America West

As I continue to post and define some of these major and minor air carriers I am forced to consider America West Airlines AWA. Although America West offers some of the lowest fares in particular markets that fact doesn't mean it does so out of free will. It's because Southwest Airlines LUV, U.S.'s #6 carrier, and known discounter operates its two largest numbers of daily flights out of America West's two major airports. America West is based out of Phoenix, and has a hub there as well as in Las Vegas. Not the best sites for hubs geographically. America West is flying new aircraft such as Airbus's A320 series and some older 737's. They also fly 757's on longer routes with more traffic.

America West has recently tried to diversify itself from dependence on their southwest routes and have started transcon flights between Washington D.C., Boston, and New York City to San Francisco and Los Angeles. They have also opened a new mini-hub in Los Angeles with flights to 10 cities (3 in Mexico, the 3 transcons I just mentioned, 2 in Canada, and 2 hubs). However, the vast majority of its flights still involve its Phoenix and Las Vegas hubs. They have learned to compete with Southwest, although they have had a difficult time doing so. Many of the fares that they match Southwest on are ones at undesirable times (Sure, I'll arrive at 2:30 AM).

America West was able to get $380 million in Federal Loan Guarantees after 9-11 and $110 million in cash. Recently, they have been in merger talks with struggling #10 carrier American Trans Air AAI which is competing at Chicago's Midway airport with Southwest, and it's something that America West knows how to do. In the future, America West is trying to emulate Southwest's inflight amenities (with the addition of tray-table advertising, which Southwest doesn't have), while flying to more exotic destinations such as Anchorage and San Jose, Costa Rica. The success of this strategy is up for debate, as other carriers such as Alaska, Frontier, and Spirit are trying to jump on the Mexico and Latin America bandwagons too.

Airline #9 The Hometown Carrier

Airline #9
Alaska Airlines: ALK Operating out of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Alaska Airlines serves the Washington State/Oregon/California and return market. Of course, they also fly to Alaska and operate out of many airports up there, and often provide the only choice for air travelers coming out of that region. Some of their Alaskan service is federally subsidized because it's hard to make money flying 737's to Nome and Cordova, and the federal government wants to insure air service is available. Alaska has recently started flights to the East Coast from Seattle and some other western cities. They fly mostly 737's; however some are gas guzzling 737-200's and -400's which don't utilize the fuel saving technoligies incorporated in the -600 through -900 models. (Alaska has some of these as well, but not as many as the older ones). Finally, Alaska has MD-80's which are old, fuel inefficent aircraft that need to be replaced. However, this is not a huge problem, since these planes don't make up much of their fleet. Alaska is not likely to go under anytime soon, though they are cutting jobs and trying to make themselves the "Costco of airlines" (as CEO Bill Ayer recently said) where customers receive a low price, but with somewhat upscale service such as meals and in-flight entertainment.

The First Post!

This is the first post from the staff at airlinebulletin.com, and certainly not the last. The Bulletin will focus on the industry and the changing climate in the airline business. I will make every effort to publish every weekday, however, I may miss a day or two. I will be adding other parts to the site and eventually will join affiliate programs from various travel sites, so I'll post it when I spot a good deal (which I'll know by my knowledge and understanding of the lowest fares available from major markets). I'll soon be making amazon.com affiliate postings, so I can recomend a book, and at the same time you, my loyal visitors, can help keep the site going. Thanks and Enjoy!

Today, Friday, is traditionally not a busy day for press from the airlines as they are more concerned about the busy travel weekends (especially Fridays and Sundays, though it's important to realize that the fall is not a major travel season, and this weekend is right in the thick of it). The big story today is that oil prices shot up to over $55 as there are new concerns in Iraq and the Arab world. Of course, this is bad news for the air carriers who spend a huge amount on fuel per year. In the coming days The Bulletin will talk about some of the fleet (types of aircraft) that each airline has, and how they will be adversely impacted by these rising prices.

That's all for now, stay tuned for more in the coming days!