Posts Tagged ‘PHL’

A few weeks ago, I posted about US Airways pulling the plug on the PIT-EWR route.

Turns out, that same day (March 7, 2009) US is starting a single PHL-EWR flight. It will be operated by US Airways Express- Piedmont Airlines. After that, starting on March 8, 2009 there will be 4 flights in each direction.

Schedule is as follows:

US4534 PHL (9:30AM) - EWR (10:29AM)
US4536 PHL (1:30PM) - EWR (2:29PM)
US4552 PHL (4:10PM) - EWR (5:15PM)
US4556 PHL (8:50PM) - EWR (10:00PM)

US4505 EWR (6:45AM) - PHL (8:00AM)
US4525 EWR (11:20AM)- PHL (12:35PM)
US4527 EWR (2:59PM) - PHL (4:19PM)
US4539 EWR (5:45PM) - PHL (7:05PM

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I’ve had the hardest time buying tickets for my upcoming trip. You see, I am going to Hawaii in April and I need to fly into HNL. My plan was to purchase a revenue coach ticket on US Airways and upgrade using my Dividend Miles as it’s just 17,500 miles each way. The good thing about the mileage upgrade is that it clears you into First at the time of ticketing, and more importantly from the city of origin, which in my case would be Chicago- ORD.

US Airways Hawaii flights are all operated by America West B757′s which offer 14 First Class seats. I say not bad, given that the East B757′s have only 8 in First or 12 Envoy if configured with Envoy!

I planned a simple ORD-PHX-HNL-PHX-ORD, but as you know with my trips, the way they are booked resembles nothing how they were planned. PHX-HNL has two flights a day per direction on US and there were absolutely no upgrade seats. None! I’m not flexible at all, so I politely declined the agent’s offer to look around.

Now the good part. US flies nonstop to four cities in Hawaii: HNL, Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA) & Lihue (LIH) are all daily from PHX. US Airways used to offer LAS (Las Vegas)-OGG, but let’s not get into that. It’s just no longer there and what a shame!  Anyway, PHX-HNL/OGG are both double daily. In fact, last year, when I needed three upgrade seats to HNL and back I had to return from Maui, since HNL-PHX had none.

What I did differently this year. I looked at everything. When you’re desperate, you’re desperate. Or may I should call it creative?

The good thing about Hawaii is that the islands are relatively close to each other, and while competition is no longer the same without Aloha Airlines, inter-island fares are still pretty low if booked ahead of time. In addition, Hawaiian Airlines (HA) codeshares with almost every USA based airline and quite a few international ones too. They have baggage and ticketing agreements, and most importantly during these times of a-la carte pricing, they do not charge for the first bag you check. After all, if they did, tourists would not hop around the islands, HA would loose customers and islands would loose potential tourists and the revenue they could scrape off of them. In return, the Hawaiian Islands would be pretty upset with HA.

Another idea to digest is that US Airways (and I’m sure many other carriers) will allow HA segments at no extra charge (aside from a few $ in taxes). I mean, if the ORD-HNL fare basis is, say $505 round trip, in most cases US Airways will let you route it via multiple stops, meaning you don’t have to fly ORD-PHX-HNL, you can fly ORD-PHX-OGG-HNL using US up to OGG and then HA on OGG-HNL. It depends on the fare rules, but sometimes you can do 3 or 4 stops, meaning ORD-PHX-OGG-KOA-HNL and the base fare is still $505. Remember, all you end up paying extra is a few more dollars in airport and other taxes.

On my dates, only PHX-KOA had upgrade availability, so my outbound was ORD-PHX-KOA-HNL. Of course, as with all mileage upgrades, they only upgrade you on your frequent flyer carrier, so in my case US Airways. Still, I don’t mind a short KOA-HNL where, as a preferred, I still earn 500 miles and another 500 miles bonus for being a Chairman’s Preferred. Return wise, HNL-PHX was also not avalable for upgrades. Only OGG-PHX and LIH-PHX were available for that evening. The LIH schedule fit me better so I routed myself HNL-LIH on HA, and then US from LIH-PHX-PHL-ORD. Why not nonstop from PHX-ORD? Not available, but PHX-PHL-ORD was and the fare only went up by a few dollars, again due to taxes.

