Airlines don’t even know the name of the airport directors. I will reiterate that the only thing airlines care about is what markets drive profit. Second to that is what markets drive brand loyalty or a larger strategy,

You could have the smoothest talking airport director in the world heading up the Ada, OK airport and no airline will give two craps about it. You could have Barney Fife running Austin and the airlines would equally not give two craps about it so long as it doesn’t affect revenue,

You are probably right, and I will defer to your expertise. Just seems that the airport has lost more than it has gained since the new director took over, which was after the worst sink of the Covid pandemic. As an auditor, I cannot believe in coincidences.

Maybe I am just 1,000% wrong, but seems to be a slight link.

Yes, this does stink. Especially since the flight has been doing so well. AA must be really feeling the pinch...or pinches as the case may be. We'll look for it again in April!

As an alternative, SWA has a decent itinerary into MIA via HOU. It leaves about 25 min after the AA nonstop would (525a), but gets you in after 11a. You can still have "toes in sand" by 12p Oklahoma time.It was just a 2 night trip. I try to not to change planes for that short of a trip. Plus, I try to avoid SW unless it's a non-stop. I want an assigned seat-- preferably first but I'll settle for MCE if the situation is right. I do find SW helpful on occasion though. The nonstop to MCO comes in handy for trips to Disney World.

You are probably right, and I will defer to your expertise. Just seems that the airport has lost more than it has gained since the new director took over, which was after the worst sink of the Covid pandemic. As an auditor, I cannot believe in coincidences.

Maybe I am just 1,000% wrong, but seems to be a slight link.

I have no idea when the new director taken over but I would think COVID has been the #1 cause of things to move and shake over the past few years.

I have no idea when the new director taken over but I would think COVID has been the #1 cause of things to move and shake over the past few years.

Again, a lot of airports haven't lost routes at the rate okc has. That's my concern. Covid or not, OKC has been among the first airports to be cut. Tulsa has basically the same # of routes now, maybe more, as OKC. That should never, ever happen.

OKC has Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Orlando (MCO), and San Antonio over Tulsa. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-oklahoma-city-okc
TUL has Love Field, St. Pete, Sarasota, Mesa, and MIA (until April 4) over OKC. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-tulsa-tul

I'll take our connectivity over theirs.

Covid hit and pilots retired then air travel came roaring back 2 years earlier than expected.
Boeing's 787 production was down for 18 months, which jacked up international flights, and rippled into domestic.

It has 0 to do with anything other than American has more demand for its flight than it can supply. Service cuts and rising prices are the result. United had the same problem but even worse.

At the end of June; OKC was around 1.8 m pax and tulsa 1.3 m. Closer than usual.

July numbers :
https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/July%202022%20Enplanement.pdf

I think Breeze last flight out of OKC was yesterday.
You have to wonder if they will come back when they have more planes.
You can also wonder with all the Airbus in order at Jet Blue and Frontier if we will have more flights too.

OKC has Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Orlando (MCO), and San Antonio over Tulsa. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-oklahoma-city-okc
TUL has Love Field, St. Pete, Sarasota, Mesa, and MIA (until April 4) over OKC. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-tulsa-tul

I'll take our connectivity over theirs.

Did SFO come back? Hope so.

OKC has Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Orlando (MCO), and San Antonio over Tulsa. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-oklahoma-city-okc
TUL has Love Field, St. Pete, Sarasota, Mesa, and MIA (until April 4) over OKC. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-tulsa-tul

I'll take our connectivity over theirs.

I’ve been told now that TUL secured the LGA nonstop on AA that Bay Area and Seattle are the top destinations the airport wants for new service. That would involve getting Alaska to expand to TUL which evidently was close to happening pre-COVID. Minneapolis and Detroit were served from TUL pre-COVID hope they come back someday though Delta is even more pathetic out of TUL than OKC. Orlando MCO isn’t served but Sanford is on
Allegiant though not daily.

I do LOVE the TUL-DAL nonstop though (pun intended) for connectivity to other SW destinations and easy access to downtown/uptown Dallas from Love Field.

...though Delta is even more pathetic out of TUL than OKC...

I know, it would be great if we could get service to BOS from DL, or JFK for transatlantic options. I recently booked transatlantic and because we don't have service to one of those east coast hubs, I have to make two connections! C'mon DL!

