ADrum23 wrote:

pdt2f wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

I doubt DL will put anything larger than a 737 on a regular basis at BNA until Concourse B is modified to better accommodate larger aircraft

Will the apron expansion help with that, or is it primarily an issue with the gates/concourse itself?

No, it is an issue with the physical concourse itself. Here is a quote from the BNA Vision environmental assessment

Concourse B also requires modifications to accommodate larger aircraft. Larger passenger loads require larger hold rooms and the existing gate configurations at Concourse B are undersized to appropriately accommodate passengers and equipment associated with these aircraft. MNAA would also modify Concourse B in conjunction with the construction of Concourse T, since three gates (B1, B2, and B4) would be removed to accommodate Concourse T.

http://bnavisionnashville.com/site/web/assets/2017/01/BNA-Vision-Draft-Enviromental-Assessment-for-Public-Review-and-Comment.pdf

southwest1675 wrote:

It looks like BNA is trying to get service to PDX, RIC, and year round to RSW.

ADrum23 wrote:

southwest1675 wrote:

It looks like BNA is trying to get service to PDX, RIC, and year round to RSW.

Why do you say that? Is there something you saw that said that?

tys777 wrote:

Here is an article that also talks about the next route targets.

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/n ... ml?ana=fbk

DakotaFlyer wrote:

tys777 wrote:

Here is an article that also talks about the next route targets.

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/n ... ml?ana=fbk

Richmond seems like a random interest, but the business community seems to want it. Seems Southwest could support this flight? Maybe 2x daily, 1x weekend? Would give people in Richmond more access to the SWA network and alternative to ATL.

tys777 wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

southwest1675 wrote:

It looks like BNA is trying to get service to PDX, RIC, and year round to RSW.

Why do you say that? Is there something you saw that said that?

It's on a presentation slide that you can see in the background of a picture BNA posted to Facebook this morning. Think the CEO was speaking at Libscomb

Cubsrule wrote:

DakotaFlyer wrote:

tys777 wrote:

Here is an article that also talks about the next route targets.

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/n ... ml?ana=fbk

Richmond seems like a random interest, but the business community seems to want it. Seems Southwest could support this flight? Maybe 2x daily, 1x weekend? Would give people in Richmond more access to the SWA network and alternative to ATL.

PDX is pretty obviously the biggest domestic hole. I'd argue that SJC and maybe SFO (on WN) are more interesting than RIC, but they also use a ton more aircraft time. The chances of RIC depend almost entirely on WN's strategy for ATL. If at some point the need to force feed connections through ATL decreases, BNA-RIC would make some sense.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

Cubsrule wrote:

DakotaFlyer wrote:

Richmond seems like a random interest, but the business community seems to want it. Seems Southwest could support this flight? Maybe 2x daily, 1x weekend? Would give people in Richmond more access to the SWA network and alternative to ATL.

PDX is pretty obviously the biggest domestic hole. I'd argue that SJC and maybe SFO (on WN) are more interesting than RIC, but they also use a ton more aircraft time. The chances of RIC depend almost entirely on WN's strategy for ATL. If at some point the need to force feed connections through ATL decreases, BNA-RIC would make some sense.

RIC is a city I hadn't considered. As mentioned it could offer transfers to people not wanting to deal with Atlanta. I know ORF failed, but those are really different markets. I think SJC could handle a flight, but not sure if WN would go into SFO and cover all three airports. I'd still like to see the oft rumored BDL flight.

southwest1675 wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

Cubsrule wrote:

PDX is pretty obviously the biggest domestic hole. I'd argue that SJC and maybe SFO (on WN) are more interesting than RIC, but they also use a ton more aircraft time. The chances of RIC depend almost entirely on WN's strategy for ATL. If at some point the need to force feed connections through ATL decreases, BNA-RIC would make some sense.

RIC is a city I hadn't considered. As mentioned it could offer transfers to people not wanting to deal with Atlanta. I know ORF failed, but those are really different markets. I think SJC could handle a flight, but not sure if WN would go into SFO and cover all three airports. I'd still like to see the oft rumored BDL flight.

I was kinda disappointed that they gave STL BDL instead of BNA. Nobody to this day understands why that route was cut. They flew BNA-ORF close to 20 years, I never understood why that one was cut too.

kingcavalier wrote:

This article says PDX is number one on its wish list with RIC being number two. It also says BNA is close to landing an Iceland flight.

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/n ... ml?ana=fbk

DakotaFlyer wrote:

tys777 wrote:

Here is an article that also talks about the next route targets.

