SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 5715 times:
Today is the inaugural of the Downtown Express -- nonstop service from Washington D.C's "downtown" Reagan Airport to San Diego's downtown airport at Lindbergh Field. The first flight (#1065) is scheduled to depart DCA at 5:40pm, arriving SAN at 8:03 tonight. It will operate with an A-319.
The return flight (#1066) to DC will depart SAN tonight at 11pm, arriving at Reagan tomorrow morning at 7am.
On July 11, thankfully, the schedule will change times, flight numbers, and be upgraded to an A-320.
Depart DCA 8:55am - Arrive SAN 11:18am Daily Flt 65
Depart SAN 12:30pm - Arrive DCA 8:23pm Daily Flt 66
It's great to finally see this important nonstop service between our little airport, and their little airport!
SouthernDC9 From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 263 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 5650 times:
I still sort of wish there was an Eskimo involved but this is definitely a good flight to have
What does AA/US merger mean for CLT/JFK/PHX/North America/Southern Hemisphere/God's Plan for the Universe
SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 3, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 5524 times:
Quoting SouthernDC9 (Reply 1): I still sort of wish there was an Eskimo involved but this is definitely a good flight to have.
Well it didn't take long for that emotional issue to surface! I didn't want to bring it up in the OP but I do agree with you on all counts. The dust has now settled and and we've got a flight so we'll all just hope everything continues well for the new service. (It was kind of nice to see that US issued a press release for the occasion.)
The only remark I will add is that if AS had gotten the authority, we wouldn't be seeing the service start until over 2 months from now. So at least we got an earlier start to the service with US! (Clouds. Silver lining. Know what I'm saying?)
Quoting UALFAson (Reply 2): As long as it's still served by an A-319, maybe the PSA retro livery bird will make the trip. That would be fitting--mixing the old and the new.
That idea had been raised before and it would be nice. Who knows, maybe the smiling bird WILL make the trip today!
I'm surprised that the SDIA people have issued no media alert or anything more than a mention on facebook. Due to the timing of the flight, I didn't expect a water canon salute or big reception at the airport tonight, but not even an acknowledgement that the flight is starting?... And of course there's also no mention in the local newspaper of the inaugural either.
D L X From United States of America, joined May 1999, 10561 posts, RR: 53 Reply 4, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 5447 times:
Quoting SANFan (Reply 3): Quoting UALFAson (Reply 2):
As long as it's still served by an A-319, maybe the PSA retro livery bird will make the trip. That would be fitting--mixing the old and the new.
That idea had been raised before and it would be nice. Who knows, maybe the smiling bird WILL make the trip today!
Unfortunately, the PSA bird is an east bird, and this appears to be flying with a West crew. So, not PSA bird out in SAN for the time being.
Maverick623 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 4744 posts, RR: 6 Reply 5, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 5132 times:
Quoting D L X (Reply 4): Unfortunately, the PSA bird is an east bird, and this appears to be flying with a West crew.
It will be an East plane with an East crew until July 11.
Cactus742 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 226 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 5108 times:
While the folks in San Diego may have preferred Alaska on this route, I'm sure the DC population has a bigger US FF base than Alaska and is happier with the choice. Unlike the other outside-perimeter routes just announced, US' hub is DCA, not the new destination.
Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 7, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 4976 times:
Quoting Maverick623 (Reply 5): It will be an East plane with an East crew until July 11.
Flts 1-699 are West, 700-2199 are East
Thanks for that info, Maverick'. I didn't realize it was that easy to tell the difference between E and W. Given that both the current and the July 11 schedules provide a simple turn-and-return at SAN, wouldn't that mean that Smiley Bird could make the flight out "home" occasionally?
Quoting Cactus742 (Reply 6): While the folks in San Diego may have preferred Alaska on this route, I'm sure the DC population has a bigger US FF base than Alaska and is happier with the choice. Unlike the other outside-perimeter routes just announced, US' hub is DCA, not the new destination.
Good points. This whole thing is rather backwards from all the other new routes isn't it? I assumed there would be more travelers originating on the western end of this route, heading for business or vacation in the Capital, rather than the other way around but that may not be the case. Interesting.
