Allegiant says Aloha to Hawaii

[crxpilot]

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2012/04/allegiant-hawaii/667923/1

Allegiant Air unveils first Hawaii routes
By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

Allegiant Airlines has finally unveiled its first flights to Hawaii. The leisure carrier announced this morning that it would begin flying to Honolulu from both Las Vegas and Fresno beginning in June.
Allegiant's thrice-weekly Las Vegas service will begin June 29. Once-a-week flight from Fresno will begin June 30.
"The announcement of service to Hawaii is a great achievement for Allegiant," Andrew Levy, Allegiant president, says in a release. "Service to Las Vegas and Fresno reflects a moderate growth plan by our company. With the addition of the four aircraft we have acquisitioned, we plan to expand service to other mainland cities in the future. We anticipate the service will be very popular, especially when customers take advantage of Allegiant's low pricing when bundling their air, hotel and car rental package."
Allegiant will operate with the routes with Boeing 757 jets, which it acquired specifically with the Hawaii service in mind. The carrier took delivery of its first 757s in 2011, though it took the company longer than most had initially expected to get the aircraft certified for the long over-water flights to Hawaii.
Still, the Las Vegas Review-Journal says Allegiant "still has not received final government approval (certification)," but the company "is 'confident' that it will come soon, spokesman Brian Davis said. The proving runs, the final step in the process required by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly long-distance over water, will take place later this week."
Once they do begin, the new Hawaii routes from Las Vegas and Fresno likely will not be the last for Allegiant.
The Las Vegas Sun writes: "Brian Davis, a spokesman for Allegiant, said the launch of the Honolulu service from Las Vegas would be the first phase in Allegiant's Hawaii plans. Eventually, he said, the airline would consider service from other cities in the West and other destinations on the Hawaiian islands."
Speaking about the Fresno market, The Fresno Bee writes "Allegiant won't be the first airline to fly nonstop from Fresno to Hawaii -- but the first try, in 1986, lasted one flight before Hawaiian Airlines pulled the plug because of a lack of bookings."

 

[citabriapilot]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAY9100

 

[Flyer1015]

That is good news! Hopefully we'll be right behind as soon as the NEOs come

 

[Mkubwa]

Allegiant?

Sort of like taking Mesa for a 6 hour flight.

Tell us about your slum lord CEO. I really don't give a sh!t if you make money. Your company is garbage. The Goodwill of airlines.

No discriminating passenger would choose Allegiant if there is another choice.

Fubi, you are right.

 

[inline]

Allegiant?

Sort of like taking Mesa for a 6 hour flight.

Tell us about your slum lord CEO. I really don't give a sh!t if you make money. Your company is garbage. The Goodwill of airlines.

No discriminating passenger would choose Allegiant if there is another choice.

Fubi, you are right.

Switch to decaf.

 

[Grandpa +65]

Let wait and see when the 757 break-down in Hawaii. Allegiant customer services is scarce or none. One or two airplane running the operation. Good Luck! Your vacations will turn into a nightmare.

 

[nordo_2]

Allegiant?

Sort of like taking Mesa for a 6 hour flight.

Tell us about your slum lord CEO. I really don't give a sh!t if you make money. Your company is garbage. The Goodwill of airlines.

No discriminating passenger would choose Allegiant if there is another choice.

Fubi, you are right.

Damn....

 

[Ameriagle]

Allegiant?

Sort of like taking Mesa for a 6 hour flight.

Tell us about your slum lord CEO. I really don't give a sh!t if you make money. Your company is garbage. The Goodwill of airlines.

No discriminating passenger would choose Allegiant if there is another choice.

Fubi, you are right.

Couldn't resist!

http://travel.usatoday.com/deals/in...10-best-airlines-youve-never-flown/54178736/1

 

[cbrown1]

They are flying to Hawaii from Fresno!?
Fresno is the biggest dump west of the mississippi, it will be hard to fill up planes from there.

 

[Ameriagle]

They are flying to Hawaii from Fresno!?
Fresno is the biggest dump west of the mississippi, it will be hard to fill up planes from there.

36 consecutive quarters turning a profit flying to/from secondary markets with an average load factor north of 90%. The plane(s) will be full!

