Due to last night's storms, Lawton actually got a diverted flight from OKC and it was the Notre Dame women's basketball team for the NCAA tournament! Love the flight path on this, talk about avoiding the storm. 10524

They even posted pics from the Lawton airport on their twitter. https://twitter.com/ndwbb

LCC management's grand plans to re-bank DFW and ORD go into effect tomorrow - so OKC now has a 5:10 AM (!) flight to DFW. Anyone have the courage to take it? WAAAY too early for me!

LCC management's grand plans to re-bank DFW and ORD go into effect tomorrow - so OKC now has a 5:10 AM (!) flight to DFW. Anyone have the courage to take it? WAAAY too early for me!

I did not even realize the airport was open at 5:00 AM, let alone early enough to check in for that, I guess it is open 24/7 then.

The airport is open 24/7.

The concourse is open per the flight schedule. (Usually closes at 1am and reopens at 4am)

United used to have a 5:10am to IAH... 2012 I believe. Was always full. TSA and concourse opened at 4am

(Concourse and TSA open at 4am currently). East checkpoint opens at 4:30am. West at 4.

I took the 5:10 flight this morning, and yes, it was way too early.

Are we not getting monthly updates about WRWA passenger #'s anymore?

I've been too busy to post them.

Sorry. Here's January and February.

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/January2015Enplanement.pdf

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/February2015Enplanement.pdf

I'm guessing the drop in oil in the reason we're down?

Not necessarily, although it could be in the future. Crap weather in February weighed on airports nationally.

Enplanements are still up overall from 2014 (0.09% if I read correctly) - so not a lot but still better than dropping. Impressive how much AA has grown here though. Flights to CLT must be doing well.

Effective Sep 9 2015:

AA to LAX goes from 2x CR9 to 2x E75

Effective Sep 9 2015:

AA to LAX goes from 2x CR9 to 2x E75

Huge thumbs up! Will this be US or AA equipment?

Effective Sep 9 2015:

AA to LAX goes from 2x CR9 to 2x E75

Awesome! I love the E75s.

Huge thumbs up! Will this be US or AA equipment?

It's American Eagle. I don't know enough about AA to say what regional is flying it or under which contract.

It's American Eagle. I don't know enough about AA to say what regional is flying it or under which contract.

Compass it appears.

Compass would lead me to believe it should be fresh AA-owned equipment:

Compass Airlines Selected To Operate 20 New Embraer E175 Aircraft Owned By American Airlines :: American Airlines Newsroom (http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/pressrelease/compass-airlines-selected-to-operate-20-new-embraer-e175-aircraft-owned-by-american-airlines)

4.69% drop in number for March.

The traffic which flew on Frontier was not made up, along with traffic declines on Southwest and Allegiant point to Oklahomans reducing discretionary spending for vacations as a result of the oil prices declining and the associated potential job losses.

Also, the loss of traffic which did fly on Frontier which no longer booked tickets after the cut of service, is only more evidence of OKC's need for ULCC model.

Some may not like Spirit, but I think they could do well here. I flew on Spirit in January, and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I would fly them again.

I had a pretty bad experience on Spirit when I used them out of Dallas in Feb, but I agree. They would do well here and there really is a need for their service.

Spirit Airlines is garbage, I wouldn't wish that company on my worst enemy. I would be open to them if they offered service to Florida, as that is the one market that OKC really is missing. Otherwise, they can stay far far away.

Spirit Airlines is garbage, I wouldn't wish that company on my worst enemy. I would be open to them if they offered service to Florida, as that is the one market that OKC really is missing. Otherwise, they can stay far far away.

Why only one market?

Just because you don't like a service doesn't mean it would not be beneficial for others.

OKC is a very price sensitive market and leisure travel is stifled. We need a true ULCC with no frills pricing.

I took NK on LAX-FLL red eye and had generally pretty good service for what they offer.

OKC-FLL and LAS would do well.

4.69% drop in number for March.

The traffic which flew on Frontier was not made up, along with traffic declines on Southwest and Allegiant point to Oklahomans reducing discretionary spending for vacations as a result of the oil prices declining and the associated potential job losses.

Also, the loss of traffic which did fly on Frontier which no longer booked tickets after the cut of service, is only more evidence of OKC's need for ULCC model.

Some may not like Spirit, but I think they could do well here. I flew on Spirit in January, and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I would fly them again.

FORGOT THE LINK:

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/March2015Enplanement.pdf

Spirit does very well in the market that they are serving. There is a niche for them that may not benefit you but would benefit someone else. It's a lot like the Coke vs Pepsi argument. You may love Coke and not Pepsi while some love Pepsi and not Coke. There is a market for both.

One only needs to look at RyanAir in Europe and see the popularity that the airline has. Spirit is headed that direction...