I know, it would be great if we could get service to BOS from DL, or JFK for transatlantic options. I recently booked transatlantic and because we don't have service to one of those east coast hubs, I have to make two connections! C'mon DL!

Cant agree more with this.
I always prefer to fly DL or United on transatlantic but with the changes of schedule to Atlanta for the first one and Chicago for the second, I have been flying AA with a quick connection in DFW for my last three trip to Europe this last 12 month. The schedule works better for me.

Did SFO come back? Hope so.

My wife is on the direct flight in Feb to SFO that's the only reason I know it's still there.

I will add that OKC does have DL service to LGA as well. Here's a side by side of both them and AA. DL is $.80 cheaper lol

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My wife is on the direct flight in Feb to SFO that's the only reason I know it's still there.

I will add that OKC does have DL service to LGA as well. Here's a side by side of both them and AA. DL is $.80 cheaper lol

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DL should dump LGA and add JFK or BOS from OKC

My wife is on the direct flight in Feb to SFO that's the only reason I know it's still there.

I will add that OKC does have DL service to LGA as well. Here's a side by side of both them and AA. DL is $.80 cheaper lol

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You need to look right under that $518.00 price from American. It says "Total $517.20 (all passengers", so the price is the same for both airlines.

You need to look right under that $518.00 price from American. It says "Total $517.20 (all passengers", so the price is the same for both airlines.

That's what he said. 0.80 cheaper.

That's what he said. 0.80 cheaper.

No, both airlines are the same price as shown on the attachments when you look closely. He said Delta was cheaper than American and it wasn't. It's hardly an important point for this thread however. :D

No, both airlines are the same price as shown on the attachments when you look closely. He said Delta was cheaper than American and it wasn't. It's hardly an important point for this thread however. :D

Gotcha, I thought you saw his as $80 and not 80 cents.

Yes not important :)

My wife is on the direct flight in Feb to SFO that's the only reason I know it's still there.

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Nonstop or direct? There is a difference. Pre-pandemic the SFO service was nonstop.

You need to look right under that $518.00 price from American. It says "Total $517.20 (all passengers", so the price is the same for both airlines.

I stand corrected. Both the dame price lol

Nonstop or direct? There is a difference. Pre-pandemic the SFO service was nonstop.

Sorry. Nonstop.

OKC has Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Orlando (MCO), and San Antonio over Tulsa. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-oklahoma-city-okc
TUL has Love Field, St. Pete, Sarasota, Mesa, and MIA (until April 4) over OKC. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-tulsa-tul

I'll take our connectivity over theirs.

Personally would like St Pete and Mesa tho

OKC has Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Orlando (MCO), and San Antonio over Tulsa. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-oklahoma-city-okc
TUL has Love Field, St. Pete, Sarasota, Mesa, and MIA (until April 4) over OKC. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-tulsa-tul

I'll take our connectivity over theirs.

very good points - only 2 of TUL i'd like are MIA and St Pete; but we do have connectivity into Florida via MCO.

For TUL I would like to see OKC’s additional Southwest nonstops to SAT, BNA, ATL and MCO.

BWI used to be served nonstop from both OKC and TUL, any idea if SW will bring that back? They brought back MDW after an absence hopefully BWI is next. Good connectivity to the Northeast through BWI

I thought SW gave up BWI when they were able to get spots at Reagan National.

I thought SW gave up BWI when they were able to get spots at Reagan National.

Maybe. In TUL’s case since SW doesn’t fly there hopefully they add back BWI

I thought SW gave up BWI when they were able to get spots at Reagan National.

Yeah, as I thought about it I have come to the conclusion that we are far too small a market to have service to two airports within a single metro area outside of NYC. The Congressional delegation I am sure was behind the shift of service from BWI to DCA, so do you think they are going to NOT complain if SW decided to switch Washington service from DCA to BWI? I don't see it coming back because of the DCA service. And it IS too bad to lose it because those of us who travel to smaller markets in the NE and Mid Atlantic lose a convenient connection--they send folks through MDW for eastern connections from here now, but the MDW hub for them seems to present more hang ups more often than flying though BWI. And the airport services at MDW are underwhelming to say the least. So many concessions there have not reopened since the pandemic making for long lines at the ones that ARE open these days. Anyway, long story, short, I miss SW's BWI service!

