mvecchi4 From Venezuela, joined Apr 2012, 83 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 4589 times:
Hey all,
Just read that AA is upgrading the Miami-Caracas-Miami (MIA-CCS-MIA) flight from 757 to 767-300 for flights AA935 and AA936.
Are there any other capacity increase anyone knows for the CCS base? They seem to be doing pretty well for that upgrade. I've flown at least 10 times in the last year and load seemd to be close to 100% all the time for AA in CCS.
What will AA's 757 to CCS be replaced with in the future?
2travel2know2 From Panama, joined Apr 2010, 2006 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (11 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 3989 times:
It'll be no surprise AA would upgrade to B777 December-January 1-2 of those MIA-CCS-MIA if they could get it approved.
MIA-MAR-MIA could easily support B767 upgrade that same time - if AA could get it approved.
jfk777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 7345 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (11 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 3969 times:
And people wonder how AA makes money in Miami, less flights then AA would like with smaller airplanes then it would like. Full planes and lots of extra baggage fees. IT a unique Miami happeming to see the line to check in for some of those flights to Venezuela, they check in the kitchen sink too plus all the extra stuff they purchased at the Dolphin or Sawgrass malls.
mvecchi4 From Venezuela, joined Apr 2012, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (11 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 3257 times:
Hey all,
Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 2): It'll be no surprise AA would upgrade to B777 December-January 1-2 of those MIA-CCS-MIA if they could get it approved.
Sounds good. Who needs to approve? Both aviation authorities or internally at AA?
Quoting orl777 (Reply 1): This are just a summer upgrade, by August 20th the 4 CCS-MIA flights will be operated by 757 again
Makes sense, the article didn't say that, which is the main reason why I posted this. Thanks!.
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2966 posts, RR: 8 Reply 7, posted (11 months 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 2851 times:
Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 6): Because INAC or because AA doesn't have enough B777 of those flying red-eyes to/from deep South America in MIA to fly MIA-CCS-MIA daytime?
Or maybe ground handling challenges associated with a much larger aircraft? I would assume that if the money was there (and all signs indicate that it is), AA wouldn't hesitate to pull a 772 from another route.
2travel2know2 From Panama, joined Apr 2010, 2006 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (11 months 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 2678 times:
Quoting OB1504 (Reply 7): Or maybe ground handling challenges associated with a much larger aircraft?
Wide-body ground-handling @ CCS could be a challenge, the bigger the aircraft worse it might be.
I can just imagine an AA B777 on CCS tarmac far from jetways with buses running around it so to speed disembark and embarkation.
MIAspotter From Spain, joined Nov 2001, 2272 posts, RR: 26 Reply 9, posted (11 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2582 times:
Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 8): Wide-body ground-handling @ CCS could be a challenge, the bigger the aircraft worse it might be.
I can just imagine an AA B777 on CCS tarmac far from jetways with buses running around it so to speed disembark and embarkation.
Excuse me? have you ever been to CCS? there are plenty of jetways in CCS and I am pretty sure the ground crews are pretty used to handling larger jets, AF flies 777s to CCS, so did BA back in the day, LH sends A346s and so does IB. there will be absolutely no problem to handle the AA 777 at whatever time it arrives.
B4REAL From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 2595 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (11 months 6 days ago) and read 2522 times:
I remember a while ago DL would shuffle B738/B757/A330 on the route; I think there is a cargo opportunity on CCS-United States route - but I suspect it is very come and go.
2travel2know2 From Panama, joined Apr 2010, 2006 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (11 months 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2399 times:
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 9): Excuse me? have you ever been to CCS? there are plenty of jetways in CCS and I am pretty sure the ground crews are pretty used to handling larger jets, AF flies 777s to CCS, so did BA back in the day, LH sends A346s and so does IB. there will be absolutely no problem to handle the AA 777 at whatever time it arrives.
Been to CCS a couple of times over the past year. I've seen the large number of jetways it has and how CCS handles LH, TP departures and last time have to wait 30 min inside the aircraft (CM B737) to wait for CCS to allow the plane to approach the jetway, while almost all of the international jetways were free to use.
