OKC Flight Schedules

[Bellaboo]

We're going to Cancun in late July on Southwest. We connect through Atlanta and it is 5 hours down and 6 hours back. We paid 500 a ticket. This is from a Friday through Monday, with arrival at 12:10 pm. We depart at 3:45 so we basically got a lot of extra time for a 4 day trip.

[venture]

A quick search of that same flight in late June came to $900 a person.


I don't think anyone has said there aren't any early flights out of okc. Again, it's a personal decision after weighing all the options and the constant changing of airfare rates and times. Nothing against okc at all. Sorry if that upsets some of you.

You probably should be more specific on the date. One day was around $900 that I found in late June (22nd), the next day was $700. The same flight in April on the 24th is $490. So all comes down to travel dates and if you want to be flexible.

No one is saying you shouldn't do what is best. What I and most are saying that when you choose to not fly from OKC, for whatever reason, don't come back and bitch that service is being reduced to cities you want to fly to. We've seen how well it has worked in other cities when there is an airport nearby with lower fares or more frequent schedules (granted over 2-3 hours away is pushing it for "nearby"). The home town airport usually starts seeing a draw back of flights when airlines realize they can capture the market still at the alternate airport.

[Outhunder]

You probably should be more specific on the date. One day was around $900 that I found in late June (22nd), the next day was $700. The same flight in April on the 24th is $490. So all comes down to travel dates and if you want to be flexible.

No one is saying you shouldn't do what is best. What I and most are saying that when you choose to not fly from OKC, for whatever reason, don't come back and bitch that service is being reduced to cities you want to fly to. We've seen how well it has worked in other cities when there is an airport nearby with lower fares or more frequent schedules (granted over 2-3 hours away is pushing it for "nearby"). The home town airport usually starts seeing a draw back of flights when airlines realize they can capture the market still at the alternate airport.

The flight that was posted on the previous page was a Sunday return. So to be consistent, I looked up a sunday return flight. I understand that times/dates are flexible. That's what I've been saying throughout this thread.

Not sure how you think I'm bitching. I've stated it has nothing to do with OKC, DFW, or any other airport. Just comes down to what I feel is worth the drive to DFW, Tulsa, or even Lawton and what is not. It's the Airlines' (or any business) responsibility to adjust to what customers want, not the other way around. But like I said, the drive to DFW is sometimes worth it to me, and other times it's not. I'm not ripping on anyone or any city. I'm not mad or upset. I'm not bitching. Again, for the hundredth time, it simply comes down to what it's worth to me.

[venture]

It's the Airlines' (or any business) responsibility to adjust to what customers want, not the other way around.

Which they are offering exactly what the market will support. As stated earlier, leakage to DFW is probably minimal at this point so it doesn't really matter. This thread started as a mix of concern regarding schedule and price. The schedule part is pretty much nonsense in most instances. The price part...that's what the market supports. If it didn't, airlines would either be cutting fares to boost demand and cutting capacity. They are staying fairly stagnant outside of a few examples. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of choices anymore, and you can thank the DOJ for rubber stamping every airline merger since 9/11 for that.

I get your point and appreciate it. I should have worded my response better to not come back here and complain down the road if we see a shift to more leaking to DFW and service cuts in OKC.

[no1cub17]

Going back to the OP, not surprised at all the Mon/Thurs flights are either full or expensive. From what I understand those are the gold mines for the airlines and are almost exclusively business travel (consultants, commuters) at high fares. I'm sure fares Tues-Fri are much more palatable.

[tfvc.org]

When I have been searching for prices I have always found Tue and Wed to be the cheapest. I usually plan my vacations with that in mind.

[bombermwc]

Does anyone remember if Alaska has released what size plane their going to use for the Seattle flight? I've taken a few trips up there now on different airlines, and it's definitely going to be nice to be direct now, but I'm not going to bother with it if its smaller than a 737.