 

[BEECH-SLAPPED]

They are flying to Hawaii from Fresno!?
Fresno is the biggest dump west of the mississippi, it will be hard to fill up planes from there.

Uh, yeaah. That's kind of the point. People want to get OUT of Fresno.

Allegiant?

Sort of like taking Mesa for a 6 hour flight.

Tell us about your slum lord CEO. I really don't give a sh!t if you make money. Your company is garbage. The Goodwill of airlines.

No discriminating passenger would choose Allegiant if there is another choice.

Fubi, you are right.

I'm devastated.....

 

[Lake Alice]

Having been to Maui on Airways I have to believe Allegiant isn't much worse. Not to knock Airways but the aircraft interiors are crap, the seat pitch is DVT inducing and the F/A's are...well...you know.

 

[nordo_2]

Having been to Maui on Airways I have to believe Allegiant isn't much worse. Not to knock Airways but the aircraft interiors are crap, the seat pitch is DVT inducing and the F/A's are...well...you know.

You’re looking for the industry term of art: “Senior Mamma’s”.

 

[Grandpa +65]

No offense. But, Allegiant won't be the first airline to fly nonstop from Fresno to Hawaii. But the first try, in 1986, lasted one flight before Hawaiian Airlines pulled the plug because of a lack of bookings.

 

[Ameriagle]

No offense. But, Allegiant won't be the first airline to fly nonstop from Fresno to Hawaii. But the first try, in 1986, lasted one flight before Hawaiian Airlines pulled the plug because of a lack of bookings.

...and Pan Am ruled the airways! Northwest pulled the plug on direct flights between Las Vegas and DSM, FSD, FAR (I'm sure I have left some out) several years ago because of lack of bookings/yield/profit. Allegiant has operated these city pairs before and since at a profit. Hawaiian's failed attempt 27 years ago has zero relevance on Allegiant's success or failure in 2012. Allegiant has not been successful to this point because they do what Hawaiian, Alaska, Delta, United, etc, etc, do. I'm sure Hawaii will be no different.

 

[nordo_2]

No offense. But, Allegiant won't be the first airline to fly nonstop from Fresno to Hawaii. But the first try, in 1986, lasted one flight before Hawaiian Airlines pulled the plug because of a lack of bookings.

1986..Really?

 

[CaptSeth]

You’re looking for the industry term of art: “Senior Mamma’s”.

Cat ranchers?

 

[thepotato232]

Had a Haole moment reading the thread title, thinking their ETOPS program had gone bust and the deal was off or something.

 

[BRA]

Allegiant?

Sort of like taking Mesa for a 6 hour flight.

Tell us about your slum lord CEO. I really don't give a sh!t if you make money. Your company is garbage. The Goodwill of airlines.

No discriminating passenger would choose Allegiant if there is another choice.

Fubi, you are right.

And here #6 makes an appearance


I think this is what the playbook looks like with this topic:

1) attack the pay rates even if they are 1 dollar lower per hour.
2) if they resolve that then attack the retirement.
3) if the above is resolved attack them if they are non-union.
4) Next attack the cities they fly to if less desirable than your airline.
5) Having trouble? Next attack the fleet type if it is older than what your place has.
6) Go after the CEO.
7) If it all looks solid dig into the airlines history. Target any past pay for training type arrangements. (If you are dealing with a SWA joker happy about his employment- go after the pay for type rating deal)
8) If all the ducks are still in a row go after the attractiveness and age of FA's.
9) Research scab and strike history- you may find opportunities here. Go back 30-40 years if you have to.
10) Look at accident history-this is fair game even if the accident happened as far back as the Carter administration.
11) Consider an argument about upgrade time.
12) Simply make up something and see if you can slip one past the goalie. Make it look like fact by adding numbers/percentages to it.
13) Still nothing working? go after the spelling. Words such as "there" and "your" will always yield you an opportunity. Caution: use spell check when doing this- type it on a word document first-then drop the hammer.

I think the above is how it works after reading these boards for about 10 years now. You will not win here. Whatever you do, make sure you don't have any past posts from years ago that reveal you were trying to get hired at the airline you are slamming, someone always has the time to dig for hours checking past posts. Go back and delete these or register a new user name to get the job done.

