2015 Oklahoma Commercial Aviation Discussion

[damonsmuz]

Flew OKC-CLT on AA this past week and while flipping through The American Way Mag saw that the EMB-190 was being used on mainline while the EMB-175 was being used by AE. First, let this show that the EMB 175/190 series is a good enough plane to be deemed mainline. (I remember someone saying how much they hated that equipment type). Anyways, does anyone have info on how well the CLT flights have been doing? Our flight out on Weds AM was full. The flight back (Sat PM) was about 80% full. I don't mind the CRJ-900 on this route but didn't know if there would ever be an upgauge in equipment type or are the 175/190 not going to be used in CLT.

[catch22]

When the route first started, for about a month they ran an E170. I think it was a last minute sub for a month. I think Mesa had a few frames out of service unexpectantly so they backfilled.

[NWOKCGuy]

Really wish that we could get direct flights to Austin from OKC. I travel there pretty frequently with work and the layovers kill me. lol

[catch22]

Really wish that we could get direct flights to Austin from OKC. I travel there pretty frequently with work and the layovers kill me. lol

If the market grew just a bit more, it might be viable for Southwest. With DAL becoming unrestricted, Southwest might look to overfly DAL in order to free up space in the DAL schedule for markets that are important to dal. For example, by sending a trip OKC-AUS (instead of OKC-DAL-AUS), they free up the gate of one turn which may help them add a DAL-LGA or something like that.

Just an idea, the industry is in a huge change cycle right now again. Strategies are changing. DL is causing havoc in SEA, VX is trying to stir up some DAL action, AA is adjusting LAX/PHX, AS is adding routes to diversify their network in case DL starts winning share in SEA, UA is rapidly trying to increase mainline service to markets, F9 is rearranging their network away from DEN, and WN is adjusting to more freedom at DAL. All this signals changes for the way OKC has been traditionally served, and I think opens some exciting opportunities.

[catch22]

Speaking of, I see on Airliners.net that AA will introduce the E175 on DFW-OKC beginning Feb 11.

I don't know which flights as they are not up for sale yet. But I doubt it will be every flight. Prob a 10 a day mix like we currently see. I could see the future schedule looking *something* like this once the S80's are fully retired:

0530 - E175
0600 - B738
0700 - A319
1030 - E175
1155 - E175
1330 - A319
1445 - B738
1540 - E175
1700 - A319
1930 - E175

Added emphasis, I don't want anyone to think that is the actual schedule -- just what I think will happen once the E175's enter for Envoy and the S80's exit the mainline fleet.

It will be a truly sad day to no longer see the S80's anymore.... they are one of my favorite rides and they mean a lot to me personally for nostalgia reasons.

[no1cub17]

It will be a truly sad day to no longer see the S80's anymore.... they are one of my favorite rides and they mean a lot to me personally for nostalgia reasons.

Can't agree with you more! My wife and I love the S80 if nothing else for the 2-3 seating, far more comfortable than the 737/A320 series. Plus I believe the economy seats on the S80 are actually 0.5-1 inch wider. Makes a difference in steerage. Not to mention they're an easy upgrade these days!

[AP]

I've always loved the S80 as well, so I will be sad to see it go. Especially because it decreases my chance of being upgraded to FC by removing 4 seats.

[Celebrator]

I, too, have flown them a bunch over the years both on AA and TWA. In the '90s I thought they were so boring. But flying them some in the last ten years I really like them--such a remarkably quiet ride if you are sitting near the front of the cabin! Lots of fond spring breaks going STL-DFW-PSP on S80s.

[damonsmuz]

I still refer to the MD-80 as "Super". But only AA's are Super...Delta not-so-much. I love love love the MD-80..I'll never forget taxing behind one while in a Cessna 210 once.. when the S80 took off..there was this deep punch in my gut that the engines left..it felt so cool.

[d-usa]

Got to fly on the MD-80 this week and it's always fun to catch a ride on those old birds. The seats are bigger, the flight feels smoother than the tiny regional jets that fly around, and if you have a window seat you feel like you can actually sit straight up instead of having the window push into your space.

