Delta28L wrote:

AA brought the MD-83 yesterday for the evening DFW run. Couldn’t snap a pic since it came in after my shift was over.

Might as well get them to the outstations while they can, I guess. I did get to fly on an MD83 on DFW-SAT. As crazy as it sounds, the Main Cabin Extra seats on the Mad Dog were more comfortable (to me, at least) than the Oasis seats on the 738.

Just saw WG, A Canadian LC charter airline, land at PIT from DTW. Livery looks like easyjet from a distance. Are they flying charters out of PIT? They usually fly Canadians to the south.

Gsasala wrote:

AaronPGH wrote:

Been doing summer flight research for myself and a few artists, and I'm noticing that Condor no longer shows up in Google Flights search results. I have to look at Expedia to find them. Pretty concerning, as most everyone I know is using Google Flights these days. You wouldn't even know these non-stops exist!

Condor has never showed up on Google flights from Pittsburgh, it works for new Orleans and Baltimore but not Pittsburgh.

I have emailed Elise Farris at FLYPIT and she is looking into this. Stay tuned!

ConcourseZ wrote:

Just saw WG, A Canadian LC charter airline, land at PIT from DTW. Livery looks like easyjet from a distance. Are they flying charters out of PIT? They usually fly Canadians to the south.

They operate for Vacation Express on DTW-PIT-PUJ seasonlly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

RJNUT wrote:

Gsasala wrote:

AaronPGH wrote:

Been doing summer flight research for myself and a few artists, and I'm noticing that Condor no longer shows up in Google Flights search results. I have to look at Expedia to find them. Pretty concerning, as most everyone I know is using Google Flights these days. You wouldn't even know these non-stops exist!

Condor has never showed up on Google flights from Pittsburgh, it works for new Orleans and Baltimore but not Pittsburgh.

I have emailed Elise Farris at FLYPIT and she is looking into this. Stay tuned!

Nice! I'd be curious as to what the remedy for this would entail...

I’d ride Mad Dawgs any time over an A319/A320

"Too much to ignore — British Airways takes a chance on a resurgent Pittsburgh "

"Between the region’s growing economic footprint, the corporate ties between the region and the United Kingdom, and a burgeoning startup community, the Steel City was “a really obvious choice for us,” said Simon Brooks, the airline’s senior vice president of sales in North America.

British Airways, Mr. Brooks said, expects to see a profitable route — driven by corporate connections, tech and startup businesses, a robust leisure market and student travel to Pittsburgh’s universities from London and beyond.

The airline, he said, watched Pittsburgh for years before deciding to pounce.

“We do not take these decisions lightly. We’re not just comfortable, we’re incredibly excited about what we’re doing here. We believe we are making the right commercial decision here,” he said."


"Mr. Brooks said the airline is “really pleased” with advanced bookings. That’s not only for Pittsburgh-London travelers. It also is seeing many travelers connecting to the flight from other points in Europe and the Middle East.

“We’re seeing a really healthy balance between those points of sales,” he said."
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/03/27/British-Airways-Pittsburgh-International-Airport-Christina-Cassotis/stories/201903270082

Very nice article. Thanks for posting those bullet points considering I'm unable to access PG articles. This gives us some idea of how the bookings look (which look solid and promising!) The 788 is perfect for routes like this. Perhaps if bookings remain solid this could go daily year round.

steeler83 wrote:

Very nice article. Thanks for posting those bullet points considering I'm unable to access PG articles. This gives us some idea of how the bookings look (which look solid and promising!) The 788 is perfect for routes like this. Perhaps if bookings remain solid this could go daily year round.

I could definitely see this route going 5 times daily by the end of the summer

Gsasala wrote:

steeler83 wrote:

Very nice article. Thanks for posting those bullet points considering I'm unable to access PG articles. This gives us some idea of how the bookings look (which look solid and promising!) The 788 is perfect for routes like this. Perhaps if bookings remain solid this could go daily year round.

