There will be an announcement tomorrow for a new airline & non-stop service. Via Claire Donnelly @donnellyclairee

I hope it's somewhere in the NE or New Orleans.

I hope its JetBlue, but I'll bet its Frontier.

Well new airline and new destination would pretty much bring it down to JetBlue or Spirit; or a possible Frontier return.

I would put my money on Spirit. This is a great market for a super low-cost airline, IMO.

I'd love JetBlue to NYC or Boston.

I would put my money on Spirit. This is a great market for a super low-cost airline, IMO.

I think it will be Spirit or Frontier. I agree Spirit would do well.

Frontier's not exactly "new"; been here before for quite a while. My guesses are either Jetblue or Spirit.

Well either way that's very good news.

https://twitter.com/wxspotlight/status/886992703539564544


Congrats to OKC regaining Frontier service. Announcement tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/wxspotlight/status/886992703539564544

Well if it's just to Denver again, that's lame.

It will be lame, unless you frequently travel to Denver, which clearly many people do. After Frontier ended service to Denver, airfares rose quite a bit on United and Southwest. It will certainly drive down prices. I'll take any growth at WRWA! Have to start somewhere.

It looks like it may be Miami.

http://www.thenextmiami.com/frontier-airlines-announce-flights-eight-new-cities-mia/

Denver and orlando on f9.

It will be lame, unless you frequently travel to Denver, which clearly many people do. After Frontier ended service to Denver, airfares rose quite a bit on United and Southwest. It will certainly drive down prices. I'll take any growth at WRWA! Have to start somewhere.
Quite a bit is an understatement. My wife flew Denver on SW last week. $360 round trip. This will help a lot.

And San Diego.

Nice to see Frontier back in Oklahoma. TUL-DEN, SAN and MCO also added.

Is Frontier trying to go after Southwest again? These routes that are being announced in other towns as well as TUL and OKC look like a mix of hub and P2P routes

Is Frontier trying to go after Southwest again? These routes that are being announced in other towns as well as TUL and OKC look like a mix of hub and P2P routes

As a frequent OKC/TUL-DEN traveler I'm very happy with this add, and hope it brings down fares which have been getting higher especially with Southwest reducing frequency on these routes. I hope they are daily.

MCO and especially SAN are wild cards. OKC/TUL already have Allegiant flying to SFB outside Orlando, maybe this will work as another option for price-sensitive families going to DisneyWorld and central Florida theme parks. SAN is similar to Orlando, lots of leisure traffic that currently is not served from OKC or TUL. I thought both would be Southwest adds at some point.

Interesting to see Frontier abandon Fort Lauderdale in favor of Miami. Southwest is likely gearing up for more international (Caribbean) flights from FLL, I could see it being an add someday. Oklahoma to South Florida has never stuck with any airline. AA still flies TUL-MIA on Saturdays only but that's it.

Anyone know if these Frontier flights will be daily???

Anyone know if these Frontier flights will be daily???

Denver will be daily. Orlando will be M,W,F,& Sat. San Diego is TBD.

Im still trying to wrap my head around the SAN flight. I understand DEN as there are many connecting options but is Frontier going to expand their flight options out of SAN ?

Im still trying to wrap my head around the SAN flight. I understand DEN as there are many connecting options but is Frontier going to expand their flight options out of SAN ?

Yes San Diego was awarded a ton of flights. Frankly it's one of the best cities in the US and I'm really happy to have a direct out there.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/07/18/blockbuster-expansion-frontier-add-21-cities-85-routes/488214001/

GoPokes: Per the article you posted San Diego was awarded 3 flights. Oklahoma City, Tulsa and San Antonio. Not exactly a ton of flights. It sounds like Frontier is expecting people on these flights to be flying directly to San Diego and not connecting anywhere. Unless Frontier is expecting to expand San Diego between now and next spring.

Anyone have any weekly stats on how many people fly to San Diego from OKC?

GoPokes: Per the article you posted San Diego was awarded 3 flights. Oklahoma City, Tulsa and San Antonio. Not exactly a ton of flights. It sounds like Frontier is expecting people on these flights to be flying directly to San Diego and not connecting anywhere. Unless Frontier is expecting to expand San Diego between now and next spring.

