I think those are great points. OKC-Dallas will always be dominated by AA just due to the massive size of DFW, which shows no signs of slowing down. Seriously, as much as I hate what US Airways management has done to AA, the worldwide connectivity out of DFW now is seriously impressive. I'm guessing WN looked at the OKC-originating pax that either went to or through DAL, and concluded that the connecting pax could easily be accomodated elsewhere, and the OKC-DAL O&D just wasn't enough.

WN relies a lot on brand loyalty - so those of you who use WN to connect to places in TX, I'm guessing you'll just switch to connecting through HOU and move on with life.

Maybe on that last sentence, I fly to Texas a lot (MAF and LBB) and connect through DAL a ton. 30 min flight to connect is way different than an hour.

AA will likely get a chunk of my business. SW just has a better rewards system, change policy and the companion pass.

AA will likely get a chunk of my business. SW just has a better rewards system, change policy and the companion pass.

Agreed.....SW holds me hostage with the companion pass. Not a fan of AA's program at all (but the upgrades are nice).

Agreed.....SW holds me hostage with the companion pass. Not a fan of AA's program at all (but the upgrades are nice).

Companion pass is one of the best deals out there, and a good reason to stay loyal to Southwest.

Sucks for Tulsa but this is kinda Frontiers MO

https://www.tulsaworld.com/business/frontier-airlines-to-discontinue-tulsa-service-for-several-months-starting/article_6dadc4a2-637d-50c8-8a46-269460a1a5fc.html

Sucks for Tulsa but this is kinda Frontiers MO

https://www.tulsaworld.com/business/frontier-airlines-to-discontinue-tulsa-service-for-several-months-starting/article_6dadc4a2-637d-50c8-8a46-269460a1a5fc.html

Service restarts in the spring, likely before Spring Break to DEN and MCO.

There may be too much capacity currently on TUL-DEN as well with 5x/daily United and 3x/daily Southwest in addition to the 2x/weekly Frontier nonstop.

Another good month with good solid growth sans frontier

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/August2019Enplanement.pdf

Another good month with good solid growth sans frontier

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/August2019Enplanement.pdf

Why are that many more people flying AA while their quality of service continues to deteriorate...?

Why are that many more people flying AA while their quality of service continues to deteriorate...?
Shuttling down to DFW to connect is way too easy with how many daily flights they have down there, not to mention they have added capacity to PHX, daily's to PHL, etc. Sample size of one and all that, but in my personal experience they have competed well on price for many trips. They are normally not my first preference, but on convenience and price, they have been difficult to beat.

Why are that many more people flying AA while their quality of service continues to deteriorate...?

It’s bad. No argument there. Hopefully that changes, buttttttt my gosh the schedule is fantastic.

1. Having a billion Dallas connections everyday means I can get to Dallas with a 45 minute connection. I basically get off the plane walk to the next gate, 2 min wait, boarding the next plane.

2. Their network to hubs out of okc is becoming pretty extensive, and only getting better with a DAILY Miami flight on a E175.

Their commitment to okc, is starting to outweigh the bad service

Why are that many more people flying AA while their quality of service continues to deteriorate...?I haven't found AA's service to be lacking compared to what it used to be (my only comparisons are UA, SW, DL non-stops from OKC really, and they're all similar). And I have always found the AA folks in OKC to be very helpful and accommodating. With their growing network out of OKC they pretty much beat everyone else on convenience unless you are flying to a city one of the other airlines fly non-stop to. I have found them to be very competitive on pricing too. Frankly, if they really have a strategy to grow OKC they are doing a great job at.

Sidebar: I mentioned in this thread a few weeks back that I was disappointed AA did not have a morning flight to PHX in December so I had to book on Southwest. Well, I got a schedule change email from Southwest and they had moved our flight back over 3 hours. I looked and AA had added a morning flight. I called Southwest and they refunded my money (including early bird), and we rebooked on AA on the morning flight for about $20 more. Because I have the right CC we won't pay for a checked bag. This is exactly what I mean by competitive.

It’s bad. No argument there. Hopefully that changes, buttttttt my gosh the schedule is fantastic.

1. Having a billion Dallas connections everyday means I can get to Dallas with a 45 minute connection. I basically get off the plane walk to the next gate, 2 min wait, boarding the next plane.

2. Their network to hubs out of okc is becoming pretty extensive, and only getting better with a DAILY Miami flight on a E175.

Their commitment to okc, is starting to outweigh the bad service

This. I've seriously pondered status matching to Delta multiple times, but DL's schedule and connectivity just doesn't come close to AA. Multiple nonstops to LAX (our most frequent destination), plus multiple daily flights to Hawaii (on 777s too) plus their impressive worldwide connectivity out of DFW... despite AA basically turning into complete trash, we stay loyal. Schedule/network trumps all ... for now.