I flew Spirit a few years ago from DFW to LaGuardia. Aside from the knee-crunching legroom, the flight and service were acceptable. I did make some observations, but, in the end, it was acceptable. They might not be my cup of tea, but I'll fly them if the need arises. It'll be in the Big Front Seats, though.

Spirit does very well in the market that they are serving. There is a niche for them that may not benefit you but would benefit someone else. It's a lot like the Coke vs Pepsi argument. You may love Coke and not Pepsi while some love Pepsi and not Coke. There is a market for both.

One only needs to look at RyanAir in Europe and see the popularity that the airline has. Spirit is headed that direction...

Coke & Pepsi seem too similar a level brands for this comparison, as airlines they would be more like American vs Delta. Coke vs Shasta seems more fitting.

Hopefully the upcoming SEA-OKC addition and other adds for the year will reverse the dip in March and bring OKC forever into the 4m pax per year tier.

Hopefully the upcoming SEA-OKC addition and other adds for the year will reverse the dip in March and bring OKC forever into the 4m pax per year tier.

After taking a look at some of the statistics at the airport's site I noticed something odd, they seem to only be listing half the arrivals on the site. Fortunately that is not hindering the number of jets they have listed on the departure side, guess we have a few spare jets and crews around for today. :)

After taking a look at some of the statistics at the airport's site I noticed something odd, they seem to only be listing half the arrivals on the site. Fortunately that is not hindering the number of jets they have listed on the departure side, guess we have a few spare jets and crews around for today. :)

Are you looking at the statistics or the FIDS (the flight tracker on WRWA)?

Are you looking at the statistics or the FIDS (the flight tracker on WRWA)?

It was whatever is in the first dropdown of the top navigation of their site, granted it was the like 2 AM in the morning when I was looking at it so maybe some refresh process had started but not yet completed when I was browsing it then. However, as of the time I am writing this there is still around two dozen more departures listed than arrivals but there is at least twenty (maybe thirty) more flights posted between the two pages verses yesterday.

WRWA > ARRIVALS (http://www.flyokc.com/Arrivals.aspx)

WRWA > DEPARTURES (http://www.flyokc.com/Departures.aspx)

Effective Sep 9 2015:

AA to LAX goes from 2x CR9 to 2x E75

That is awesome! Sorely needed. Hopefully the E75s will actually be equipped with catering equipment, unlike Ryanair I MEAN LCC. Those CR9s are an utter joke, but sadly fit the LCC model perfectly. They can't be gone soon enough. If only we could get rid of the new LCC management along with them.

That is awesome! Sorely needed. Hopefully the E75s will actually be equipped with catering equipment, unlike Ryanair I MEAN LCC. Those CR9s are an utter joke, but sadly fit the LCC model perfectly. They can't be gone soon enough. If only we could get rid of the new LCC management along with them.Is this why recently this route has not served lunch in first class but previously on the CR7 it did?

Is this why recently this route has not served lunch in first class but previously on the CR7 it did?

Correct - for whatever reason, this route got upgauged from Envoy's CR7 to Mesa's CR9 - so an increase in capacity but as you saw, an absurd downgrade in service, given Mesa's lack of catering equipment. Not that LCC's food is even edible!

This weekend I will be taking a 3 segment flight to finally earn status on American for the first time (I missed last year by 2 segments). My question is, is earning status common that way or do people usually earn it through miles/points?

This weekend I will be taking a 3 segment flight to finally earn status on American for the first time (I missed last year by 2 segments). My question is, is earning status common that way or do people usually earn it through miles/points?

Should've done a quick segment run last year to qualify! An early congrats - life with status is pretty good, even Gold. Lots of people qualify based on segments - probably too many - which is one theory as to why AA raised the requirement from 100 to 120 segments to qualify for EXP this year.

This weekend I will be taking a 3 segment flight to finally earn status on American for the first time (I missed last year by 2 segments). My question is, is earning status common that way or do people usually earn it through miles/points?

I've qualified for EXP the last 5 years on segments after previously not having status. Not sure I'll make 120 this year. If I do, that will suck.

Since we are a non-hub city in the middle of the country, qualifying on segments is generally easier unless you are flying internationally. Consider on AA their longest nonstop from OKC is LAX at 1187mi, it would take 21 one-way trips or at least 11 round trips to LAX achieve gold. And if you're flying to closer places, it takes even more trips. If you are connecting through DFW or ORD, you would need just 8 round trips. You could of course take 2 overseas trips to Asia or parts of Europe or deep South America and qualify (or nearly) for gold.

Sonic is putting in self order kiosks (good, plenty of rude employees) and looks like they are putting in a beer stand (similar to those found at ballparks) right next to Sonic.

