MCO Base Timelines
03-24-2025 | 02:22 PM
#61
On Reserve
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
If you’re truly long-term looking at FL. AA/MIA if you live south of TPA/St. Pete or DL/ATL if you live in or north of those cities.
MCO for UA will likely close in the next major downturn before its adds another category/expands it’s never gonna be one airlines hub (e.g. nowhere to expand, too low fare, too much competition). The U.S. southeast is a clear weakness in UA’s network and right now no potential to grow; just like Delta in TX or AA in pacific NW. Plus, the second you get tired of driving to fly a 737 you’ll be commuting to EWR/IAD (low frequency/lots of commuters) or IAH (senior base, low frequency, lots of commuters) both of which are mostly on 737’s (1 JS can’t be reserved).
FL commuting to ATL does have high loads, but bookable JS, high frequency on large planes, yellow slipping to only need 1 commute flight, and P.S. on the backup makes it much easier than people make it out to be + it’s an hour flight or less. ATL is also HQ (career opportunity/training center) and has 5,000+ pilots based there, seniority will always move steady there, and WB flying is night&day better than MIA. Pure speculation, but Delta is doing some interesting growth in Tampa; being the anchor tenant for new terminal/gates. Maybe a MCO/TPA 320 or 737 base once fleets consolidate more? Delta already does intl. & domestic WB flying out of TPA and MCO on their own metal with Skyteam in general dominating the TPA/MCO market.
If you can drive to MIA in south Florida that’s a clear winner. But, AA/DL’s financial performance would be a factor in on my decision as well and how you see each company performing in the near & far future.
p.s. these are my own opinions/experiences on the matter. Please take it as such
MCO for UA will likely close in the next major downturn before its adds another category/expands it’s never gonna be one airlines hub (e.g. nowhere to expand, too low fare, too much competition). The U.S. southeast is a clear weakness in UA’s network and right now no potential to grow; just like Delta in TX or AA in pacific NW. Plus, the second you get tired of driving to fly a 737 you’ll be commuting to EWR/IAD (low frequency/lots of commuters) or IAH (senior base, low frequency, lots of commuters) both of which are mostly on 737’s (1 JS can’t be reserved).
FL commuting to ATL does have high loads, but bookable JS, high frequency on large planes, yellow slipping to only need 1 commute flight, and P.S. on the backup makes it much easier than people make it out to be + it’s an hour flight or less. ATL is also HQ (career opportunity/training center) and has 5,000+ pilots based there, seniority will always move steady there, and WB flying is night&day better than MIA. Pure speculation, but Delta is doing some interesting growth in Tampa; being the anchor tenant for new terminal/gates. Maybe a MCO/TPA 320 or 737 base once fleets consolidate more? Delta already does intl. & domestic WB flying out of TPA and MCO on their own metal with Skyteam in general dominating the TPA/MCO market.
If you can drive to MIA in south Florida that’s a clear winner. But, AA/DL’s financial performance would be a factor in on my decision as well and how you see each company performing in the near & far future.
p.s. these are my own opinions/experiences on the matter. Please take it as such
I live in MCO, got CJO with UA, AA and UPS... But no DL. Gathering as much info as possible to make my crystal ball less hazy. Time to make the decision is coming soon. Thanks for the help !
03-25-2025 | 03:35 PM
#62
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Joined: Apr 2023
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Best of luck!
03-25-2025 | 03:43 PM
#63
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Joined: Jan 2024
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03-25-2025 | 05:17 PM
#64
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,192
Likes: 162
If you’re truly long-term looking at FL. AA/MIA if you live south of TPA/St. Pete or DL/ATL if you live in or north of those cities.
MCO for UA will likely close in the next major downturn before its adds another category/expands it’s never gonna be one airlines hub (e.g. nowhere to expand, too low fare, too much competition). The U.S. southeast is a clear weakness in UA’s network and right now no potential to grow; just like Delta in TX or AA in pacific NW. Plus, the second you get tired of driving to fly a 737 you’ll be commuting to EWR/IAD (low frequency/lots of commuters) or IAH (senior base, low frequency, lots of commuters) both of which are mostly on 737’s (1 JS can’t be reserved).
FL commuting to ATL does have high loads, but bookable JS, high frequency on large planes, yellow slipping to only need 1 commute flight, and P.S. on the backup makes it much easier than people make it out to be + it’s an hour flight or less. ATL is also HQ (career opportunity/training center) and has 5,000+ pilots based there, seniority will always move steady there, and WB flying is night&day better than MIA. Pure speculation, but Delta is doing some interesting growth in Tampa; being the anchor tenant for new terminal/gates. Maybe a MCO/TPA 320 or 737 base once fleets consolidate more? Delta already does intl. & domestic WB flying out of TPA and MCO on their own metal with Skyteam in general dominating the TPA/MCO market.
If you can drive to MIA in south Florida that’s a clear winner. But, AA/DL’s financial performance would be a factor in on my decision as well and how you see each company performing in the near & far future.
p.s. these are my own opinions/experiences on the matter. Please take it as such
MCO for UA will likely close in the next major downturn before its adds another category/expands it’s never gonna be one airlines hub (e.g. nowhere to expand, too low fare, too much competition). The U.S. southeast is a clear weakness in UA’s network and right now no potential to grow; just like Delta in TX or AA in pacific NW. Plus, the second you get tired of driving to fly a 737 you’ll be commuting to EWR/IAD (low frequency/lots of commuters) or IAH (senior base, low frequency, lots of commuters) both of which are mostly on 737’s (1 JS can’t be reserved).
