Comments on: Southwest’s Interesting New York LaGuardia Schedule Construction

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:58:07 +0000

I’m not surprised to see certain long-haul destinations such as Denver from LaGuardia – remember there is a perimeter in place for LaGuardia service, that only a few slots are exempt. If I remember correctly, it’s 1200 miles or so.

By: Robert S

Robert S — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:20:33 +0000

I’m really glad to see the LGA departures not scheduled beyond BWI/MDW. This should help cut down serious delays in other markets away from LGA that could be routinely hit with big delays. I’ve already been concerned enough with the operational hit from PHL and SFO which are often a mess with weather. LGA raises the bar for making sure they figure out how to run service to often delayed airports without deteriorating on-time flights through other parts of the network.

By: Marks

Marks — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:19:05 +0000

] For that reason, they won’t want to sell them as through flights.

OTOH, if there are other flights coming in late because of the La G issues, then those flights might just turn into perfect through flights. That then might provide some revenue boost – eg your frequent flying business person who knows that there are likely to be delays on any given day and wants some security in travel plans might select that on the basis that they will be able to meet schedule.

ie are they making their schedule based on what they think it will be rather than what it should be if the LG issues did not crop up regularly.

By: CF

CF — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:07:52 +0000

Zack Rules – I meant to say that tongue-in-cheek, to some extent, but it still could happen. I bet someone will sell Southwest slots. It’s just a matter of whom.

By: The Traveling Optimist

The Traveling Optimist — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:28:42 +0000

Forgot about USAirways, guy. Thanks for the reminder.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:22:06 +0000

To The Traveling Optimist: For July 2009, US Airways Express operates 7 BWI-LGA and 8 LGA-BWI flights, spread evenly throughout the day. That seems real enough for the local (business) market that prefers to go by plane vs. train.

By: Zack Rules

Zack Rules — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:44:30 +0000

“Maybe they can sell some of those slots over to Southwest.”
In this lifetime?
Love the blog though

By: Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:20:44 +0000

Great work CF! Nice breakdown of the schedule.

Southwest’s move into LGA is really for Southwest frequent fliers. It would be interesting if Southwest were to garner up local NYC traffic. Local NYC travellers have so many choices, I would find it surprising they would choose Southwest. But, anything could happen though!

By: A

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:16:11 +0000

It will be interesting to see how long Delta sticks with this schedule under the price pressure that Southwest has introduced.

Since WN moved into MSP Delta/NW has slashed fares to ORD and MDW to less than what Southwest is charging. Sounds like more of the same from the old Northwest action plan in trying to undercut the competition at their hub airports. Wonder if Delta will try something similar at LGA. If so, will it work? Southwest is far tougher competition than the startups that have historically taken on NW at their hub airports. In an environment where we have overcapacity almost everywhere who will stick it out longest, legacy airline or WN?

By: The Traveling Optimist

The Traveling Optimist — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:03:43 +0000

“Gotta start somewhere” is what it sounds like and the schedule plays to their strengths, both of which happen to be relatively nearby.

BWI has no real service to New York. One or two JFK flights timed for international connections and Continental Express to Newark. 3-a-day to Baltimore gives that city legitimate coverage to the Big Apple without overkill. In that outlook it doesn’t seem that Washington was really much of a consideration in setting the timing. If someone WANTS to go to DC they can always take the MARC train from BWI to get there.
If BWI-LGA local is the target market, 3 flights seems the standard spread to “test” the waters before dropping more in later.

LGA-MDW also has the EL to get in to town and it’s a closer ride. Since WN so proudly boasts that 80% of its traffic is local they’re not worried about beyond connections but will offer them if someone wants them. Like Cranky said, this spread seems more for people going to NYC than connecting out of it. Loyal Southwest customers in both cities are probably rejoicing.