I could definitely see this route going 5 times daily by the end of the summer

Flight increases depend on slot availability at LHR

Delta28L wrote:

Flight increases depend on slot availability at LHR

BA has hundreds of LHR slots to shift around.



If there was ever a time to advertise nonstop service to the CLE market now would be the time. I'm not sure why the ACAA shied away from this in recent years.

Gsasala wrote:

steeler83 wrote:

Very nice article. Thanks for posting those bullet points considering I'm unable to access PG articles. This gives us some idea of how the bookings look (which look solid and promising!) The 788 is perfect for routes like this. Perhaps if bookings remain solid this could go daily year round.

I could definitely see this route going 5 times daily by the end of the summer

I assume you mean "weekly" not daily. PHL doesn't even see 5x daily between BA and AA...

On the CLE thread someone said they saw a BA/PIT banner ad on airliners.net. I'm not seeing it so who knows how that cookie got there. I'm convinced, absolutely convinced, that with a bit of creative help with advertising someone could offer a shuttle service from an Eastern suburb in CLE to PIT airport and back to time with BA. Would be even better if they somehow offered parking, and we've got plenty of malls with spare parking capacity.

flyPIT wrote:

Delta28L wrote:

If there was ever a time to advertise nonstop service to the CLE market now would be the time. I'm not sure why the ACAA shied away from this in recent years.

Have seen BA ads on many different types of media. Internet/social media ads could target the CLE market.

BA has been doing decent advertising on the London side too. I saw an add in T5 for the PIT flight and they have had several articles in their Highlife Magazines the past few months about Pittsburgh and it's food scene. They even had a photo of the point on the cover page of the Navigation section this month that described a "1974 French Fortress - Ft. Duquesne", which I assume meant 1774.

There’s a big billboard by the Marriott on 376 headed towards to the airport advertising for BA. See it everyday on my way to work.

BA had their logos and signage up on the monitors at their check-in desk today in lanside, which is in between NK and B6. “British Airways” is also now listed on most of the signs with the other airlines in the terminal.

steeler83 wrote:

Gsasala wrote:

steeler83 wrote:

Very nice article. Thanks for posting those bullet points considering I'm unable to access PG articles. This gives us some idea of how the bookings look (which look solid and promising!) The 788 is perfect for routes like this. Perhaps if bookings remain solid this could go daily year round.

I could definitely see this route going 5 times daily by the end of the summer

I assume you mean "weekly" not daily. PHL doesn't even see 5x daily between BA and AA...

Oops, I meant 5 times weekly, but that would be cool to see it be 5 times daily

News reports this morning that WW has shut down. Sad.

PITexpress wrote:

RJNUT wrote:

Gsasala wrote:

Condor has never showed up on Google flights from Pittsburgh, it works for new Orleans and Baltimore but not Pittsburgh.

I have emailed Elise Farris at FLYPIT and she is looking into this. Stay tuned!

Nice! I'd be curious as to what the remedy for this would entail...

No reasoning was given but Condor flights are now appearing in Google flights!
You're welcome!

ncflyer wrote:

I'm convinced, absolutely convinced, that with a bit of creative help with advertising someone could offer a shuttle service from an Eastern suburb in CLE to PIT airport and back to time with BA. Would be even better if they somehow offered parking, and we've got plenty of malls with spare parking capacity.

Intriguing idea, seems like a business case could be made for it. I'm still curious how small commuter flights to places like CLE, LBE, and others would do.

RJNUT wrote:

No reasoning was given but Condor flights are now appearing in Google flights!

That's great!

British telephone booth and a "BA Loves Pittsburgh" banner are in market square. Part of a promotion coming up. People snapping selfies there.

AA’s next A321neo delivery is scheduled to arrive at 1240 tomorrow.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/AA9707

Wow, RJNUT. Nice work! Seeing em now, and indeed, they're the chepeast ones by a few hundred dollars.

