Are you going to be able to tell any difference between the Max 8 and 800? They pretty much have the same specs I'm the cabin. Right?

Blog post, but does not yet reference the actual schedule changes.

https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t ... ba-p/52280

gr8slvrflt wrote:

Seven Max8s will enter service on October 1st. The inauguration will be flights 1, 2 and 3 DAL-HOU-SAT-DAL.

9 MAX flying on Oct 1st, with one more a week later. Check out the blog post!

Jshank83 wrote:

Are you going to be able to tell any difference between the Max 8 and 800? They pretty much have the same specs I'm the cabin. Right?

Same inside, but I'm excited to see what it sounds like with those new engines. And ya know, history of the first day.

Booked on flights 1, 2, and 3 for 11k points total!

I found a MAX 8 on DAL-DEN-MDW (WN flight 4) and LAS-MDW. So far, I haven't seen it in OAK schedules.

When and routing is the last 737-300 flight?

Looks like the MAX8 will also make it to BOS (BWI-BOS-DEN). I also spotted it doing a run on BWI-MCO.

Well Done WN! People looked for large cuts and they didn't happen. If anything, it looks like maybe a year over year seat count growth with some MAX8s replacing -300's. Probably won't know for sure until an actual flight change count is posted.

I also found a MAX 8 operating a LAX-PHX flight on Oct 7th. WN5416.

Jshank83 wrote:

TWA302 wrote:

Jshank83 wrote:

I will make a home airport new service prediction, because those are the most fun to see. STL-CUN. I still only put it at 25% but no other stations I feel like are really needed from STL. Unless you are going to route BHM or SDF though it or something. I don't think fall/winter is the time to make CHS daily.

What are your last predictions before this comes out?

I would rather see SJD from STL. Won't happen but it would be nice for sure. I would assume CUN will happen, just not sure today. F9 and Xtra do that CUN thing, but I know WN could put a HUGE dent in their business with it.

Only F9 does Cancun. Apple vacations uses them as their package not Xtra. Xtra is the rest of them.

Oops! Thought they did.... Just HUX, MBJ, PUJ

we get 2 more schedule releases for 2017 cycle correct? not counting today's release...

flydulles wrote:

we get 2 more schedule releases for 2017 cycle correct? not counting today's release...

Doesn't look like it. Just one more that covers both Thanksgiving and Christmas / New Years. I believe they usually split those into two extension but I guess not now
https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-t ... .html?int=

We are currently accepting air reservations through November 3, 2017. On May 18, 2017 we will open our schedule for sale through January 7, 2018. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.

i got to say iam completely shocked southwest doesn't do coast to coast like lax and sfo from dulles to compete with united....!

crazytoaster do you think we will see anything on hawaii on this next schedule release due out may 18 2017 now that max 9 starts oct.1?

vulindlela744 wrote:

I can guarantee you WN is not starting Hawai'i soon or any time in the near future. I'd venture to say you'll NEVER see a SW plane in Hawai'i.

I would agree. Low yields, lots of competition. There's cash to be made elsewhere.

TransGlobalGold wrote:

vulindlela744 wrote:

I can guarantee you WN is not starting Hawai'i soon or any time in the near future. I'd venture to say you'll NEVER see a SW plane in Hawai'i.

I would agree. Low yields, lots of competition. There's cash to be made elsewhere.

Ah yes, the Hawaii is low yielding myth. For the airline that seems to do very well on leisure markets like LAS and MCO. I have to believe it's another reason WN isn't on Hawaii.

SFOtoORD wrote:

TransGlobalGold wrote:

vulindlela744 wrote:

I can guarantee you WN is not starting Hawai'i soon or any time in the near future. I'd venture to say you'll NEVER see a SW plane in Hawai'i.

I would agree. Low yields, lots of competition. There's cash to be made elsewhere.

Ah yes, the Hawaii is low yielding myth. For the airline that seems to do very well on leisure markets like LAS and MCO. I have to believe it's another reason WN isn't on Hawaii.

If Hawaii were so low yielding, why am I never flying there but instead heading around the continental US to save money?

flydulles wrote:

crazytoaster do you think we will see anything on hawaii on this next schedule release due out may 18 2017 now that max 9 starts oct.1?

Haha, I have no clue. No insider knowledge here.

I think the MAX 8 helps the case for WN to add Hawaii sooner rather than later. Personally it would be great if they added Hawaii or even more Central America / Caribbean destinations in 2018 for use with my companion pass but I am not holding my breathe.

PlanesNTrains wrote:

SFOtoORD wrote:

TransGlobalGold wrote:

I would agree. Low yields, lots of competition. There's cash to be made elsewhere.

Ah yes, the Hawaii is low yielding myth. For the airline that seems to do very well on leisure markets like LAS and MCO. I have to believe it's another reason WN isn't on Hawaii.

If Hawaii were so low yielding, why am I never flying there but instead heading around the continental US to save money?

...because you think spending over $1,000 to fly to Hawaii is a lot of money, when most business travelers are accustomed to spending that routinely on short-haul hops around the country.

Reality is, Hawaii IS low-yielding. The average fare from LAX/HNL is less than $350. Average fares on nonstop flights from JFK, ORD, MSP, DFW, IAH & DEN are under $500..

Was waiting to see if HOU to DTW was going to be added, maybe next time!

