Portland International Airport (PDX) News

[maccoinnich]

Allegiant Commences Nonstop Portland-Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Flights

The airline believes the flights will be popular among travelers.



Ultra-low-cost airline Allegiant Air has launched new flights from Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) to Portland International Airport (PDX). The service begins as the industry prepares to experience several million people traveling following the Thanksgiving holiday.

While the new nonstop route is the only flight connecting IWA and PDX, Allegiant competes with four other airlines that operate the route from nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The airline offered a special rate on the new flights for a limited time to celebrate the new service.

...continues at Simple Flying.

[maccoinnich]

Latest concession announced for the new terminal: Orox leather. The video also gives a nice look at the interior progress.

[downtownpdx]

Very cool addition! Can't wait to see everything next spring. Well, almost everything, i guess there are a few other aspects of the project that won't be finished for several months later like the new baggage claim escalators, and I think the retail beyond security is later also.. ?

[CorbinWarrick]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Very cool addition! Can't wait to see everything next spring. Well, almost everything, i guess there are a few other aspects of the project that won't be finished for several months later like the new baggage claim escalators, and I think the retail beyond security is later also.. ?

I was under the impression the baggage area downstairs stays the same? What are they doing with that level?

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by CorbinWarrick

I was under the impression the baggage area downstairs stays the same? What are they doing with that level?

I believe most of baggage claim will look the same. Although upon arrival, passengers will enter from 2 new escalators at the far north and far south ends of the terminal, rather than using the 2 current escalators situated more towards the center. The new escalators will have skylights, and there will be some rearranging of restroom facilities and offices and around international arrivals area at the north end. Seems like it would brighten up both ends of the lower level a bit.

[maccoinnich]

Not directly PDX related, but it does have an impact. Alaska is by far the largest operator at PDX, and the combined Alaska/Hawaiian group would operate 100% of the flights between Portland and Hawaii.

Alaska Airlines to buy smaller rival Hawaiian for $1.9 billion



Alaska Airlines said Sunday it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal, including debt, putting it on track for a potential clash with a Biden administration that has shown wariness about higher fares in the industry.

The combined company would maintain both airlines’ brands, an unusual move in an industry where waves of acquisitions have led to four big brands dominating the U.S. market. On Sunday, the companies said Alaska will pay $18 in cash for each share of Hawaiian, whose stock closed Friday at $4.86 after losing just over half its value in the year so far.

Officials from both companies called the deal a chance to combine two carriers with few overlapping routes, which they said would create a stronger company to compete with the nation’s Big Four: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. It would also create a “clear leader” in the lucrative, $8 billion Hawaiian market, Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci said in a conference call with investors.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Not directly PDX related, but it does have an impact. Alaska is by far the largest operator at PDX, and the combined Alaska/Hawaiian group would operate 100% of the flights between Portland and Hawaii.



...continues at the Oregonian.

I wonder if this will be a good or bad thing. Surely no competition to Hawaii won't be good for fares, but with SEA being so busy, would it be a way to bolster the new combined fleet as a mini Alaska hub to Hawaii? They have the entire market here, why not route most mainland connections through PDX now?

[babs]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

I wonder if this will be a good or bad thing. Surely no competition to Hawaii won't be good for fares, but with SEA being so busy, would it be a way to bolster the new combined fleet as a mini Alaska hub to Hawaii? They have the entire market here, why not route most mainland connections through PDX now?

Seattle.is their hub and that's where they focus their efforts especially with Delta breathing down their neck. I don't see any shift of traffic to Portland. I'm hoping Southwest jumps in to add.Hawaii flights to provide some price competition. Otherwise we will likely see higher prices as Alaska removes a competitor.

[maccoinnich]

I've been trying to think of how PDX could improve the international arrivals experience, assuming the international gates remain at the end of Concourse D (either as-is, or in an expanded international concourse). It's not easy.

If they wanted to replace the bus with a secure corridor the most logical place to place it would be at the deplaning (lower) level. That that would link either the existing or a new Federal Inspection Services (customs/immigration) facility to the arrivals area on one level. Even if all the program in the Concourse D deplaning area could be rearranged, the corridor would hit the baggage sorting area and an access road that cuts through Concourse D.

At the enplaning (upper) level there probably is just enough headroom to fit a mezzanine walkway running down the center in most of Concourse D, however that would have big impacts on the quality of the space below. And it would go right through the center of the Delta Skyclub near D5 and the recently announced Escape Lounge near D10.

So then it’s worth wondering whether it makes sense to build a new international facility, but it’s not obvious where to put that either. A facility at the end of C gates would have the same issue, while the B and E gates were only just built. Anywhere else probably requires a new satellite terminal that would be hard to justify given the existing number of international flights.

Thoughts?

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

I've been trying to think of how PDX could improve the international arrivals experience, assuming the international gates remain at the end of Concourse D (either as-is, or in an expanded international concourse). It's not easy.

If they wanted to replace the bus with a secure corridor the most logical place to place it would be at the deplaning (lower) level. That that would link either the existing or a new Federal Inspection Services (customs/immigration) facility to the arrivals area on one level. Even if all the program in the Concourse D deplaning area could be rearranged, the corridor would hit the baggage sorting area and an access road that cuts through Concourse D.

At the enplaning (upper) level there probably is just enough headroom to fit a mezzanine walkway running down the center in most of Concourse D, however that would have big impacts on the quality of the space below. And it would go right through the center of the Delta Skyclub near D5 and the recently announced Escape Lounge near D10.