So I noticed that the Condor flight is later in the day than it was before.l, is this because of the British Airways flight coming in late? Because I remembered that all the international flights landed around the same time over the summer

Gsasala wrote:

So I noticed that the Condor flight is later in the day than it was before.l, is this because of the British Airways flight coming in late? Because I remembered that all the international flights landed around the same time over the summer

Probably to avoid the disasters of last summer since the ground handling last year sent the planes out late everyday due to understaffing. Rumor has it that WFS doesn’t have enough ground personnel to handle the BA flight this year.

Looking at some dummy bookings, it appears DE has modified their flight times for 2019.

Mon
DE2098 763 FRA 1600 PIT 1905
DE2099 763 PIT 2100 FRA 1100

Fri
DE 2098 763 FRA 1520 PIT 1825
DE2099 763 PIT 2015 FRA 1015

So compared to the old schedule, the Monday flight arrives and departs earlier while the Friday flight arrives/departs later. The difference in times between the Monday and Friday is much less of a gap than it was in 2017 and 2018.

The Friday flight will be arriving an hour before the LHR flight is scheduled to land, so there’s a good opportunity there to capture BA and DE on the ground at once.

Runway28L wrote:

Looking at some dummy bookings, it appears DE has modified their flight times for 2019.

Mon
DE2098 763 FRA 1600 PIT 1905
DE2099 763 PIT 2100 FRA 1100

Fri
DE 2098 763 FRA 1520 PIT 1825
DE2099 763 PIT 2015 FRA 1015

So compared to the old schedule, the Monday flight arrives and departs earlier while the Friday flight arrives/departs later. The difference in times between the Monday and Friday is much less of a gap than it was in 2017 and 2018.

The Friday flight will be arriving an hour before the LHR flight is scheduled to land, so there’s a good opportunity there to capture BA and DE on the ground at once.

Not 3x per week like last year? Has the season been extended?

ConcourseZ wrote:

Runway28L wrote:

Looking at some dummy bookings, it appears DE has modified their flight times for 2019.

Mon
DE2098 763 FRA 1600 PIT 1905
DE2099 763 PIT 2100 FRA 1100

Fri
DE 2098 763 FRA 1520 PIT 1825
DE2099 763 PIT 2015 FRA 1015

So compared to the old schedule, the Monday flight arrives and departs earlier while the Friday flight arrives/departs later. The difference in times between the Monday and Friday is much less of a gap than it was in 2017 and 2018.

The Friday flight will be arriving an hour before the LHR flight is scheduled to land, so there’s a good opportunity there to capture BA and DE on the ground at once.

Not 3x per week like last year? Has the season been extended?

The Wednesday flight is not being brought back for 2019, but the season's length is the same as last year. The flight operates from May 31 - September 16.

Delta28L wrote:

Gsasala wrote:

So I noticed that the Condor flight is later in the day than it was before.l, is this because of the British Airways flight coming in late? Because I remembered that all the international flights landed around the same time over the summer

Probably to avoid the disasters of last summer since the ground handling last year sent the planes out late everyday due to understaffing. Rumor has it that WFS doesn’t have enough ground personnel to handle the BA flight this year.

Well TDA does the Condor flights & WFS does the BA, so their arrival times shouldn’t matter since they are ground handled by different companies. I also heard that WFS would be short staffed for the operation but I also heard they decided to outsource the aircraft cleaning and solely do the ground operation and other above wing activities. This should make staffing easier for them and hopefully allow WFS to have a better on time performance with BA than TDA had with Condor. I don’t see BA putting up with lousy ground handling services.

"Why British Airways returned to Pittsburgh"

"British Airways sees a strong business case to reestablish direct roundtrip flights from Pittsburgh to London, which will start next Tuesday.

Nicolas Krohne, the vice president of sales for British Airways in North America, made that case at a press event held by VisitPittsburgh at the Rivers Casino, promoting the new flights out of Pittsburgh International Airport as part of its annual report on the region’s convention and tourism trade.