I have stopped looking at SW exclusively for our travel plans due to not having the non-stop to BWI. I really despise any Chicago airports, I would rather fly anywhere else. SW does have a rather early morning flight that goes thru STL, but most connections to the NE go thru MDW.

I have stopped looking at SW exclusively for our travel plans due to not having the non-stop to BWI. I really despise any Chicago airports, I would rather fly anywhere else. SW does have a rather early morning flight that goes thru STL, but most connections to the NE go thru MDW.

Yeah we had that STL-BOS segment booked this summer, but surprise, surprise, the flight schedule changed and we went thru DEN of all places! Made for such a long day. Not cool SW, not cool.

Southwest has been an operational mess. Anecdotal, but not uncommon based on published stats, 3 out of my 4 flights I have taken on them in the past 365 days have been delayed by over 2 hours. The chaotic boarding and having to wake up to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight...insane.. I fly them when there is simply no other option. It's always a circus. People keep lining up for more though. I don't get the love affair

Southwest has been an operational mess. Anecdotal, but not uncommon based on published stats, 3 out of my 4 flights I have taken on them in the past 365 days have been delayed by over 2 hours. The chaotic boarding and having to wake up to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight...insane.. I fly them when there is simply no other option. It's always a circus. People keep lining up for more though. I don't get the love affair

100% this. I have posted previously about not understanding the love for Southwest. I use them only for point to point in locations where non-stop for the big 3 not available.

Southwest has been an operational mess. Anecdotal, but not uncommon based on published stats, 3 out of my 4 flights I have taken on them in the past 365 days have been delayed by over 2 hours. The chaotic boarding and having to wake up to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight...insane.. I fly them when there is simply no other option. It's always a circus. People keep lining up for more though. I don't get the love affair

The "free" checked bags though! Cracks me up.

Southwest has been an operational mess. Anecdotal, but not uncommon based on published stats, 3 out of my 4 flights I have taken on them in the past 365 days have been delayed by over 2 hours. The chaotic boarding and having to wake up to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight...insane.. I fly them when there is simply no other option. It's always a circus. People keep lining up for more though. I don't get the love affairVery much this. Flying them to MCO (Orlando) because of the non-stops, and fly them very occasionally to some other non-stop destinations when I don't want to change planes. But I absolutely HATE their boarding. And when you board you don't even have a seat! Ugh. And if I want my family to sit together to MCO I pay for early bird checkin, so the price is $600. That's not cheaper than anyone else. And I have everyone's CC so I don't pay for checked bags anyway. Of course if I flew anyone else I'd be flying first or MCE and paying more than $600 so I guess SW is saving me money, so jokes on them for not having first class??

Southwest has been an operational mess. Anecdotal, but not uncommon based on published stats, 3 out of my 4 flights I have taken on them in the past 365 days have been delayed by over 2 hours. The chaotic boarding and having to wake up to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight...insane.. I fly them when there is simply no other option. It's always a circus. People keep lining up for more though. I don't get the love affair

When flying with my wife the Companion Pass is an incredible perk no other airline even gets close to touching. When flying for business by myself I usually go American or sometimes United

When flying with my wife the Companion Pass is an incredible perk no other airline even gets close to touching. When flying for business by myself I usually go American or sometimes United

I’ve experienced just the opposite with WN. 27 flights in the last 60 days and only 3 were delayed by more than 30 minutes. Maybe I’ve just been lucky. Agree with the CP perk…best in the industry. Go to Mexico 4-5 times a year and it’s ~$70 in taxes only for my companion. - As for check-in, with status, they automatically check you in. No need to do the 24-hour alarm. My only complaint with WN is the pre-board situation. At times I call them the Miracle Airline…..people hobble/limp on then walk off like they are a perfectly healthy. Had a flight to PHX flight last week with 23 pre-boarders on it.

I’ve experienced just the opposite with WN. 27 flights in the last 60 days and only 3 were delayed by more than 30 minutes. Maybe I’ve just been lucky. Agree with the CP perk…best in the industry. Go to Mexico 4-5 times a year and it’s ~$70 in taxes only for my companion. - As for check-in, with status, they automatically check you in. No need to do the 24-hour alarm. My only complaint with WN is the pre-board situation. At times I call them the Miracle Airline…..people hobble/limp on then walk off like they are a perfectly healthy. Had a flight to PHX flight last week with 23 pre-boarders on it.

