https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/f ... 863749002/

I used to fly this a lot for work back in the 2000's. Started as mainline, went to TED for awhile, then finally downgraded to an RJ. Not sure when it ended altogether from Dulles, but it's back again. Not sure why AA exited as I have friends who used that quite a bit and they said it was always 80 to 90% full.

Wonder if UA will reduce FLL-IAD now? They went double-daily for part of the year it appeared to fend off WN on the route. Somehow Southwest is managing to keep flying this route which is an odd ball in its system though it allows them to advertise that they connect all 3 DC area airports with FLL. But beyond that not sure the value for them, unless connections on the FLL end are high.

Discussed here Sunday

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1400181

MIAFLLPBIFlyer wrote:

Wonder if UA will reduce FLL-IAD now? They went double-daily for part of the year it appeared to fend off WN on the route. Somehow Southwest is managing to keep flying this route which is an odd ball in its system though it allows them to advertise that they connect all 3 DC area airports with FLL. But beyond that not sure the value for them, unless connections on the FLL end are high.

Doesn't seem like they are cutting IAD-FLL flights back at this point...UA is also adding additional flights from IAD-MCO/TPA.

United1 wrote:

MIAFLLPBIFlyer wrote:

Wonder if UA will reduce FLL-IAD now? They went double-daily for part of the year it appeared to fend off WN on the route. Somehow Southwest is managing to keep flying this route which is an odd ball in its system though it allows them to advertise that they connect all 3 DC area airports with FLL. But beyond that not sure the value for them, unless connections on the FLL end are high.

Doesn't seem like they are cutting IAD-FLL flights back at this point...UA is also adding additional flights from IAD-MCO/TPA.

Actually, FLL seems to be doing just fine. They are even adding a third daily flight from IAD during the holiday season.

IAD-MIA looks to be seasonal. AA really struggled with the route despite no competition. Not quite sure how UA will succeed here with better options at DCA.

I would think UA would have better success on IAD-MIA. For AA, it was probably mostly O&D on the Washington D.C. end of things and IAD is not the preferred O&D airport. But for UA, they can connect from the northern US, Canada, Europe and Asia through IAD as well as pick up O&D. I am glad to see UA slowly build up IAD as a connecting airport. I would never choose to connect in EWR, but would be happy to at IAD.

izbtmnhd wrote:

IAD-MIA looks to be seasonal. AA really struggled with the route despite no competition. Not quite sure how UA will succeed here with better options at DCA.

UA recently mentioned their intention to focus more connections on IAD, so I'm guessing this is one of the first moves.

It is two daily A319 service. A solid addition. My guess is it is not seasonal given the frequency.

izbtmnhd wrote:

IAD-MIA looks to be seasonal. AA really struggled with the route despite no competition. Not quite sure how UA will succeed here with better options at DCA.

The reason to add this route is to add more spokes to the IAD hub.

For AA, it's the exact opposite - IAD is the spoke connecting to their MIA, and that spoke is already really well served by their flights from DCA.

I have no idea if UA will make this stick, but the opportunity is there for a better option - the better option isn't about local O/D passengers in the DC area, but for those connecting over the IAD hub. Given what we know about UA's stated strategy for shifting some east coast connecting traffic away from EWR and to IAD, this makes complete sense.

blockski wrote:

izbtmnhd wrote:

IAD-MIA looks to be seasonal. AA really struggled with the route despite no competition. Not quite sure how UA will succeed here with better options at DCA.

The reason to add this route is to add more spokes to the IAD hub.

For AA, it's the exact opposite - IAD is the spoke connecting to their MIA, and that spoke is already really well served by their flights from DCA.

I have no idea if UA will make this stick, but the opportunity is there for a better option - the better option isn't about local O/D passengers in the DC area, but for those connecting over the IAD hub. Given what we know about UA's stated strategy for shifting some east coast connecting traffic away from EWR and to IAD, this makes complete sense.

What does IAD offer to a MIA traveler than can’t be offered through AA’s MIA hub itself? Very little. MIA isn’t really a UA city either so there isn’t a huge FF base to tap into. So it will probably come down to O&D which is much smaller compared to EWR/NYC. Better options at DCA as AA found out as well. I’m sure the logic was with nobody on this route between two large hubs somebody has to fly it even if it’s at a loss. Feed the IAD hub as you all are saying.

avi8 wrote:

It is two daily A319 service. A solid addition. My guess is it is not seasonal given the frequency.