Krohne described Pittsburgh as a perfect fit for a British Airlines celebrating its centennial and seeking to expand into markets that demonstrate economic growth as well as strong cultural experiences.

He noted how Pittsburgh’s economy has diversified with thriving industries in technology, healthcare, life sciences, finance and energy, all while maintaining strong traditions for innovation and academia.

“We recognize the strength of these industries in Pittsburgh, particularly in the tech center,” he said.

He added: “All this resurgence in this city has allowed us to reach a point where direct service does make sense, for the future growth of Pittsburgh but also British Airways.”"
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2019/03/28/why-british-airways-returned-to-pittsburgh.html

Delta28L wrote:

Probably to avoid the disasters of last summer since the ground handling last year sent the planes out late everyday due to understaffing. Rumor has it that WFS doesn’t have enough ground personnel to handle the BA flight this year.

That and they won't be trying to service three "international" jets at the same time, as they put it.

flyPIT wrote:

"Why British Airways returned to Pittsburgh"

Where are all the Michael Boyd quotes??

With PIT's international market a bit different than last year and BA with strong bookings, is there a chance of not only daily service but better times if the PIT service is strong enough to bump another flight out of their LHR slot? Would like some opinions.

ConcourseZ wrote:

With PIT's international market a bit different than last year and BA with strong bookings, is there a chance of not only daily service but better times if the PIT service is strong enough to bump another flight out of their LHR slot? Would like some opinions.

If PIT preforms strong enough I could see BA switching BWI's flight time with PIT, since it seems like BWI is struggling with that flight

Gsasala wrote:

ConcourseZ wrote:

With PIT's international market a bit different than last year and BA with strong bookings, is there a chance of not only daily service but better times if the PIT service is strong enough to bump another flight out of their LHR slot? Would like some opinions.

If PIT preforms strong enough I could see BA switching BWI's flight time with PIT, since it seems like BWI is struggling with that flight

Well BWI competes with IAD to the south and PHL to the north on the USA-LHR route where as PIT doesn’t have any real competition for a couple hundred miles. If the numbers stay strong this year I could see BA switching the PIT flight time around to gradually build towards daily service. But daily service depends on slot availablity at LHR going forward till the new runway is open.

Some bad news dropped today that could affect 9X out of PIT. The DOT put out an order that tentatively terminates the EAS eligibility of some airports. Those affected include FKL, HGR and MGW.
Order can be found here: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D= ... 11450-0148

In order to be eligible for subsidized EAS service, the airports have to meet two criteria: 10 enplanements per day, and a subsidy rate of $200 per passenger or less.

FKL and HGR are in the crosshairs as they have fewer than 10 enplanements a day (5.2 and 7.9, respectively), as well as high subsidy rates ($480 and $355 per passenger respectively)
MGW is also in trouble as, despite 16.9 enplanements per day, its current subsidy rate is $282 per passenger.

Each of the communities can appeal, but they'll go the way of JHW if they're not successful.

My personal take on BA...

If the flight gets off to a roaring start, then I can see a 5th weekly flight (probably being summer-only) being in the mix. However, I would be surprised to see the flight go daily before the two year subsidy period is up. The flight would have to exceed expectations on a consistent basis over a span of 12 months in order for that to happen, in both the premium and economy class cabins. One thing to note is that sometimes it takes a while for routes to mature, and this is why I believe some of us may be getting ahead of ourselves regarding daily service (heck, the flight has yet to even start). Also, it should be noted that both BNA and MSY are still less than daily at the moment despite being successful.

For the first year, I expect the flight to remain at 4x weekly, as BA probably wants to see how that frequency does for a full year, especially during the wintertime. If demand this upcoming summer exceeds expectations, then a 5th weekly seasonal frequency for Summer 2020 is possible IMO.

And of course, everything depends on slot availability at LHR and how well the flight does overall.

