Portland International Airport (PDX) News

[Derek]

PDX loses one flight on a niche carrier, but is gaining multiple flights with other airlines. I don't think losing this one flight is that big of a deal.

[tworivers]

Derek: PDX loses one flight on a niche carrier, but is gaining multiple flights with other airlines. I don't think losing this one flight is that big of a deal.

I don't think it's that big of a deal, just not encouraging. They may be a niche carrier but they're one that people seem to enjoy doing business with, unlike Delta and United.

If Virgin walks away from Portland entirely, it just can't be a good sign. I was hoping to see an expansion of service (and, of course, dreaming of Virgin Atlantic PDX-LHR to give Delta a run for their money on the AMS flight), not a cutback so soon after the celebrating and ribbon-cutting. The more airlines serving the airport, the better. I still miss seeing the Lufthansa logo at PDX.

[RED_PDXer]

PDX--LAX is a big loser compared to PDX--LGB. I avoid LAX at all costs.

[maccoinnich]

Delta now owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic, and the two carriers codeshare on all their flights between the UK and North America. If Virgin Atlantic wanted to serve Portland, it would be in partnership with Delta, not to compete with them.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by tworivers

I don't think it's that big of a deal, just not encouraging. They may be a niche carrier but they're one that people seem to enjoy doing business with, unlike Delta and United.

If Virgin walks away from Portland entirely, it just can't be a good sign.

I agree with you, it sucks to see it go.


Virgin America just hasn't exactly expanded the way they had hoped when they first started operations. Does anybody even know how profitable they are?

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by Derek

Virgin America just hasn't exactly expanded the way they had hoped when they first started operations. Does anybody even know how profitable they are?

They're not. They've lost money every year they've operated; last year, that amounted to $145.4 million.

[bvpcvm]

I didn't read the article, but the Oregonian (I think) was reporting that PDX had more passengers in 2012 than in any year since 2007. That's not saying too much, but on the other hand, the news could be worse. So maybe Virgin pulling out says more about the airline than Portland.

[tworivers]

bvpcvm, that makes some sense, I guess. I had no idea they were losing money like that or that Delta owned 49% of the airline (thanks maccoinnich for the info). I did read that article about PDX, definitely good news.

[maccoinnich]

Just to be clear - Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic are two completely different airlines.

Virgin America are the ones who currently serve PDX, and are losing a tonne of money. They're realistically likely to stop flying in the next few years unless they can turn their financials around quickly. They are a short/medium haul carrier, whose routes are entirely in North America. Virgin Group only own 25% of the airline, the maximum shareholding permitted by US law.



Virgin Atlantic are an airline based in London, who are now 49% owned by Delta. They're primarily a long haul airline, serving destinations to and from London. It would be nice if they served Portland, but it's unlikely to happen given slot constraints at Heathrow. They would almost certainly have to cancel another route to serve PDX.

[pdxtraveler]

Originally Posted by Derek

PDX loses one flight on a niche carrier, but is gaining multiple flights with other airlines. I don't think losing this one flight is that big of a deal.

I have to agree. I am disappointed. But Delta is adding 4 flights on that route. The majors Alaska (for our city it is major), Delta, and United have the frequent flyer loyalty group. It is hard to compete with that, especially when you only fly to two destinations from here.

[Shilo Rune 96]

Originally Posted by RED_PDXer

PDX--LAX is a big loser compared to PDX--LGB. I avoid LAX at all costs.

JetBlue recently had $55 flights to Long Beach, CA!

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by tworivers

According to Wikipedia, Virgin America is already ending their PDX-LAX service.

Bummer....I always though this route has done very well, but they didn't workout too well.

[pdxtraveler]

Hey! I just found a silver lining to this. I was just looking in my computer and Virgin America is operating 3 flights a day coming up to San Francisco. They used to only have 1 flight SFO and 2 to LAX. So they are STILL going to have 3 flights a day just only to SFO.

[downtownpdx]

Just how good is Portland's airport? Travel+Leisure says very

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2013/10/just-how-good-is-portlands-airport.html

Mason Walker
New Media Manager-
Portland Business Journal

The first thing travelers generally notice about Portland's airport is the green carpeting. Or the dramatic glass-covered walkway to the plant-draped parking garage.

Travel+Leisure readers apparently noticed those memorable traits and more at PDX, as the hub landed at No. 1 on the magazine's ranking of America's top airports. ...

PDX pieced together No. 2 rankings for design and shopping with a No. 3 ranking for food offerings to take the top position overall. Despite a poor showing in the location category, one voter acknowledged the convenience of light-rail service between the airport and the city core.

[urbanlife]

Not surprised, I love PDX, it is by far the best airport I have ever been in in this country.

[downtownpdx]

Totally agree, it really is a beautiful airport with a great sense of place. I think it was at the forefront with its locally focused retail/food concept... you've unmistakably landed in Portland, Oregon when you walk out of the gate.

[MarkDaMan]

I'd still like to see additional local restaurants and retailers move in. The 3 Wendys leave and they fill the vacant spots with a Burgerville, good, and a McDonalds, ugh (3rd one still TBD I think.)

In all my travels though, PDX is my favorite for so many reasons.

[WestCoast]

The recent addition of non-stops to DCA and the year-round continuation of service is really making PDX a great transit hub.

Before, it was 'awesome airport, so-so route coverage'. Now I'm really proud of our airport.

Only limiting factor is a oneworld/Alaska partner to New Zealand (two stops on FJ isn't great). But I'm being super picky.


Gone to China, South Pacific, Europe and soon south america so far this year. All with just one stop (except aforementioned NZL).

Very few delays, immigration is quick and I'm generally curb to gate in 10-12 minutes with AS MVPG.

--
I do wish Delta would re-time the PDX-AMS route back 2-3 hours. The early arrival into AMS misses most of the early morning connections there, so you are sitting around for 3 hours waiting for the noon departures.

If it left PDX around 3-4pm and got into AMS around 11am, you would have a better chance to sleep on the plane too.

Also if it departed AMS at 10am instead of the 830am departure, you wouldn't have the the 4am wakeup in whatever city you are connection from when going home.


Compared to other larger airports, we really really have it lucky at PDX!

[Tanaka07]

Delta Starting 4x daily Nonstop PDX-Seattle Service

Will go head to head with United and Alaska on the PDX-SEA route.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/delta-continues-build-seattle-market-170200431.html


Four new daily nonstop flights from Portland, Ore. beginning Sept. 2, 2014.

Similarly, Delta is also adding an additional nonstop flight to Los Angeles from Portland in May making 5x daily.

[Derek]

I just found out that PDX lost it's Asiana Cargo route to Seoul.