Enrilia’s OAG thread has it as one daily. UA res system had it not operating after March 30th. Has it changed? Is it two now?

izbtmnhd wrote:

blockski wrote:

izbtmnhd wrote:

IAD-MIA looks to be seasonal. AA really struggled with the route despite no competition. Not quite sure how UA will succeed here with better options at DCA.

The reason to add this route is to add more spokes to the IAD hub.

For AA, it's the exact opposite - IAD is the spoke connecting to their MIA, and that spoke is already really well served by their flights from DCA.

I have no idea if UA will make this stick, but the opportunity is there for a better option - the better option isn't about local O/D passengers in the DC area, but for those connecting over the IAD hub. Given what we know about UA's stated strategy for shifting some east coast connecting traffic away from EWR and to IAD, this makes complete sense.

What does IAD offer to a MIA traveler than can’t be done offered through AA’s MIA hub itself? Very little. MIA isn’t really a UA city either so there isn’t a huge FF base to tap into. So it will probably come down to O&D which is much smaller compared to EWR/NYC. Better options at DCA as AA found out. I don’t get it but with nobody on this route between two large markets somebody has to fly it.

For a traveller based in MIA? Probably not much. I suppose there are a few travel options that UA and their Star partners can offer via IAD that aren't available direct from MIA or with AA. The flight from IAD to MIA is timed to connect to IAD's biggest afternoon bank of flights.

But that's just the O part of O/D. For United to add this as a new destination that they can connect you to is indeed something new via IAD. For people elsewhere in the Northeast that want to fly into MIA, UA can now offer something. It's not going to be as strong as their competitors, but it's still something.

This seems a) consistent with UA's stated strategy and b) opportunistic, based on AA pulling out of the route

izbtmnhd wrote:

avi8 wrote:

It is two daily A319 service. A solid addition. My guess is it is not seasonal given the frequency.

Enrilia’s OAG thread has it as one daily. UA res system had it not operating after March 30th. Has it changed? Is it two now?

It's once daily for the winter season, with an extra daily flight (2x total) during the peak of the peak - 12/24 through 1/6: https://hub.united.com/united-domestic- ... 24990.html

I fly United once or twice a month EWR/MIA. I love going and love TC at EWR. However I hate MIA at the airport because it is a dreary dull experience.
I get it, MIA is AA turf, but how many United aircraft land at MIA a day (now 2 more). How many pax a year? While I don’t think that United needs to do much there, they could do more. All the flights but 1 are 737-8/900s, only one A319 (which I prefer) and no UA or partner club. The AMEX lounge is FAR. I just wish that after 20/24 flights there a year, that United fixed up their gates at MIA and/or put in a mini United Club and offered more 752 service to SFO and EWR. Pipe dreams of course.
I realize it’s not an accurate indicator, but all my flights out of EWR to MIA are packed, every seat taken, and F fares are very high, yet always full, maybe 1 name on the board cleared for an upgrade (sometimes)
I’m glad they are doing this for both IAD and MIA. I just want United to bring their lastest sizzle to the gate area!

VC10er wrote:

I fly United once or twice a month EWR/MIA. I love going and love TC at EWR. However I hate MIA at the airport because it is a dreary dull experience.
I get it, MIA is AA turf, but how many United aircraft land at MIA a day (now 2 more). How many pax a year? While I don’t think that United needs to do much there, they could do more. All the flights but 1 are 737-8/900s, only one A319 (which I prefer) and no UA or partner club. The AMEX lounge is FAR. I just wish that after 20/24 flights there a year, that United fixed up their gates at MIA and/or put in a mini United Club and offered more 752 service to SFO and EWR. Pipe dreams of course.
I realize it’s not an accurate indicator, but all my flights out of EWR to MIA are packed, every seat taken, and F fares are very high, yet always full, maybe 1 name on the board cleared for an upgrade (sometimes)
I’m glad they are doing this for both IAD and MIA. I just want United to bring their lastest sizzle to the gate area!

I agree with you. I fly to MIA or FLL a few times a year for work. UA's gate area at MIA is a throwback to the 1980's. Probably one of the dumpiest United stations I fly to. Next month I'm flying AA down there because AA's fare is 60% of what UA wants. I really wish they would work to improve their presence there. It's a major US metro.