Or when people have their full-grown kids line up with them after the A boarding...

^I actually don't mind this. The policy is stupid that it's 6 and under. Either allow family boarding or not. I wouldn't want my kid separated from me and have them be an unaccompanied minor elsewhere on the plane. I know this situation would be rare but it would speed things up too vs having flight attendants ask people to move seats so a family can sit together.

That being said this is also a big reason I've switched away from AA. I like the assigned seats. I have a credit card that gets me free bags, plus being EP, so that's not an issue. Southwest needs to get with it. I checked in to my flight on the exact 24 hour mark last week and got B16. Are that many people buying early bird?

^I actually don't mind this. The policy is stupid that it's 6 and under. Either allow family boarding or not. I wouldn't want my kid separated from me and have them be an unaccompanied minor elsewhere on the plane. I know this situation would be rare but it would speed things up too vs having flight attendants ask people to move seats so a family can sit together.

That being said this is also a big reason I've switched away from AA. I like the assigned seats. I have a credit card that gets me free bags, plus being EP, so that's not an issue. Southwest needs to get with it. I checked in to my flight on the exact 24 hour mark last week and got B16. Are that many people buying early bird?

Just from my observation, I believe SW reserves A1-A30 or something for the A-List seats, which may not all be bought up. The Early Birds start after A30(or whatever their allotment is now) and goes from there. But like I prefaced, this is from observation. By that I mean I too am pretty quick on the trigger and will still get low to mid B group, but when I am at the gate most of the people in group A are on the upper side of the sticks with only a handful on that A1-A60 side.

Just from my observation, I believe SW reserves A1-A30 or something for the A-List seats, which may not all be bought up. The Early Birds start after A30(or whatever their allotment is now) and goes from there. But like I prefaced, this is from observation. By that I mean I too am pretty quick on the trigger and will still get low to mid B group, but when I am at the gate most of the people in group A are on the upper side of the sticks with only a handful on that A1-A60 side.

A1-15 is A-List.

I loved SW but they pulled out okc service out of Love and that was that. The biggest advantage in my mind is how easy their frequent flier miles are to redeem. AA's is a complicated inconsistent mess.

I loved SW but they pulled out okc service out of Love and that was that. The biggest advantage in my mind is how easy their frequent flier miles are to redeem. AA's is a complicated inconsistent mess.

I disagree with that last part. Ever since AA switched to Loyalty Points earlier this year vs the old system of EQM(miles) or EQS(segments) + EQD(dollars) it's waaaaaay easier now.

I've been upgraded to first 5 of my last 6 AA flights and I had a companion upgrade with me on 3 of them. I know the frequent AA fliers don't like it too much cause it doesn't really rewarded flying now. EP get 120% bonus on flight mile segments now, PP get 80%, and so on so that's nice. If you get EP or PP you can get loyalty rewards, but that requires minimum 30 segments in a calendar year for it to kick in. A ton more status people in the system, however, the number of EP or PP hasn't really changed much. The main cabin extra plus seats plus everyone on my reservation can get up to 3 bags each is really nice with a family of four. Upgrades on Alaksa is nice too cause of the OneWorld alliance. I got premier seats for free once I hit platinum pro on AS.

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https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-status/aadvantage-status-benefits.jsp

I disagree with that last part. Ever since AA switched to Loyalty Points earlier this year vs the old system of EQM(miles) or EQS(segments) + EQD(dollars) it's waaaaaay easier now.

I've been upgraded to first 5 of my last 6 AA flights and I had a companion upgrade with me on 3 of them. I know the frequent AA fliers don't like it too much cause it doesn't really rewarded flying now. EP get 120% bonus on flight mile segments now, PP get 80%, and so on so that's nice. If you get EP or PP you can get loyalty rewards, but that requires minimum 30 segments in a calendar year for it to kick in. A ton more status people in the system, however, the number of EP or PP hasn't really changed much. The main cabin extra plus seats plus everyone on my reservation can get up to 3 bags each is really nice with a family of four. Upgrades on Alaksa is nice too cause of the OneWorld alliance. I got premier seats for free once I hit platinum pro on AS.

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https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-status/aadvantage-status-benefits.jsp

I have 4 SWU's that I probably can't use because availability is LOL.

The amount of points it takes to book a rewards flight varies wildly.

SW was pretty standard and consistent.

