Regional Jets recent utilization

[jarhead]

Reuters
Regional jets pick up more flights at US airports
Monday January 12, 4:42 pm ET
By John Crawley


WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Regional airlines are assuming a greater share of scheduled flights at big U.S. airports as major carriers rely more on their affiliates, government figures showed on Monday.

Industry figures released by Transportation Department Inspector General Kenneth Mead showed that scheduled regional jet service has increased nationwide from 10 percent of all flights in 2000 to 25 percent at the end of 2003.

Flights involving other aircraft types experienced sharp declines over the same period with the big airlines parking older mainline jets and cutting out smaller, slower turboprops.

Deborah McElroy, president of the Regional Airline Association, said some of the growth was due to the aftermath of the 2001 hijack attacks in the U.S. that triggered a significant reduction in air travel.

The attacks also accelerated the industry's worst-ever downturn that has eased but still caused $5 billion in losses among major carriers last year.

"To maintain service to certain communities, the service was transitioned to regional jets. In a number of markets that was the case," McElroy said. She added that regionals also have allowed airlines to quickly open new markets.

Fifteen airlines operate regional jets, including the American Eagle unit of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News) and Continental Express, which flies for Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL - News).

Regional jets can fly between 350 miles and 1,300 miles and the most popular models have 50 seats. Industry figures show that it can cost up to twice as much to operate an older-model Boeing 737 than a 50-seat RJ on the same route.

Regional jet growth corresponds directly to affiliates for some major carriers that have struggled financially. Eleven of the top 12 airports for regional jet growth of at least 19 percent are hubs for five of these airlines.

These include Delta Air Lines (NYSEAL - News) at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and Atlanta; Continental at Houston and Newark in New Jersey; US Airways (NasdaqNM:UAIR - News) at Reagan National, Pittsburgh and Charlotte; American at Dallas-Ft. Worth and Chicago O'Hare and United Airlines (OTC BB:UALAQ.OB - News) at O'Hare.

 

[General Lee]

Did anybody see the Wall Street Journal Weekend Addition about a month ago giving stories about how businessmen hated RJs and how loud they were? A lot of them said that they try to avoid RJs whenever possible. Most people go for extra space (not just the same RJ mantra---"but you get an aisle or a window on an RJ...." The LCCs have larger planes and they are increasing in numbers. If we at the Majors fight them with RJs--we will probably lose. RJs do have good qualities--like they are better than props. And, they might help with some extra frequency in between major push times for those same businessmen who don't want to wait. But, as a cost issue, they can be more expensive (CASM) than larger planes, and up against a LCC mainline type plane, they probably will lose. Also, businessmen want upgrades--to first class, and of course, RJ's usually don't have them (except Mesa's 70 and 90 seaters, and Mesaba Avros)
And those Mesa 70/90 seaters do not have overhead bin space for carry-ons, and they have to be checked, not gate handled--which is another hassle. Enjoy!

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[jarhead]

There is no argument that a wider guage aircract than an RJ is more comfortable to ride in.....especially for any length of time. I always chose a 737 over a CRJ to non rev in, due entirely to the comfort factor. That said, I would imagine that most would chose the Concord to cross the Atlantic if ticket prices were the same as that of a 767. But, alas, the concorde could not offer a ticket price equal to sub sonic flight, even with massive government subsidy. The reality is, that when I fly from MSP to CVG, there are 8 flights a day via Delta and CMR....4 from each. The RJ's are way loaded up in pax, but the 737's and MS-88's of the mainline, have about half the seats open for non revers like me. Frequency counts for the business travelers, and empty seats on mainline also count.....in a negative way for the mainline carrier. If, and when, air travel pics up, then perhaps th RJ will serve mainly smaller cities, as it was envisioned and concieved for. But now, they are flying hub to hub along with the 737's and mad dogs, but with a much higher load factor.

 

[Palerider957]

General:

Yes, business travelers do not like RJ, but they DO like the frequency and flexibility they get. The 700 is, I think, every bit as comfortable (uncomfortable) as the 738. Those seats are made for little asian butts--not fat Americans And for short hops of 4-500 miles, who cares.

I can imagine people traveling on expense accounts, who don't care about costs, choosing mainline over RJ's. But, I think those travelers are having their expenses scruitinized FAR more then in times past. As you know, business travelers are more scarce then ever.

As for no baggage space, most passengers love being able to check a bag plane side, allowing them to bypass baggage claim altogether. I wish mainline were able to do this, but I have a hard time just getting them to bring my dead head bag up!

 

[jarhead]

palerider

When I look at the fare from MSP to CVG, the fare is the same for the Mainline aircraft as it is for the RJ. Expense accounts are neutral on the cost of an MD-88 vs CL-65 Tickets for CMR are sold through the Delta web site. Repeat.....the price is the same for the DAL mainline as for DCI.

 

[Otto]

The LCCs have larger planes and they are increasing in numbers. If we at the Majors fight them with RJs--we will probably lose.

General,
I disagree with that statement IF the RJ's are utilized correctly. You are right if you take RJ's head to head with, for example, a Southwest 737 on the same route and assuming the demand is there to fill both planes...the RJ will lose everytime. However the demand is not there on a lot of routes and thats where the RJ fits nicely. DCI can make money on routes that Southwest cannot and often they can charge a premium because they are the only game in town or they offer direct service. SAV-LGA is a good example. Like the businessmen, I also hate RJs for long flights but if I had to choose between a two hour flight on an RJ that gets me to New York directly or first class on a 737 with a two hour connection in Atlanta I'll probably go for the direct RJ flight because my time if more valuable than my comfort. So to say we willl lost if we fight with RJ's is false. If we fight with nothing but RJ's, we will lose but if they are the right part of our arsenal, we will win. That's the big question (and obvious point of contention)...what's the right mix.

On a lighter note General, I remember the 'ride the snake' skit...one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Will Ferrill...simply disturbing!
Otto

 

[wil]

I got a center seat on a 737- real comfort! I'll take my CRJ anyday over that!! Our new ones have the wider leather seats. Also, all you can eat snack mix, yummy!!