IAHWorldflyer wrote:

VC10er wrote:

I fly United once or twice a month EWR/MIA. I love going and love TC at EWR. However I hate MIA at the airport because it is a dreary dull experience.
I get it, MIA is AA turf, but how many United aircraft land at MIA a day (now 2 more). How many pax a year? While I don’t think that United needs to do much there, they could do more. All the flights but 1 are 737-8/900s, only one A319 (which I prefer) and no UA or partner club. The AMEX lounge is FAR. I just wish that after 20/24 flights there a year, that United fixed up their gates at MIA and/or put in a mini United Club and offered more 752 service to SFO and EWR. Pipe dreams of course.
I realize it’s not an accurate indicator, but all my flights out of EWR to MIA are packed, every seat taken, and F fares are very high, yet always full, maybe 1 name on the board cleared for an upgrade (sometimes)
I’m glad they are doing this for both IAD and MIA. I just want United to bring their lastest sizzle to the gate area!

I agree with you. I fly to MIA or FLL a few times a year for work. UA's gate area at MIA is a throwback to the 1980's. Probably one of the dumpiest United stations I fly to. Next month I'm flying AA down there because AA's fare is 60% of what UA wants. I really wish they would work to improve their presence there. It's a major US metro.

It doesn’t need the full treatment, but considering how many United aircraft from EWR, IAH, ORD, SFO and now IAD, the gate area at least needs sprucing up. The propriety gate seating design is really beautiful and comfortable with great power ports etc. It would not cost that much to carve out a unique to UA experience. I loath loitering around those horrible retail spaces and delapitated restrooms.

IAHWorldflyer wrote:

VC10er wrote:

I fly United once or twice a month EWR/MIA. I love going and love TC at EWR. However I hate MIA at the airport because it is a dreary dull experience.
I get it, MIA is AA turf, but how many United aircraft land at MIA a day (now 2 more). How many pax a year? While I don’t think that United needs to do much there, they could do more. All the flights but 1 are 737-8/900s, only one A319 (which I prefer) and no UA or partner club. The AMEX lounge is FAR. I just wish that after 20/24 flights there a year, that United fixed up their gates at MIA and/or put in a mini United Club and offered more 752 service to SFO and EWR. Pipe dreams of course.
I realize it’s not an accurate indicator, but all my flights out of EWR to MIA are packed, every seat taken, and F fares are very high, yet always full, maybe 1 name on the board cleared for an upgrade (sometimes)
I’m glad they are doing this for both IAD and MIA. I just want United to bring their lastest sizzle to the gate area!

I agree with you. I fly to MIA or FLL a few times a year for work. UA's gate area at MIA is a throwback to the 1980's. Probably one of the dumpiest United stations I fly to. Next month I'm flying AA down there because AA's fare is 60% of what UA wants. I really wish they would work to improve their presence there. It's a major US metro.

You must be talking about the G gates.

I’m seeing more and more usage of the H gates (there were at least 3 overnight aircraft there this morning) which are much more modern in appearance (and assuming in amenities)

EssentialBusDC wrote:

IAHWorldflyer wrote:

VC10er wrote:

I fly United once or twice a month EWR/MIA. I love going and love TC at EWR. However I hate MIA at the airport because it is a dreary dull experience.
I get it, MIA is AA turf, but how many United aircraft land at MIA a day (now 2 more). How many pax a year? While I don’t think that United needs to do much there, they could do more. All the flights but 1 are 737-8/900s, only one A319 (which I prefer) and no UA or partner club. The AMEX lounge is FAR. I just wish that after 20/24 flights there a year, that United fixed up their gates at MIA and/or put in a mini United Club and offered more 752 service to SFO and EWR. Pipe dreams of course.
I realize it’s not an accurate indicator, but all my flights out of EWR to MIA are packed, every seat taken, and F fares are very high, yet always full, maybe 1 name on the board cleared for an upgrade (sometimes)
I’m glad they are doing this for both IAD and MIA. I just want United to bring their lastest sizzle to the gate area!

I agree with you. I fly to MIA or FLL a few times a year for work. UA's gate area at MIA is a throwback to the 1980's. Probably one of the dumpiest United stations I fly to. Next month I'm flying AA down there because AA's fare is 60% of what UA wants. I really wish they would work to improve their presence there. It's a major US metro.

You must be talking about the G gates.

I’m seeing more and more usage of the H gates (there were at least 3 overnight aircraft there this morning) which are much more modern in appearance (and assuming in amenities)

I do indeed forget if it is G or H (despite the fact I’ve been there 8 times already this year!) I don’t know how many times I’ve had to stand there and flip through magazines or buy a small umbrella to break the boredom!