2018 Oklahoma City Aviation Thread

[gopokes88]

I don’t think via air is going to be around much longer, hope I’m wrong but it’s averaging like 7 passengers each way

[NWOKCGuy]

It’s averaging a 80-90% load factor for the past 3 years. Okc is stuck in a weird place with it. Alaska doesn’t think they can fill a 737, and they don’t have the fleet slack or gate space in seattle to attempt a 2nd frequency. Portland is a small market from OKC and likely couldn’t support nonstop service.

If I had to bet, I’d say Alaska’s “negative” growth is a result of a canceled flight or two. When you only operate 30 flights a month, 1 or 2 canceled flights will show up as a much larger percent; and they also don’t have any other flights to move the passengers to.

When the Sea-Tac north terminal expansion is done, will it free up gate space allowing Alaska to expand?

[damonsmuz]

Solid numbers for OKC air travel. Unfortunately, Hurricane Harvey was messing with IAH and HOU last August so that would likely skew the numbers in the way they did vs this year.

But, since I'm a glass half-full guy...numbers are up... so...cheers all around

[Jersey Boss]

This seems like the most appropriate place to ask this question. Does anybody know if it is possible or legal for that matter to offer flights that restrict infants from those flights? I imagine there would be a market for a carrier to offer selective flights with that restriction.

[damonsmuz]

Is it possible? Yes. Is it smart? No.

What kind of infants are you wanting to restrict? Ones that cry? Ones that are quiet? Ones that smile? I know, infants sometimes make noises. But there are plenty that don't. My daughter (who is now 3), has been on over 100 flights and has flown to Asia once, Europe 3 times and South America once and hardly made a peep. She may have fussed a few times but never more than a few mins.

Bottom line: It would be a horrible idea for an airline to conduct business that way. Let's not forget that we were all infants before

[Jersey Boss]

My inquiry was not to engage in combat with families who have infants. My asking was in the vein of if an airline has multiple flights to a destination offering one or two of them 3 days a week as designated infant less. Tell me how offering consumers a choice is a horrible way to conduct business.

[gopokes88]

I have an infant and I get it.

[gopokes88]

Is it possible? Yes. Is it smart? No.

What kind of infants are you wanting to restrict? Ones that cry? Ones that are quiet? Ones that smile? I know, infants sometimes make noises. But there are plenty that don't. My daughter (who is now 3), has been on over 100 flights and has flown to Asia once, Europe 3 times and South America once and hardly made a peep. She may have fussed a few times but never more than a few mins.

Bottom line: It would be a horrible idea for an airline to conduct business that way. Let's not forget that we were all infants before

Bottom bottom line: businesses should be free to conduct business as they see fit. The market will determine if it’s a good idea or not.

IE: I don’t think prebaording for the disabled should be a federal law. It’s amazing to me how many people are magically cured during a SW flight. They can barely walk before but once the flight is over, like magic they are as healthy as a 22 year old. Should be up to the airline.

[pure]

I'd say it's basically the dictionary definition of discrimination, and I don't think any airline would want to be related to even the slightest bit of discrimination, even if it is toward a baby. Seems it could be bad marketing.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, imagine an airline saying "no one over the age of 75 on the 2:00 PM flight".

[Jersey Boss]

I have an infant and I get it.

I have 2 kids myself who while not infants now once were. My perspective is not one of a childless individual.

[PaddyShack]

I actually have an idea where airlines place families either at the front or back section of the plane. Since children usually need to make a trip to the bathroom at least once why not put them closer to the lavatories. These sections could be divided like first class is. No difference in service, just grouping groups with younger passengers in a specific section which would allow families to sit together or closer together than when faced with the current setup. Now the family sections would need to be able to be fluid, i.e. the number of rows needs to be determined on a per flight basis depending on the number of families with young children.

[shawnw]

There are adults on flights that annoy me more than infants. Probably the best solution is to charter a jet and pick one's own passengers. In the mean time I will continue to put in the headphones, crank up the tunes, and keep my eyes closed most of the flight whether or not I'm sleeping.