I'm PP and will be EP by next year. But a rewards flight to Miami can cost anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 points. Just insane.

I found it much easier to see the flight I want and just call to apply the SWU.

I found it much easier to see the flight I want and just call to apply the SWU.

Tried this, if there's no SWU for that flight gotta wait and hope basically. SWA is "here's a perk", AA is "here's a perk that you can sometimes use, and it might cost more depending on 234 factors"

https://tulsaworld.com/business/local/passenger-traffic-at-tulsa-international-airport-reaches-pre-covid-heights-for-july/article_293ad5d0-1fbf-11ed-94b1-0793bded751e.html

Tulsa Airport back to pre-COVID numbers, which is good to see. Up to 26 non-stop destinations.

https://tulsaworld.com/business/local/passenger-traffic-at-tulsa-international-airport-reaches-pre-covid-heights-for-july/article_293ad5d0-1fbf-11ed-94b1-0793bded751e.html

Tulsa Airport back to pre-COVID numbers, which is good to see. Up to 26 non-stop destinations.

OKC is going to mess around and be passed by Tulsa.

seriously?

OKC had 373,384 pax for July 2022 (https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/July%202022%20Enplanement.pdf) compared to TUL (record) 286,882 pax according to TulsaWorld. OKC is still nearly 100K ahead of TULs record month. Apparently, OKC hasn't made it back to prepandemic, yet is far ahead of Tulsa's record.

I'm not seeing how TUL can pass OKC, we're just a larger market despite significant leakage to DFW (and TUL, ICT). OKC appears to be headed towards 4M for 2022, the record was 4.6M in 2019(?). Great to see TUL have healthy numbers and records broken, but let's not get too carried away esp when comparing to OKC.

seriously?

OKC had 373,384 pax for July 2022 (https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/July%202022%20Enplanement.pdf) compared to TUL (record) 286,882 pax according to TulsaWorld. OKC is still nearly 100K ahead of TULs record month. Apparently, OKC hasn't made it back to prepandemic, yet is far ahead of Tulsa's record.

I'm not seeing how TUL can pass OKC, we're just a larger market despite significant leakage to DFW (and TUL, ICT). OKC appears to be headed towards 4M for 2022, the record was 4.6M in 2019(?). Great to see TUL have healthy numbers and records broken, but let's not get too carried away esp when comparing to OKC.

The growth of XNA has hurt TUL. If Southwest starts flying there it will be even worse. That being said it's great to see and hopefully leads to some of the cut routes being added back like MSP, IAD, DTW and EWR.

Agree though OKC metro is already 400k larger and the catchment area is much larger as well, it makes sense that it would continue to have higher passenger numbers.

Ugh, as always, it's not a competition between TUL and OKC.

Here is some interesting TUL news though: https://www.fox23.com/news/only-fox23-tulsa-intl-airport-will-build-new-gate-facility-international-flights/KBJRAWG4YFBOBMPAKC4MCSDRYY/?taid=6303ee6ab596c200013278a5&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem

I'm not sure what the international facilities are like at OKC, but this could make them follow suit.


On another topic, I see OKC's airport has zero public transport options available. https://www.flyokc.com/public-transportation#item-0
Tulsa is the same way, incidentally. I have been traveling a lot, and one of the things I always look for is a way to get out of the airport without having to get an uber/taxi or rent a car. Denver's airport, for example, is amazing in that you can walk right out the front of the airport and catch a train to downtown super easily. Light rail connections are such a difference maker. I guess that cuts into parking revenue though...

Looks like TUL may 'inadvertently' be following Oklahoma City again, actually. OKC already built international customs processing center (FIS) under the East Terminal and Concourse expansion that opened a few years ago. Currently there is one gate, which can handle up to a widebody aircraft 747, that leads to the FIS; though still no flights. Although there were news coverage about a month or so ago indicating the city is looking into something.

Prior to the FIS, OKC had a similar setup to TUL (having a customs office on the grounds, but a larger building than TUL); this was resolved by design with the recent retrofit and expansion at WRWA and I'm not sure what they're doing with the original building (might still office there).

----

Totally agree on the lack of public transit to WRWA. OKC used to have bus service but it was not express and that IMO resulted in its failure. Modern airports need express service to/from downtown, and if they are hub or heavy facilities - also several local routes that run deep into the night. OKC's former bus route was non-express to downtown with minimal hours (and no stops at the airport other than the terminal).