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/n ... ml?ana=fbk

Richmond seems like a random interest, but the business community seems to want it. Seems Southwest could support this flight? Maybe 2x daily, 1x weekend? Would give people in Richmond more access to the SWA network and alternative to ATL.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

kingcavalier wrote:

This article says PDX is number one on its wish list with RIC being number two. It also says BNA is close to landing an Iceland flight.

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/n ... ml?ana=fbk

Please let it be FI over WW. I expected one of those would follow BA into Nashville.

southwest1675 wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

Cubsrule wrote:

PDX is pretty obviously the biggest domestic hole. I'd argue that SJC and maybe SFO (on WN) are more interesting than RIC, but they also use a ton more aircraft time. The chances of RIC depend almost entirely on WN's strategy for ATL. If at some point the need to force feed connections through ATL decreases, BNA-RIC would make some sense.

RIC is a city I hadn't considered. As mentioned it could offer transfers to people not wanting to deal with Atlanta. I know ORF failed, but those are really different markets. I think SJC could handle a flight, but not sure if WN would go into SFO and cover all three airports. I'd still like to see the oft rumored BDL flight.

I was kinda disappointed that they gave STL BDL instead of BNA. Nobody to this day understands why that route was cut. They flew BNA-ORF close to 20 years, I never understood why that one was cut too.

Cubsrule wrote:

STL-BDL has history of filling ~88 seats per day. BDL survived to the last round of STL hub cuts for AA IINM. The different history might explain things. STL is also better for westbound connections at the moment.

ADrum23 wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

kingcavalier wrote:

This article says PDX is number one on its wish list with RIC being number two. It also says BNA is close to landing an Iceland flight.

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/n ... ml?ana=fbk

Please let it be FI over WW. I expected one of those would follow BA into Nashville.

I'm pretty sure it will be WW, considering their next round of expansion is likely to be in the southeast, where they lack a presence currently. It seems FI is only willing to try small market airports where there isn't already a legacy TATL flight (like MCI, CLE, etc).

stl07 wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

Please let it be FI over WW. I expected one of those would follow BA into Nashville.

I'm pretty sure it will be WW, considering their next round of expansion is likely to be in the southeast, where they lack a presence currently. It seems FI is only willing to try small market airports where there isn't already a legacy TATL flight (like MCI, CLE, etc).

If BNA wants to establish itself as a tourist market, I think WW would be better.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

stl07 wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

I'm pretty sure it will be WW, considering their next round of expansion is likely to be in the southeast, where they lack a presence currently. It seems FI is only willing to try small market airports where there isn't already a legacy TATL flight (like MCI, CLE, etc).

If BNA wants to establish itself as a tourist market, I think WW would be better.

It's long been a tourist market, but WW would probably be a better fit, particularly for Europeans coming here. The CMA Fest and other things don't typically draw a first class crowd when flying. I had a terrible experience with WW, which is why I prefer FI.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

stl07 wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

I'm pretty sure it will be WW, considering their next round of expansion is likely to be in the southeast, where they lack a presence currently. It seems FI is only willing to try small market airports where there isn't already a legacy TATL flight (like MCI, CLE, etc).

If BNA wants to establish itself as a tourist market, I think WW would be better.

It's long been a tourist market, but WW would probably be a better fit, particularly for Europeans coming here. The CMA Fest and other things don't typically draw a first class crowd when flying. I had a terrible experience with WW, which is why I prefer FI.

ADrum23 wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

stl07 wrote:

If BNA wants to establish itself as a tourist market, I think WW would be better.

It's long been a tourist market, but WW would probably be a better fit, particularly for Europeans coming here. The CMA Fest and other things don't typically draw a first class crowd when flying. I had a terrible experience with WW, which is why I prefer FI.

Doesn’t matter who comes to me, I’ll probably use BA when I need to go to Europe.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

stl07 wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

I'm pretty sure it will be WW, considering their next round of expansion is likely to be in the southeast, where they lack a presence currently. It seems FI is only willing to try small market airports where there isn't already a legacy TATL flight (like MCI, CLE, etc).

If BNA wants to establish itself as a tourist market, I think WW would be better.

It's long been a tourist market

gsg013 wrote:

agree lots of Europeans would like to come to nashville... Not really a business destination but I think once they start coming they will like it.

We will see with the 787-8 service starting up this summer on BA. I honestly thing AF or LH could start up a daily flight in the not too distant future. AF could definitely fill up a 787 or 772 and connect people onward. (Especially with the DL joint venture)

ADrum23 wrote:

gsg013 wrote:

agree lots of Europeans would like to come to nashville... Not really a business destination but I think once they start coming they will like it.

