Quote:
Originally Posted by AustinTex
As for JetBlue, they could not have landed this structure any more timely. Yes, they will be adding routes. Which ones will be added are under wraps, but being that they use the E-190s out of AUS, they could potentially add a good number more since demand for the smaller aircraft will be of great importance in saving money overall. And yes, they will be taking up whatever valuable routes other airlines cannot maintain out of AUS. The only downside: they don't have too many E-190s. So, if traffic does demand, they may have to incorporate some A320s into the mix as well.
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Good news for both ABIA and JetBlue! (I, for one, will be taking my first flight with them on Friday, and I'm pretty excited about it)
However, surely any JetBlue expansion plans will be quite muted in the short-term with the severe lack of gate space. So first, I'd like to see them stick it out on their new routes like SFO and MCO, where I believe they face some pretty committed competition (UA hub traffic to Asia on the one hand, the behemoth Southwest on the other). If they can excel there, I think only then can they make the business case to expand.
That said, however, I believe--if without hard data--that the market is there for E190 service to IAD and SEA (once AA drops it, which I believe is planned). But the secret's out on AUS: we are remarkably well-served and so there are very few diamonds in the rough as they existed back when JetBlue first entered the market.
It'll be interesting all the same. Thanks for the thorough post!