Anyone have any weekly stats on how many people fly to San Diego from OKC?

Wrong article. I'll try to find what I read earlier. It basically said they want to make San Diego a mini hub.

It's not the win I'd hope for (JetBlue), but it's a win.

For me, it's a little of a personal gain, hopefully. Frontier also added back GRR in Michigan, with flights to DEN and MCO. Might actually mean I can get better connections and pricing on others to GRR from here. yay...

Anyone have any weekly stats on how many people fly to San Diego from OKC?

Probably not many because a majority of people flying to the coasts are flying from DFW. Weirdly enough, a ton of my friends (as well as my family) have made San Diego trips in the last 6 months. It's an excellent town to vacation. I bet these flights are well utilized.

The upside to having been stranded in OKC without warning by Allegiant is not getting stranded in Vegas like these poor folks.

http://kfor.com/2017/07/24/its-ridiculous-oklahoma-city-allegiant-passengers-stranded-in-las-vegas/

It's not the win I'd hope for (JetBlue), but it's a win.

For me, it's a little of a personal gain, hopefully. Frontier also added back GRR in Michigan, with flights to DEN and MCO. Might actually mean I can get better connections and pricing on others to GRR from here. yay...

AZO native here! While it's hard to beat 10 minutes from my parents' house to the airport, we definitely use GRR when it's significantly cheaper. An OKC-GRR linkup would be amazing.

The upside to having been stranded in OKC without warning by Allegiant is not getting stranded in Vegas like these poor folks.

http://kfor.com/2017/07/24/its-ridiculous-oklahoma-city-allegiant-passengers-stranded-in-las-vegas/

I can't believe the regulatory hammer hasn't come down on Allegiant yet. Such a terrible company.

I can't believe the regulatory hammer hasn't come down on Allegiant yet. Such a terrible company.

And this is the problem with less than daily flights.

So they offered each passenger, around 200 total, a $300 voucher. I don't know how much it costs to operate that flight, but it seems to me they could have got another plane over there and "saved the day" while staying in your customers good graces. Telling people they can catch a flight on Thursday is unacceptable.

Also, it makes it seem like they have, like, one airplane. Which can't be good in and of itself.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/07/25/allegiant-air-strands-200-passengers-in-las-vegas-until-thursday.html

A little bit of an update. You feel for these passengers.

Huge July. Up 9% YOY

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/July2017Enplanement.pdf

Huge July. Up 9% YOY

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/July2017Enplanement.pdf

Very good numbers. United will be adding a bank and beefing up existing banks in Denver soon, we may be able to snag an extra OKC flight.

Impressive -- especially the huge bump for AA.

If Alaska were smart they'd add SAN-OKC before Frontier does, daily E175 service would be perfect instead of less than daily Airbus. I believe they bit off more than they could chew with the Virgin purchase, they are getting caught with their pants down with building pressure from United, Southwest, and Delta. They are also suffering transitioning E175 service to Horizon (owned by Alaska) and starting their own ground handling company (also owned in house). I think they will eventually digest it, but they are very lathargic right now and seem to not be able to focus resources in the right places to organize everything they have decided to do at once.

Very good numbers. United will be adding a bank and beefing up existing banks in Denver soon, we may be able to snag an extra OKC flight.

Nevermind, United dropping mainline to OKC in the fall schedule load last night.

Nevermind, United dropping mainline to OKC in the fall schedule load last night.
What does that mean?

What does that mean?

Downgauge from Boeing 737-800/Airbus A319 mix to all RJ.

Downgauge from Boeing 737-800/Airbus A319 mix to all RJ.

Bummer but not surprising with frontier launching

Bummer but not surprising with frontier launching

Opposite for me, UA's Kirby is trying to deal a death blow to Frontier (at least for their DEN operation). I expect them to actually add more capacity to try and squeeze Frontier's DEN re-expansion attempt. But they did the opposite.

Related:

http://m.newsok.com/article/5560159

"Aerospace reaches new heights in Oklahoma"

"A study released Monday by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission estimates the industries now are the second-largest sector of Oklahoma's economy, generating an annual economic impact of about $43.8 billion."