[s00nr1]

Edit: Incorrect info on my part. 737 maintenance for Alaska is done in OKC, but the flight to SEA will be an E75 as stated by catch below.

[catch22]

Embraer 175.

Bomber, give that airplane a try. It's better than mainline offerings. Has two lavatories, 2-2 seating instead of cramped 3-3, wifi, and inseat power.

[HangryHippo]

Embraer 175.

Bomber, give that airplane a try. It's better than mainline offerings. Has two lavatories, 2-2 seating instead of cramped 3-3, wifi, and inseat power.

They're an absolute pleasure to fly compared to the ERJ and CRJ models we're normally subjected to.

[positano]

We use the "drive to DFW" plan based on the flight options, not necessarily cost. I've spent far too many frustrated days in the OKC airport after American has canceled or delayed flights, causing me to miss connections at DFW. And no, I don't plan the travel times so tightly I can't account for some delays, but I'm also not willing to fly to DFW early in the morning and waste all day there waiting for a 5:00 p.m. flight. It's a far better insurance policy for my time to drive to Dallas (also increasing the possibility my bags get on the correct flight) and catch my "primary" flight. Best example is the Gunnison flight - there is only one per day on American from DFW. If you get delayed in OKC - which I have on at least 5 occasions - you lose a full day waiting to get to Gunnison.

Same thing goes for international travel. On more than one occasion we've had delayed baggage after arriving overseas, due to mixups from the OKC to DFW flights. I hear you on the need to avoid a 3 hour drive after a transatlantic flight, but we typically unwind and grab a nice dinner before the drive home.

Years ago I would have been really averse to driving back and forth to DFW, but the last few years of avoiding those problems made a believer out of me. I suppose it's just an individual cost/benefit analysis. Sorry if I contribute to the lack of demand, but the reduction in travel frustrations makes it a no-brainer for me.

[s00nr1]

Pardon me for being argumentative, but I just don't see why anyone would have to "waste all day" for a 5pm flight out of DFW when AA offers this out of OKC:

[positano]

Pardon me for being argumentative, but I just don't see why anyone would have to "waste all day" for a 5pm flight out of DFW when AA offers this out of OKC:

There are obviously a number of exceptions if you look at it in a vacuum. To be more clear, when I would book a flight, I would base my OKC to DFW on the time of departure of my DFW - WHEREVER flight. I certainly wouldn't want to catch the earliest flights out of OKC, but also not want to cut it too close. For the sake of argument, let's say I don't catch the last OKC flight before my DFW flight, but perhaps the next to the latest before my DFW leg - a layover of an hour or two would seem safe. Surprise, your OKC to DFW flight has "mechanical issues", "flight delayed", or "FAA regulations / waiting on the flight crew". So I try to get on the next flight - whoops, sorry sir, it's full. Now I'm out of luck - can't get another flight to DFW in time to make my connection, and only if I scramble can I drive to Dallas in time to catch my connection.

I get it. When you look at the schedules it doesn't seem that hard, but I've been screwed far too many times. That's why I suggested it's a subjective cost/benefit analysis. Could be I just have horrible luck.

[no1cub17]

I get it. When you look at the schedules it doesn't seem that hard, but I've been screwed far too many times. That's why I suggested it's a subjective cost/benefit analysis. Could be I just have horrible luck.

