Anybody else noticed that B6's BGI-FLL flight is now daily (again) with the aircraft RON in BGI? I wonder what the lf's are on that flight and if the new times affect it in any way. People from the nearby islands now cannot connect to it via LI.

LimaFoxTango wrote:

Anybody else noticed that B6's BGI-FLL flight is now daily (again) with the aircraft RON in BGI? I wonder what the lf's are on that flight and if the new times affect it in any way. People from the nearby islands now cannot connect to it via LI.

The timing of the flight is better for Bajans as it allows more shopping time in addition, it also allows better connections with JB in FLL.

baje427 wrote:

windian425 wrote:

BGI is also getting the MAX.

That is unfortunate it is also a capacity downgrade for BGI and POS .

Only 10 seats per plane, or about 150 weekly.

LimaFoxTango wrote:

Anybody else noticed that B6's BGI-FLL flight is now daily (again) with the aircraft RON in BGI? I wonder what the lf's are on that flight and if the new times affect it in any way. People from the nearby islands now cannot connect to it via LI.

When they went back to the daily, up from 3x weekly they shifted to this afternoon departure. This might well be why DL dropped ATL BGI, given B6s low fares. That already forced them to drop JFK BGI.

I think it's quite a downgrade. Quite apart from an inch less legroom, MIA-POS is daily so nine fewer seats means 3,285 fewer a year, equivalent to 19 full MAX 8 flights.

BTW, I see no evidence that the 737 MAX is going to BGI.

gunnerman wrote:

I think it's quite a downgrade. Quite apart from an inch less legroom, MIA-POS is daily so nine fewer seats means 3,285 fewer a year, equivalent to 19 full MAX 8 flights.

BTW, I see no evidence that the 737 MAX is going to BGI.

It’s double daily so it’s actually twice that per year (I’m unsure about seasonal drops in frequency). It’s about a 5% drop in capacity. I think B6 starting FLL-POS really threw the market out of whack. B6 themselves are cutting capacity, BW is down to 6x weekly out of FLL the first two weeks of December. The fact that American chose POS as the first international route for the 7M8 shows that it was a priority change.

LimaFoxTango wrote:

Anybody else noticed that B6's BGI-FLL flight is now daily (again) with the aircraft RON in BGI? I wonder what the lf's are on that flight and if the new times affect it in any way. People from the nearby islands now cannot connect to it via LI.

I’m sure that B6’s own connections at FLL are more significant than the connections via LI and BW (during carnival). The O+D from FLL to BGI simply isn’t big enough to run it daily with an early morning departure out of FLL when you’re competing with AA and BW (one stop) out of Miami.

Brickell305 wrote:

gunnerman wrote:

I think it's quite a downgrade. Quite apart from an inch less legroom, MIA-POS is daily so nine fewer seats means 3,285 fewer a year, equivalent to 19 full MAX 8 flights.

BTW, I see no evidence that the 737 MAX is going to BGI.

It’s double daily so it’s actually twice that per year (I’m unsure about seasonal drops in frequency). It’s about a 5% drop in capacity.

You are right about double-daily, don't know how I got that wrong.

I note that although BW maintains a daily MIA-POS service, the flight continues onto GEO thus reducing MIA-POS capacity as there are passengers who are booked MIA-GEO.

During the slow months AA used the 737 instead of the 757 to BGI hopefully that will be the case with the Max and its not permanently on the route. The A321 as it is currently configured is a nice ride.

gunnerman wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

gunnerman wrote:

I think it's quite a downgrade. Quite apart from an inch less legroom, MIA-POS is daily so nine fewer seats means 3,285 fewer a year, equivalent to 19 full MAX 8 flights.

BTW, I see no evidence that the 737 MAX is going to BGI.

It’s double daily so it’s actually twice that per year (I’m unsure about seasonal drops in frequency). It’s about a 5% drop in capacity.

You are right about double-daily, don't know how I got that wrong.

I note that although BW maintains a daily MIA-POS service, the flight continues onto GEO thus reducing MIA-POS capacity as there are passengers who are booked MIA-GEO.