This. I've seriously pondered status matching to Delta multiple times, but DL's schedule and connectivity just doesn't come close to AA. Multiple nonstops to LAX (our most frequent destination), plus multiple daily flights to Hawaii (on 777s too) plus their impressive worldwide connectivity out of DFW... despite AA basically turning into complete trash, we stay loyal. Schedule/network trumps all ... for now.

How often do you go to Hawaii?

How often do you go to Hawaii?

Pretty much every year at this point.

It seems Frontier Airlines stops the direct flight to Orlando MCO from OKC. I could not find it on their website.
I am not fond of them but nothing beat direct flights.

We really enjoyed the EWR-OKC non-stop recently. Any chance we will ever get a non-stop to Boston? Milwaukee?

We really enjoyed the EWR-OKC non-stop recently. Any chance we will ever get a non-stop to Boston? Milwaukee?

Boston is possible, way before Milwaukee.

This. I've seriously pondered status matching to Delta multiple times, but DL's schedule and connectivity just doesn't come close to AA. Multiple nonstops to LAX (our most frequent destination), plus multiple daily flights to Hawaii (on 777s too) plus their impressive worldwide connectivity out of DFW... despite AA basically turning into complete trash, we stay loyal. Schedule/network trumps all ... for now.We prefer AA because they have the best aircraft out of OKC too. Mostly mainline with first, MCE, and coach to DFW, then a lot of E175 and CRJ700 with first, MCE, and coach to nearly all of their other hubs. I don't prefer their CRJ900s because of so few MCE seats. We virtually never choose coach seats but we will if the first price is too high on the CRJ900 flights.

United has a pretty decent schedule too, but I don't like that they mix in some CRJ200, and often at the time I would prefer to fly out. And Delta just doesn't have good connectivity. We only fly Southwest when their non-stop timing works perfectly. I don't like the cattle car concept, but I do appreciate the all-mainline and their good service.

It seems that DL has really increased their prices out of OKC. I used to fly exclusively DL and have about 700k towards my million miler but have found myself booking United more and more due to pricing. I am finding DL to be 20-40% higher on flights than United or AA.

It seems that DL has really increased their prices out of OKC. I used to fly exclusively DL and have about 700k towards my million miler but have found myself booking United more and more due to pricing. I am finding DL to be 20-40% higher on flights than United or AA.Delta is very, um, proud of their non-stop flights out of OKC. I basically ignore them when looking at connecting flights (though the one time I didn't recently I have to admit they had the most expensive price). I have found their non-stops to MSP and SLC much higher than similar non-stops on United to SFO, or AA to LAX, for example.

Delta is very, um, proud of their non-stop flights out of OKC. I basically ignore them when looking at connecting flights (though the one time I didn't recently I have to admit they had the most expensive price). I have found their non-stops to MSP and SLC much higher than similar non-stops on United to SFO, or AA to LAX, for example.

But thank goodness OKC leased their prized new gates all to Delta. Delta hasn't invested jack in this city or its airport, and gets handed those gates with no promises of increased services. For all we know they will sit empty to keep American from using them. Poor vision from the Airport board.

Just because they are the “new” gates doesn’t mean they will be the “good” gates.

The other airlines May prefer having more gates and then being closer together rather than having the few “new” gates.

Just because they are the “new” gates doesn’t mean they will be the “good” gates.

The other airlines May prefer having more gates and then being closer together rather than having the few “new” gates.

I am wondering if Delta is going to keep their current gates, as well. If not, you are right. I am operating under the assumption they will be keeping them.

I’ll have to search. I’m under the impression that they are moving to the new gates rather than adding them.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/patch.com/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/amp/27954066/construction-prep-underway-will-rogers-world-airport


When completed Delta Airlines will transfer its current gate locations in the central concourse to gates in the new wing. The project is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2021.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/patch.com/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/amp/27954066/construction-prep-underway-will-rogers-world-airport

Ok, then I retract some of my complaints.

Thanks for searching.

If it were me I would move WN to the new concourse, and I would move F9, G4, and AS to their old gates, giving UA and AA all of the west concourse plus 2 empty gates.

WN being OKC's busiest carrier, it would eliminate congestion in the center concourse by shifting 70K passengers a month further away. It makes no sense to have that many people piling up around the main security checkpoint and cramped food court. This would spread the load out.

https://i.gyazo.com/30413a3ad8c96d8f161d2df0a926c542.png

I wonder if AA traffic passes WN in 2021

I wonder if AA traffic passes WN in 2021
Could happen. Still makes sense to keep your heavier carriers on the ends. It’s not “convenient” for the passengers but OKC is so small, the farthest gate is only 5 minutes from the center food court.

Also, in the event of delayed flights when passengers begin piling up you want them further away from the center. 200-300 people around Gate 16 is a mess.