Nah - you have a point - just a few weeks ago my wife and I nearly got screwed. Were on our way to Europe on AA. Originally booked out of OKC with 3 hours in DFW until our tatl flight. All was well until the threat of weather came. AA starts proactively canceling flights. I call to get rebooked - our 3 hour layover becomes 5. No problem, at least we grabbed seats on an earlier flight. But then the day of travel, AA's horrific operations team shines through as usual. Our inbound from DFW gets indefinitely delayed so we have no idea when we'll get out. Ironically a different flight from DFW arrives into OKC ontime, but apparently AA wouldn't allow the same aircraft to be sent back to DFW - we had to wait for the exact aircraft that was still stuck in DFW for some ungodly reason. OKC's ground crew literally pushes the plane back from the gate and parks it in front of us with no explanation as to why it can't be turned around and sent to DFW with the same crew. In the meantime AA had scheduled an extra sector to go to DFW, but didn't have crew for it as they were supposed to come in on the flight that was still stuck in DFW. Seeing the situation, one of the FAs who just got off the flight that arrived volunteers to work an extra flight so that the extra sector could go. Took an hour or so to arrange everything but finally we made it to DFW in time to make our int'l flight. The frustrating part was it took an employee going the extra mile to save our vacation. AA is too incompetent to figure it out themselves.

Now on a good day it works out perfectly, I'd much rather drive 20 minutes to the airport rather than 3.5 hours. But I certainly can't fault those who drive to DFW.

[no1cub17]

Embraer 175.

Bomber, give that airplane a try. It's better than mainline offerings. Has two lavatories, 2-2 seating instead of cramped 3-3, wifi, and inseat power.

Correct - the E75 is a solid aircraft, far superior to the CR7/ERJ offerings.

I wish AS was running a morning flight up to SEA to connect with their Hawaii bank - would've been useful!

[catch22]

Nah - you have a point - just a few weeks ago my wife and I nearly got screwed. Were on our way to Europe on AA. Originally booked out of OKC with 3 hours in DFW until our tatl flight. All was well until the threat of weather came. AA starts proactively canceling flights. I call to get rebooked - our 3 hour layover becomes 5. No problem, at least we grabbed seats on an earlier flight. But then the day of travel, AA's horrific operations team shines through as usual. Our inbound from DFW gets indefinitely delayed so we have no idea when we'll get out. Ironically a different flight from DFW arrives into OKC ontime, but apparently AA wouldn't allow the same aircraft to be sent back to DFW - we had to wait for the exact aircraft that was still stuck in DFW for some ungodly reason. OKC's ground crew literally pushes the plane back from the gate and parks it in front of us with no explanation as to why it can't be turned around and sent to DFW with the same crew. In the meantime AA had scheduled an extra sector to go to DFW, but didn't have crew for it as they were supposed to come in on the flight that was still stuck in DFW. Seeing the situation, one of the FAs who just got off the flight that arrived volunteers to work an extra flight so that the extra sector could go. Took an hour or so to arrange everything but finally we made it to DFW in time to make our int'l flight. The frustrating part was it took an employee going the extra mile to save our vacation. AA is too incompetent to figure it out themselves.

Now on a good day it works out perfectly, I'd much rather drive 20 minutes to the airport rather than 3.5 hours. But I certainly can't fault those who drive to DFW.

Because that crew likely was scheduled to overnight in OKC and they did not have the flight time available. That's why they pushed and parked the plane remote -- it and its crew were scheduled to overnight in OKC.

Just because there's a plane and a crew doesn't mean they have the legal or contractural available hours to just do an extra section on the fly. Especially to rescue a delayed flight. Airlines prefer to keep their schedule integrity as much as possible. Throwing in extra sections to cover delays is costly, and jeapordizes the following day's operation. If it were opposite, and you were in DFW or other crew domicile, there would have been reserve pilots that could be called in with fresh time to do the extra leg.

[positano]

It's my theory of the pharmacist: for the life of me I don't understand why it takes so long to fill a prescription, which seems largely to be a matter of counting. That being said, I try not to be too critical, as I readily admit I don't know what all goes on behind the counter. The same holds true for me about the airlines - it certainly doesn't seem to be a complicated fix, but I'm not informed enough to be too outraged. My solution is simply a workaround.

[no1cub17]

Because that crew likely was scheduled to overnight in OKC and they did not have the flight time available. That's why they pushed and parked the plane remote -- it and its crew were scheduled to overnight in OKC.