Sonic is putting in self order kiosks (good, plenty of rude employees) and looks like they are putting in a beer stand (similar to those found at ballparks) right next to Sonic.

Good to hear - I'm rarely ever at OKC long enough to have a beer or eat, but good to know there will be another option!

This weekend I will be taking a 3 segment flight to finally earn status on American for the first time (I missed last year by 2 segments). My question is, is earning status common that way or do people usually earn it through miles/points?

Already at 27 segments for 2015? And here I thought my 19 was a decent amount of travel...

Already at 27 segments for 2015? And here I thought my 19 was a decent amount of travel...

Yeah. I've traveled quite a bit this year (at LGA currently).

Yeah. I've traveled quite a bit this year (at LGA currently).

Care to share what profession you're in that has you traveling so much?

Implementations/consulting for a financial tech company. Basically item processing software for banks.

Implementations/consulting for a financial tech company. Basically item processing software for banks.

Neat.

Heads up:

American will be bringing in a 787 for familiarization purposes tomorrow, since OKC is a diversion city for AA. Not sure on the timing, so if you want to see it check flight aware throughout the day.

Heads up:

American will be bringing in a 787 for familiarization purposes tomorrow, since OKC is a diversion city for AA. Not sure on the timing, so if you want to see it check flight aware throughout the day.

Damn well better be when the wind and the light are right. My camera will be ready at a moment's notice.

Heads up:

American will be bringing in a 787 for familiarization purposes tomorrow, since OKC is a diversion city for AA. Not sure on the timing, so if you want to see it check flight aware throughout the day.

No! I'm out of town :(

sweet!

No! I'm out of town :(

Are you ever in town?! ;)

Thanks for the heads up Catch! Btw - have to say PDX far exceeded my expectations. I think you'll enjoy it there!

Nothing scheduled in flightaware yet....keeping an eye on it.

Keep an eye on N801AC. It flew DFW-ORD earlier today and may be getting ready to return. Looks to be AA9781. Saw one bit that says it's back to DFW, but nothing to back it up. It could be going all the way, or they could either change the destination to OKC or decide to stage the diversion later on, I suppose.

Well then, I guess it ain't happening today. C'est la vie. The watch resumes tomorrow. :)

Something tells me if we are going to get a 787 divert test run, it will be this flight:

N801AC ? 22-Apr-2015 ? KORD - KDFW ? FlightAware (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N801AC/history/20150422/1615Z/KORD/KDFW)

I don't think they'll be diverting. If they send one here it will be an active flight plan and not a last minute diversion.

This was second-hand information, I don't work for AA and simply heard it from an AA employee.

Looks to be the case:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDSRvVgVEAA6RpB.jpg

The AA 787 has made two recent trips to TUL, including one yesterday. Tulsa Gets Second Visit From American Airlines' Dreamliner - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | (http://www.newson6.com/story/28927928/tulsa-gets-second-visit-from-american-airlines-dreamliner)

Wish they had the DFW-EZE flight already running. I just went down there on UA but would've flown AA just to get on a Dreamliner. Planning on flying DEN-IAH later this year for my first 787 experience.

Our last day was May 13, and it has been a privilege serving you all as you flew both Continental as well as United -- and I hope you had positive experiences on the merged United.

The vendor company has been training for several weeks, but took over at 6:00pm on Wednesday the 13th.

Many great employees have ended their careers with aviation this week. Many with close to 30 years of hard work and dedicated service, but also many of us under the 10 year mark.

https://scontent-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/10885499_897519400294093_6124376876255231682_n.jpg ?oh=cc8205323d9a315d2ad2a1c4e6f30aae&oe=55CCFAA1

https://scontent-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10355379_747203168659051_5696474515970297839_n.jpg ?oh=90346e9afeb0fb65e88b1c99bdac0b76&oe=55C7EED0

http://i.gyazo.com/ed8fdb695cb2b866d8e1929b89498cc3.png

Some of us are moving on to other cities. The remnants of the OKC team look forward to serving you in Chicago, Dallas-DFW, Denver, Pittsburgh, Portland OR, Seattle, Kona, Maui, Honolulu, San Francisco, and San Diego.





Thank you all again for your support and your business. Farewell from your United family.

http://i.gyazo.com/38353278965b0131cd6226f53d5ea894.jpg

Thanks catch, as a loyal CO flyer I appreciate it

Godspeed Catch

Wish you all the best catch22.

Alaska will be leasing Gate 2.

Their ticket counter will be on the west end, where ExpressJet used to be.

Their lease expires June 2017.

I saw that United is sending a E-135 now on the EWR-OKC route. I'm totally OK with this because I'm sure it's either an EMB-135 or no flight at all on the route. (And I'd rather have a small plane than no plane) Just wondering if this is the longest scheduled EMB135 in the states.