People also use the flight to connect to other destinations such as GND, PBM and to a lesser extent CCS and BGI. The FLL flight gets in to POS much later and as such doesn't connect to anything without an overnight. So even though most people on that flight are terminating in POS, the additional connections do help it in a way that can't be replicated on the FLL flight.

Brickell305 wrote:

People also use the flight to connect to other destinations such as GND, PBM and to a lesser extent CCS and BGI. The FLL flight gets in to POS much later and as such doesn't connect to anything without an overnight. So even though most people on that flight are terminating in POS, the additional connections do help it in a way that can't be replicated on the FLL flight.

Before B6 began the FLL POS route BWs nonpeak service was less than daily. Now that B6 has reduced service is reduces pressure on BW to be daily. With B6 reducing service maybe fares will increase, reducing travel.

As expected, Sint Maarten is suffering from lack of flights.

http://torontosun.com/travel/travel-canada/canadian-airlines-suspend-winter-flights-to-hurricane-damaged-st-maarten

Airlines and destinations which were hit by huriccanes Irma and Maria.

http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/24228-airlines-lost-hundreds-of-millions-due-to-hurricanes

LIAT crippled by another dispute with pilots

https://antiguaobserver.com/liat-pilots-new-row-with-management-cripples-travel/

Avianca still in discussions with Insel. If it finalizes they apparently plan to run it as a subsidiary.

guyanam wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

People also use the flight to connect to other destinations such as GND, PBM and to a lesser extent CCS and BGI. The FLL flight gets in to POS much later and as such doesn't connect to anything without an overnight. So even though most people on that flight are terminating in POS, the additional connections do help it in a way that can't be replicated on the FLL flight.

Before B6 began the FLL POS route BWs nonpeak service was less than daily. Now that B6 has reduced service is reduces pressure on BW to be daily. With B6 reducing service maybe fares will increase, reducing travel.

Ok. I thought the route was always daily year round. I doubt that fares will go up. So Fla. - Port of Spain has always seen low fares outside of carnival/Christmas. I actually don't think B6's entry reduced fares significantly. Fares are essentially the same as they were prior to their entry.

On FLL-POS:

B6 is four times a week until 14 June 2018 when it will be daily.

BW is five times a week until 22 November 2017 when it will be daily.

Brickell305 wrote:

[Ok. I thought the route was always daily year round. I doubt that fares will go up. So Fla. - Port of Spain has always seen low fares outside of carnival/Christmas. I actually don't think B6's entry reduced fares significantly. Fares are essentially the same as they were prior to their entry.

The fares were always low but became lower with B6 entering.

Brickell305 wrote:

Does this mean that the 737 MAX is replacing the A321 on MIA-POS? I actually enjoyed the A321s.

i think so, i looked at aa.com and the a321 is not listed on the route after Feb. 18. I think its safe to say the A321s are being replaced by the 7M8 on the route

INFINITI329 wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

Does this mean that the 737 MAX is replacing the A321 on MIA-POS? I actually enjoyed the A321s.

i think so, i looked at aa.com and the a321 is not listed on the route after Feb. 18. I think its safe to say the A321s are being replaced by the 7M8 on the route

It also appears that UVF is getting the A321 next year. This after ANU got switched to the A321 this year. It's a bit strange to see bigger aircraft (albeit with lower frequency) on MIA-UVF/ANU than on MIA-POS. It used to flown with a widebody not too long ago.

Brickell305 wrote:

INFINITI329 wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

Does this mean that the 737 MAX is replacing the A321 on MIA-POS? I actually enjoyed the A321s.

i think so, i looked at aa.com and the a321 is not listed on the route after Feb. 18. I think its safe to say the A321s are being replaced by the 7M8 on the route

It also appears that UVF is getting the A321 next year. This after ANU got switched to the A321 this year. It's a bit strange to see bigger aircraft (albeit with lower frequency) on MIA-UVF/ANU than on MIA-POS. It used to flown with a widebody not too long ago.