Just because there's a plane and a crew doesn't mean they have the legal or contractural available hours to just do an extra section on the fly. Especially to rescue a delayed flight. Airlines prefer to keep their schedule integrity as much as possible. Throwing in extra sections to cover delays is costly, and jeapordizes the following day's operation. If it were opposite, and you were in DFW or other crew domicile, there would have been reserve pilots that could be called in with fresh time to do the extra leg.

I thought it might've been an issue with duty hours/timing out. But then my question is - does AA really schedule crew to fly a DFW-OKC segment that gets into OKC around noon, and have that be the end of their duty period? That makes zero sense. OKC is an outstation, not a base (as far as I know as an outsider, I don't have nearly the inside info you do) - so wouldn't it make more sense (assuming that the crew is DFW-based) to just let them fly back? Of course the caveat is that maybe they really couldn't work a half hr more, in which case it's a moot point.

The other irritating thing I gleaned from eavesdropping near the gate was that for the "ferry" flight, the pilots and 1 FA were already in OKC, the 2nd FA was supposed to deadhead on the delayed flight from DFW, then work the flight back to DFW. If that's the case though, why didn't AA get in touch with her and put her on the DFW-OKC flight which was actually on time? Did they not think that hey if we switch her over to the flight that's actually going, we can at least get her on the CR7 and get some of the delayed pax out? And ok maybe the plane that arrived into OKC ontime was completely full - maybe the jumpseat was also taken - I don't know. But this is nothing new with AA. It's been well documented that in case of IRROPs, you have to take matters into your own hands. AA sure as hell isn't going to take care of you, elite status or not.

[ljbab728]

I don't know. But this is nothing new with AA. It's been well documented that in case of IRROPs, you have to take matters into your own hands. AA sure as hell isn't going to take care of you, elite status or not.

I have never been an apologist for any airline but they can only do so much regardless of your status. In my daily dealings with AA and other airlines I find the status to definitely be a plus, depending on what is needed. Quite often, I get things taken care of for people that the airlines will tell you isn't possible. If you want to just rely on the airline or yourself, that is up to you.

[venture]

I thought it might've been an issue with duty hours/timing out. But then my question is - does AA really schedule crew to fly a DFW-OKC segment that gets into OKC around noon, and have that be the end of their duty period? That makes zero sense. OKC is an outstation, not a base (as far as I know as an outsider, I don't have nearly the inside info you do) - so wouldn't it make more sense (assuming that the crew is DFW-based) to just let them fly back? Of course the caveat is that maybe they really couldn't work a half hr more, in which case it's a moot point.

There definitely are crew schedules like that. You also have to consider that crew might have just done a red eye earlier that morning.

[ljbab728]

That's very true, venture. Most of the flying public doesn't have a clue about the complexities the airlines deal with in their scheduling and are only concerned about how it affects them. That's not to give the airlines a pass, though. They do sometimes make decisions that don't seem rational (computer driven).

[catch22]

There definitely are crew schedules like that. You also have to consider that crew might have just done a red eye earlier that morning.

Exactly.

[catch22]

That's very true, venture. Most of the flying public doesn't have a clue about the complexities the airlines deal with in their scheduling and are only concerned about how it affects them. That's not to give the airlines a pass, though. They do sometimes make decisions that don't seem rational (computer driven).

Exactly, also.

People think the airlines thoroughly enjoy delayed flights and cancellations. Airlines hate those more than the passenger does because delays and cancels add tens millions of dollars of costs each month.

[bombermwc]

Embraer 175.

Bomber, give that airplane a try. It's better than mainline offerings. Has two lavatories, 2-2 seating instead of cramped 3-3, wifi, and inseat power.

I was afraid of that. Guess I'll stick with Southwest and plane hop in Denver.

[catch22]

I was afraid of that. Guess I'll stick with Southwest and plane hop in Denver.

Have you ever been on one?

The E175, at United has on average equivalent and on some instances better Customer Satisfaction ratings than equivalent stage length flights on mainline equipment.