AS starts Bellingham-Honolulu

[avrodriver]

Alaska Airlines Announces Bellingham-Honolulu Service

First-ever scheduled flights to Hawaii from Bellingham International Airport will provide convenient option for travelers in Northwestern Washington and Lower Mainland, B.C.


Press Release Source: Alaska Airlines On Monday August 2, 2010, 8:00 am EDT
SEATTLE, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines will inaugurate nonstop service between Bellingham, Wash., and Honolulu, Hawaii, starting Jan. 7, 2011. The daily flights will provide a convenient alternative airport for travelers in Northwestern Washington and Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
"Alaska Airlines is proud to call the Pacific Northwest home. So we're delighted to offer Bellingham its first-ever nonstop scheduled service to Hawaii," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "Our new Honolulu flights will allow travelers from north of Seattle and the Lower Mainland to take advantage of our low fares, award-winning service and Mileage Plan earning opportunities via an easy-to-access, nearby airport."
Alaska Airlines currently flies between Bellingham and Las Vegas while its sister carrier, Horizon Air, offers Bellingham-Seattle service. Alaska and Horizon customers receive a variety of amenities at no extra charge, including online reservations, advance seat selection, and complimentary inflight water, soft drinks, coffee, tea and snacks.
Summary of new service:
Start Date
City Pair
Departs
Arrives
Frequency

Jan. 7, 2011
Bellingham-Honolulu
5:20 p.m.
9:40 p.m.
Daily

Jan. 7, 2011
Honolulu-Bellingham
10:25 p.m.
6:05 a.m.
Daily

 

[avrodriver]

Simply awesome....I'd imagine they are looking ahead to c*ck block Allegiant's 757 Hawaii operation.

 

[Green Banana]

So, what are they going to drop? They don't exactly have a spare 737-800 around for this route.

 

[gutshotdraw]

This is definitely an effort to beat Allegiant to the punch. Did a trip into BLI a few weeks ago. The taxiways are being redone and the runway will be closed all of September for resurfacing (which it needs-roughest runway I've landed on in a long time). Allegiant's success there is fueling all the work. They are BIG with Canadians from British Columbia that use it as an alternative to Vancouver. Cheaper and fewer Customs headaches.

And unless Alaska is prepared to offer the Honolulu flights for about $99 bucks each way, Allegiant will kick their ass on that route too.

 

[Old School 737]

Has Allegiant even announced the service yet? When do they get the first 757? and how long to start ETOPS flights? Alaska will have some time to themselves on that route before Allegiant gets going.

 

[avrodriver]

Looks like AS isn't starting up till Jan so it will probably be about the time Allegiant is getting ready to kick things off.

Here's a recent article regarding Allegiants plans:

What does Allegiant Air have in mind for their upcoming Hawaii service? We’re anxiously awaiting the announcement on which airports they’ll fly to Hawaii from, and that news is expected shortly. I’m also interested if any of their deals will apply to Hawaii residents traveling to the mainland.
Allegiant Airlines’ Director of Marketing, Chris Stacey, came to the islands recently and spoke at the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) conference. His presentation slideshow has now been posted on the HTA website. Here are some of the items I found of most interest and my thoughts on them.
1. Likely Hawaii target markets (expect last minute changes when schedule is released).

• Bakersfield
• Bellingham (Seems certain and opens up the Canadian market)
• Colorado Springs
• Fresno
• Stockton
• Eugene

2. Unique marketing concepts.

• Non-stop flights from local/regional, non-traditional airports.
• Low, low base fares. Allegiant’s fares are currently $70-$80 each way.
• Unbundled “a la carte pricing” (seat assignments, bags, priority boarding, in flight retail, etc.).
• High “voluntary spend” (now $32 per passenger per flight).
• Ancillary sales (hotel, car, and local attractions).
• Minimal or no market competition.
• Closed distribution. 85% of purchases are made on allegiantair.com; no on-line travel agency sales.
• Low flight frequency.
• No frills, leisure/vacation orientation.

3. Hawaii specifics.

• Opaque (Priceline-like) hotel model; property name released after purchase.
• Hawaii is the largest leisure marketing untapped by Allegiant.
• Routes offered have no existing service.
• Minimal flights; some seasonal. I don’t expect to see service more than a few days a week to each destination.
• Sightseeing and attractions to be significant component.
• Increased reliance on ancillary sales for profitability. This may work well given that Hawaii vacations are typically much longer than those to Las Vegas or Orlando.

 

[NWaviator]

Holy cow AS actually competing not just rolling over and giving up. Hope all this flying turns into recalls.

 

[scoreboardII]

impressive, sounds just like something a DAL based airline would have done when it still had a leader.

 

[CA1900]

Alaska and Horizon customers receive a variety of amenities at no extra charge, including online reservations...

I thought that was funny 'til I looked at Allegiant's fee structure. Sure enough, a $14.99 "Convenience Fee" for booking on their own web site. Add in $10 each way for "Priority Boarding" to get "first pick of the remaining overhead space." $7-15 to pick your seat. Add it all together, and you're as much as $65 over the published fare. Something to factor in when comparing airlines.