Also, maybe you can answer this question. Since DCA is a hub for US, and that does give SAN all kinds of possible connections to additional cities, will the July 11 schedule allow a lot of those connections or will the DCA-times prevent most of them? I'm sure the flight should do fine on local, O&D traffic alone but I was thinking it would be nice to now have another major east coast hub accessible to and from San Diego. An 8:55am departure from DCA to SAN is not that early so there must be many early morning short-haul flights into DCA that will still connect. OTOH, I have no idea if 8:30pm is an early enough arrival at Reagan to still catch some connecting flights back out to other cities.
boberito6589 From United States of America, joined Nov 2009, 239 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 4685 times:
It seems that ship 705 is operating the first flight tonight, so its just a regular US paint for today
SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 12, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4594 times:
Flight 1065 arrived a half hour early tonight (7:30pm PDT.) I wonder if they miscalculated the flight time or it just so happened there weren't the usual prevailing winds aloft this afternoon and evening? Nice way to start a new route!
US is going to be very careful with the departing flight (1066) and make sure it doesn't leave the blocks after 11:30. Curfew violations at SAN can get rather pricey very quickly! (And US doesn't have any other 319s at night as subs in case the inbound is real late! They do have a 320 but it's a West.)
UALFAson From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 13, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 4523 times:
Quoting SANFan (Reply 7): An 8:55am departure from DCA to SAN is not that early so there must be many early morning short-haul flights into DCA that will still connect. OTOH, I have no idea if 8:30pm is an early enough arrival at Reagan to still catch some connecting flights back out to other cities.
Yes, many of the US Express flights leave their spoke destinations as early as 5:45 or 6 a.m. heading to DCA, giving those pax plenty of time to connect to an 8:55 a.m. departure to SAN. I live near DCA and drive up the Potomac into DC every morning around 8, and it's a steady stream of (mostly US) arrivals at that time.
8:30 p.m. should be just early enough to squeeze in some connections on the arriving end as well. Most other airlines at DCA are usually done with departures by then, but there's one last decent-sized US push around 9 p.m. that includes the last shuttles to BOS and LGA, and then another last USX push around 10.
Quoting SANFan (Reply 12): Flight 1065 arrived a half hour early tonight (7:30pm PDT.) I wonder if they miscalculated the flight time or it just so happened there weren't the usual prevailing winds aloft this afternoon and evening?
It might have been winds, but it looks like US is being pretty generous with their ground times too. Coincidentally, I was looking at a US itinerary for this weekend that involved a PHL-BWI segment. That flight is 20 minutes in the air (I've taken it a few times) but was blocked at 1 hour and 2 minutes.
"We hope you've enjoyed flying with us as much as we've enjoyed taking you for a ride."
SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 15, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4287 times:
Quoting UALFAson (Reply 13): Yes, many of the US Express flights leave their spoke destinations as early as 5:45 or 6 a.m. heading to DCA, giving those pax plenty of time to connect to an 8:55 a.m. departure to SAN.
8:30 p.m. should be just early enough to squeeze in some connections on the arriving end as well. Most other airlines at DCA are usually done with departures by then, but there's one last decent-sized US push around 9 p.m. that includes the last shuttles to BOS and LGA, and then another last USX push around 10.
Thanks a lot for all that 'son, that's great to know. Maybe even prior to July 11, US will trim flight times and they can get that e/b flight back into DCA a bit earlier to connect with even more of those late departures.
Quoting Robt760 (Reply 14): Does US do anything special on inaugural flights ? More especially this one?
I don't know specifically about US, or onboard, or even at the Reagan-end of these inagural flights but as I pointed out earlier, there certainly wasn't anything announced regarding any festivities on the western-end of the flights.
The e/b red-eye flight left SAN on time and shows an early arrival at DCA. Good start. Good omen. Good vibes. Very happy to have this route now operating and I hope it proves successful for US Airways! I know that this community is glad to finally have nonstop service to Washington's downtown airport and I'm sure it will be very well supported.
RWA380 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2162 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (11 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4231 times:
Quoting SANFan (Thread starter): Today is the inaugural of the Downtown Express -- nonstop service from Washington D.C's "downtown" Reagan Airport to San Diego's downtown airport at Lindbergh Field. The first flight (#1065) is scheduled to depart DCA at 5:40pm, arriving SAN at 8:03 tonight. It will operate with an A-319.
Woo-Hoo, I'm truly happy for you and your hometown airport, SAN has a special place in my heart because of your consistent dedication and defense of your SAN, and a beautiful city to boot. If my retirement and disability was enough, It would be the only other place I could ever see living. And thanks for all your support of PDX, Wish you had Chester too.
Next Flights: AS PDX-SEA-KOA on DH4/738 in F, HA KOA-OGG on 717 in Y, AS OGG-PDX on 738 in F
HPRamper From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3664 posts, RR: 8 Reply 19, posted (11 months 2 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2302 times:
Quoting lat41 (Reply 18): Will hot weather in Washington DC area mean any limits for the Westbound flights off those short DCA strips?