Trinidad is just not what it used to be....I remember when there used to be charters galore out of JFK for the summer and Christmas seasons. Not so anymore

The Trinidad economy is stuttering, and there are people who have for some time been hoarding foreign currency in the expectation of a devaluation of the TT Dollar. Indeed, I know a senior person in the government who has been buying as many US Dollars as he can. Against this economic backdrop, it won't be surprising if airlift isn't what it used to be.

INFINITI329 wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

INFINITI329 wrote:

i think so, i looked at aa.com and the a321 is not listed on the route after Feb. 18. I think its safe to say the A321s are being replaced by the 7M8 on the route

It also appears that UVF is getting the A321 next year. This after ANU got switched to the A321 this year. It's a bit strange to see bigger aircraft (albeit with lower frequency) on MIA-UVF/ANU than on MIA-POS. It used to flown with a widebody not too long ago.

Trinidad is just not what it used to be....I remember when there used to be charters galore out of JFK for the summer and Christmas seasons. Not so anymore

BW actually has more seats out of North America than BWIA used to have, even though it doesn't serve BGI and ANU. Also there was no scheduled service out of JFK and YYZ by North American carriers in those days. B6, AC, and especially WS replace the charters, and BW now has more seats.

There used to be 3x daily on the SoFL POS. Now there are 4-5x daily. And then there is the MCO POS at 2x weekly.

I don't think that POS is seeing less service than in the old charter days. To the contrary its more attractive to North American carriers, leaving no room for the charters.

ANU and UVF only get daily service so this will account for a larger plane. They are also higher yielding markets than POS/BGI. These are strong leisure market destinations with no service by B6 or BW on the FL routes. UVF has seen a sharp increase in US arrivals over the past few years and the large numbers of high end hotel rooms being added also reassures US carriers that this is a stable destination. The pitons have virtually become the visual symbol of the Caribbean now.

gunnerman wrote:

The Trinidad economy is stuttering, and there are people who have for some time been hoarding foreign currency in the expectation of a devaluation of the TT Dollar. Indeed, I know a senior person in the government who has been buying as many US Dollars as he can. Against this economic backdrop, it won't be surprising if airlift isn't what it used to be.

The VFR always was the largest component of North America POS travel and that continues. There was a time when North American scheduled carriers had no interest in service to POS from JFK and YYZ. Clearly not the case now!

I think that there are 1,000 more seats weekly into FL POS now than there was before BW/B6 added FLL and BW added MCO. With PY flying MIA GEO I doubt that this is due to more in-transit passengers to that destination.

On the JFK BWIA used to do 3X daily with one via BGI or the others tied to their GEO market. The only competition was from the charters. Now BW does almost 3 daily with virtually all of these seats assigned to POS and then there is B6 daily service, doubling during the peak periods. UA comes in daily during the peak periods. Come Xmas NYC POS will have 6 DAILY flights! Ditto for the summer.

While there is no doubt less outbound traffics and maybe the business market is softening I suspect that the VFR market remains sturdy. Maybe more Trinis going to North America sleep on their relatives' sofas like they used to do, with fewer staying in hotels now that they have less funds.

I'm a little puzzled why the US-POS market has held up so well. There is a limit to how much VFR traffic will flow to Trinidad and the leisure market is not large even though Trinidad has a lot to offer holidaymakers. For example, it is something special to stand on the pitch lake or to experience steel pan music where it was invented.

Brickell305 wrote:

INFINITI329 wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

Does this mean that the 737 MAX is replacing the A321 on MIA-POS? I actually enjoyed the A321s.

i think so, i looked at aa.com and the a321 is not listed on the route after Feb. 18. I think its safe to say the A321s are being replaced by the 7M8 on the route

It also appears that UVF is getting the A321 next year. This after ANU got switched to the A321 this year. It's a bit strange to see bigger aircraft (albeit with lower frequency) on MIA-UVF/ANU than on MIA-POS. It used to flown with a widebody not too long ago.