My question now is would it be more suitable to have a quick turn around (60 min or so) of large wide-body @ CCS handled at a jetway or on the tarmac? This because AA most likely could be flying the wide-body MIA-CCS-MIA daytime with sort of quick turn around in CCS.
MIAspotter From Spain, joined Nov 2001, 2272 posts, RR: 26 Reply 12, posted (11 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 2265 times:
Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 11): My question now is would it be more suitable to have a quick turn around (60 min or so) of large wide-body @ CCS handled at a jetway or on the tarmac? This because AA most likely could be flying the wide-body MIA-CCS-MIA daytime with sort of quick turn around in CCS.
I still think it won´t be a problem if AA ground ops in CCS organize themselves, now... the real problem will be Mr Chavez and his henchmen at the Guardia Nacional if they suddenly wake up that morning feeling a little bit ¨arsehole-ish¨ and decide to delay the plane for whatever reason (I heard of that being done to European flights where the GN orders all baggage off the plane to be searched.)
cybergus From Venezuela, joined Mar 2006, 447 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (11 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 2028 times:
Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 11): Been to CCS a couple of times over the past year. I've seen the large number of jetways it has and how CCS handles LH, TP departures and last time have to wait 30 min inside the aircraft (CM B737) to wait for CCS to allow the plane to approach the jetway, while almost all of the international jetways were free to use.
Usually Copa uses the tarmac (no jetways) to disembark the planes at CCS. AA on the other hand pays the fees to guarantee a gate for all their flights. These flights are usually on time.
...on the other hand...
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 12): I still think it won´t be a problem if AA ground ops in CCS organize themselves, now... the real problem will be Mr Chavez and his henchmen at the Guardia Nacional if they suddenly wake up that morning feeling a little bit ¨arsehole-ish¨ and decide to delay the plane for whatever reason (I heard of that being done to European flights where the GN orders all baggage off the plane to be searched.)
It is a common practice for the GN to do this with the European departures. Last time I flew to MAD with IB they made me go downstairs to open up my baggage and then after doing so I was personally checked upstairs with some other passengers. Flights other than European doesn't go under those weird practices. The "reason"? Well drug traffic to Europe is more usual than to USA (Thats what they say...)
Even though I think that the right equipment for AA in CCS is the 767/757 combination. The 777 will be too much plane. In fact what makes AA a strong player in the CCS-MIA market is the frequencies. Having 4 flights at different times is what makes them so popular. In fact I would say that an evening (red eye) flight will be more important than getting the 777 to CCS.
mvecchi4 From Venezuela, joined Apr 2012, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (11 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 1837 times:
Hey all,
Quoting OB1504 (Reply 7): I would assume that if the money was there (and all signs indicate that it is), AA wouldn't hesitate to pull a 772 from another route.
Oh the money is there. Like I said these are flights that are full most of the time (except for CCS-SJU which I've flown a couple of times with loads close to 50%). And also the price a flight that is almost 3:45 hours they charge close to $1,500 in Y and I can't imagine what they charge in J (Using the official rate VEF/USD which is what AA uses).
But on the other hand, they will be extremely careful in the future because of the VLN fiasco last year (For those of you who don't know, AA began selling a VLN-MIA flight that was ultimately not approved by INAC - but they had already sold at around 16,000 tickets according to what I heard). I'm pretty sure they'll think twice before messing with the status quo on CCS.
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 9): AF flies 777s to CCS, so did BA back in the day, LH sends A346s and so does IB. there will be absolutely no problem to handle the AA 777 at whatever time it arrives.
I agree, they wouldn't have any problem whatsoever.
Then there comes the issue of AA most likely retiring most of their 757/767 for newer aircraft. In that case, what would be the best option for AA in CCS when those types are retired?.
Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 11): My question now is would it be more suitable to have a quick turn around (60 min or so) of large wide-body @ CCS handled at a jetway or on the tarmac? This because AA most likely could be flying the wide-body MIA-CCS-MIA daytime with sort of quick turn around in CCS.
I think that the characteristics of the CCS base make a quick turnaround quite difficult. Unlike the other airlines in CCS, AA has a security screening at the gate, meaning that you only have people screened once the aircraft is ready for the new passengers. I can't imagine how much time the security screening takes with a widebody. To me, this would be the main bottleneck issue for a quick turnaround.