Delta28L wrote:

Well BWI competes with IAD to the south and PHL to the north on the USA-LHR route where as PIT doesn’t have any real competition for a couple hundred miles. If the numbers stay strong this year I could see BA switching the PIT flight time around to gradually build towards daily service. But daily service depends on slot availablity at LHR going forward till the new runway is open.

The only thing that might help BWI in this case would be their catchment area, which they claim includes parts of the Philadelphia metro area. But, it sounds as though PIT's location relative to other TATL service (or lack thereof, seeing as the closest TATL airports outside of PIT are CVG and BWI/IAD) could be an advantage for BA if they do eventually go to daily service from PIT.

Gsasala wrote:

If PIT preforms strong enough I could see BA switching BWI's flight time with PIT, since it seems like BWI is struggling with that flight

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. I'm not sure where this notion that BWI is struggling for BA comes from. BA has been at BWI since 1985, the vast majority of the time as daily, and even had 777 service for a bit. PIT could only hope to do as well as BWI.

flyPIT wrote:

Gsasala wrote:

If PIT preforms strong enough I could see BA switching BWI's flight time with PIT, since it seems like BWI is struggling with that flight

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. I'm not sure where this notion that BWI is struggling for BA comes from. BA has been at BWI since 1985, the vast majority of the time as daily, and even had 777 service for a bit. PIT could only hope to do as well as BWI.

I saw a report that BWI is paying BA millions of dollars every year for them to stay

AA bringing the MD-83 in on the DFW evening run again today.

Gsasala wrote:

flyPIT wrote:

Gsasala wrote:

If PIT preforms strong enough I could see BA switching BWI's flight time with PIT, since it seems like BWI is struggling with that flight

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. I'm not sure where this notion that BWI is struggling for BA comes from. BA has been at BWI since 1985, the vast majority of the time as daily, and even had 777 service for a bit. PIT could only hope to do as well as BWI.

I saw a report that BWI is paying BA millions of dollars every year for them to stay

IIRC there is money on the table, but the State of Maryland is only required to pay if BA does not hit certain revenue targets. I think its been several years when they actually had to pay. In the mean time BWI has had some of the best LF's among BA's medium sized markets.

flyPIT wrote:

Gsasala wrote:

flyPIT wrote:

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. I'm not sure where this notion that BWI is struggling for BA comes from. BA has been at BWI since 1985, the vast majority of the time as daily, and even had 777 service for a bit. PIT could only hope to do as well as BWI.

I saw a report that BWI is paying BA millions of dollars every year for them to stay

IIRC there is money on the table, but the State of Maryland is only required to pay if BA does not hit certain revenue targets. I think its been several years when they actually had to pay. In the mean time BWI has had some of the best LF's among BA's medium sized markets.

Maryland hasn't had to pay BA for quite a while now. The flight has been doing much better ever since they switched from the 767 to 787 and honestly, I do not see them ever pulling out of BWI.

Delta28L wrote:

AA bringing the MD-83 in on the DFW evening run again today.

I'm surprised that AA is even sending the Mad Dogs to PIT; I was under the impression that the MDs were going to be used on shorter stage flights from DFW (ie. ABQ, OKC, SAT, MCI, etc.). I did get to fly an MD83 on DFW-SAT earlier this month. It's pretty sad when those seats were a little more comfortable than the Oasis seats being installed on the 738s.

UA going double daily year-round on PIT-SFO. Not really surprised since they’ve been tinkering with it throughout the winter on an irregular basis. Even throughout March, they’ve operated the redeye several times from what I’ve seen. Still, great to see UA is upping this route. Funny how I mentioned a few weeks ago that I could see the second daily go year-round...

Also, looks like G4 is going to sell their own tickets on PIT-CUN/PUJ. Though I’m currently not seeing either available on their site.

Of note, as of now both United SFO flights will be A320's next winter.