UVF was to switch to the A321 by early FEB, but remained on the B757. From OCT to early NOV the switch was made, but surprisingly reverted to the B757. As it stands, it's the last to see it regularly.

So... KLM is back at TNCM (SXM), hopefully other airlines will get in for next summer. (Ive heard a few things)

gunnerman wrote:

The Trinidad economy is stuttering, and there are people who have for some time been hoarding foreign currency in the expectation of a devaluation of the TT Dollar. Indeed, I know a senior person in the government who has been buying as many US Dollars as he can. Against this economic backdrop, it won't be surprising if airlift isn't what it used to be.

The economy is not doing all that well yes but the saying goes "Trinis have money for what they want" and those that can fly regularly just to shop In MIA for the weekend and return. For example imagine now people are travelling to the US for black Friday sale in time for their Christmas shopping, this was unheard of years ago.

In any case as Guyanam mentioned POS-US has grown significantly over the last two decades.The table below shows the growth in the POS market, peaked at 1m.

Year PASSENGERS
1999 451,956
2000 505,737
2002 510,696
2006 625,607
2007 769,520
2008 836,951
2010 854,648
2013 794,397
2014 900,292
2015 1,016,261
2016 955,803

The chartered airlines were prominent between 1999-2005 and did play a role in gorwing the market, but like dynamic they all went into Bankruptcy. Guyanam mentioned in 1998 BWIA operated 2 flights a day to NYC, 1 L1011 doing the GEO-POS-JFK-POS-GEO and the MD80 between BGI-JFK. as BWIA turned into CAL more seats were added to try to meet demand.

St.Lucia has definitely been doing well out of the US market they have flights out of MIA,JFK,EWR, BOS, PHL, CLT, ATL and ORD served by the US3 in addition to JB. The Trinidad economy maybe slowing down however, it is still the biggest in the region and with oil on the up swing again things will most likely turn around.

Oil and gas account for a huge part of Trinidad's economy, which is another way of saying that economic diversity is lacking. As the US is now virtually self-sufficient in gas, how will Trinidad sell its gas? Bearing in mind that there are long-standing problems including corruption and crime, I remain cautious about any prospect of a significant upturn in the economy.

gunnerman wrote:

Oil and gas account for a huge part of Trinidad's economy, which is another way of saying that economic diversity is lacking. As the US is now virtually self-sufficient in gas, how will Trinidad sell its gas? Bearing in mind that there are long-standing problems including corruption and crime, I remain cautious about any prospect of a significant upturn in the economy.

The biggest problem that T&T has is that it lost its largest gas market now that the USA is a net exporter. I don't think that T&T is outgoing enough to develop export opportunities in the service sector. Selling commodity industrial products is very different from developing brand service markets.

I just don't see Trinidad as a leisure destination, and TAB has always been challenged by being too far south to get much US business, though this will change with Sandal going there. That has jumped started US travel to GND so should do the same for TAB. I expect B6 to operate JFK TAB flights once Sandals opens.

Crime is an issue in many places as is corruption, so I don't think that this is the issue. Mexico and Brazil aren't any better on that score.

guyanam wrote:

gunnerman wrote:

Oil and gas account for a huge part of Trinidad's economy, which is another way of saying that economic diversity is lacking. As the US is now virtually self-sufficient in gas, how will Trinidad sell its gas? Bearing in mind that there are long-standing problems including corruption and crime, I remain cautious about any prospect of a significant upturn in the economy.

I just don't see Trinidad as a leisure destination, and TAB has always been challenged by being too far south to get much US business, though this will change with Sandal going there. That has jumped started US travel to GND so should do the same for TAB. I expect B6 to operate JFK TAB flights once Sandals opens.

Distance matters but Tobago has suffered in comparison with nearby Grenada for years, even before the opening of Sandals in Grenada in December 2013. Flights from LGW to TAB in the summer are poor, being three a week compared with GND's four. Indeed, VS even suspended flights to TAB for a while. A mere 19,000 overseas visitors came to Tobago in 2016, leaving the island hugely dependant on visitors from Trinidad to support its tourism industry.

