PHL-BGI

[US1YFARE]

Does anyone know why this non-stop has been removed for just 4 Saturdays (5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3) but then returns on 6/10?

Also, they used to serve this market with a A321, but now are using an A320 in both CLT and PHL with PHL only having one Saturday non-stop. Yesterday, the flight was canceled for the above 4 weekends but then returns....any explanation is appreciated.

 

[AL-PS-PI-AW]

Hmmm...this route was never flown with an A321. Those airplanes cant go over water for that long if i am correct.
BGI in May isnt actually a big time destination.

 

[US1YFARE]

Hmmm...this route was never flown with an A321. Those airplanes cant go over water for that long if i am correct.
BGI in May isnt actually a big time destination.

Yeah, well I flew it less than 2 years ago with a 321, but that it really not my concern.

I don't understand why they implemented a "schedule change" for these four weeks only and why the "schedule change" was done recently. The non-stop was in place until March 7th for these four weeks and then they took it away, but the flight resumes in June. Also, during that time, they replaced the 767 between PHL and CLT with a 757.

Are they painting the A/C? Are they gearing up for the new European service?

 

[MarkMyWords]

First, the A321 can not go PHL-BGI because it is not overwater capable.

Second, US Airways (east) generally finalizes their schedule approx 45 days in advance. So this is about the time that they would be doing the final schedule load for the May schedule. When they load the schedule it could be that the June schedule that you see in the time tables or in availability are still reflecting Aprils schedule and that will be resolved in a few days. Another explaination could be that each Caribbean market is pretty cyclical. May could be an off peak travel period for BGI, but peak somewhere else. We have done this in SDQ, PUJ and ANU just to name a few.

I don't think that the reductions are due to any paint track activity. The change of the 767 to a 757 could be to get that last 767 painted before the ramp up of the summer European schedule, but generally you need only about a week for paint.

Just my 2 cents.....

 

[SoftLanding]

A321 can be flown to BGI, however, routing would be along the East Coast to the Bahama Islands, and then down along the islands to BGI.

Routing a couple of hundred miles longer, so it's not very economical.

Lull in the travel in May, that might be the reason for a schedule change, if in fact that holds true. Also, we fly both PHL & CLT to BGI round-trip on weekends as of now, so we will most likely keep CLT-BGI.

Travels usually picks up after school ends, and several of the Islands have carnivals etc. over the summer. Then another lull sets in after Labor Day until the holidays...

 

[Jonnyd]

A321 can be flown to BGI, however, routing would be along the East Coast to the Bahama Islands, and then down along the islands to BGI.

Routing a couple of hundred miles longer, so it's not very economical.

Lull in the travel in May, that might be the reason for a schedule change, if in fact that holds true. Also, we fly both PHL & CLT to BGI round-trip on weekends as of now, so we will most likely keep CLT-BGI.

Travels usually picks up after school ends, and several of the Islands have carnivals etc. over the summer. Then another lull sets in after Labor Day until the holidays...

And when those lulls set in is exactly the time I'll be going down! We seem to get better hotel deals starting in April all over the Carribbean. Best one I ever got was $99 at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef in St. Thomas last April.

 

[SoftLanding]

And when those lulls set in is exactly the time I'll be going down! We seem to get better hotel deals starting in April all over the Carribbean. Best one I ever got was $99 at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef in St. Thomas last April.

You're absolutely right, hotel rates drop sharply after Easter/April timeframe.

And another reason US Airways will probably offer fewer seats throughout the Caribbean in the off-season is lower fares/yields, when said aircraft can be utilized flying East-West at higher avarage fares.

Most legacy carriers have increased service to several islands, I guess looking at US Airways service and trying to fly wing-tip to wing-tip in the hopes of making a buck...(But that discussion belongs somewhere else🙂

 

[phasersonstun2]

Yeah, well I flew it less than 2 years ago with a 321, but that it really not my concern.

Sorry to chime in, but none of the 321's are EOW. There is no way that the 321 flew to BGI. A 319 or a 320 it was, laddie!

 

[SoftLanding]

You sure are not a pilot...I've flown the A321 several times from CLT to the Islands (A319/320 scheduled), but because of mechanical problems with the A319/320, we sent us out in a A321.

Only requirement is to stay within 162 NM of the nearest land.

So in fact the A321 can be used, but economically from PHL is rather doubtful...(But then again, where do we make money) 🙂

 

[US1YFARE]

So in fact the A321 can be used, but economically from PHL is rather doubtful...(But then again, where do we make money) 🙂

Nov 2004


Why did they wait until now to change the May schedule--if they know there is a lull in travel--why wait until now to do the schedule change!!!!! And, they call me at 3am to tell me that lines at the airport could be long, but they don't call to tell me that there has been a major schedule change.

 

[700UW]

US flies/flown the A321 from CLT to GCM, MBJ, FPO, NAS and CUN.

 

[FlyOnWall]

Can the A321 not be EOW equipped or did US just choose it that way?

Airbus needs to make a 'sturdier" A321 an A322? that could really compete with a 757. Better wing, little more capacity, range, ETOPs for transatlantic, be perfect for US.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Airbus needs to make a 'sturdier" A321 an A322? that could really compete with a 757. Better wing, little more capacity, range, ETOPs for transatlantic, be perfect for US.

Some of that is certainly possible - a little more capacity (though probably very little), range (just add more fuel tanks in the cargo hold), ETOPS (presumably just as easy of the 319/320).

Some is doable but expensive - better wing, but might need more power to really make use of the wing.

Unfortunately, some contradict others - more capacity (adding people & their bags) reduces range (can't carry as much fuel, never mind putting those extra fuel tanks in the cargo hold) and vice versa.

There are 737's (700's I believe) and Airbuses (319's or 320's - don't remember which) doing TA ETOPS. They just configure them for 40-50 premium passengers and add fuel tanks. You could presumably do the same with the 321, though I'm not sure if a 40-50 seat all-premium class A321 fits our LCC aspirations.

Jim

 

[phllax]

I think the 321 flew to St. Kitts too.

 

[twoturnin]

321 could never do what the 757 can do---one leg of which was ----Orange Co CA to PIT --182 folks--packs off--flaps 20 takeoff with an alternate---off a 5600 ft RWY.