Originally Posted by
BlueScholar
What is the difference between the number of 777/78 trips in the smallest base, and largest nonbase? I imagine there's plenty of 777 trips with DEN or ORD layovers but clearly not enough for the company to want to add a base there. At least that adds a datapoint of when a new WB base becomes less of a pipe dream
I think the real question is how many Polaris seats could the company fill coming to/from international destinations into/out of MCO/TPA. One argument is that, as a leisure destination, you are more likely to have cost-conscious families. Another argument is that Central Florida is growing as a business/technology hub which will draw more of those valuable Polaris business travelers AND an MCO/TPA base could feed a growing Southerneastern US network.
It will be interesting to see what United does, but with Delta and Air France flying more direct international flights out of MCO, not to mention Emirates/Virgin/BA/Azul/etc flying widebodies to MCO, there is clearly a lot of international market share to be captured. The important piece here is if Central Florida continues growing at or near the pace of the past 10 years or so.