Some updates from the Blue Sky website I found interesting:

"Historic PIT Hangars Still in Service 60 Years Later"
https://blueskypit.com/2019/03/25/historic-pit-hangars-still-in-service-60-years-later/

A couple neat pictures included, however it remains pretty disappointing how little the ACAA knows about the airport's original history.... case in point as stated they don't even know when these hangars went in to service. Also, the caption states the DC-3's belong to TWA but I don't think that is the case. I think I have more stuff in my personal collection than the ACAA has in their own archives.


"Direct from London, with Plenty of Pittsburgh on Board"
https://blueskypit.com/2019/03/29/direct-from-london-with-plenty-of-pittsburgh-on-board/


"British Airways Connecting Pittsburgh to the World Stage"
https://blueskypit.com/2019/03/27/british-airways-connecting-pittsburgh-to-the-world-stage/


"Pittsburgh-ese Isn’t the Only Accent Around Here"
https://blueskypit.com/2019/03/25/pittsburgh-ese-isnt-the-only-accent-around-here/

What I found interesting here is a 20% jump in visitors from the Netherlands from 2017-2018. Probably much to do with the Royal Dutch Shell petrochemical plant. Also predicting a 23% jump in overall int'l visitors over the next 5 years:



"PIT is Staying the European Course"
https://blueskypit.com/2019/03/18/pit-is-staying-the-european-course/

Qatar Airways Cargo released their schedule through Oct 26, 2019; PIT remains in place for the duration. That would mark approx. one year of operation without subsidy.
http://www.qrcargo.com/docs/01.Summer%2019%20Freighter%20Schedule%20Issue%201%20-%20Effective%2031st%20Mar%202019%20to%2026th%20Oct%202019.pdf

It's been very quiet lately as to the flight's performance.

Runway28L wrote:

UA going double daily year-round on PIT-SFO. Not really surprised since they’ve been tinkering with it throughout the winter on an irregular basis. Even throughout March, they’ve operated the redeye several times from what I’ve seen. Still, great to see UA is upping this route. Funny how I mentioned a few weeks ago that I could see the second daily go year-round...

Also, looks like G4 is going to sell their own tickets on PIT-CUN/PUJ. Though I’m currently not seeing either available on their site.

Good to see West Coast service growing. Double daily to San Francisco, daily to Seattle, if only PIT could solve the LAX network carrier issue (which should in theory be the easiest one to have in the first place....).

GSP psgr wrote:

Runway28L wrote:

UA going double daily year-round on PIT-SFO. Not really surprised since they’ve been tinkering with it throughout the winter on an irregular basis. Even throughout March, they’ve operated the redeye several times from what I’ve seen. Still, great to see UA is upping this route. Funny how I mentioned a few weeks ago that I could see the second daily go year-round...

Also, looks like G4 is going to sell their own tickets on PIT-CUN/PUJ. Though I’m currently not seeing either available on their site.

Good to see West Coast service growing. Double daily to San Francisco, daily to Seattle, if only PIT could solve the LAX network carrier issue (which should in theory be the easiest one to have in the first place....).

Don’t forget about the SLC route that is being operated as well. Wish we had service to SAN on a budget carrier. LAX is served by spirit.

Delta28L wrote:

GSP psgr wrote:

Runway28L wrote:

UA going double daily year-round on PIT-SFO. Not really surprised since they’ve been tinkering with it throughout the winter on an irregular basis. Even throughout March, they’ve operated the redeye several times from what I’ve seen. Still, great to see UA is upping this route. Funny how I mentioned a few weeks ago that I could see the second daily go year-round...

Also, looks like G4 is going to sell their own tickets on PIT-CUN/PUJ. Though I’m currently not seeing either available on their site.

Good to see West Coast service growing. Double daily to San Francisco, daily to Seattle, if only PIT could solve the LAX network carrier issue (which should in theory be the easiest one to have in the first place....).

Don’t forget about the SLC route that is being operated as well. Wish we had service to SAN on a budget carrier. LAX is served by spirit.

And, there's still the WN PIT-LAX flight 7x/week (2x/Sunday, 1x/Monday-Friday in mid-May; weekday only by mid-September).