newark. I remember responding that it was pretty much "use it or lose it" and no other flights to that area would be coming.

If I remember correctly, OKC chamber officials really pushed for this flight route at the request of local industry to connect them with financial firms on Wall Street. EWR is a quick 15 minute PATH ride to the Financial District. So it would really stink if OKC lost this route permanently.

Very surprised to be losing EWR. Can't believe they had trouble, even in the winter, filing a E145 daily to New York City! I definitely feel like OKC is oriented to the west instead of the east for business and leisure travel, what with non-stops to SFO and multiple flights to LAX, now SEA, PHX, SLC, LAS and DEN. And one daily to BWI, nothing to NYC anymore, nothing to BOS, very little to DC. I mean there is a little to DTW, CLT, and a moderate amount to ATL, but nothing to Florida. Even the smallest cities in the east have flights to Florida. People and businesses here just must be more connected to the west than east. I find that interesting. Because if you go to a place like, OMA, MCI or STL, cities not too far away, they seem much more oriented to the east than we are here. Even LIT has LGA service and two carriers to Florida! (DFW is just too big to compare, a city that large is oriented to the whole world!)

I guess there is just too much capacity to DEN from here for F9 to make it. I can't say I'll miss them, I don't care for their product.

Definitely agree with OKC's western cultural orientation and have said so on here a few times myself. Lots of people from CA in OKC, and lots of people from OKC vacation and move to places like Denver and Seattle. Can't really say the same for FL, although I remember flying to ATL a year ago and nearly everyone on the plane was connecting to go to somewhere in FL. Its a bit disappointing that OKC cannot support a flight to NYC, given that this area's corporate climate is more high profile than its been in some time.

Please note my previous post that, as of now, UA will restart OKC to EWR flights on May 6th.

Please note my previous post that, as of now, UA will restart OKC to EWR flights on May 6th.

Believe it when I see it. It was originally set to resume Mar 6.

Getting OKC-LGA would be very difficult since there is a "perimeter" rule that severely restricts flights past a certain point. Someone feel free to correct me, but you can't fly west of roughly Kansas City from LGA, which would leave OKC out. JFK is pretty much maxed out at this point.

OKC is with in perimeter...it is 1500 miles and OKC is just inside that. We are the largest city in the perimeter that doesn't have service.JFK is slot controlled as well and pretty well full like you said.

Please note my previous post that, as of now, UA will restart OKC to EWR flights on May 6th.

May 6th is nothing but a dummy schedule and place holder. Anymore than 3 months out is really meaningless in today's environment. AA is just now getting around to loading in flights for March and beyond.

I'd suspect the EWR-OKC is a seasonal reduction. OKC can and does support the route. It's a United decision to park the plane not OKC couldn't support the route. Hopefully this is indeed temporary in response to the slower winter months.

As mentioned OKC is an active business market for financing (NYC-Wall Street, Chicago). I only wish we could get some tourism going from NYC area which would strongly tip the scales but business alone should be more than enough for that size of airplane.

Airline to add direct flight between Oklahoma City, Seattle | News OK (http://newsok.com/airline-to-add-direct-flight-between-oklahoma-city-seattle/article/5370256/?page=2)

This is a very good and thorough write-up about the new service to Seattle. Now that's what I'm talking about, not only the new flight but the write-up itself is very deep and answers just about any question you could have. Most newsok articles have been so lacking in content, its nice to see the details rather than just a headline and a sentence.

We also have nonstops to BWI with Southwest.

We also have nonstops to BWI with Southwest.

Forgot about BWI. Best part of that is its the only airport on the east coast with Acela Train access. One hour train ride from BWI to Philly, two hours to Penn Station, not bad.


Please note my previous post that, as of now, UA will restart OKC to EWR flights on May 6th.

Good to hear, but you gotta admit that doesn't bode well for the future of the route.

May 6th is nothing but a dummy schedule and place holder. Anymore than 3 months out is really meaningless in today's environment. AA is just now getting around to loading in flights for March and beyond.

Airlines change flight schedules constantly so nothing is ever locked in stone even if it's less than 3 months out. Please note that I said "for now" and I absolutely promise you that you can currently book those nonstop flights. That, of course, doesn't mean they will be operating at that time. Of interest is that they don't have a similar nonstop schedule for Tulsa at all. I had to deal with over 65 reservations with flight schedule changes on Monday alone. I'm very familiar with how this works.

Getting OKC-LGA would be very difficult since there is a "perimeter" rule that severely restricts flights past a certain point. Someone feel free to correct me, but you can't fly west of roughly Kansas City from LGA, which would leave OKC out. JFK is pretty much maxed out at this point.

Newark, in its infinte crappiness, is/was the best option for direct flights from OKC into the NYC region, as it is for most mid markets in the western half of the US. Not specificially criticizing you Hemingston, but I remember a poster on here bitching about what an inconvience it was to fly into Newark. I remember responding that it was pretty much "use it or lose it" and no other flights to that area would be coming.

If I remember correctly, OKC chamber officials really pushed for this flight route at the request of local industry to connect them with financial firms on Wall Street. EWR is a quick 15 minute PATH ride to the Financial District. So it would really stink if OKC lost this route permanently.
JetBlue is what we have taken to NYC or Boston, there is one AUS-LGA flight a day, there are six to JFK and two to Newark. There are no DEN-LGA flights, five to JFK and four to Newark.

JetBlue is what we have taken to NYC or Boston, there is one AUS-LGA flight a day, there are six to JFK and two to Newark. There are no DEN-LGA flights, five to JFK and four to Newark.

