ERJ170 wrote:At some point, DL is going to have to retaliate or something. F9 seems to be snatching up all their low hanging fruit. Not saying DL is the owner of RDU, but they have labeled it as their property. But I guess F9 has too. Upguagi g has been nice for DL but it’s time to make some moves... AS too... I thought SAN was their hub or focus or something. Can’t be too conservative these days. The LCC and ULCC are being very aggressive and getting unserved routes and, probably, incentives for these routes... *sigh* it is fun to watch.. now if someone will give AC competition on Canadian routes and force them to upguage...
DL has a focus city at RDU and a hub at LAX, but DL does not currently have a hub or focus city at SAN. However, while DL doesn't have a hub or focus city at either SAN or LAS, DL does operate nonstop service to LAS from SAN.
WN could add nonstop service to OAK, SJC, LAX, and SAN from RDU for several reasons, including the following:
- RDU is one of the few WN destinations with nonstop service to the 7 largest WN focus cities (MDW, BWI, LAS, DEN, PHX, DAL, and HOU) that doesn't have nonstop service to any California destinations on WN
- WN still has significant market share at RDU, even with the DL focus city at RDU and recent F9 expansion at RDU
- WN has been recently expanding in California in order to maintain market share in California and in order to better compete against AS
- WN could add RDU-OAK and RDU-SJC nonstop service in order to better compete against AS's RDU-SFO nonstop service
- WN has served RDU prior to DL establishing a focus city at RDU and prior to F9 entering the RDU market
- WN has an established frequent flyer base in California and the Research Triangle to support nonstop service to California destinations from RDU