Tag Archives: LGA

Desperate Shuttles- Delta, Primo Shuttle US Airways

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If you look into the Delta Shuttle operation, you’ll realize US Airways is king in the shuttle market.

First, Delta decided to add First Class to lure more passengers. Then they added WiFi internet. Didn’t really help. A few months later, Delta downsized the fleet, from the maddog (MD-88) to the Delta Connection outsourced EMB-170 cutting seats by almost half. That move doesn’t seem to help either, now does it?

Currently, Delta is offering 3,000 miles for each segment instead of the usual 500. US Airways hasn’t matched yet, but do they really have to?

The fact of the matter is US Airways rules the shuttle market. They are far more convenient, offer a better product and a much more reliable service. Since Delta is merging with Northwest to become the world’s largest airline, I doubt it will drop the shuttle operation entirely, but DC to New York La Guardia seems to be Delta’s weakest of the three shuttle routes. They’d be foolish to downgrade the aircraft further as they’d loose any remaining premium traffic, but I see them reducing flights. To be fair, Northwest was never a big player in Boston, DC and New York, so they can’t bring in that many loyal customers to the new Delta.

Me? I’m just glad US Airways has a solid shuttle operation I can rely on. Including weekends! And those twelve First Class seats on every flight? They’re icing on the cake!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Preview: Summer 2009 US Airways Flights to Bermuda

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Every Summer, US Airways beefs up it’s flights to Bermuda. While PHL service is offered year-round on an Airbus A320, come summer we see birds as large as the A330-300 or the B767 on the route. In addition, seasonal routes from other cities like MCO are offered. Let’s look at the full schedule.

 

PHILADELPHIA (PHL)- BERMUDA (BDA) * DAILY YEAR ROUND SERVICE*- SUMMER 2009 SERVICE ON B757

US1070 PHL (10:15AM)- BDA (1:35PM) B757
US1425 BDA (3:27PM) - PHL (4:45PM) B757

 

CHARLOTTE (CLT)- BERMUDA (BDA) *DAILY SERVICE* FROM MAY 28, 2009- September 8, 2009

US1067 CLT (11:21AM)- BDA (2:49PM) A319
US1047 BDA (4:30PM) - CLT (6:15PM) A319

 

WASHINGTON-REAGAN (DCA)- BERMUDA (BDA) *DAILY SERVICE* FROM JUNE 2, 2009- SEPTEMBER

US981  DCA (8:30AM)  - BDA (11:53AM) A319
US1635 BDA (12:45PM) - DCA (2:08PM)  A319

 

ORLANDO (MCO)- BERMUDA (BDA) *SATURDAY ONLY SERVICE* FROM JUNE 6, 2009- AUGUST 29, 2009

US1104 MCO (11:50AM)- BDA (3:28PM) A319
US1103 BDA (1:00PM) - MCO (2:47PM) A319

 

Summer 2009 schedule doesn’t show the Boston-Bermuda and New York-LGA operating at all. BOS-BDA last operated during Summer 2008, while LGA-BDA last operated during Summer 2007. Both were daily utilizing A319 aircraft.

I also remember US Airways applied with the DOT for permission to fly nonstop from Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) to Bermuda in 2003. I’m not sure if the flights ever materialized, but here is a press release regarding the flights.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

January 15, 2009: US Airways 1549- the day ended in a truly wonderful way

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Earlier this evening I received a text message from CNN Alerts about a US Airways aircraft landing in the Hudson River. I had very little information at the time of the message; however, by the time I got home everyone had been talking about US Airways 1549. The first thing I did after I logged onto my computer I checked my email and received a message from a friend of mine who works for US Airways. The message said she wasn’t not on US1549 , but she was safe and sound at home. The fact that I didn’t know what was going on, but got an email saying someone was not onboard a particular flight made me think this was very serious. It was.

By now most of you already know what happened, so I need not explain. I will leave you with one thought however. I found this photo on Flickr and it is by far the best account of what exactly happened today. In my opinion, no picture nor video from the media is as powerful and chilling at the same time. The photo was taken by Gregory Lam- link to photo found here.

I applaud the entire crew of US Airways flight 1549 and am grateful for this miraculous outcome. The crew did a commendable job in evacuating this Airbus A320. It is my hope that anyone who was hurt or injured will make a full and speedy recovery.

US Airways has issued a press release and a series of updates on it’s web page. Visit the “Press Releases” section of the USAirways.com website for further information. US Airways has also established a Care Team that can be reached at 1-800-679-8215. It is my personal opinion, that at this point, only family members of passengers and crew should be utilizing this phone number. Media and other parties interested should patiently wait to be briefed by a representative from US Airways.

 

-Mark

More widebodies in 7 days than in 7 months

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December maybe the time for egg nog, holiday lights, kisses underneath the mistletoe, but it’s also a time when most mileage runs take place.

This year Kinglobjaw is running after some miles all the way to Dublin, London, New York and San Juan.

I’m booked on more US Airways widebodies within 7 days than I was aboard in the last 7 months. My SJU runs all involve widebodies as PHL and CLT schedules send a mix of 767’s and A330’s to SJU. Not to mention Europe, which is all widebody except Dublin (a 757 ETOPS).

Many firsts for me on this trip:

  • First lenghty flight on an US Airways 767 in Envoy (CLT-PHL is nice but something longer would be nicer)
  • First visit to the PHL US Airways ‘F’ terminal club while I wait for my PHL-LGA which is opearated by a US Airways Express Piedmont DASH-8
  • First US Airways 757 ETOPS flight
  • First ever flight on Star Alliance partner bmi
  • First ever visit to the London Heathrow’s Star Alliance Terminal (1)

The good news is the fares are so low I won’t even have to leave milk and cookies for Santa. Santa may give you great gifts, but he won’t get you that low cpm (cents per mile) with a fun and creative routing.

As always flying gets me all excited, and like all the other times, I am thrilled and can’t wait for my upcoming trips.

It’s December and I was able to book some mileage runs to secure my status, but can I get the other things December has to offer? I think so! Hopefully I’ll be able to find egg nog at one of the airports where I transit. I’ll see the beautiful holiday lights New York or London, and if I’m very lucky I’ll get a kiss underneath the mistletoe. But first, I have to find that mistletoe.

Have a nice, while not getting drunk on egg nog, clicK life,

-Mark