FL commuting to ATL does have high loads, but bookable JS, high frequency on large planes, yellow slipping to only need 1 commute flight, and P.S. on the backup makes it much easier than people make it out to be + it’s an hour flight or less. ATL is also HQ (career opportunity/training center) and has 5,000+ pilots based there, seniority will always move steady there, and WB flying is night&day better than MIA. Pure speculation, but Delta is doing some interesting growth in Tampa; being the anchor tenant for new terminal/gates. Maybe a MCO/TPA 320 or 737 base once fleets consolidate more? Delta already does intl. & domestic WB flying out of TPA and MCO on their own metal with Skyteam in general dominating the TPA/MCO market.
If you can drive to MIA in south Florida that’s a clear winner. But, AA/DL’s financial performance would be a factor in on my decision as well and how you see each company performing in the near & far future.
p.s. these are my own opinions/experiences on the matter. Please take it as such
SE is a weakness and management does acknowledge that. That said, MCO yields good results. It won’t be going anywhere. In fact, UA just signed a 30 year (with an additional 10 year option) $300 million dollar contract with MCO for additional hanger and office space. That said, management said that they want to get “A+’s” in the hubs before trying to grow bases like MCO and LAS. With more planes showing up, MCO will grow (unknown by how much) along with other bases.
As far as commuting in the short term goes, EWR is your best bet. I’ve seen as much as 20 flights a day (spread across UA, NK, and JB) up to EWR. It usually averages around 14-16 flights a day though. Getting to work is a none issue. IAD/IAH have less frequency. Though, idk the exact amount. With DL making interesting moves in TPA, there’s a good chance that UA responds with its own growth plans in MCO/TPA (TPA is a co-domicile for the MCO base).
AA guys tell me that the MIA commute is awful and lots of them just end up driving to S. Florida. My DL buddy tells me that MCO-ATL is one of the toughest commutes as the JS is always booked up. Don’t shoot the messenger on this one.
I believe that UA is right choice here. Since you live in Orlando, going to UA is a no brainer. If for whatever reason it does close, you’ll be commuting (just like you would be at AA/UPS).
This is also just my .02 so take that for what it’s worth. Feel free to PM me with questions or concerns.
03-26-2025 | 01:04 PM
#65
On Reserve
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
One of the common misconceptions around MCO is the low yeild question. While it is generally understood that Domestic US to MCO is generally a low yeild environment the same is not true for International to MCO. Most (not all) International carriers fly to MCO uncompeted. Iberia will be flying to MCO starting next month and pretty sure they can name thier price. Most passengers will pay a premium to not connect internationally..there's an enormous International market out there, especially South America to MCO. We will see if UAL ever decides to go this route.
03-26-2025 | 01:34 PM
#66
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 97
I would put UPS as a distant 3rd, personally. There is so much more potential (seniority & finances) to be had at United & American; especially when both have bases in FL and if you ever do decide to move for whatever reason both offer much more flexibility than UPS (plus non-rev is a nice thing to have). You’re in a great spot, you can’t really go wrong.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Ive gotten trolled for this, and I only have good intentions saying the following:
Important for everyone to consider: United and American are AIRLINES, UPS is a shipping, receiving and supply chain management company that utilizes AIR TRAVEL.
03-26-2025 | 02:24 PM
#67
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
One of the common misconceptions around MCO is the low yeild question. While it is generally understood that Domestic US to MCO is generally a low yeild environment the same is not true for International to MCO. Most (not all) International carriers fly to MCO uncompeted. Iberia will be flying to MCO starting next month and pretty sure they can name thier price. Most passengers will pay a premium to not connect internationally..there's an enormous International market out there, especially South America to MCO. We will see if UAL ever decides to go this route.
03-26-2025 | 02:56 PM
#68
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 741
Likes: 40
One of the common misconceptions around MCO is the low yeild question. While it is generally understood that Domestic US to MCO is generally a low yeild environment the same is not true for International to MCO. Most (not all) International carriers fly to MCO uncompeted. Iberia will be flying to MCO starting next month and pretty sure they can name thier price. Most passengers will pay a premium to not connect internationally..there's an enormous International market out there, especially South America to MCO. We will see if UAL ever decides to go this route.
Yields to orlando from anywhere are lower then most places. Its vacationers not business people. Vacationers book their travel months ahead of time and rarely pay full fare for business class. Just the nature of what Orlando is. Vacationers are looking for bargain fares as a general rule. You will never see an international hub in Orlando for United.
03-26-2025 | 04:13 PM
#69
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 97
Sorry,
Yields to orlando from anywhere are lower then most places. Its vacationers not business people. Vacationers book their travel months ahead of time and rarely pay full fare for business class. Just the nature of what Orlando is. Vacationers are looking for bargain fares as a general rule. You will never see an international hub in Orlando for United.
Yields to orlando from anywhere are lower then most places. Its vacationers not business people. Vacationers book their travel months ahead of time and rarely pay full fare for business class. Just the nature of what Orlando is. Vacationers are looking for bargain fares as a general rule. You will never see an international hub in Orlando for United.
I used to go MCO like 6-7 times a month, there seems to be "Nationals" every week (or at least the Moms believe it's Nationals).......hey this helps us with revenue, so I say why not trophies/unaffordable trips to Orlando for everyone.
03-26-2025 | 04:16 PM
#70
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 80
One of the common misconceptions around MCO is the low yeild question. While it is generally understood that Domestic US to MCO is generally a low yeild environment the same is not true for International to MCO. Most (not all) International carriers fly to MCO uncompeted. Iberia will be flying to MCO starting next month and pretty sure they can name thier price. Most passengers will pay a premium to not connect internationally..there's an enormous International market out there, especially South America to MCO. We will see if UAL ever decides to go this route.
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