But it sounds like DL will still get the gates but if I were OKC I would use this opportunity to force a much needed rebalancing of the concourses.

Could happen. Still makes sense to keep your heavier carriers on the ends. It’s not “convenient” for the passengers but OKC is so small, the farthest gate is only 5 minutes from the center food court.

Also, in the event of delayed flights when passengers begin piling up you want them further away from the center. 200-300 people around Gate 16 is a mess.

But it sounds like DL will still get the gates but if I were OKC I would use this opportunity to force a much needed rebalancing of the concourses.

Hard to break a contract just for convenience. Especially when they may not have the money to break it.

Hard to break a contract just for convenience. Especially when they may not have the money to break it.

Usually airport leases are very flexible for operational changes required by the airport.

Now that Stillwater has commercial service, why do college football charters still use Will Rogers? I see that Kansas State flew into KOKC today with a United 737-900. What additional equipment/personal does SWO need to accompany college football charters?

Now that Stillwater has commercial service, why do college football charters still use Will Rogers? I see that Kansas State flew into KOKC today with a United 737-900. What additional equipment/personal does SWO need to accompany college football charters?

SWO is rated to Index B for airport firefighting (aircraft less than 126ft long). Their airfield notes indicate they can accommodate Index C upon request - maybe they no longer support that.

Now that Stillwater has commercial service, why do college football charters still use Will Rogers? I see that Kansas State flew into KOKC today with a United 737-900. What additional equipment/personal does SWO need to accompany college football charters?

Lots of team stay in okc and not Stillwater.

This NOTAM may have something to do with it: KSWO STILLWATER RGNL
09/030 (A0013/19) - APRON ALL CLSD TO ACFT MORE THAN 25000LB EXC 24 HR PPR 4056245463. 24 SEP 14:06
2019 UNTIL 29 SEP 04:59 2019. CREATED: 24 SEP 14:06 2019

I think GoPokes got it right. Hotel options are better in OKC plus it keeps from locals messing with the opposing team.

The NOTAM was just recently created but one would think that if an airline was to fly into SWO then it would have priority and made far in advance.

Let’s say your team wants to stay in okc (or Tulsa) and not Stillwater to avoid locals plus okc hotels have higher capabilities.

Most teams fly in on Friday.

Fly to Stillwater.
Practice. Find dinner for 125 people or
Drive to okc then get dinner
Sleep.
Drive to Stillwater for game.
Drive back to okc for shower, dinner, and gear.
Drive back to Stillwater for flight.

Vs.

Land in okc Friday.
Walk through.
Dinner.
Drive to Stillwater
Play
Shower.
Airport.

no practice for the OKC option though.

I suspect even while flights go into OKC I bet the team probably stays in Stillwater but then again, it;s only 45 mile drive so maybe going to practice Friday then back to the city isn't that big a deal. or maybe they practice at a high school field in the city making things even easier? I know the NBA will get a university or high school for practice if not the arena itself.


This is obviously a non-issue for OU opponents since Norman is in the core OKC metro area, obviously everybody would stay in the city, particularly the media and out-of-towners.

Effective Oct 27 OKC will be a launch market for United’s new CRJ-550 model. For those that don’t know, it is a CRJ-700 that is reduced from 70 seats to 50 seats in a high premium configuration. Amenities include an expanded domestic first class cabin with a self-serve snack bar, as well as more in-cabin storage to accommodate carry ons.
Service will be operated by GoJet with round trip to Chicago ORD.
Other launch markets are:

Allentown
Bentonville
Cedar Rapids
Cincinnati
Columbus
Des Moines
Grand Rapids
Greensboro
Harrisburg
Indianapolis
Madison
Richmond
St. Louis
Tulsa

https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/United-Airlines-Premium-Expansion-02.png

https://airwaysmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/United-CRJ550-680x365_c.png

https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/United-Airlines-Premium-Expansion-02.png

https://airwaysmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/United-CRJ550-680x365_c.png
That’s pretty cool!

Absolutely love that.

Any possibility LA-OKC gets this?

Any possibility LA-OKC gets this?

Doubtful. Okc-lax isn’t a direct on United. American and sw(?) are the directs

This new aircraft layout is pretty exciting. I haven't been this excited for a regional jet since the time that Delta started flying the CRJ-200 into my airport when I was in college. (I worked for a bit w/ Delta and we started getting the CRJ-200 with COMAIR. Before, we were always an ATR-72 shop to ATL and a BAE flight to CVG). So, this is something to be excited for.

