SWA to England?

[Whataburger]

It doesn't matter how much gas SWA has hedged when Air France starts a fare war. Do you SWA pilots speak French?

Si. Do they have Au Bon Pain there?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

The Open Skies process is well underway. If you want to hope that the money makers in this country keep you mind when the do the deal then stay disengaged....

However, if you want to be able to have imput as to how your career is going to change..and it will change... then it is time to get involved....

Change will happen.

There are no more US Sailors

Juan and Xiang will fly our jets.

 

[legalalien]

Anybody who has read what Mike O'Leary says knows what a windbag he is. Do a search and see what he says about pilots.

There is simply no way any carrier can make money shuttling people across the Atlantic for $14, nor $24, $34, or $44. The article is another gimmick of media manipulation by this man.

Take a look at Ryanair.com They have a fare sale on at the moment with prices starting at 0.01 UK pounds At todays rate that is 2 cents one way (of course they charge tax on top of that.

Mike O'Leary has a long stated ambition to be able to charge zero for the fare and make his money off of charging for everything else - and I wouldn't bet against him doing that!

 

[CF34-3B1]

I think it is only a matter of time before SWA or B6 start flying to Europe. It will take some time but it does make sense since the transatlantic flying seems to offer higher yields. I can see 787's in SWA colors and A330's or A350's in B6 colors in the next 5-10 years....

There's a model of a 787 in one of the glass cases in the SWA GO lobby in DAL.........

 

[CF34-3B1]

Huh? Transatlantic routes with LCCs would not have very high yields. Only routes between restricted airports or slot controlled airports will have higher yields. The routes with LCCs on them would most likely go to smaller, out of the way airports, like SWF near NYC, or Sanford near MCO. If Ryanair is stating they will have 7 Euro fares to the US, how could you think there is high yield there? The LCCs will fight it out on routes between London Luton and SWF etc, while the legacies will carry the higher fare business pax to LHR and CDG from JFK and ORD.


Bye Bye--General Lee

In the past few years SWA has added service to DEN PIT PHL IAD and about to start SFO with more to come.

Do you really think the only places we'll ever fly to from there are Vegas and LBB?

Plus I'm sure plenty of our current customers in LAS, MCO, TPA, JAX, BNA, BDL, etc etc etc would LUV to see us go to Europe.

 

[General Lee]

In the past few years SWA has added service to DEN PIT PHL IAD and about to start SFO with more to come.

Do you really think the only places we'll ever fly to from there are Vegas and LBB?

Plus I'm sure plenty of our current customers in LAS, MCO, TPA, JAX, BNA, BDL, etc etc etc would LUV to see us go to Europe.

I think it is great that you have added domestic service to all of these places, but you still have a better chance to go to LBB than almost any other pilot, since your airline does fly there a lot. That can be good and bad. Listen, I am just stating that your airline does a different type of flying than the legacies, with less options for plane types and variety in routes. Your airline does do well in the pay department, though, and that is good. Many out there do not want to fly multiple legs with 25 minute turns for the rest of their life. You had the chance to see the world at Atlas, and you chose SWA (wisely I might add). Good for you. But, your airline's type of flying and schedule is not for everyone.

As far as your INTL plans, even the article said ATA would probably do the flying. I think Gary Kelly wants to be careful on changing the successful model of Southwest. Right now Ryanair in Europe is testing the waters with statements of possible trans atlantic flying, primarily because their plan to buy Aer Lingus has not gone well and has been rebuffed a couple of times. If Ryanair would do it, the flights would be to far off remote airports, away from more expensive INTL airports. (like SWF near NYC, and maybe Sanford near MCO) I can maybe see Jetblue starting A330 transatlantic service, primarily because they already have a good base at JFK, with plenty of feed. Southwest, on the other hand, could maybe do something out of BWI, but I would guess they would try ATA first. And no, I don't think most Southwest passengers would want to try a ten hour flight on your planes--with no IFE and just snacks. 5 hours from PVD to LAS or PHL to LAX must be terrible.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Truckdriver]

Except a A320 is not going to make it from JFK to Europe.

What are you kidding me, really, NOT even close.

Your right, I guess I should have said 330's. If B6 jumps into the mix it will be with 330's. The new terminal is designed to accomodate widebodies though some think it is only a 320 terminal. I don't think JetBlue will do this anytime soon, but if everyone else starts doing it, they might just jump in. If they do, they are set up to do better than any of the other LCC's in the U.S. Like I said, I think JetBlue could fill lots of airplanes to a number of cities in Europe from JFK.

 

[LJDRVR]

I hate be accused of pissing in the purple kool-aid by you cultists, but SWA to Europe in ANY 737? Please, come on fellas.

You guys are VERY good at what you do. But your leaders have wisely decided to leave the transatlantic flying to the airlines with the business model and equipment to do so.

I work for a carrier that flies to more cities than any airline in the world, yet we NEVER cross the pond with our 737's. (It's not that you can't, you'd just lose your shirt financially if you did.)

Large Legacy carriers with the network structure will simply outspend any LCC entrant into these markets. Stinky, backpacking hippies may try Ryanair once or twice, from Manchester to Providence, but everybody else on the planet will be flying on Delta, American, United, Continental, Northwest and the others. (BA and VA)

What amazes me is why WN has yet to go after the Mexico Market? Not that I'm complaining, we make a large portion of our bread and butter with Mexico Operations.

Here's a fun trivia question, who is the second largest airline in Mexico as far as number of daily operations?

a. Aeromexico
b. Mexicana/Click
c. Aero Litoral
d. Groupa TACA
e. COPA
f. Express Jet
g. Aero California
h. Azteca
i. Aero Litoral
j. Aviacsa

 

[Britpilot]

ExpressJet?

 

[LJDRVR]

ExpressJet?

Si'. dba COEX