In conclusion, I booked ORD-PHX-KOA-HNL-LIH-PHX-PHL-ORD while confirming everything in First instantly (except KOA-HNL and HNL-LIH since it’s operated by HA). What is good is that I paid only $31 dollars more in taxes than I would have paid for ORD-PHX-HNL-PHX-ORD and would have to ride in coach. Plus, think of all the miles I will earn! I told you, the way I plan flights is never similar to how I book them.

Makes me think of last year’s ORD-LAS-SEA-LAS-PHX-HNL-OGG-PHX-SEA-PHL-ORD method of getting to Hawaii.

Now for some thoughts about using miles to Hawaii:

• Just like with the upgrades, think about flying into one of the other islands. You may not be able to have HA on your ticket as an award, but purchasing a seperate coach ticket between the islands shouldn’t cost more than $39+ tax one-way if planned in advanced. Check Hawaiianairlines.com for that! Whatever you do, don’t fly Go!
• If using miles and wanting to fly United, think about United’s flights from DEN, LAX, and SFO which are high in frequency. ORD-HNL will be hard to get.
• Soon you will be able to use miles on Continental Airlines as they will join Star Alliance.
• Not many people know this, but USA based members can use their miles on Air Canada. Air Canada flies daily to HNL, OGG, KOA nonstop from Vancouver, Canada (YVR). They use larger B767/A333 aircraft where coach is easier to book, yet business class more difficult. Air Canada’s B767′s and A333′s now feature fully flat business class seats, so they’re considered “hot”!
• Two other Star Alliance carriers server Hawaii. Air New Zealand flies a B767 three times per week from Auckland, NZ (AKL), while ANA flies a B767 daily from Tokyo-NRT. If ever in that region or you want to stop in Hawaii and fly onward, you can use them. Both offer coach and business class on those specific flights.

Have a nice clicK life, Aloha,

-Mark

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

Take a look at select seasonal transcon services from PHL, CLT that were added in the last two years. Find out what will operate this summer.

Aside from PHX, LAS, SAN, LAX, SFO, SEA, DEN nonstop from both PHL and CLT, here is some information regarding the seasonal transcon flights.

From PHL

PHL-SMF (Sacramento, CA)- From May 10, 2009- August 17, 2009

US375 PHL (5:55PM)  - SMF (8:56PM)
US376 SMF (8:30AM)  - PHL (4:31PM)

PHL-PDX (Portland, OR)- From May 10, 2009- August 17, 2009

*Only 1 daily service per direction- Summer 2008 saw 2 daily per direction*

US927  PHL (5:55PM) - PDX (9:02PM)
US1180 PDX (8:45AM) - PHL (4:51PM)

PHL-YVR (Vancouver, Canada)- Does not operate. Connections available via PHX, LAS

From CLT

CLT-SMF- From June 2, 2009- August 17, 2009

US927 CLT (8:20PM)  - SMF (10:40PM)
US377 SMF (10:30PM) - CLT (6:10AM +1)

CLT-PDX- From June 2, 2009- August 17, 2009

US977  CLT (6:10PM)  - PDX (8:33PM)
US1180 PDX (10:30PM) - CLT (6:21AM+1)

CLT-TUS (Tuscon, AZ)- Does not operate. Connections available via PHX

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I haven’t really looked into it to see whether it can be done round-trip or just one-way, but I found really cheap fares on USAirways.com for a DUB-ORD fare basis. Fare is $123 US dollars + tax.

The most interesting part is that these fares are available for as early as today morning (it is 6:49AM in Dublin as I type this), or even February 6 or 7, 2009. I’m pretty sure if you look further back you can find similar fares. Funny, I always thought last minute fares would be rocket sky high!

While this is great for any traveler, the mileage runner can “score” big time on one of these fares. For example, let’s try fitting in more segments along the way.