I could totally see an express bus route to downtown working, and one or two local that also stop at the FAA academy - not even sure why this isn't a consideration let alone a requirement of the US Government tbh. ... The only rumblings that appear seem to always dream of a light rail or streetcar but again it wont be express (and likely wont run late or stop at the other facilities) which IMO will be its failure.

I'm not sure what the international facilities are like at OKC, but this could make them follow suit.



Oklahoma City's recent terminal expansion was planned with space for international arrivals and customs in mind.

In an interesting turn of events, my wife's non stop to SFO on United in Feb just got dropped and now she has to connect in Denver. Same coming back. Kinda lame

In an interesting turn of events, my wife's non stop to SFO on United in Feb just got dropped and now she has to connect in Denver. Same coming back. Kinda lame
I just got off that United Express CRJ-200 connection from Denver, and it's worth taking a voucher and buying a ticket on any other option. Smallest crappiest plane in the mix.

Good news, barring a devastating recession, is that we should finally be seeing the end of 200’s in OKC. Way overdue. But we are beginning to see the wave crest on United’s domestic capacity ambitions set in motion several years ago. United’s delivery schedule will begin to ramp up soon where we will be accepting delivery of a brand new narrowbody aircraft every single day for a fairly long period of time into the future. MAX and 321’s. This will be a rapid sunset of 50 seaters in inappropriate markets.

We have been hearing about this for years and it is finally about to happen. Doesn’t mean OKC will be seeing 20 mainline flights a day, but we should see OKC to all of the hubs migrate to a service level where the E175 is the minimum sized aircraft, with a decent offering of mainline aircraft to the core hubs (DEN IAH ORD)

That is fantastic news.

Although sure feels recession is on the horizon.

United has a nice product. But, their equipment type in/out of OKC will always leave you wondering.

For example: I'm used to flying CRJ -200s/700s or even EMB-175s to Denver. Last week, we had a packed 737-900.

Then from Houston: It used to be EMB-175 or even A320s and this weekend we had an EMB-145

very interesting prospective, esp when you consider SWO doesn't have CRJ200s flying into it yet OKC does as the main equipment on some routes. ....

makes one scratch head for sure. Hopefully as catch mentions, it truly is lack of equipment for United that will get sorted out. I would mention, however, that I'd rather have flights to all hubs and focus cities regardless of the equipment than have a daily 777 to DEN for the sake of having a large airliner on the route. Hopefully OKC can eventually have their cake and eat it too, larger planes/service to all hubs/focus cities.

I’d take smaller planes and more frequency to the hubs any day.

And I’d take the nonstop on a smaller plane vs no nonstop. This applies to the thin routes like SFO.

But that’s just me. I frequently fly Southwest so when I do fly in a CRJ it feels like a tin can.

Also August was an awesome month for the airport

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/August%202022%20Enplanement.pdf

Not really anything to “wonder” about. It’s the same problem United has had for 20 years. Trying to do too much with too little. Glen Tilton parked all of their 737’s in the desert in the early 2000’s after 9/11 and outsourced a huge chunk of domestic capacity to SkyWest, Atlantic Coast, Air Wisconsin, and GoJet.

Fast forward to the merger with Continental, Tilton out and Smisek in. He took UA’s capacity problem and magnified it with CO’s generous amount of 50 seat airplanes. He used CO’s 50-seat contract to work around United’s scope on RJ’s.

Without going to deep into labor woes, United had suffered from decades of neglect on domestic capacity. Scott Kirby has spent billions on new aircraft orders which are just now arriving. Just in time for the pandemic, a huge pilot shortage, and perhaps a more than mild inflation.

On a cocktail napkin United has 5 mainline jets for every 20 routes it wants to deploy a mainline jet on. It has 2 E175’s for every 10 routes it wants to operate 76 seaters on, and it has 30 CRJ-200’s for every 2 routes it wants to operate those on. A massive imbalance, but as I mentioned earlier, UA begins accepting deliveries at a mind blowing pace. 1 a day for a year. That’s a lot of new capacity improvement. The scales will balance very soon and very quick. Markets like OKC should see a very dramatic change soon. Pending a recession….

The OKC to SFO is officailly cut, not just suspended.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-cuts-routes-drop-cities/