We will see with the 787-8 service starting up this summer on BA. I honestly thing AF or LH could start up a daily flight in the not too distant future. AF could definitely fill up a 787 or 772 and connect people onward. (Especially with the DL joint venture)

There is no way AF or LH come anytime soon, especially with daily service (the BA flight won’t even be daily to start with). Those two carriers serve only bigger markets with their metal. If BNA ever sees a flight to Paris, it will be on DL metal, but that is even a stretch considering ATL is so close.

MNAA has indicated they are close to getting an Iceland flight, which means either FI or WW will be coming in the near future. Beyond that, I only see seasonal DE service to FRA. Anything else will have to wait and see exactly what kind of European market BNA is.

pdt2f wrote:

What are the chances that one of the Mexican Airlines (Aeroméxico, Interjet, Volaris) looks to add BNA over the next 2-3 years? Would Nashville’s business community, Mexican community, and leisure travelers be enough to support a daily to MEX, GDL, or MTY?

AAvgeek744 wrote:

pdt2f wrote:

What are the chances that one of the Mexican Airlines (Aeroméxico, Interjet, Volaris) looks to add BNA over the next 2-3 years? Would Nashville’s business community, Mexican community, and leisure travelers be enough to support a daily to MEX, GDL, or MTY?

Volaris might pull off a 3x weekly to GDL. Not sure how much business traffic there is between Nashville and Mexico. I would have expected WN make CUN daily.

pdt2f wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

pdt2f wrote:

What are the chances that one of the Mexican Airlines (Aeroméxico, Interjet, Volaris) looks to add BNA over the next 2-3 years? Would Nashville’s business community, Mexican community, and leisure travelers be enough to support a daily to MEX, GDL, or MTY?

Volaris might pull off a 3x weekly to GDL. Not sure how much business traffic there is between Nashville and Mexico. I would have expected WN make CUN daily.

I would think that Aeroméxico Connect could make a daily E190 to MEX work, both with O&D, connections throughout Mexico, and access to their central and South American route network, but they’re so crowded at MEX that they probably don’t have much room for additional flights.

southwest1675 wrote:

What do you guys think the chances of Nashville actually getting a flight to Japan are? I know it wouldn't be anytime soon, but do you guys see this actually being pulled off? We'll have to see how BA does.

southwest1675 wrote:

What do you guys think the chances of Nashville actually getting a flight to Japan are? I know it wouldn't be anytime soon, but do you guys see this actually being pulled off? We'll have to see how BA does.

southwest1675 wrote:

What do you guys think the chances of Nashville actually getting a flight to Japan are? I know it wouldn't be anytime soon, but do you guys see this actually being pulled off? We'll have to see how BA does.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

southwest1675 wrote:

What do you guys think the chances of Nashville actually getting a flight to Japan are? I know it wouldn't be anytime soon, but do you guys see this actually being pulled off? We'll have to see how BA does.

A few years, but I think it could happen. Nissan North American HQ. Bridgestone. A large number of Japanese companies to support Nissan. Japanese consulate. It would be good for maybe 4x weekly flight on JL 788. I pick them since Nashville probably has more OW presence that NH and Star.

ADrum23 wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

southwest1675 wrote:

What do you guys think the chances of Nashville actually getting a flight to Japan are? I know it wouldn't be anytime soon, but do you guys see this actually being pulled off? We'll have to see how BA does.

A few years, but I think it could happen. Nissan North American HQ. Bridgestone. A large number of Japanese companies to support Nissan. Japanese consulate. It would be good for maybe 4x weekly flight on JL 788. I pick them since Nashville probably has more OW presence that NH and Star.

My guess is a Tokyo flight comes sometime after the permanent IAB is finished (between 2023-2026ish). JL would indeed be the most likely candidate as of now (I would say 3x a week to start as opposed to 4x), but I think that could depend on whether WN forges a codeshare with NH (if WN were to start forging codeshares). I say NH because JL has a JV with AA so it would be unlikely they could form a codeshare with WN. Personally, I don't care who does it, both are decent airlines.

Of course, my timeline could be moved up if companies such as Nissan and Bridgestone made seat guarantees on a potential BNA-NRT flight (like how RDU-LHR was sustained for many years). If they did that, it would be a huge coup for BNA.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

AAvgeek744 wrote:

A few years, but I think it could happen. Nissan North American HQ. Bridgestone. A large number of Japanese companies to support Nissan. Japanese consulate. It would be good for maybe 4x weekly flight on JL 788. I pick them since Nashville probably has more OW presence that NH and Star.