I may fly the route just for this aircraft type

Here's a bit more info on the new CRJ550:

https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-airlines-unveils-first-15-destinations-for-new-two-class-crj550/

Looks like we currently have four daily flights on United to ORD. Two are on a CRJ-200 and two are on a ERJ-170. This was looking at today's flight schedule. As long as they are replacing one (or both) of the CRJ-200 flights with the CRJ-550 this is very good news. If they cut an ERJ-170 flight for this then it would certainly be a net loss in seats, and maybe net loss overall. I assume the CRJ-550 will only be staffed by one flight attendant; the ERJ-170 has two. While there's more availability for upgrades on the CRJ-550 the overall flying experience on the ERJ-170 is superior to any CRJ in my opinion.

I think it’s worthy to point out here that the CJR550 is based on maybe the safest jet in air passenger history, the CJR700. The thing flies everywhere around the globe and has since 1999 without a single fatality - ever.

I’m not excited about the sale of the CJR program to Mitsubishi.
In fact, does anybody know when they take actual control of all future development?

Crj*

Crj*

Thank you!
I do it EVERYTIME!
i tell my wife about this very thing and other similar things that prove I have, have to be dyslexic!

Getting slightly off topic - but my personal opinion is that the CRJ program is dead with the sale to Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi is in a tight corner where they don’t have any Western influence on sales. This RJ market has been dominated by Bombardier and Embraer for 20-30 years.

What they gain by the sale is the sunset of the CRJ line but more importantly gaining the supply chain and customer (airline) confidence of the established Bombardier Rolodex. Buying an airplane is a 20 year commitment that engineering support, parts, and product improvement packages (PIPs) will be available for the lifespan of the airframe. Mitsubishi has been unable to convince airlines that they will be around (in the commercial aircraft sector) to support the frames for the entire duration of the frame. Airlines will stick with what they know. They can call Bombardier or Embraer at any time of day or night and talk to Steve in engineering and get the ball rolling. They’ve worked with steve many years and he has always come through with getting a fix through engineering and inspection and getting oddball repairs fixed. The airlines don’t have that relationship with Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi gains that “conduit” of trust by purchasing the CRJ line. I imagine all that they will gain from this will be the purchase of trust. They have the technology. They need the western supply chain and Steve from engineering.

Looks like the CRJ550 will operate the 1105am dep to ORD, the booking engine still shows a CR2 code however it has the CR5 seatmap.

Doubtful. Okc-lax isn’t a direct on United. American and sw(?) are the directs

AA and G4 are the only airlines serving OKC-LAX nonstop. WN does not have any nonstops from here to any LA airport that I'm aware of.

A surprisingly stagnant month :
https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/September2019Enplanement.pdf

AA and G4 are the only airlines serving OKC-LAX nonstop. WN does not have any nonstops from here to any LA airport that I'm aware of.

Surprisingly the furthest "Southwest" goes from either OKC or TUL are Phoenix and Las Vegas. Seems like they could do LAX, SAN or OAK and maybe will at some point. It would definitely be nice for Hawaii connections.

A surprisingly stagnant month :
https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/September2019Enplanement.pdf
Yikes. I was hoping Delta's numbers would continue to improve as I want them to add LGA.

Surprisingly the furthest "Southwest" goes from either OKC or TUL are Phoenix and Las Vegas. Seems like they could do LAX, SAN or OAK and maybe will at some point. It would definitely be nice for Hawaii connections.

Co-worker couldn't get ant Southwest connections to Hawaii from OKC for a trip we're on right now. He booked United instead... I thought it was interesting/odd. A west coast Southwest connection would certainly help Hawaii trips.

Co-worker couldn't get ant Southwest connections to Hawaii from OKC for a trip we're on right now. He booked United instead... I thought it was interesting/odd. A west coast Southwest connection would certainly help Hawaii trips.
I’ve heard you have to book the Hawaii flight round trip, then the okc-lax (for example) trip. It’s a system deal that it can’t handle it. That’s what the sw agents in STL told me.

I’ve heard you have to book the Hawaii flight round trip, then the okc-lax (for example) trip. It’s a system deal that it can’t handle it. That’s what the sw agents in STL told me.

IRRC WN's Hawaii flights leave the West Coast very early in the morning, too early to allow for connections from points east, especially OKC which would require a connection/stop on the way to the gateway. For some reason they've stuck to this schedule and not added any later in the day flights to Hawaii, which would enable connections from other cities. The MAX grounding probably isn't helping.

Beginning tomorrow (10/29) LAX arriving passengers wanting a taxi or rideshare vehicle will have to meet them at a pickup lot. This is intended to reduce congestion at the nation's second busiest airport. Passengers leaving LAX may still be dropped at the terminal by a taxi or rideshare vehicle. Is OKC doing OK in terms of congestion that may require a similar arrangement - a centralized pickup point? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-28/uber-lyft-ban-lax-airport-pickup-terminal

Yes, ride share has to pick up from upstairs instead of downstairs. There are sign posts with the uber/lyft logos on them.