That's a little less than a 1/4 of the total state GDP.

Not directly related to Oklahoma, but a very eye-opening read:

How We Ruined Airline Jobs (http://www.slate.com/articles/business/metropolis/2017/09/how_we_ruined_airline_jobs.html)

Whoever compiled this information apparently got it from the Official Airline Guide (OAG) list of schedules. I found this very interesting. It shows an "at-a-glance" overview of airlines and destinations at OKC in 1975 (first link) and a more detailed look at the schedules and aircraft types to/from OKC. Of particular note are the flights to/from LAW and the number of airlines/daily flights between OKC and TUL. Also note the then Frontier Airlines flying Convair 580s between Oklahoma City and Amarillo (AMA), Enid, Liberal, and Stillwater. Also note the AA/TWA 707s we got.

- OKC April 1975 At-A-glance (http://www.departedflights.com/OKC75intro.html)

- Detailed flight schedules (http://www.departedflights.com/OKC75p1.html) (Doesn't look like these are local times specific to time zones, but rather to central time; no way you're making it to LGA from OKC in an hr and 40 min in a 727).

The main website is Departed Flights (http://www.departedflights.com/index.html), lots of cool information there. Again, not sure if it's all 100% authentic, but the website does say it's been attained from the OAG, which itself is a robust source of information for everything about flights and schedules.

also note the meal service offered.

Of particular note are the flights to/from LAW and the number of airlines/daily flights between OKC and TUL.

I flew OKC-TUL a couple times in the 90's. Delta flew this route if I remember correctly. Still probably the shortest commercial flight I've ever been on.

I remember the last time I flew between OKC and TUL was in 2002 on...Great Plains Airlines. It was TUL-COS with a stop in OKC. I hope someday OKC and TUL can be linked to Colo. Springs again, great little airport and much easier than DEN for accessing the mountains (Hwy 24 > I-70). Western Pacific also flew OKC and TUL-COS in the 90's.

^Yeah, I have flown between OKC and TUL as well when DL operated the route (once in 737-200, once in a 727-200Adv.). The first time in '93 and the second time in '96. But the DL daily was the only one at that time. The 1975 schedules have a siginificant number more daily flights between TUL and OKC, which is quite surprising. My guess is they were stops for picking up more passengers on the way to a hub or something. No way a planeload of passengers are flying between TUL and OKC only to get off the plane at either airport. This is also before deregulation so I'm guessing that also had a decent amount to do with the Tulsa flights.

in 96, on the way home from a family vacation, I remember a flight from SLC to OKC, with a layover in TUL, A lot of people got off in Tulsa, I don't recall anyone getting on (those that were continuing to OKC just stayed on board), so the flight to OKC was fairly probably only half full.

in 96, on the way home from a family vacation, I remember a flight from SLC to OKC, with a layover in TUL, A lot of people got off in Tulsa, I don't recall anyone getting on (those that were continuing to OKC just stayed on board), so the flight to OKC was fairly probably only half full.

Maybe the Delta OKC-TUL flight was just an add-on to the SLC route, I can't remember. You could purchase tickets on it though. One time was the only time in my life where I went up to the airport ticket counter and bought a ticket for the half hour flight. :D

Back on topic, I noticed Frontier has their scheduled loaded from OKC-DEN starting November 1. Looked at November 4 and you can fly one-way to Denver for $45..

Maybe the Delta OKC-TUL flight was just an add-on to the SLC route, I can't remember. You could purchase tickets on it though. One time was the only time in my life where I went up to the airport ticket counter and bought a ticket for the half hour flight. :D

Back on topic, I noticed Frontier has their scheduled loaded from OKC-DEN starting November 1. Looked at November 4 and you can fly one-way to Denver for $45..

You're correct, it was part of ATL-TUL-OKC-SLC-SJC (and back in the other direction starting at SJC). I guess the turnpike wasn't as popular back then as it is now. Of course we didn't have the security process back then that we have now either, such in-state short flights were probably a more popular option for some people. I recall AA had a flight (which I flew down to DFW on) where it continued from DFW to Nashville (BNA), then Knoxville (TYS). Operated with a Fokker 100. I had only that opportunity to fly in that plane but it was a great flight, very smooth. Loved the oval windows as well.

