fastmover wrote:isp2 wrote:I’m hearing there are 6-8 BlueCities on the chopping block in the very near future... a handful of which have been on the routemap from the very beginning (00-02)
Where are you hearing this?
Very very rarely does jetblue abandon a city. They only fly to like 102 so 6-8 would be a huge pull back.
First I have heard of anything like this.
isp2 wrote:I’m hearing there are 6-8 BlueCities on the chopping block in the very near future... a handful of which have been on the routemap from the very beginning (00-02)
If true, I would place my bets on OAK, SJC, ABQ, ANC, IAD, and last but not least....LGB.
OAK/SJC - The transcons from JFK/BOS generally underperform other non-Mint transcons, and with a robust schedule from SFO, it makes it hard to justify the costs of maintaining these flights. LGB frequencies have already been chopped down to 2x and are bound to go to zero quickly.
ABQ - Always one of B6’s marginal transcons, and the single red eye probably does not capture much of the already very limited demand from New Yorkers.
ANC - As noted B6 constantly is the low-fare leader, and generally looks to capture O&D demand. B6 clearly can not compete with AS/DL from PDX/SEA, and is not in the business of transitting Bostonians or New Yorkers on generally low-fare itineraries.
IAD - Although N. Va is growing quickly, B6 has a not insignificant presence at DCA (and also BWI) for those looking to get to the general DC metropolis. IAD remains the highest cost airport amongst the 3 airports I believe, and it’s hard to see how B6 is capturing any lucrative business on its token 2-3x to BOS/JFK.
LGB - I expect the non-JFK/BOS flights to go first. If and when B6 gets into SNA, that capacity can be shifted over and probably generate higher yields (and is perhaps a Mint candidate).
joeblow10 wrote:I would agree with the assessment a few posts up - seems to me the places that are struggling and have very little impact to the system are outstations out in the Midwest and West (especially DEN, PHX, ABQ, MSP, etc.) and maybe a few smaller ones back East.
At DEN/PHX/ABQ, having 1-2 redeyes a day as the only service for large portions of the year seems pretty low value-add, and something that if the company needs to scale back makes for an obvious first choice on the chopping block. ANC also seems like it's bound to go - the yields have got to be terrible and service is extremely limited: lots of competition, and B6 is always the cheapest one on the block to incentivize SEA/PDX based folks to actually fly them over AS or DL.
B6 is actually decently competitive at DEN (2x each to JFK/BOS with JFK usually A321’s), and it’s such a large market with plenty of demand that it’s really difficult for me to see B6 pull the plug.
PHX is B6’s highest yielding non-Mint transcons market, so I also can’t imagine it being chopped. I agree that the red eye schedule makes B6 largely irrelevant for many, although I suspect this market is not high up on the importance list for Bostonian corporate travelers.
MSP just started and is an important business market for BOS. Like PIT, DTW, and CLE, I imagine B6 could turn a profit there.