Sandals in Tobago will make a difference, but you have to take a balanced view of it due to incentives such as tax breaks that Sandals has probably obtained from the government based on the jaw-dropping concessions which Sandals got from Grenada.

A388 wrote:

caribbean484 wrote:

gunnerman wrote:

Guyanam mentioned in 1998 BWIA operated 2 flights a day to NYC, 1 L1011 doing the GEO-POS-JFK-POS-GEO and the MD80 between BGI-JFK. as BWIA turned into CAL more seats were added to try to meet demand.

Caribbean484, what's up my friend. Long time no see here. I remember seeing the BWIA L1011 and MD80 parked side by side in the early when I boarded my ALM MD80 flight to CUR from JFK. Really sad that I wasn't much into photography at the time BWIA was flying their L1011 to CUR and in Europe when I still lived there. Those were the days for me but unfortunately like most things in life, they all come to an end at some point.

A388

Hi A388, its been awhile since I posted, took up a new management position so I'm busy, but always lurk here a couple times. To be honest the L1011 was always my favorite a/c. BWIA just made it special in the 90's as their flagship a/c, and had the privilege to fly on during the summer to visit family in NYC.

CAL is in a transformation phase, the airline is taking up the LCC model, I believe next year the 737s will be reconfigured to basic economy, economy+ and Business I have been hearing the new config should be 12/30/120, so we will see how it goes. They are also starting to charge for the first baggage for pax that book with Travel agents in MBJ, I expect that to be extended in the near future to all destinations. There are talks of another ATR joining the fleet to increase TAB and other regional services. We just have to wait to see what management does.

caribbean484 wrote:

A388 wrote:

caribbean484 wrote:

Caribbean484, what's up my friend. Long time no see here. I remember seeing the BWIA L1011 and MD80 parked side by side in the early when I boarded my ALM MD80 flight to CUR from JFK. Really sad that I wasn't much into photography at the time BWIA was flying their L1011 to CUR and in Europe when I still lived there. Those were the days for me but unfortunately like most things in life, they all come to an end at some point.

A388

Hi A388, its been awhile since I posted, took up a new management position so I'm busy, but always lurk here a couple times. To be honest the L1011 was always my favorite a/c. BWIA just made it special in the 90's as their flagship a/c, and had the privilege to fly on during the summer to visit family in NYC.

CAL is in a transformation phase, the airline is taking up the LCC model, I believe next year the 737s will be reconfigured to basic economy, economy+ and Business I have been hearing the new config should be 12/30/120, so we will see how it goes. They are also starting to charge for the first baggage for pax that book with Travel agents in MBJ, I expect that to be extended in the near future to all destinations. There are talks of another ATR joining the fleet to increase TAB and other regional services. We just have to wait to see what management does.

Shocking to hear BW is evening thinking about getting another ATR. The amount of bad rep BW had to say about this aircraft is amazing.

gunnerman wrote:

Oil and gas account for a huge part of Trinidad's economy, which is another way of saying that economic diversity is lacking. As the US is now virtually self-sufficient in gas, how will Trinidad sell its gas? Bearing in mind that there are long-standing problems including corruption and crime, I remain cautious about any prospect of a significant upturn in the economy.

Exactly. I also expect a devaluation of the currency shortly which will further hurt demand out of Trinidad.

caribbean484 wrote:

A388 wrote:

caribbean484 wrote:

Caribbean484, what's up my friend. Long time no see here. I remember seeing the BWIA L1011 and MD80 parked side by side in the early when I boarded my ALM MD80 flight to CUR from JFK. Really sad that I wasn't much into photography at the time BWIA was flying their L1011 to CUR and in Europe when I still lived there. Those were the days for me but unfortunately like most things in life, they all come to an end at some point.

A388

Hi A388, its been awhile since I posted, took up a new management position so I'm busy, but always lurk here a couple times. To be honest the L1011 was always my favorite a/c. BWIA just made it special in the 90's as their flagship a/c, and had the privilege to fly on during the summer to visit family in NYC.