On the Frontier flights, I wonder what the total charge would be after you add in the extra fees if you're checking in luggage, reserving a seat etc.

Second straight 9% growth month. Everyone is growing at a nice clip. (sans Alaska which is basically capped out capacity wise.) When Frontier restarts in November growth will push even higher.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/August2017Enplanement.pdf

Second straight 9% growth month. Everyone is growing at a nice clip. (sans Alaska which is basically capped out capacity wise.) When Frontier restarts in November growth will push even higher.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/August2017Enplanement.pdf

Very impressive. Alaska seems to be in over their heads with the merger. Normally they would have added capacity by now but I think they are overwhelmed to the point of new markets not being visible in their spreadsheets.

United is reducing capacity ahead of the Frontier entry.

Josh, Any word on where Frontier will park? Did Allegiant lease Gate 12 or is Gate 12 still common use?

Alaska Airlines/Horizon is currently experiencing a significant pilot shortage which may account for the reason why new routes aren't being added. Colorado Springs is having service discontinued due to said reason (per press release)

Alaska Airlines/Horizon is currently experiencing a significant pilot shortage which may account for the reason why new routes aren't being added. Colorado Springs is having service discontinued due to said reason (per press release)

100% Alaska management's fault.

The pilot shortage has been building industry wide for years, their wholly owned company (Horizon) pays less than their other contract company (SkyWest). SkyWest used to operate COS, OKC, etc. Horizon side of the house is raising hell about SkyWest so they bring work over to horizon because it benefits them of keeping costs low. Now Horizon literally cannot staff the flying they begged for. Corporate is now racing to get more SkyWest flying back but at a higher cost. They cornered themselves in. They tried to cut costs and it has backfired to the point of having to cancel routes that are likely profitable (high LF, low cost).

100% Alaska management's fault.

The pilot shortage has been building industry wide for years, their wholly owned company (Horizon) pays less than their other contract company (SkyWest). SkyWest used to operate COS, OKC, etc. Horizon side of the house is raising hell about SkyWest so they bring work over to horizon because it benefits them of keeping costs low. Now Horizon literally cannot staff the flying they begged for. Corporate is now racing to get more SkyWest flying back but at a higher cost. They cornered themselves in. They tried to cut costs and it has backfired to the point of having to cancel routes that are likely profitable (high LF, low cost).

It is wider than just their management, though it probably reflects what their management has been willing to spend on employee compensation. The average pay for regional pilots is just bad, couple that with a somewhat dubious response to how regional were overworking staff to jacked up the minimum flight hours a pilot can have from 250 to 1500. Who wants to go through that effort and pay for your own training to get pay below most entry level jobs.

It is wider than just their management, though it probably reflects what their management has been willing to spend on employee compensation. The average pay for regional pilots is just bad, couple that with a somewhat dubious response to how regional were overworking staff to jacked up the minimum flight hours a pilot can have from 250 to 1500. Who wants to go through that effort and pay for your own training to get pay below most entry level jobs.

SkyWest is the industry leader for regional flying. They have not been significantly impacted by the pilot shortage - they have brought their pay up, increased signing bonuses, allowed more open-time flying (day off overtime) and cut costs in other areas to make up for it. So the fact that Alaska was not willing to pay for increased SkyWest flying (in fact reduced) means they thought they could get away with a cheaper (in-house) contractor. The fact that they are now cancelling routes and scrambling to get more SkyWest capacity is a tell-tale sign of a management screw up.

The pilot shortage is killing the regionals which are late to the shortage: GoJet, Trans States, and Republic. SkyWest has kept their commitments to all major airlines without letting the pilot shortage hit them. They are under pressure but they are actually growing their flying while other regionals are barely keeping up with existing flying.

SkyWest seems to be the proof that it's a management issue and not a regulation issue, as the other airlines are trying to get the FAA to roll back regulations to hire cheaper pilots.