International Gates & Usage

[jcw]

If US were to expand to Asia/India wouldn't that increase usage of the A concourse. For example, if they flew PHL to DEL using about the same schedule as CO that would have a int'l arrival in the AM. After that aircraft came in it could depart for Asia around 10:30 AM. If they had service to HKG, NRT and PEK and flew them using similar schedules as ANA from the east coast you would have the departure occuring around 11 AM.

You could also have an AM departure to LGW with an overnight in LGW with a very early morning departure from LGW for a mid day arrival.


This would help to increase A utilization. Also if some of the Asian aircraft did overnights to LAX and SFO like the 67's used to do those aircraft could use the A concourses for AM arrivals.

You could also start doing runs to South America with overnight flights arriving in the AM.

 

[nycbusdriver]

If US were to expand to Asia/India wouldn't that increase usage of the A concourse. For example, if they flew PHL to DEL using about the same schedule as CO that would have a int'l arrival in the AM. After that aircraft came in it could depart for Asia around 10:30 AM. If they had service to HKG, NRT and PEK and flew them using similar schedules as ANA from the east coast you would have the departure occuring around 11 AM.

You could also have an AM departure to LGW with an overnight in LGW with a very early morning departure from LGW for a mid day arrival.


This would help to increase A utilization. Also if some of the Asian aircraft did overnights to LAX and SFO like the 67's used to do those aircraft could use the A concourses for AM arrivals.

You could also start doing runs to South America with overnight flights arriving in the AM.

Thinking out of the box. You either don't work for USAirways, or your job's in real jeopardy for doing that.

 

[NAPAUS]

<_< <_< <_< Now that makes way TOO much sense- remember who your talkin about here ~ USAirways-Tempe style!

 

[zethya]

If US were to expand to Asia/India wouldn't that increase usage of the A concourse. For example, if they flew PHL to DEL using about the same schedule as CO that would have a int'l arrival in the AM.............

That plan may work if there are very few schedule problems - e.g., weather delays, etc. on both ends - and it would take a very dynamic and near perfect gate shuffling procedure for such occurrences. I think a more likely plan will be something like scheduling most 767/757 departures from B, until PHL develops the 2 additional gates in A-West and converts the A-West adjacent facility to an overflow international terminal. Personally, I'd like to see US esthetically upgrade 4 gates in A-East (if available) or in B and use them as international departure gates for the 767 and 757. A-East is already funded by the city for upgrading during 2008 to physically make it more compatible with the look of A-West. Further, I'd hate to see them actually use that adjacent facility for actual international arrivals since it would invariably detract from the very positive attributes of A-west. Better they should consider using the adjacent facility (if that's what comes to fruition) as a holding and servicing facility for aircraft transiting from international arrival to international departure - rather than doing that at an active gate. There are obviously many scenarios to alleviate this gate situation and each has it's own unique positives and negatives. Unfortunately, one that is not an option is for US to spend capital improvement funds for a major facility development/upgrade - ala CO and DL. Another data point which makes this entire situation difficult to solve is that the City remains concerned about US's viability as a stand alone company and the possiblity that someone like UA could partner/acquire and move most international flying elsewhere, such as IAD. Further, there is still the open question regarding the final decision of a complete airport upgrade, via the FAA studies (CEP) and forthcoming final recommendations, which obviously would detract from further large investment to patch work the place. I guess a ? could be why don't US and PHL jointly fund a solution? I know someone will ask the ?, "isn't US's recent large orders for long haul aircraft sufficient confirmation the they are here to stay?". An answer could be "Maybe, but UA has not placed ANY firm orders for additional aircraft".

The A-343 would likely be a cost prohibitive aircraft, particularly with today's fuel prices and low fare structure, for any domestic routes (e.g., PHL-LAX). Asia and deep South America flights would require 2 aircraft for each route from PHL and a spare, which could be used for premium, relatively short haul routes like PHL-SJU in the winter. I believe US is already negotiating for at least five 340s.

 

[FutureUScapt]

Actually if you look at US' upcoming summer schedule, they have gotten somewhat creative to help alleviate the gate space issue. Flights from DUB, GLA, and SNN will all arrive just after 5pm, nearly an hour after the flights to ATH, MXP, and FRA have already left. The only bad thing is that it might make some of the connections on to the west coast tight.

Generally speaking, US could make better use of A-gates if it adds more worldwide destinations, but that still doesn't change the fact that most of European flights will be leaving/arriving at the same time. Plus, flights to India and S. America generally depart in the evening while TATL flights are still at the gate and flights from Asia generally arrive in the middle of all the TATL arrivals.

 

[Travelpro72]

It's no secret that this airline can't even get the whimsical dance of baggage carts, catering trucks, lav trucks and fuel to work right at ONE gate and anyone thinks we'd be capable of playing musical chairs with airplanes? Totally out of Usairways realm. You'd have dash-8's at gate A-20 and they'd be trying to move 757/767's to the F terminal.