CAL is in a transformation phase, the airline is taking up the LCC model, I believe next year the 737s will be reconfigured to basic economy, economy+ and Business I have been hearing the new config should be 12/30/120, so we will see how it goes. They are also starting to charge for the first baggage for pax that book with Travel agents in MBJ, I expect that to be extended in the near future to all destinations. There are talks of another ATR joining the fleet to increase TAB and other regional services. We just have to wait to see what management does.

It will be interesting to see how the traveling public responds to these changes. I wonder if patriotic loyalty (whatever of it is left) to BW will remain if they are seen as being no different than their foreign competitors.

LimaFoxTango wrote:

caribbean484 wrote:

A388 wrote:

Caribbean484, what's up my friend. Long time no see here. I remember seeing the BWIA L1011 and MD80 parked side by side in the early when I boarded my ALM MD80 flight to CUR from JFK. Really sad that I wasn't much into photography at the time BWIA was flying their L1011 to CUR and in Europe when I still lived there. Those were the days for me but unfortunately like most things in life, they all come to an end at some point.

A388

Hi A388, its been awhile since I posted, took up a new management position so I'm busy, but always lurk here a couple times. To be honest the L1011 was always my favorite a/c. BWIA just made it special in the 90's as their flagship a/c, and had the privilege to fly on during the summer to visit family in NYC.

CAL is in a transformation phase, the airline is taking up the LCC model, I believe next year the 737s will be reconfigured to basic economy, economy+ and Business I have been hearing the new config should be 12/30/120, so we will see how it goes. They are also starting to charge for the first baggage for pax that book with Travel agents in MBJ, I expect that to be extended in the near future to all destinations. There are talks of another ATR joining the fleet to increase TAB and other regional services. We just have to wait to see what management does.

Shocking to hear BW is evening thinking about getting another ATR. The amount of bad rep BW had to say about this aircraft is amazing.

Their hands are probably tied re the ATR. They desperately need more capacity on the Tobago route but don't have the funds to re-fleet with another aircraft.

caribbean484 wrote:

[. They are also starting to charge for the first baggage for pax that book with Travel agents in MBJ, I expect that to be extended in the near future to all destinations. There are talks of another ATR joining the fleet to increase TAB and other regional services. We just have to wait to see what management does.

They can kiss their Jamaican routes away if they pull that stunt. Many Jamaicans only use them because of the 1st free bag. That tight seating will also drive passengers to other carriers. Some one needs to tell them that Caribbean people aren't tiny.

Who comes up with these ideas? Will they still charge US$800 on the GEO JFK route offering this diminished service. What are AA and B6 doing?

WN had the opposite effect because of everyone else reducing service to the Caribbean. WN has seen a gain in traffic in it's Caribbean network.
PLS was being watched to see if the start date should have been pushed back by low demand from the devastation to the Island.
But like SJU it's had the opposite effect and demand is actually better than expected so no service reductions we were added.
If was leaked by the SXM Minister of Tourism earlier this year it's land WN for summer service in 2018.
This could probably be the only delayed addition in the Caribbean since the terminal itself took a massive blow and retainied a lot of water damage.
So it seem and now Sounds like 2019 for SXM now.


Flyguy

guyanam wrote:

caribbean484 wrote:

[. They are also starting to charge for the first baggage for pax that book with Travel agents in MBJ, I expect that to be extended in the near future to all destinations. There are talks of another ATR joining the fleet to increase TAB and other regional services. We just have to wait to see what management does.

They can kiss their Jamaican routes away if they pull that stunt. Many Jamaicans only use them because of the 1st free bag. That tight seating will also drive passengers to other carriers. Some one needs to tell them that Caribbean people aren't tiny.

Who comes up with these ideas? Will they still charge US$800 on the GEO JFK route offering this diminished service. What are AA and B6 doing?

The current config is 16/138, 32' pitch in Y and 38" in J the proposed new once is 6 more than current, with 31" in Y, 35" in Y+ and 38 in J not tight. AA will be flying their 737MAX into POS with 172pax, and B6 is going to reduce Y in the A320 from 34" to 32", as their A321 is currently configured.