Starting up an ETOPS program could take 9 months to a year before starting Hawaii. Some airlines have done it much quicker. Also I've heard that the MAX has an increased payload of 5000 lbs over an 800. For a Hawaiian route, that can equate to a full hour of extra ETOPS fuel or 25 paxs, essentially removing any weight restriction from an 800. If WN were to do Hawaii, this would be the time and the plane.

So where's the usual list of net gains/losses? Usually, they post the blog entry by now.

compensateme wrote:

PlanesNTrains wrote:

SFOtoORD wrote:

Ah yes, the Hawaii is low yielding myth. For the airline that seems to do very well on leisure markets like LAS and MCO. I have to believe it's another reason WN isn't on Hawaii.

If Hawaii were so low yielding, why am I never flying there but instead heading around the continental US to save money?

...because you think spending over $1,000 to fly to Hawaii is a lot of money, when most business travelers are accustomed to spending that routinely on short-haul hops around the country.

Reality is, Hawaii IS low-yielding. The average fare from LAX/HNL is less than $350. Average fares on nonstop flights from JFK, ORD, MSP, DFW, IAH & DEN are under $500..

I assume those averages are one way and have a source? And again, you could probably cite similar stats on LAS and MCO and yet WN flocks to those markets? HA and AS have continued to expand in Hawaii and they surely aren't increasing their losses. And the majors have largely grown their presence their.

crazytoaster wrote:

flydulles wrote:

crazytoaster do you think we will see anything on hawaii on this next schedule release due out may 18 2017 now that max 9 starts oct.1?

Haha, I have no clue. No insider knowledge here.

I think the MAX 8 helps the case for WN to add Hawaii sooner rather than later. Personally it would be great if they added Hawaii or even more Central America / Caribbean destinations in 2018 for use with my companion pass but I am not holding my breathe.

It's sounds like WN may be gearing up for Hawaii service with the MAX.
I'm guessing a spring 2018 start date.
I'm also guessing the official announcement will probably be made at the BFI delivery ceremony.
From then until October 1 WN will have idle MAX aircraft it can legally use for proving runs and pilot training.
Remember WN already has done 70% of ETOPS certification before putting the plan on hold because of weight restrictions with NG800.
WN miss the last Hawaii boat 8 yrs ago with the NG800 issues.
Two key elements make it the right time for WN to finally start Hawaii service.
1. AS in a way is eliminating Competition by buying VX.
2. WN need to beat HA to the market before their A320NEO arrive.

If Hawaii going to happen the time is Now for WN.
Bill Owen did tell everyone to wear shades for future MAX flying plans.

Aloha
Flyguy

cvgComair wrote:

I know DSM, FNT, GSP, and ROC have all been mentioned as possible stations to close, what are your thoughts? If any of the stations are ever going to close, this is the schedule release to do it.

"Have been mentioned" by who, other than Airliners.net commenters. Do you have a source for this statement?

Jim

If this has been posted already and I missed it, then I'm sorry for asking. Are the WN MAX8's coming ETOPS certified/ready? I know a bunch of the -800's are (and most are not), but I hadn't heard about the WN Max's.

DCA-ROCguy wrote:

cvgComair wrote:

I know DSM, FNT, GSP, and ROC have all been mentioned as possible stations to close, what are your thoughts? If any of the stations are ever going to close, this is the schedule release to do it.

"Have been mentioned" by who, other than Airliners.net commenters. Do you have a source for this statement?

Jim

It's only from other users on Airliners.net, it was talking point in the previous discussion. I was in no way suggesting they were closing, just providing talking points.

compensateme wrote:

...because you think spending over $1,000 to fly to Hawaii is a lot of money, when most business travelers are accustomed to spending that routinely on short-haul hops around the country.

Reality is, Hawaii IS low-yielding. The average fare from LAX/HNL is less than $350. Average fares on nonstop flights from JFK, ORD, MSP, DFW, IAH & DEN are under $500..

I'm not clear on where the average fair can be found to HI? A glance at Faremeasure didn't offer Hawaii as an option. I'll just say that in general, looking at airfares for vacation destinations (my need, not necessarily yours), Hawaii tends to price out higher than lower 48 locations for me. CUN and SJU price out comparably for the distance, but continental destinations have much more competition and a plethora of one-stop options so often price out significantly lower. Considering a one-stop to Hawaii isn't necessarily the best option lol it's hard to get a good level of competitive options.

Obviously this is before pricing out hotels, rental cars, food, etc.

compensateme wrote:

...because you think spending over $1,000 to fly to Hawaii is a lot of money, when most business travelers are accustomed to spending that routinely on short-haul hops around the country.

Reality is, Hawaii IS low-yielding. The average fare from LAX/HNL is less than $350. Average fares on nonstop flights from JFK, ORD, MSP, DFW, IAH & DEN are under $500..

Do you realize $350 and $500 are decent yields? $350 from LAX is about 14 cents, higher than even UA's average yield. And we know the CASM to Hawaii is good with the long stage length. WN and the rest of the legacies will sell me sub-$200 fares all day long on the likes of LAX-MCO or LAX-BWI. That's low yielding. You won't find that when searching for LAX-HNL. Hawaii isn't a gold mine, but it's easy profit. It has to be structural reasons why WN isn't there yet.