In the case of CCS flights ex-MIA, there is also a major issue with excess carry on luggage, which often makes boarding a long and tedious process. I've had delays in the past simply beacuse people wouldn't let go of their carry on no matter the size (I even had one passenger removed by security).
orl777 From Venezuela, joined Jun 2005, 251 posts, RR: 5 Reply 15, posted (11 months 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1802 times:
Quoting mvecchi4 (Reply 14): Then there comes the issue of AA most likely retiring most of their 757/767 for newer aircraft. In that case, what would be the best option for AA in CCS when those types are retired?.
757´s will stay for a while... only 24 or 26 are being retired.. so the first option is the 757.. but the 737-800 wich is 28 fewer seat can handle the flights also the A321 can.. but for cargo 767 is the best option.
Quoting cybergus (Reply 13): Even though I think that the right equipment for AA in CCS is the 767/757 combination. The 777 will be too much plane. In fact what makes AA a strong player in the CCS-MIA market is the frequencies.
Totally agree! the 777 is too much plane for this route
Quoting B4REAL (Reply 10): remember a while ago DL would shuffle B738/B757/A330 on the route; I think there is a cargo opportunity on CCS-United States route - but I suspect it is very come and go.
Delta Never operates the A330 here, they announced but never happened. They used 737-700; 737-800; 757-200; 767-300 and the biggest was the 767-400ER!
cybergus From Venezuela, joined Mar 2006, 447 posts, RR: 10 Reply 16, posted (11 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 1561 times:
Quoting mvecchi4 (Reply 14): Oh the money is there. Like I said these are flights that are full most of the time (except for CCS-SJU which I've flown a couple of times with loads close to 50%). And also the price a flight that is almost 3:45 hours they charge close to $1,500 in Y and I can't imagine what they charge in J (Using the official rate VEF/USD which is what AA uses).
But on the other hand, they will be extremely careful in the future because of the VLN fiasco last year (For those of you who don't know, AA began selling a VLN-MIA flight that was ultimately not approved by INAC - but they had already sold at around 16,000 tickets according to what I heard). I'm pretty sure they'll think twice before messing with the status quo on CCS.
There is also a high demand on the J product (I'm impressed to given the prices), but there is something to realize, AA has established a name in the CCS-MIA sector by flying the route for more than 20 years. They were/are/and will be the strongest player in the route as for the frequent and business traveler (AAdvantage). In fact the recent downgrade of baggage allowance didn't seem to hurt a route where the shopping is the main priority. The other two contenders have very good yields and are doing good, but S3 is still developing the strategy to take the business travelers and LA seems to be fine with their 2 weekly frequencies (They tried to make it daily but with the INAC we all know how the story goes).
The flight to SJU is a very interesting case. Given the fact that AA reduced (to not say close) their SJU station, CCS remained as the sole international destination. Why? First and foremost AA can't leave the route as they know they will probably won't get it back given the tension and restrictions with the INAC and the current government. Second the SJU flight basically serves as the 5th MIA flight and the "daily" JFK as most of the passengers make a quick transfer at SJU when the non-stops are full. Third the flight seems quite popular for Venezuelans connecting to USA as SJU customs and immigration are easier than MIA.
As for the VLN flight...yes they counted the chickens before the egg hatched. The positive result of this is that AA knows that the market is there and as soon as they figure out how to get the permissions they will open the route. Same for the PMV and BLA flights, they have been under study for quite some years now.
Quoting mvecchi4 (Reply 14): Then there comes the issue of AA most likely retiring most of their 757/767 for newer aircraft. In that case, what would be the best option for AA in CCS when those types are retired?.
That is still undefined, but as Orl777 said most probably a combination of 738/321 will be the fit for CCS. But we will have to wait quite a time as the 757/767 seems to remain in the fleet for some years yet.
mvecchi4 From Venezuela, joined Apr 2012, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (11 months 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 1245 times:
Hey all,
Quoting cybergus (Reply 16): The other two contenders have very good yields and are doing good, but S3 is still developing the strategy to take the business travelers and LA seems to be fine with their 2 weekly frequencies (They tried to make it daily but with the INAC we all know how the story goes).