[brianinok]

I actually have an idea where airlines place families either at the front or back section of the plane. Since children usually need to make a trip to the bathroom at least once why not put them closer to the lavatories. These sections could be divided like first class is. No difference in service, just grouping groups with younger passengers in a specific section which would allow families to sit together or closer together than when faced with the current setup. Now the family sections would need to be able to be fluid, i.e. the number of rows needs to be determined on a per flight basis depending on the number of families with young children.

When I was growing up (80s) my parents always used to tell me they put families at the back of planes and that's why we were always at the back (I always wanted to sit up front). No idea if there was any truth to that but doubt it.

Some airlines are doing some things about making parts of the plane kid-free zones, however.
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/0...on-planes.html

[Richard at Remax]

Flying SWA to MSY last week, while they we're doing their pre-takeoff routine, they added that all music, video, and games had to be used with headphones. One parent let their child play a game at high blast and the attendant got onto them and they reluctantly put headphones on their child. There is hope for humanity.

Also, I agree with statement above, I see way more adults who act like children than actual children.

[catch22]

United moving mainline from DEN to IAH for Dec Jan Feb. will be a midday Airbus to IAH.

[OUman]

^UA's been doing that for some years now right, having a midday mainline to/from IAH? Or am I remembering incorrectly? I know for sure back in '07 UA had a daily to IAH in the summer, I flew back in a 737-500 in the mid-afternoon.

On another note, here's DL's new Airbus 220-100 (CS-100). Looks nice, might see this at some point in the future between here and ATL. The reviews for this aircraft by those who have flown in it are very positive.

[catch22]

No, UA has been RJ only for the past 3-4 years to IAH. Some schedules they have introduced it for a week or two, or as a one-way flight (IAH-OKC-DEN)

[OUman]

Ahh ok, I guess I got "lucky" then, probably saw it on FlightAware during one of those one-off periods.

[catch22]

Not sure when exactly but DL switches SLC to E175 service; I was looking in the June schedule. Initial batch of A220’s will be based there, I think we may see it on OKC-SLC at some point.

[amocore]

^UA's been doing that for some years now right, having a midday mainline to/from IAH? Or am I remembering incorrectly? I know for sure back in '07 UA had a daily to IAH in the summer, I flew back in a 737-500 in the mid-afternoon.

On another note, here's DL's new Airbus 220-100 (CS-100). Looks nice, might see this at some point in the future between here and ATL. The reviews for this aircraft by those who have flown in it are very positive.

It looks nice. Anything will do to replace the old McD 80 family. I can not deal with them anymore. So loud inside and outside.
Cant to see DL and AA send them to retirement.

[HangryHippo]

Not sure when exactly but DL switches SLC to E175 service; I was looking in the June schedule. Initial batch of A220’s will be based there, I think we may see it on OKC-SLC at some point.

That's great. The E175s are a lot more comfortable.

It looks nice. Anything will do to replace the old McD 80 family. I can not deal with them anymore. So loud inside and outside.
Cant to see DL and AA send them to retirement.

I love the old mad dogs! I'll be sad to see them go.

[OUman]

It looks nice. Anything will do to replace the old McD 80 family. I can not deal with them anymore. So loud inside and outside.
Cant to see DL and AA send them to retirement.

What seat did you sit in? If you sit in the last 5 rows towards the rear, it is fairly loud. The closer you are to the engines, the louder it gets. Of all my rides in the MD-80s, the only time it was really loud was when I had a seat right next to the engine, and it definitely was quite noisy. Then one time I was in row 6 (window seat 6A if memory serves) and it was so silent! Barely heard the engines start, barely heard the engines spool up on taxi and takeoff, takeoff run was nothing but tire noise increasing as we sped down the runway, and the rest of the flight was very quiet. Only sound I heard was the sound of air rushing past. Definitely one of the quietest flights I've had.

If you are looking forward to seeing them go, AA will be retiring them next year. DL will be retiring all MD-88s in its fleet in 2020.

[GoldFire]

Frequency of tests running has really picked up the last week or two.

[gopokes88]

Ok?

[LakeEffect]

Ok?

I think it was posted in the wrong thread...?