 

[QCappy]

So, what are they going to drop? They don't exactly have a spare 737-800 around for this route.

It utilizes the airplane overnight. So I'm pretty sure it is an addition. They will have to make the BLI-LAS flights daily and retime the BLI-LAS flight from the evening to the morning southbound, but it should work just fine with the fleet we have.

 

[Green Banana]

It utilizes the airplane overnight. So I'm pretty sure it is an addition. They will have to make the BLI-LAS flights daily and retime the BLI-LAS flight from the evening to the morning southbound, but it should work just fine with the fleet we have.

What about the pilots we have? I am sure there will be no shortage of VSA overnights in Honolulu. They might as well take the WHorizon name.

 

[SKC]

Has Allegiant even announced the service yet? When do they get the first 757? and how long to start ETOPS flights? Alaska will have some time to themselves on that route before Allegiant gets going.

I was at a particular Wichita-based supplemental when when we went through the 757 ETOPS program. My memory could be off, but I want to say that even with the accelerated program, the time from beginning to certification was around six months (maybe longer). We had to complete some crazy amount of hours of simulated ETOPS on our routes between SFO and PVR/CUN/CZM. Once we finished the simulated portion, then came the proving runs which were actually in CEPAC airspace, then finally revenue.

Of course, that was just the time frame that I remember from an operations stand point. I have no idea how long paperwork and rewriting of manuals had taken prior to that.

 

[AKMD80GUY]

Will that be non stop BLI-HNL with a OAK stop for fuel? I don't think you are going to get a full -800 with fuel to HNL off an 6,700' runway in the winter with the wind. LIH is 6,500' but you have the wind at your back most of the time.

 

[SKC]

Will that be non stop BLI-HNL with a OAK stop for fuel? I don't think you are going to get a full -800 with fuel to HNL off an 6,700' runway in the winter with the wind. LIH is 6,500' but you have the wind at your back most of the time.

Especially with all of the ETOPs fuel penalties.

 

[Green Banana]

Will that be non stop BLI-HNL with a OAK stop for fuel? I don't think you are going to get a full -800 with fuel to HNL off an 6,700' runway in the winter with the wind. LIH is 6,500' but you have the wind at your back most of the time.

You are scaring me.

1) Winter is better than summer for takeoff performance.
2) Wind at your back is not a good thing in an airplane

 

[QCappy]

2) Wind at your back is not a good thing in an airplane

I think he meant enroute. :0

 

[Green Banana]

I think he meant enroute. :0

OK, I'll buy that one...

 

[gutshotdraw]

You are scaring me.

1) Winter is better than summer for takeoff performance.
2) Wind at your back is not a good thing in an airplane

He's referring to fuel burn en route (because winter headwinds tend to be stronger) meaning more fuel required at takeoff meaning more runway required. Departing the Islands back to the mainland is usually downwind meaning less fuel required meaning less runway required and Lihue is a tad short.

And you're scaring ME.

 

[Mr Wu]

BLI is adding 1000' when they resurface the runway next month.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

BLI is adding 1000' when they resurface the runway next month.

I had heard the same thing, but couldn't find the information anywhere. Do you have a link?

 

[CA1900]

I had heard the same thing, but couldn't find the information anywhere. Do you have a link?

http://tinyurl.com/243d34d

 

[CesnaCaptn]

http://tinyurl.com/243d34d

Thanks smarty pants. You don't think I did that? 6 of the 10 first page links are for Spokane Airport construction. Now post the link that mentions how much runway they are adding.

All the articles I have found are vague and just mention that 757s will be able to operate off the the new runway--well they can operate off the runway at its current length. I've scoured the Port of Bellingham site and still can't find how much runway they are adding.

 

[Dix-Bag]

AK will lose a lot of cash by doing battle on this one.. (at least after AAY starts the flights) This aint BLI-LAS..

A LEASED 737 that holds less than 150 Pax simply can not compete with a dirt cheap 6 million dollar OWNED 757 carrying 220. (not to mention one with RB211s and blended winglets)

What about 1st class?

If you're going to drive to BLI to avoid YVR Fares, I doubt you care about 1st class. Those canuks will just fly on an Air Canada widebody out of YVR.

 

[QCappy]

A LEASED 737 that holds less than 150 Pax simply can not compete with a dirt cheap 6 million dollar OWNED 757 carrying 220. (not to mention one with RB211s and blended winglets)

Actually, Alaska uses 737-800s that they have recently been paying for with CASH. They hold 16 in first class and 141 in coach, for a total of 157. They have cool blended winglets, too!:laugh:

 

[Dash8don]

AK will lose a lot of cash by doing battle on this one.. (at least after AAY starts the flights) This aint BLI-LAS..