Dublin, Ireland to Chicago, IL: Duration- 16 hrs 35 min
	US Airways Flight US723 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class (lunch, snack)
	Departs Dublin, Ireland (DUB)	Fri, Feb 6	10:55a
	Arrives Philadelphia, PA (PHL)	7 hrs 50 min	1:45p
	Layover in Philadelphia- 1 hr 40 min
	US Airways Flight US4247 on a De Havilland Dash-8 (prop plane) in coach class (operated by US Airways Express – Piedmont Airlines)
	Departs Philadelphia, PA (PHL)	Fri, Feb 6	3:25p
	Arrives Baltimore, MD (BWI)		4:13p
	Layover in Baltimore- 1 hr 2 min
	US Airways Flight US788 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class
	Departs Baltimore, MD (BWI)	Fri, Feb 6	5:15p
	Arrives Charlotte, NC (CLT)		6:41p
	Layover in Charlotte- 1 hr 39 min
	US Airways Flight US1624 on an Airbus A321 (jet) in coach class
	Departs Charlotte, NC (CLT)	Fri, Feb 6	8:20p
	Arrives Chicago, IL (ORD)

Price including all taxes? $182.80. Great deal!

Anyway, miles earned the above listed flights? 4,872 miles- assuming you are Preferred with US Airways Dividend Miles (PHL-BWI; BWI-CLT count as 500 miles only if you are Preferred).

I also found a one-way for of $200+tax ($260.80) between DUB-SFO. Routing is crazy. Earns you 6,839 miles on way (compared to only 5,098 you would earn if you flew nonstop).

Dublin, Ireland to San Francisco, CA: Duration- 30hrs 58 min
	US Airways Flight US723 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class (lunch, snack)
	Departs Dublin, Ireland (DUB)	Wed, Feb 4	10:55a
	Arrives Philadelphia, PA (PHL)		1:45p
	Layover in Philadelphia- 1hr 50 min
	US Airways Flight US1451 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class
	Departs Philadelphia, PA (PHL)	Wed, Feb 4	3:35p
	Arrives Charlotte, NC (CLT)		5:17p
	Layover in Charlotte- 33 min
	US Airways Flight US306 on an Airbus A320 (jet) in coach class (food for purchase)
	Departs Charlotte, NC (CLT)	Wed, Feb 4	5:50p
	Arrives Las Vegas, NV (LAS)		7:48p
	Layover in Las Vegas- 1 hr 52 min
	US Airways Flight US117 on an Airbus A320 (jet) in coach class
	Departs Las Vegas, NV (LAS)	Wed, Feb 4	9:40p
	Arrives Phoenix, AZ (PHX)		11:50p
	Layover in Phoenix- 8 hrs 55 min
	US Airways Flight US403 on an Airbus A319 (jet) in coach class
	Departs Phoenix, AZ (PHX)	Thur, Feb 5	8:45a
	Arrives San Francisco, CA (SFO)		9:53a

Makes me want to go mileage running. I can’t though, too busy! Heh, one can dream!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

As an ongoing effort to secure rights to fly to Rio De Janeiro (GIG) from Charlotte (CLT), US Airways has just filed a response with the DOT as to why it should be one of the carriers awarded these flying privileges.

You can  read their press release here, while the actual response is available as a PDF file located here.

Most of you already know this will a be a 767 service originating in PHL, however the return portion from CLT-PHL will be on an A320, which is still subject to change.

When I first heard about GIG possibly being US Airways’ newest destination, I thought the new A332 aircraft US is getting would be a great candidate to fly the route. However, it seems US is going the safe way and starting out with the 767 and depending on how the route performs it could get upgraded. I do remember reading about Air Canada using the 777 to one South American city (sorry, I forgot which one) starting in December 2009, so let’s hope for the best- good luck US Airways.

In my opinion US Airways will be getting the privileges on the basis of being a new entrant and bringing in competition to the Southeastern area of the United States. Delta, you have met your match!

Here is the proposed schedule for the flights:

Northern Hemisphere Summer

US800 PHL (6:45PM)  - CLT (8:30PM)    B767
US800 CLT (10:30PM) - GIG (9:00AM+1)  B767
US801 GIG (9:05PM)  - CLT (6:00AM+1)  B767
US801 CLT (7:30AM)  - PHL (9:04AM)    A320

Norther Hemisphere Winter

US800 PHL (6:45PM)  - CLT (8:30PM)    B767
US800 CLT (10:30PM) - GIG (11:00AM+1) B767
US801 GIG (11:05PM) - CLT (6:00AM+1)  B767
US801 CLT (7:30AM)  - PHL (9:04AM)    A320

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

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