[bradh]

They are loud (not that there's anything wrong with that) and pollute a lot more than newer birds. It's nice that there are fewer middle seats than most mainline jets, and it's a quiet ride.

[catch22]

November traffic is out.

http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/Nov...nplanement.pdf

Alaska numbers will be a little harder to dissect because of the CRJ7 operating some of the flights and I don't have the time to go through and see exactly which days.

But, it did probably bring their average down. Average of 60 passengers per flight outbound, 66 inbound.

United and Delta look good. I think Allegiant began their OKC-LAS in November.

Slight increase overall for deplanements. Slight decrease of outbound.

[HangryHippo]

So, catch, is Alaska doing poorly or as expected?

[catch22]

So, catch, is Alaska doing poorly or as expected?

I don't know the financials. But given the low price of oil, and the fact they are pulling consistent 80+% LF's I would say they are doing well.

[Bellaboo]

My wife flew to Seattle and back and she had a hard time finding flights that were not sold out.

She took Alaska up on a Wednesday and came back on Continental/United on a Monday, back in October.

[catch22]

Right now is when WRWA needs to be lobbying as hard as they can for more flights. Oil is cheap. Airlines will be adding capacity to take advantage of this. American is adjusting PHX and PHL. Get on the phone and lobby. Alaska is growing PDX. Get on the phone and lobby. Spirit is trying to grow to protect FLL marketshare. Call them up and get us connected to FLL. You never really hear much out of OKC while all of these other cities are getting the dots connected.

[ljbab728]

Of note is that AA has added a nonstop flight between OKC and MIA for the Orange Bowl leaving on Dec. 30th and returning on Jan. 1st. It's expensive though. Prices start at over $1,200.00.

[catch22]

Of note is that AA has added a nonstop flight between OKC and MIA for the Orange Bowl leaving on Dec. 30th and return on Jan. 1st. It's expensive though. Prices start at over $1,200.00.

Good catch! Looks like a B738 both ways. Departs OKC at 6pm and arrives back into OKC at 530pm.

[BG918]

Of note is that AA has added a nonstop flight between OKC and MIA for the Orange Bowl leaving on Dec. 30th and return on Jan. 1st. It's expensive though. Prices start at over $1,200.00.

Interesting. I wonder if the Saturday-only AA TUL-MIA nonstop will get any additional flights as well?

[ljbab728]

Good catch! Looks like a B738 both ways. Departs OKC at 6pm and arrives back into OKC at 530pm.

There were plenty of seats left the last time I checked this morning.

[ljbab728]

Interesting. I wonder if the Saturday-only AA TUL-MIA nonstop will get any additional flights as well?

It's not impossible, but I doubt it.

[ljbab728]

Of note is that AA has added a nonstop flight between OKC and MIA for the Orange Bowl leaving on Dec. 30th and returning on Jan. 1st. It's expensive though. Prices start at over $1,200.00.

The price for this today has dropped to a low of $778.20.

[s00nr1]

Experienced my first taste of the AA OKC-LAX E75 last week in 1A en route to SFO. MUCH preferred this routing as opposed to OKC-DFW-SFO for a couple of reasons (greater upgrade potential for the long leg being at the top of the list). I welcome E75s to OKC on the DFW route with open arms.

[HOT ROD]

I'm surprised it is only one flight and only a 737-800. You'd think OU fans would be traveling en-mass (at least more than a hundred) would be on the route. I would think it would need a 777 and likely a few flights for the day or two before and after the game. Do OKC people really not travel or is the existing scheduled flights really good enough to handle that crush load?

[pure]

Here's the official "travel package" I found on soonersports.com, looks like they have a direct charter(s) to FLL from OKC.

https://www.primesport.com/d/oklahom...ers_newsletter

*Edit: Last week, they had a package that included airfare/transportation/hotel and it looks like it's completely booked because all they have now is same day air travel, which sounds rough! Fly to Miami, watch the game, fly back to OKC directly afterwards.