So then it’s worth wondering whether it makes sense to build a new international facility, but it’s not obvious where to put that either. A facility at the end of C gates would have the same issue, while the B and E gates were only just built. Anywhere else probably requires a new satellite terminal that would be hard to justify given the existing number of international flights.

Thoughts?

I've always thought that they could build a modest International Terminal East of Concourse E (crude blue drawing below), between E and the Flightcraft hanger. Even if it's slightly satellite, you could build a connecting enclosed walkway (crude red line) to go through the underneath area of Concourse E (along the South Wall), which would dump people out at the current International Baggage claim area (red "X" on drawing)

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Very cool addition! Can't wait to see everything next spring. Well, almost everything, i guess there are a few other aspects of the project that won't be finished for several months later like the new baggage claim escalators, and I think the retail beyond security is later also.. ?

Off the post-security concessions, it looks like at least Grassa, Blue Star, Pendleton and Portland Coffee Roasters will be coming to the north side and Stumptown, Capers and Oven & Shaker will be coming to the south side.

[CorbinWarrick]

Is the downstairs baggage claim getting remodeled as well?

[uncommon.name]

Some awesome shots inside the new terminal.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ul-B0S7DM/?igshid=MzY1NDJmNzMyNQ==

[maccoinnich]

On the one hand, Jetblue PDX-JFK is gone:

JetBlue Axes Several Routes After Merger With Spirit Collapses



JetBlue said Friday it is cutting several routes from its network as part of its effort to return to profitability.

“We constantly adjust our network to support our strategy and these recent changes are a necessary quick step to help return our business to profitability,” JetBlue said in a statement. “All the routes included have recently underperformed our expectations and these changes come as post-Covid travel patterns continue to evolve.”

JetBlue said the network changes were decided well before a Massachusetts District Court judge blocked the carrier’s merger with Spirit Airlines.

The route cuts were first reported by CNBC.

The cuts affect the airline’s less in-demand routes. In particular, JetBlue is halting flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Portland, Oregon and to San Jose, California, according to CNBC. Routes from New York’s Westchester County to Martha’s Vineyard are also affected, along with routes from New York to Ponce, Puerto Rico and to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

...continues at Skift.

However, Frontier is launching flights from PDX to SFO, DFW and ONT:

Frontier Airlines adds new PDX routes to two major metros



Travelers this spring will have new low-fare direct flights between Portland and three destinations, including two major hubs.

Frontier Airlines said Tuesday it will add nonstop flights from PDX to San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth and Ontario, California.

Frontier plans to run daily flights to the two California destinations starting April 10. Flights to Dallas-Fort Worth will be four times a week starting April 21, according to the airline's announcement.

...continues at the Portland Business Journal ($).

[AdamNorthwest]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

On the one hand, Jetblue PDX-JFK is gone:



...continues at Skift.

However, Frontier is launching flights from PDX to SFO, DFW and ONT:



...continues at the Portland Business Journal ($).

Strange, I'm seeing the PDX-JFK flight can be booked beginning in April. It's been seasonal since COVID so maybe it hasn't been updated in their scheduling?

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by AdamNorthwest

Strange, I'm seeing the PDX-JFK flight can be booked beginning in April. It's been seasonal since COVID so maybe it hasn't been updated in their scheduling?

That's my guess, probably just haven't updated their reservation system yet or the end of service date is after that.

Honestly, I'm sad to see JetBlue going this direction. They used to by my go-to airline when I'd travel, especially to southern California. Their planes were nice and they always had good amenities included with your ticket, not to mention very reasononably priced.

[maccoinnich]

December 2023 statistics are out for Portland International Airport. Ended the year with passengers numbers up 20.9% over 2022, now roughly matching 2015 numbers and at about 82% of the 2019 peak numbers.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

December 2023 statistics are out for Portland International Airport. Ended the year with passengers numbers up 20.9% over 2022, now roughly matching 2015 numbers and at about 82% of the 2019 peak numbers.

Nice to see that growth, and at this rate pdx should hopefully hit 2019 levels in the next year or so. Especially if they can resume nonstop Asian service, and add another European flight like Paris. The London flights are doing very well, as they increased both aircraft size and frequency this past year.

[maccoinnich]

Emphasis mine

Small/Medium Size Business Travel Survey

Intro

The Port of Portland is working to bring back nonstop service from PDX to Asia, recruit new service to Latin America, and grow service in Europe. Business travel in our region was heavily impacted by the pandemic and it’s assumed that demand has been slower to recover. The Port would appreciate your input in helping to assess the current state of business travel to Asia, Latin America, and Europe, as we work to expand service for the local business community and international travelers.

Please take a moment to have a representative who manages or is knowledgeable of your company's travel complete the following few questions by February 28. The information will be aggregated, so no individual responses will be shared.

Survey Link

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Emphasis mine



Survey Link

A little annoying they are still blaming the pandemic when nationally traffic is much above pre-pandemic (having pass pre-pandemic 6 months ago). Clearly something else is at play with PDX for why it lags so much.

I found it interesting a friend recently traveled to Coos Bay, and that airport now only connects to SFO and Denver. It used to obviously connect to PDX. Why are natural geographic feeder airports no longer connecting to PDX? Of course, absent flying specifically to Portland, if was in Coos Bay, I'd prefer going to SFO/DEN given the much better flight networks there. Just seems like something could be done to boost in-state feeder networks, which would then make these big international routes more likely.