UA, DL, and WN offer nonstop flights from DEN to LGA.

Airlines change flight schedules constantly so nothing is ever locked in stone even if it's less than 3 months out. Please note that I said "for now" and I absolutely promise you that you can currently book those nonstop flights. That, of course, doesn't mean they will be operating at that time. Of interest is that they don't have a similar nonstop schedule for Tulsa at all. I had to deal with over 65 reservations with flight schedule changes on Monday alone. I'm very familiar with how this works.

I understand your experience as a travel agent, you've made that quite well known. We are ensuring people have the full picture from those of us who actually work for the airline industry directly.

I understand your experience as a travel agent, you've made that quite well known. We are ensuring people have the full picture from those of us who actually work for the airline industry directly.

I understand that there are various aspects of this and I have said that before. I was responding to those who thought the OKC to EWR nonstop flights are definitely gone and that is not the case yet even though it may happen. I appreciate that you and others may work directly for the airline industry but that alone does not give a "full picture".

UA, DL, and WN offer nonstop flights from DEN to LGA.

I just flew DEN-LGA on Frontier two weeks ago. Only one daily flight though.

UA, DL, and WN offer nonstop flights from DEN to LGA.
I know others have it, just relaying the experience that I have had with JetBlue and the comment that there aren't many flights to LGA west of KC since most of their flights came along in later years than United or Delta.

I just flew DEN-LGA on Frontier two weeks ago. Only one daily flight though.

They are currently only showing that as an operating flight through Dec. 19th. I don't know for sure if that means it's being discontinued but it looks that way.

Stillwater Airport Authority talks terminal expansion - Stillwater News Press: News (http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/airport-authority-talks-terminal-expansion/article_a8a74552-7139-11e4-8260-73fd0bb04b55.html)

Effective Jun 8 Delta increases OKC-ATL to 6 daily, up from 5. 5 MD88 and 1 A319.

Good for Delta. What is the new time slot being added?

Its a 7am. Will look close to this:
0600-MD88
0700-A319
1030-MD88
1245-MD88
1530-MD88
1730-MD88

I say replace the two AM kick off flights with a single 763 and call it good. :)

777 please

I'd like to see 787 come here.

I predict OKC will see a 787 in the next two years.

American will be getting several of them, and it wouldn't surprise me to see one divert when storms hit Dallas :)

777 please

Yeah...keep dreaming. ;)


I'd like to see 787 come here.

Probably will only happen when Dallas is diverting flights due to weather.

EDIT....damnit Catch. Get out of my head.

Yeah...keep dreaming. ;)



Probably will only happen when Dallas is diverting flights due to weather.

EDIT....damnit Catch. Get out of my head.
Just curious though... maybe say in the next 5-10 years, is there any possibility we will get them regularly?

Just curious though... maybe say in the next 5-10 years, is there any possibility we will get them regularly?

No.

I'd say that's a pretty straightforward answer LOL.

While we're talking about widebody visits anyway, I just saw UPS had a 300-600RF come here overnight (likely due to the extra cargo hauling requirements this time of year). It departed to Louisville early this morning. Nice change from the usual 757-200F. It's good time of year to check FlightAware and see what's coming in terms of cargo flights. They occasionally have larger planes to get all the hoilday goods/cargo shipped to destinations in time.

I'm thinking it may be permanent change. It's been here for the past week or two. Holiday shipments don't really crank up until next week.

Just curious though... maybe say in the next 5-10 years, is there any possibility we will get them regularly?

There's more chance of getting a five-stack.

I'd say that's a pretty straightforward answer LOL.

While we're talking about widebody visits anyway, I just saw UPS had a 300-600RF come here overnight (likely due to the extra cargo hauling requirements this time of year). It departed to Louisville early this morning. Nice change from the usual 757-200F. It's good time of year to check FlightAware and see what's coming in terms of cargo flights. They occasionally have larger planes to get all the hoilday goods/cargo shipped to destinations in time.

No sense beating around the bush. LOL

Some pretty big news for us WN fans in terms of international travel

Out of the gate! Six International Destinations Planned for Launch Service from Houston Hobby « Nuts About Southwest (http://www.blogsouthwest.com/out-of-the-gate-six-international-destinations-planned-for-launch-service-from-houston-hobby/)

November numbers are in.

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/November2014Enplanement.pdf

Up roughly 6% again.

Good growth continues, we'll see how the lower oil prices affect business travel here over the next few months.

November numbers are in.

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/November2014Enplanement.pdf

Up roughly 6% again.

Good growth continues, we'll see how the lower oil prices affect business travel here over the next few months.

If only the lower oil prices would result in some lower fares! Thank you DOJ for this triopoly. Not.

At what level do you think we might start some seeing some larger jumps in service? 4 million? 5 million?

It's a catch22 (pardon the cameo).

You can't register more passengers than your capacity currently allows. So there's not really a set number of passengers before things "explode".

At what level do you think we might start some seeing some larger jumps in service? 4 million? 5 million?

Can't imagine there'd be anything too dramatic. Some increased frequencies/larger equipment on the main existing routes. In the past Venture has done some excellent work looking at PDEW's for cities not currently served (which I can't find right now). Very crudely, growing those numbers by 25% might tip us over to getting some extra direct cities.

November numbers are in.

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/November2014Enplanement.pdf

Up roughly 6% again.

Good growth continues, we'll see how the lower oil prices affect business travel here over the next few months.

I would think that the big jump by AA has a lot to do with the new CLT service.