My guess is a Tokyo flight comes sometime after the permanent IAB is finished (between 2023-2026ish). JL would indeed be the most likely candidate as of now (I would say 3x a week to start as opposed to 4x), but I think that could depend on whether WN forges a codeshare with NH (if WN were to start forging codeshares). I say NH because JL has a JV with AA so it would be unlikely they could form a codeshare with WN. Personally, I don't care who does it, both are decent airlines.

Of course, my timeline could be moved up if companies such as Nissan and Bridgestone made seat guarantees on a potential BNA-NRT flight (like how RDU-LHR was sustained for many years). If they did that, it would be a huge coup for BNA.

I know Butch Spyridon and Mayor Barry have made the pitch to Japanese officials in the past. The mayor is rather toxic at the moment, but that would not stop a Japanese carrier from entering in the future. Theoretically they could come in before the IAB is finished as they would be in and out during the morning and not taking the gate BA would need in the afternoon. Still a pipe dream, but I don't think Nashville is done growing yet.

TYSflyer wrote:

Looks like the BNA folks are getting one of their wishes. I see an AA 738 on BNA - ORD starting in June!

ADrum23 wrote:

TYSflyer wrote:

Looks like the BNA folks are getting one of their wishes. I see an AA 738 on BNA - ORD starting in June!

It is about time!!!!

But is that a real booking or just a dummy filler? Has AA released their actual schedule for June yet?

southwest1675 wrote:

ADrum23 wrote:

TYSflyer wrote:

Looks like the BNA folks are getting one of their wishes. I see an AA 738 on BNA - ORD starting in June!

It is about time!!!!

But is that a real booking or just a dummy filler? Has AA released their actual schedule for June yet?

It’s a real booking. I can book the flight right now.

pdt2f wrote:

I did some dummy bookings starting in late June, and all the way to January. It seems they’re doing what they did with the MIA flight, with a morning 738 to ORD and an evening 738 to BNA. The only date I can find where there isn’t one is July 4, but it may have already been booked (or maybe they’re on a pared schedule on the holiday).

ADrum23 wrote:

pdt2f wrote:

I did some dummy bookings starting in late June, and all the way to January. It seems they’re doing what they did with the MIA flight, with a morning 738 to ORD and an evening 738 to BNA. The only date I can find where there isn’t one is July 4, but it may have already been booked (or maybe they’re on a pared schedule on the holiday).

It appears they are doing away with BNA-MIA mainline as of June 8th. Perhaps they are shifting the 737 used there to BNA-ORD?

pdt2f wrote:

[twoid][/twoid]

ADrum23 wrote:

pdt2f wrote:

I did some dummy bookings starting in late June, and all the way to January. It seems they’re doing what they did with the MIA flight, with a morning 738 to ORD and an evening 738 to BNA. The only date I can find where there isn’t one is July 4, but it may have already been booked (or maybe they’re on a pared schedule on the holiday).

It appears they are doing away with BNA-MIA mainline as of June 8th. Perhaps they are shifting the 737 used there to BNA-ORD?

That’s what I’m thinking. I would guess that Nashville has much more business connection with Chicago than Miami, so they probably wanted the full sized plane for the bigger business market. Much of MIA from BNA is probably leisure traffic, and WN dominates that south Florida leisure flow from Nashville.

pdt2f wrote:

[twoid][/twoid]

ADrum23 wrote:

pdt2f wrote:

I did some dummy bookings starting in late June, and all the way to January. It seems they’re doing what they did with the MIA flight, with a morning 738 to ORD and an evening 738 to BNA. The only date I can find where there isn’t one is July 4, but it may have already been booked (or maybe they’re on a pared schedule on the holiday).

It appears they are doing away with BNA-MIA mainline as of June 8th. Perhaps they are shifting the 737 used there to BNA-ORD?

That’s what I’m thinking. I would guess that Nashville has much more business connection with Chicago than Miami, so they probably wanted the full sized plane for the bigger business market. Much of MIA from BNA is probably leisure traffic, and WN dominates that south Florida leisure flow from Nashville.

Cubsrule wrote:

pdt2f wrote:

[twoid][/twoid]

ADrum23 wrote:

It appears they are doing away with BNA-MIA mainline as of June 8th. Perhaps they are shifting the 737 used there to BNA-ORD?

That’s what I’m thinking. I would guess that Nashville has much more business connection with Chicago than Miami, so they probably wanted the full sized plane for the bigger business market. Much of MIA from BNA is probably leisure traffic, and WN dominates that south Florida leisure flow from Nashville.

Isn’t capacity up on BNA-DFW as 738s replace S80s? That lessens the importance of MIA as a connecting point.