Nosmo King

Large cities do this for international service. Portland, OR did something similar to get NW to fly PDX-NRT because it opened up passenger and cargo possibilities. Corporate clients include Nike, Microsoft and Boeing.

Would the route be profitable 365 days a year? Nope.

jonnyjetprop

First off, St. Joe is garanteeing breakeven. They don't have to pay if SW makes money.

Don't discount the drive factor. Look at places like Manchester, NH. Half or more of Vermont and Maine drive in to add the the base passengers in New Hampshire. That's the reason for the 80 mile restriction. Where SW really shined was when it competed with RJ's and fortress hubs. Hate Atlanta, fly SW.

__________________
America- Where we privatize gains and socialize loses

beeker

People will drive or travel long distances to save a buck or two. Example, we live in cleveland and were traveling to orlando. My wife wanted to save $20 to $30 on Southwest, flying thru St. Louis, versus direct to orlando on CAL. I told here the hours saved plus money on airport food were worth the $30.
I had a lady in Flint once brag how she was saving $50 on her ticket by flying to seattle via atlanta to boise to seattle. FOR $50.

Albief15

There is no way the current load warrants SWA service. That is the point. The St Joe/SWA/The Beaches partnership is designed to try to build a new destination. With great beaches, lots of inexpensive hotels, and now some reasonable fares and no ATL/MEM hub requirement, it is hoped that enough new folks will give the place a look and the area will grow into a more popular destination.

If a person in ORD can bounce down to the beach on a cold weekend for a break for a few hundred bucks, I suspect we'll have a whole new type of tourist market. Right now the connections mean leaving Friday gets you in late, and you have to leave early Sunday to get to work. A direct shot opens up an extra half day at the beach on both days. By the same token, lots of us Riveria Rednecks would love to bounce up for a Cubs Game or trip to DC for a weekend IF we could do it...so maybe some us WILL put on our shoes and a clean T-shirt now and then and give SWA some money.

Will it work? I have no idea. I can tell you, however, that if I can fly from PFN to BWI or MDW direct my soon to be Diamond Elite status on Delta/NW may be in some jepordy. I'll also commit to flying my family at least once a quarter somewhere to either join me on a long layover or take a family trip. I'm sure I won't be the only one...

Nosmo King

My guess is that you will be connecting through MSY or Love Field.

On a side note, I hope you aren't trying to get to the Redneck Riviera on Thanksgiving evening. Both NW and DL printed timetables show flights 7pm or later to PNS, VPS and PFN. Try to book it on delta.com or nwa.com and they don't exist on 26 Nov.