Normally I'd tend to agree. But there's a lot of funny business going on, and how can the prospect of B6/NK/F9 getting together in one combination or another not terrify them? How arrogant can you actually be?

Unless they plan to buy HAL, that might be just enough to keep them relevant for a while (plus no eastern bases to close). SY isn't big enough to change the game, would give them nada but some guppies, pilots, and one base to close.

 

I agree, it’s a very weird time. It’ll be interesting to watch what unfolds.

unfortunately, I don’t think there is a limit to alaska managements arrogance lol

 

The singular thing that’s consistent here.

 

1)Drawing down Transpac (abysmal loads at fire sale prices coupled with a 40% weaker revenue premium with respect to HAL).
2)Increasing frequency inter island to Maui to improve reliability to have a higher ratio of aircraft just to support the operation.
3)Upset locals by being unreliable, arrogant, and responsible for bringing low yield tourists that contribute little to the economy (i.e. those who buy pb&j at big box stores, stay in b&bs, and trample on the free trails and beaches)

They are a remarkable competitor, but they are struggling more than anticipated. The Alaska rumor has been paired with the thought that HAL is more valuable than previously thought and would keep them help fortify HI flying as WN retreats, giving up market share, or continue to shed dollars.

You heard different with respect to WN?

 

As long as you’re asking… I just talked to an HNL based UAL FA who commutes interisland on SWA. She said that their FAs told her that they are opening a FA base in HNL and possibly a pilot base if they can get concurrence from SWAPA. What I’ve heard and what I believe are entirely different things of course!

The ticket prices are a nice change. When my daughter’s AS SAN-HNL-SAN got canceled last week I was able to get her SWA for $500 vs HAL asking $2000. Not sure where the perception of arrogance comes in. Your mention is the first I’ve heard of it. I hang with a lot of HAL guys and hadn’t heard that but honestly they’re just more interested in when the next swell is gonna hit.

Interesting times…

 

Lol, if that is true it is truly laughable and JetBlue will have nothing to do with it. If the board and management as a whole are that stupid, this company deserves to ultimately fail.

 

A base makes total sense to sustain inter island. Although staffing has been less the issue on the macro as opposed to a schedule robust enough to support the satellite flying. Frontline workers like FAs can see in plain sight that it's not working.

Regarding the arrogance, it's been the fanfare surrounding overcapacity in a saturated market when over tourism and sustainability on on everyones mind. The perception in HI is that it has been treated like Vegas or Orlando and its not. Nothing about the sentiments that I am aware of are in reaction to WN flight crew or support staff. Everyone posting on here is referring to Airlines A, B, and C with respect to management (brand, strategy, attitude, yada yada). Or Training at said airline is behind because it sucks, it's because of management and not a reflection of instructors per se.

Also, the price difference tells the story of who has more empty seats. WN doesn't give them away.

 

B6 isn't what it used to be. I got row 1 on a jetBlue flight from SFO to LAX and thought I'd landed first class. Turns out, it was an A320 that was ~162 seats in an all coach class configuration. The seat padding seemed thin like Spirit. Sure it had TV screens, but it definitely seemed to be more of a low cost operation. The transcon routes are the ones with the Mint cabins. 162 seats isn't much different than 178 so swallowing Spirit may be easier than most think. If it goes through, I'd expect it to be all jetBlue and a strong competitor in the big 5. In the meantime, it looks like there will be a bidding war which will be profitable for Spirit share holders.

 

I'm not sure I follow all this merger mania. The facts (so far, at least) seem to show the unmerged having their go at it. Spirit looks like it'll be taken over by either Frontier or jetBlue. AS is still cleaning up the VX merger so I don't see how they go out and just buy someone else. SWA make a play for AS is about the most reasonable of the possibilities, or a AS/HAL merger. But I don't see anything in the next 3 weeks or whatever OTZ's timeframe was.

Of course, I could be wrong. Nothing would surprise me. I still think the merger mania is going to be the un-merged carriers going at it. Spirit, jetBlue, Frontier, Sun Country, Allegiant, and maybe even the new entrants like Avelo and Breeze. If Avelo can make it, I can see them being bought by a bigger carrier - such has been the case of many California-based airlines. Heck, Alaska bought two.

 

I wouldn't say that, VX is long gone... they're just trying to unload the airbi, but that might not even be necessary depending on who they merge with.