The issue is that the airline is not selling J outside of MIA, YYZ and the POS-KIN route, so the idea is to reduce J and add Y+ to avoid pax getting free upgrades. CAL needs to be run like a business, and has to adapt to the environment they are in using the data available to get manage their inventory and maximize revenue.

LimaFoxTango wrote:

Shocking to hear BW is evening thinking about getting another ATR. The amount of bad rep BW had to say about this aircraft is amazing.

Well after they curse the a/c I was surprised to hear they are thinking of getting more ATRs.

LimaFoxTango wrote:

Shocking to hear BW is evening thinking about getting another ATR. The amount of bad rep BW had to say about this aircraft is amazing.

If I was a lessor and had several Q400s I wanted to unload, I would be knocking on BW's door.

INFINITI329 wrote:

LimaFoxTango wrote:

Shocking to hear BW is evening thinking about getting another ATR. The amount of bad rep BW had to say about this aircraft is amazing.

If I was a lessor and had several Q400s I wanted to unload, I would be knocking on BW's door.

Why would BW take them when the operating costs are more. Plus is I am trying to figure out why only BW is having all these problems with the ATR when other carriers dont.

LimaFoxTango wrote:

Shocking to hear BW is evening thinking about getting another ATR. The amount of bad rep BW had to say about this aircraft is amazing.

If BW needs more capacity, then it has to be another ATR as the only realistic alternative - the Q400 - won't make sense for an airline with such a small turboprop fleet.

caribbean484 wrote:

[
The current config is 16/138, 32' pitch in Y and 38" in J the proposed new once is 6 more than current, with 31" in Y, 35" in Y+ and 38 in J not tight. AA will be flying their 737MAX into POS with 172pax, and B6 is going to reduce Y in the A320 from 34" to 32", as their A321 is currently configured.

.

I suggest that BW waits until B6 implements their changes. 34" is notably different from the 31" that is on the JFK POS. I will take your word that the elimination of a row of seats in J class will not notably impact Y class. After all most of their passengers will be Y.

The damage on the Jamaican routes will be when BW offers the same baggage policies as B6. What I find interesting with recent DOT stats, in addition to the obvious decline on loads is the fact that KIN now offers similar numbers as MBJ even though more VFR traffic is out of that airport. Jamaicans have no loyalty to BW.

BW should be cleaning up their planes and putting in wifi. That is a complaint that I see on Tripadvisor. Shabby looking cabins with amenities that don't work.

Neos will soonly take delivery of their brand new B787-9.
Does anybody know:

1) when?
2) Which Caribbean destinations will see their 787?
3) if they'll open more Caribbean destinations with them?

Best regards!

leleko747 wrote:

Neos will soonly take delivery of their brand new B787-9.
Does anybody know:

1) when?
2) Which Caribbean destinations will see their 787?
3) if they'll open more Caribbean destinations with them?

Best regards!

1) Should be end of this month
2) From a quick search: Cancun, La Romana and Guadeloupe
3) not sure...

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... light=neos
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... light=neos

817Dreamliiner wrote:

1) Should be end of this month
2) From a quick search: Cancun, La Romana and Guadeloupe
3) not sure...

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... light=neos
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... light=neos

Wonderful, thank you so much!
Would be great to see the new bird at MBJ too... let's wait and see...

The Q400 also does not have the best reliability and would probably do worse than the ATR.

beeweel15 wrote:

[Why would BW take them when the operating costs are more. Plus is I am trying to figure out why only BW is having all these problems with the ATR when other carriers dont.

BW has a route structure even more challenging than that of LI. It has a 15 minute route operated with high frequency. LI has changed their route structure so more sectors are now over 30 minutes. It will be of no surprise that BW's planes aren't under high stress.

IMHO this should be mainly a ferry route with air service only for this who require a shorter trip and are willing to pay for it. Sloppy ferry service and the need to pander to TAB is forcing BW to operate a route at levels which aren't sustainable and not receiving sufficient subsidies to justify it.