 

[jonjuan]

And here #6 makes an appearance


I think this is what the playbook looks like with this topic:

1) attack the pay rates even if they are 1 dollar lower per hour.
2) if they resolve that then attack the retirement.
3) if the above is resolved attack them if they are non-union.
4) Next attack the cities they fly to if less desirable than your airline.
5) Having trouble? Next attack the fleet type if it is older than what your place has.
6) Go after the CEO.
7) If it all looks solid dig into the airlines history. Target any past pay for training type arrangements. (If you are dealing with a SWA joker happy about his employment- go after the pay for type rating deal)
8) If all the ducks are still in a row go after the attractiveness and age of FA's.
9) Research scab and strike history- you may find opportunities here. Go back 30-40 years if you have to.
10) Look at accident history-this is fair game even if the accident happened as far back as the Carter administration.
11) Consider an argument about upgrade time.
12) Simply make up something and see if you can slip one past the goalie. Make it look like fact by adding numbers/percentages to it.
13) Still nothing working? go after the spelling. Words such as "there" and "your" will always yield you an opportunity. Caution: use spell check when doing this- type it on a word document first-then drop the hammer.

I think the above is how it works after reading these boards for about 10 years now. You will not win here. Whatever you do, make sure you don't have any past posts from years ago that reveal you were trying to get hired at the airline you are slamming, someone always has the time to dig for hours checking past posts. Go back and delete these or register a new user name to get the job done.

"Bra, it's time for bed."
"Sorry, I can't right now."
"Why not?"
"Because someone on the Internet is wrong."

 

[Torpid]

They are flying to Hawaii from Fresno!?
Fresno is the biggest dump west of the mississippi, it will be hard to fill up planes from there.

I think Allegiant has done their homework:

1. Fresno is the largest US city for Hawaii tourists that do not have a direct flight.

2. Fresno is the 6 th largest city in California.

Don't think they are going to have any problem filling up flights from there but time will tell.

 

[johnsonrod]

Vacation Packages = Big Commissions For Weeklong Vacations

A few big points to consider:

1. Allegiant makes money on vacation packages - airfare, hotel, car rental and excursions at every vacation destination they serve - YOU MUST CONSIDER THE ENTIRE VACATION PACKAGE WHEN YOU THINK OF ALLEGIANT SINCE IT GETS A COMMISSION ON EVERYTHING - NOT JUST THE SEAT FARE (it's a different business model)

2. Most flights to Hawaii will likely be offered only a few days per week - not many daily flights - so, they should fill up

3. Most passengers who travel to Hawaii go for at least one week - so, the commissions on the hotel rooms, car rental and side trips will add up fast over longer vacations (when compared to quick LAS or FLL trips).

Hawaii should be a huge money maker for Allegiant. If Allegiant only flies 6 757s, they will probably split destinations around the West Coast to just 2-3 flights per week. I could imagine service to Honolulu from Palm Springs, Eugene, Bellingham, Mesa Gateway, Las Vegas, Reno, Fresno, Oakland, Idaho Falls, Spokane, Tucson and any other location that could fill a 757 at least twice a week (and a runway that could accomodate a fully loaded 757). Plus, all passengers will be paying the mandatory $35 for small bags in the cabin since they will likely be spending at least a week in Hawaii.

I wonder if Allegiant would order more 757s - out of the 6 I imagine 5 will be operational with one on standby. Allegiant would need to compete with Fedex for used 757s. Personally, I think Allegiant could fill 15 757s if they picked the right locations and flew 2-3 times per week at very low fares (since the total vacation package is the main driver). Any word on whether more 757s would be in the pipeline?

So, what's the word on bidding the 757? Will it be as senior as most people think? Are the 757 pilot bases LAS and Honolulu?

 

[Huskers1]

Currently the only base is LAS with HNL to come in the fall. No rumors of more 757's for now, of course who knows what goes on behind closed doors. Seniority varies somewhat with top 2 Captains being 3 and 5 in the company with most junior around 120ish. FO side pretty junior. Bids will change as plans for bases pan out and deliveries come. Somehow Allegiant finds a way to sell tickets and fill planes. Many times I thought to myself "no way that will work" and most of the time I was wrong. We'll see what happens.