A LEASED 737 that holds less than 150 Pax simply can not compete with a dirt cheap 6 million dollar OWNED 757 carrying 220. (not to mention one with RB211s and blended winglets)

What about 1st class?

If you're going to drive to BLI to avoid YVR Fares, I doubt you care about 1st class. Those canuks will just fly on an Air Canada widebody out of YVR.

I wouldn't be so quick to bet on that.
-If AS bleeds cash on the route, I'm betting AAY will be too, and in that department AS has a lot more staying power.
-While you may be able to carry more passengers, you will also need to be able to fill the seats. It's much easier to fill 160 seats than 220.
-The 757 has a higher fuel burn that the -800.
-AS has a loyal following in the PNW with their mileage plan and B of A Visa card.
-Our -800's are newer and therefore have better reliability.

Are these the RB211's you are bragging about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfTX-IAkdg
Is the smoke part of your ETOPS flight following program? :laugh:

Good luck!

 

[Green Banana]

AK will lose a lot of cash by doing battle on this one.. (at least after AAY starts the flights) This aint BLI-LAS..

A LEASED 737 that holds less than 150 Pax simply can not compete with a dirt cheap 6 million dollar OWNED 757 carrying 220. (not to mention one with RB211s and blended winglets)

What about 1st class?

If you're going to drive to BLI to avoid YVR Fares, I doubt you care about 1st class. Those canucks will just fly on an Air Canada wide body out of YVR.

You are sooo right. Alaska's little experiment from SEA-HNL competing against Hawaiians 767 and Northwest's 757 has been a total flop. Good thing they never added 17 more routes to the islands.

 

[Dix-Bag]

I guess we'll see... I'm not routing against AS or anything.. I was just stating the economics of it seem illogical to me, but that's why I'm just driving the bus!

I have a few good friends at AS and have nothing against AS at all..

Not trying to start a pissing contest... Shoot, bring on the competition in my opinion. More competition = more money to be made.. YVR seems to be an endless pool...

Plus, this means more commuting options for all of us!

 

[Dix-Bag]

I wouldn't be so quick to bet on that.
-If AS bleeds cash on the route, I'm betting AAY will be too, and in that department AS has a lot more staying power.
-While you may be able to carry more passengers, you will also need to be able to fill the seats. It's much easier to fill 160 seats than 220.
-The 757 has a higher fuel burn that the -800.
-AS has a loyal following in the PNW with their mileage plan and B of A Visa card.
-Our -800's are newer and therefore have better reliability.

Are these the RB211's you are bragging about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfTX-IAkdg
Is the smoke part of your ETOPS flight following program? :laugh:

Good luck!

LOL about the RB211s..

Burn and whatnot in itself is irrelevant as standalone data, so the real key
to comparing the AAY 757 and AS 737 would come down to RSMs and all those mystery numbers.. I don't have that data, so my opinion is based on assumption...

I doubt anyone will BLEED CASH because I bet the route itself will be highly successful. I think it's going to come down to who is willing to offer the cheapest seats, and under every scenario I can imagine, I just think AAY will be able to make more money off of a cheaper ticket.

The cheap aircraft acquisition cost is the key factor in most of the equations... I don't know what a new 737-800 sells or leases for, but I'd be willing to bet that it's 3-5 times more than AAY paid for these 757s. That alone is why AAY can make more money (I think) and attract more business with very very low fares.

AAY definitely pisses our customers off regularly with regard to lack of amenities and reliability delays.. No doubt, but AAY passengers don't have loyalty, they simply fly on whoever is cheapest. Hell, I'd be surprised if 50% of our customer base could qualify for the B of A credit card! Think of it like carpooling to work with a schmuck! It sucks but it beats a car payment!

My point with the RB211s and blended winglets was just a capability point. From what I've read about this, the 757-200 with this engine configuration and the blended winglets is a 3800-3900 NM airplane. In other words no worries about takeoff performance @ Max capacity. Plus a faster long range cruise speed and the added room for revenue, I would think makes this aircraft more of a moneymaker (even disregarding the ever important factor that a 757-200 now sells for 5-6 mil a piece)

Thats all

 

[gutshotdraw]

Interesting reading on this topic:

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2010/08/alaska-airlines-allegiant-hawaii-bellingham/104076/1

 

[Green Banana]

I don't have that data, so my opinion is based on assumption...

The cheap aircraft acquisition cost is the key factor in most of the equations... I don't know what a new 737-800 sells or leases for, but I'd be willing to bet that it's 3-5 times more than AAY paid for these 757s. That alone is why AAY can make more money (I think) and attract more business with very very low fares.

The 757 is not all that it is cracked up to be. If it was so great, why did Boeing stop making it? O'ya the 737-800/900 replaced it! ALK is paying cash for a new, fuel efficient, Eco Van. Allegiant is buying someone's old 1975 yellow school bus. Yes you got it for cheaper but what about the operating costs over the next decade? Tt holds more seats, but if the market only supports 150 seats, not 250, that is 100 empty seats you are hauling for nothing. It is all about the right tool for the job.