S3 should be developing a strategy to replace the domestic DC-9s and improve their on-time performance first right?.
The article below shows a good chance for G3 to start flight from GRU to MIA via CCS allowing venezuelans to use the CCS-MIA leg. Has anyone heard of this and does this have a shot of getting approved by INAC?
The article has a great graph that compares AA, S3 and LA and their capacity. Interesting to see the peak in december.
Quoting cybergus (Reply 16): Same for the PMV and BLA flights, they have been under study for quite some years now.
Didn't know that, sounds great!.
On a different note, does anyone know what is the actual gain from INAC and the overall goverment in not allowing the aviation sector develop?. I live in VLN and the airport is in a really bad shape, this happens to most airports around (I was in BRM last week and although a bit better than VLN, it's still not decent). I'm not looking for a political discussion, I'm just curious to know if there is a hidden motive I'm missing.
cybergus From Venezuela, joined Mar 2006, 447 posts, RR: 10 Reply 19, posted (11 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 1097 times:
Quoting mvecchi4 (Reply 18): S3 should be developing a strategy to replace the domestic DC-9s and improve their on-time performance first right?.
The article below shows a good chance for G3 to start flight from GRU to MIA via CCS allowing venezuelans to use the CCS-MIA leg. Has anyone heard of this and does this have a shot of getting approved by INAC?
Well we all know that R7 and S3 are basically the same company but still they operate individually. The DC9's from R7 are being phased out to replace them with "modern" MD8X. S3 is doing quite good with the 752 as their route network shrank significantly this year.
As for GOL the request is there and they plan to operate the flight ASAP. Seems that the INAC is still studying the route and the permission has not been granted on the Venezuelan side. For the moment they are planning some charter flights to MIA from northern Brazilian cities.
Quoting mvecchi4 (Reply 18): On a different note, does anyone know what is the actual gain from INAC and the overall goverment in not allowing the aviation sector develop?. I live in VLN and the airport is in a really bad shape, this happens to most airports around (I was in BRM last week and although a bit better than VLN, it's still not decent). I'm not looking for a political discussion, I'm just curious to know if there is a hidden motive I'm missing.
There is no gain...just political bureaucracy. The aviation sector (sadly but true) is just a small percentage of all the problems Venezuela has right now and in an election year the biggest problems take the emergency attention from a government that is desperate to remain in the power (sorry but is impossible not to mix politics with the INAC situation)
Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 17): For at least one of the 4 MIA-CCS-MIA DEC22,23,24 and JAN02,03,04; I've to disagree
There is no sense to train the ground staff at CCS for a bigger equipment just for 6 days in a year. Also as I said before AA rather do the impossible to open a new frequency than incrementing the size of the aircraft.
Avianca From Venezuela, joined Jan 2005, 5857 posts, RR: 40 Reply 20, posted (11 months 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 979 times:
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 12): at the Guardia Nacional if they suddenly wake up that morning feeling a little bit ¨arsehole-ish¨ and decide to delay the plane for whatever reason (I heard of that being done to European flights where the GN orders all baggage off the plane to be searched.)
Quoting cybergus (Reply 13): It is a common practice for the GN to do this with the European departures. Last time I flew to MAD with IB they made me go downstairs to open up my baggage and then after doing so I was personally checked upstairs with some other passengers. Flights other than European doesn't go under those weird practices. The "reason"? Well drug traffic to Europe is more usual than to USA (Thats what they say...)
well thats why the people came to check in for europe flights upto 6 hours before the flight.... a shame the eductation level of the GN - a bag of rice has a higher one ...
Quoting B4REAL (Reply 10): remember a while ago DL would shuffle B738/B757/A330 on the route; I think there is a cargo opportunity on CCS-United States route - but I suspect it is very come and go.
well actdually their is nearly 0 export freight from Venezuela to the US - AA Cargo is even not exiting anymore in Venezuela .... they are moving nohting all flights have embargos.... of course their is a bigger import market but not worth to attend for AA as its quite complicate down here.
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