It shouldn't be too bad, as it's not extreme heat - by airline standards - and the air is nice and thick, usually muggy enough you can almost swim in it.
alggag From United States of America, joined Apr 2010, 98 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (11 months 2 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2276 times:
Quoting HPRamper (Reply 19): It shouldn't be too bad, as it's not extreme heat - by airline standards - and the air is nice and thick, usually muggy enough you can almost swim in it.
VC10DC10 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 960 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (11 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1867 times:
Quoting SANFan (Reply 7):
Good points. This whole thing is rather backwards from all the other new routes isn't it? I assumed there would be more travelers originating on the western end of this route, heading for business or vacation in the Capital, rather than the other way around but that may not be the case. Interesting.
Funny, all along I assumed the primary patrons of this route would be Washingtonians vacationing in San Diego, and naval officers.
Why would anyone in San Diego willingly leave to go anywhere, let alone this city?
RWA380 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2162 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (11 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1818 times:
Quoting VC10DC10 (Reply 21): Why would anyone in San Diego willingly leave to go anywhere
Same thing I encountered when travelling abroad, while living in Honolulu,I'd be asked, why are you wasting money on a vacation when you could just stay home and be in a place where many people, spend good money to visit if only for a week or two. San Diego is awesome too, but the natives do get restless eventually. In Hawaii we called it rock fever.
Next Flights: AS PDX-SEA-KOA on DH4/738 in F, HA KOA-OGG on 717 in Y, AS OGG-PDX on 738 in F
SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 23, posted (11 months 2 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 1679 times:
Quoting VC10DC10 (Reply 21): Why would anyone in San Diego willingly leave to go anywhere, let alone this city?
Quoting RWA380 (Reply 22): Same thing I encountered when travelling abroad, while living in Honolulu,I'd be asked, why are you wasting money on a vacation when you could just stay home and be in a place where many people, spend good money to visit if only for a week or two. San Diego is awesome too, but the natives do get restless eventually. In Hawaii we called it rock fever.
I've also encountered these same questions when traveling! I'd say that it's great to be here in _ _ _ but it's also nice to know that when I return home, I know it's going to terrific there!
And about DCA, we have a couple of okay museums in San Diego but DC has MUSEUMS! (And lots of other amazing things for tourists.) But I would say a majority of the SAN-DCA travelers will probably be likely to be business-oriented.
Oh, I also wanted to update my mini-rant in Reply 3. Apparently SDIA folks and US Airways will be conducting some festivities or media event of some kind for this important new route in July when it becomes a mid-day turn at SAN, rather than now when it's a late-eveing turn. This makes sense and will be anxiously anticipated.
VC10DC10 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 960 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (11 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1379 times:
Quoting SANFan (Reply 23): And about DCA, we have a couple of okay museums in San Diego but DC has MUSEUMS! (And lots of other amazing things for tourists.)
Hmm... yeah, okay... in SOME ways, DC has some good museums. On an individual level I can think of better U.S. museums in nearly every category (U.S. history, natural history, art--seriously, the Art Institute of Chicago makes the National Gallery of Art look like a carnival sideshow) except possibly aerospace (let's face it, the Udvar-Hazy center is pretty darn impressive) and certain specialized museums (National Postal Museum, anyone?). Also, we have some great sites to visit (Arlington National Cemetery and Washington's Mount Vernon come to mind). But your point is well taken. We certainly have plenty of tourists here all the time (with congested traffic and long lines everywhere to prove it).
Quoting SANFan (Reply 23): I would say a majority of the SAN-DCA travelers will probably be likely to be business-oriented.
Agreed. Just the Navy alone could keep half an A319 full every day between DC and the naval installations in southern California, I would think.
Any chance an A321 could operate this route in the future?
SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 25, posted (11 months 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1312 times:
Quoting VC10DC10 (Reply 24): Any chance an A321 could operate this route in the future?
I believe the many experts here on A.net (concerning aircraft capabilities and such) have said on many occasions that the short runways at DCA would not permit a 321 to head to the westcoast without large payload penalties. The conclusion was that we won't see anything larger than a 320 on the route.
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From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, 
I didn't want to bring it up in the OP but I do agree with you on all counts. The dust has now settled and and we've got a flight so we'll all just hope everything continues well for the new service. (It was kind of nice to see that US issued a press release for the occasion.) 
From Japan, joined Mar 2012, 4976 posts, 
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